Page 9 of Phoenix Rising

"Oh, good, you made it." Ember smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"What are you doing here, Josephine?” Becky asked.

Josephine accepted Ember's kiss, squeezing her hand. "Ember texted me this morning saying you were about to bite someone's head off. I don't need to be back at the hospital until this afternoon, so I thought I would stop by."

Becky cut a look at Ember, but she pretendednot to see it. "I'm fine. This isn't my first city council meeting."

"I know, but it sounds like someone might be unsettled by their...competition," Josephine said cautiously.

Becky flipped through her presentation, trying to deflect the sudden attention that had landed on her. "There is no competition. Just two professionals trying to come up with the best solutions to protect the good citizens of Phoenix Ridge.”

"Mhm," Josephine hummed as she glanced at something over Becky's shoulder. "A good thing to keep in mind."

"Good morning, Chief Thompson." Everett's airy voice floated over her and Becky turned sharply to see her.

Petite and strikingly beautiful in a royal blue smart business type dress and heels that looked like they had been made for her.

Was it possible that she looked even more polished than yesterday? Her dark curls were swept to the side, not a single strand out of place. Her laptop and papers were carefully collected against her chest. Becky was jealous of the doctor's composure. It was Dr. Everett’s first city hall meeting, and she didn'tseem the slightest bit nervous—unlike Becky who startled at the sound of her voice, making her step on Ember's toes as she made room for the doctor.

"Good morning, Dr. Everett," Josephine said.

Lucinda smiled and offered her hand to Josephine. "Dr. Mars, I wasn't expecting to see you until later."

"I come to these now and again. I like to get my information straight from the horse's mouth." Josephine grabbed Ember's arm. "Dr. Everett, this is my beautiful wife and Chief's Thompson’s daughter, Ember Thompson."

Everett glanced over to Becky at the word 'daughter,' her gray eyes skimming down to Becky's hands.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Thompson."

Ember curtsied dramatically, pulling out her pockets like a mock skirt. "Charmed."

Jesus Christ. Becky was going to make Ember run laps for that stunt.

"We'll see you after, Becks." Josephine dragged Ember back to the spectator seats, leaving Becky and Lucinda alone.

"I apologize for her." Becky rubbed the back of her neck, trying not to admire how Dr. Everett'sroyal blue dress made her skin glow. "Ember lacks my professionalism.”

"It's fine. I had a person yesterday ask me if I had any shrimp on the barbie. Which is not even remotely close to England."

"Wasn't Australia where Britain would send all their convicts?" Becky smirked, putting her hands in her pockets to hide her fidgeting. Dr. Everett hummed an amused sound. "Touche."

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment until Lucinda cleared her throat. "I guess I'll be taking my seat. I assume it's upfront there?"

"Yeah, just look for your name card. I'll join you momentarily."

Dr. Everett nodded and walked toward Ms. Rhodes. Her sweet perfume lingered in the air around Becky like a spell. The sugared pear made her mind muddy and wouldn't allow her to collect her thoughts. She hoped the doctor wasn't sitting anywhere near her during the meeting or she feared she wouldn't be able to put two words together. Becky clutched her coffee tighter, denting the paper cup.

The rest of the city council members began funneling in, along with a few citizens. Becky even noticed the newspaper had sent a photographerand reporter. It seemed like Dr. Everett was receiving the whole welcome wagon.

When the mayor entered, everyone gravitated toward their seats. Becky sat down next to Rhodes, who smiled politely.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming today." The mayor adjusted her glasses as she looked over the agenda. "I would like to welcome Dr. Lucinda Everett to the session today. She is the new head of trauma at Phoenix Ridge Hospital and will be joining our emergency protocol team."

Polite applause scattered throughout the hall as Dr. Everett nodded. The photographer snapped a photo before quickly rushing to the other side of the room to get a shot of the mayor.

"Let's proceed with the topic of the new emergency protocols for this upcoming year. Dr. Everett, would you like to begin?"

"Thank you, Mayor Dawson." Everett waltzed to the podium, connecting her laptop to the projector.

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