Page 59 of Doctor Charmer

“To the happiest of all New Year. I see you.” I say the three words that I know she’ll hear, my voice steady. It's been a whirlwind of a week and this is only the beginning. Our beginning.

He looks up at me, the swirl of her dark eyes hinting at a similar journey. "The woman behind the flirts."

I nod, my heart full. I press a hand to my chest. "The man behind the charm."

"“I see you too,” she whispers back, a tear of joy rolling down her sweet cheek. "All of you."

I wipe away her tear, my thumb lingering on her soft skin, "All of us."

She leans up, pressing a ghost kiss to my lips. "To the New Year, and all it brings."

I hold her close, "there's no place I'd rather be and can't wait to see what comes next."

***

Epilogue

Ivy

“Watch your step,” Reggie cautions, giving my hand a gentle squeeze as he navigates the dirt mountain trail. “I didn’t bring my med-kit and have no plans of carrying you on my back the half mile down to the base.”

The sound of my laugh is lost amongst the crunch of our footsteps on the gravelly path. It’s early spring in Eastport. The snow is finally gone but the trees remain naked, tiny buds of future leaves dot the skinny branches. “I’m in good hands,” I repeat his favorite line like a mantra. One that now extends well outside the hospital.

These last few months have been a dream. What we built in a holiday rush continues to stand tall four months later. We are officially that couple.

That annoying couple that can’t keep our hands to ourselves; who wants to spend every available moment together.

“It’s even more beautiful in the summer once everything blossoms, but I couldn’t wait another day to share this with you.” Reggie tosses that charming smile over his shoulder at me andmy heart catches it. We’re on the tiny mountain trail that means the world to him. The one his elderly patient, Emily Cartwright, drew for him back his first year of residency. A special place of solitude and comfort for him. A place he has been waiting for the weather to clear to bring me.

Birds serenade us and I feel like a Disney Princess. Reggie surprised me last evening with a full-on, not even my birthday surprise hiking outfit. Everything from waterproof hiking boots, moisture-wicking socks, multi-layers of tops, new jacket, hat and gloves. I left the trekking poles in the back of his SUV, opting to hold his hands instead. “What do you think the birds are singing about?”

Reggie pauses, tipping his chin up as if listening. I take the moment to drink in the man. He’s wearing a light jacket, a blue and white scarf with the hospital logo on it and sunglasses that make him look like a Hollywood star. I can’t believe he’s mine.

His chuckle puts another cheerful smile on my face. “They’re gossiping. I won’t repeat what they’re saying about us because it’s kinda of indecent.”

We reach level ground and Reggie pauses for us to collect ourselves. A tiny gesture of care he’s repeated our entire climb. “I can handle it. Try me.” Our unique flirtatious cadence never wavers. It’s been with us since day one.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads me down a narrow trail, pointing up into the trees. “Up there is a Robin, and he’s a troublemaker. He’s been following us since the bottom of the mountain. He’s got his eye on you.”

“Me? Pray tell.”

Reggie snickers, “well, Robins have good taste. And I overheard him tell the Blue Jay over there that he can’t wait for you to return this summer. Word of you in your volleyball shorts is all the talk in the bird community.”

“I guess word travels fast when you have wings.” I give Reggie a quick smack on his bottom. “And what are the female birds saying about you?”

He paces forward in silence, and I wait for his smart retort. “I guess I should come clean. There is a special red breasted Cardinal I’ve had a relationship with for a few years.”

“Where is she? I brought my slingshot.” I bend and scoop up a pebble from the dirt.

“It’s okay.” Reggie holds out his hand, waiting for me to give him the rock. I do. “I came up here New Year’s day and told her it was over. I found someone else.”

The mention of New Year’s Day stirs up a bevy of happy memories. It was the day we became a public couple for the world to see. “I hope she took it well.”

“I don’t know. Word in the trees is she was last seen leaping off Eagle’s Crest.”

I snicker. Over the last few months, I’ve become familiar with some of the major landmarks in Eastport. “Sounds like she went scoping out a new doctor in Westport. Too bad she’ll never find one as charming.”

“My thoughts, exactly.” Reggie leads me between two thin tree trunks to a landing and pauses. He waves a hand to his side like a circus ringleader, his words just above a whisper, “we’re here.”

---