Page 363 of Steamy Ever After

“Well,” I say. "I can see them if you want."

We discussed giving me a couple of weeks to get settled after my move, but I prefer staying busy. The sum total of my possessions is packed inside three suitcases.

"If you're feeling up to it, I’d like to check out the clinic.”

He smiles. "I'm happy you decided to take a chance on Peace Springs." Rising from his chair, he gathers my empty coffee cup. “I think you’re going to find it’s a great place to live. Let me shower, and I'll introduce you to the clinic staff."

"I think I'm the one who needs to get cleaned up." I’m still wearing the same clothes from my accident. "I'm going to get my things from outside. Am I staying in the library?”

During my summer visits, my aunt and uncle put me in the library. They have a Murphy bed I thought was cool as a kid, but as an adult, I’m not excited to sleep on the overly firm mattress.

"No, hun, the guest room is yours.” That’s the room my parents stayed in.

"Thanks."

"Do you need help with your bags?"

The thought of him carrying the heavy luggage makes me pause, but he doesn’t want to be treated any differently.

"Um, yeah. Thanks."

I give him the dilapidated fern and the smaller suitcase. Time will tell about Boston, but it doesn’t look like the freezing temperatures killed it. At least not yet. A few minutes later, we have my bags in the guest room. It’s almost eleven.

“Let me change, and maybe we can grab lunch before we head to the clinic?" I suggest.

"Sounds like a plan." He glances around the room. "You know where everything is. Towels, soap, and shampoo are in the bathroom closet."

"I got it. You take a shower and freshen up. We'll make it a day on the town."

A crooked smile lights up his face. "You have a hankering for milkshakes?"

I shake my head. "Actually, I was thinking of hitting up Shelly's Diner."

"Ah, yes, best pancakes in town. It'll be lunchtime, but I bet we can convince her to whip some up."

“Chocolate chips?"

"I delivered all of Shelly's kids. I can talk her into a few chocolate chip pancakes.”

I would prefer the shake. As a kid, I begged to go to Eddie's retro-themed soda shoppe almost every day. Maybe it’s silly heading to Shelly’s and foolish to think I'll run into Drake. Maybe I confused that kiss for something more. But I want to know if that kiss was all in my head.

There are a lot of maybes in my life, but one thing is certain. I need a shower.

It takes a little digging to find my makeup. Normally, I wouldn’t bother, but this is my first time meeting the clinic staff. I want to make a good first impression, especially since I’ll soon be their boss. What I really wish is that I had Drake's number.

Wait.

Henry gave me his card. My car needs repairs, and Henry knows Drake. Maybe I can work around to a reintroduction to Drake.

My uncle waits in the living room when I finally emerge. My long hair is pulled back into a ponytail. I don’t like how it accentuates the angles of my face or draws attention to what I consider to be overly large green eyes. Given a choice, I prefer my hair loose, but I don’t have time to dry it. I’m eager to poke around town, not to mention I’m starving.

"You ready?" My uncle dresses for comfort, jeans and a button-down shirt.

I prefer jeans, but dress in black slacks and a pale-yellow blouse, professional, but not stuffy. "You clean up well," I tease.

We pile into my Jeep and head into town. During the drive, childhood memories bubble to the surface, hitting me, not in the gut, but in my heart.

When I came to Peace Springs, I envied the children who grew up together in grade school, still knew each other through junior high, and matured into adults in high school. The kids were friendly, but I was always an outsider. Despite that, Peace Springs feels comfortable.

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