Page 4 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

I remember the day we met at camp like it was yesterday. There I was, fresh off the bus, trying to get my bearings in the chaos of military life. Damon and I got paired up for a training exercise, and we quickly found common ground. He mentioned Harmony Creek, and it felt like a punch to the gut.

My dad had moved there after the divorce, while my mom held custody rights, so I stayed with her, with only occasional visits from him. Hearing about Harmony Creek from someone who lived there was like peering through a window into my dad's life.

My mind starts to wander back to the days when my world first fell apart. The memory of my parents' divorce is like an old wound that never fully healed. I was just a kid, and the pain of watching my family split was something I never quite got over. They loved each other, I knew they did. I heard them say it to each other every day, and then slowly things started to change, and I seem to be the only reason they endured it for one more year before they finally got the divorce.

I haven’t been good at trusting people or even making friends since then. Damon is the rare exception.

It’s strange, being here in this small town where my father lived all those years away from me. Everything seems to move slower here, and it’s a break from the chaos of my life in New York.

“So, how do you find the town?” Damon asks, pulling me back to the present.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts. “It’s not what I expected. Haven’t seen much of it yet, though.”

“So, what’s the plan now that you’re in Harmony Creek?”

“Help my dad at the hospital, try as much as possible to convince you not to mess up by going ahead with this wedding, and maybe, catch some breath. The air’s fresh here.”

Damon laughs, raising his glass. “I’ll go with two out of three of your plans. Welcome to Harmony Creek, Liam.”

“Thanks, man.” I clink my glass against his.

“Remember the first time we talked about Harmony Creek?”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “I grilled you for every detail about my dad. Poor you probably didn’t even realize I was less interested in you giving me a complete rundown of your life.”

Damon shakes his head, smiling. “I figured it out pretty quickly. The Miller name gave you away. Your old man’s kind of a legend around here, you know. Runs the biggest hospital across three towns.”

“Hearing that was…mixed feelings,” I admit. “Happy that he’s doing well, but also…I don’t know, it’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always?” His words are spoken softly. “But hey, now you get to see it for yourself. Maybe it’ll help you sort things out.”

I nod as I take a long sip of my drink, letting the warmth spread through me. It’s strange being back in this town, this place that feels like a cross between a stranger’s home and a long-lost memory. I’d never been to Harmony Creek, and my father only told me a few words about where he was living, mostly during the awkward teenage years when Dad visiting felt more like an obligation than a reunion. Now that I’m here, I can see there’s a certain charm to the town, a sense of purpose and natural comfort.

“Maybe,” I mumble, not entirely convinced.

Damon slaps me on the back, jarring me out of my thoughts. “Enough heavy stuff. I can tell you it’ll be fun. I’ll show you around, and we’ll also grab some food. There’s a new diner in town. You’ll love it.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Since when do you know anything about good food?”

“Since June started making me eat like a grown-up,” Damon replies with a grin.

“Everything revolves around her now, eh?”

Damon nods, a knowing look in his eyes. He drops his glass and heads back to the car.

“It’s good you came back, Liam. Even if you’re not a fan of my wedding plans.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “I’m just looking out for you, man. You got pretty lucky the first time around. You’ve got an amazing son, you’re not exactly bad-looking, and you could have any girl you want. Why commit to one woman when feelings can change along the way?”

He leans against a workbench and fiddles with a wrench, but his focus is on me. “Because I only want one woman in my bed, and that’s June.”

“And I really have to be the best man?”

Damon grins, grabbing a rag and tossing it over his shoulder. “Consider it payback for all the times I covered your ass at camp.” He goes on his knees and proceeds to slide back under the car but stops. “Well, now that you’re here, the team’s almost complete.”

“Team?” I raise an eyebrow.

“My wedding team. She's the last member, and when she arrives, things will kick off.”

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