Page 74 of The Healer

“Not necessarily. Gran moved to Coedwig. I’d either have to do the same or choose a city close to her.” Ilona bit the inside of her cheek to smother her squeak. When had she decided on this? Sure, the idea had niggled, but it wasn’t concrete. Inner City wasn’t the only option. Glenfell had a hospital too.

“Makes sense.” Evie took a long drink from her milkshake. “I’ve heard good things about Heartstone Pediatrics.”

Ilona had heard the same, but that would put her firmly in Inner City. Her phoned buzzed in her back pocket. She licked her thumb and forefinger, then extracted it. Grinning, she flashed Evie the screen before answering.

“Dr. Olson, what a pleasure to hear from you.” She winced at sounding super happy and unauthentic.

“Good morning, Ilona. So glad to reach you.” He chuckled, bringing his appearance to mind—gray-dusted brown hair, wide smile filled with bright teeth, and ruddy cheeks.

“I planned to call you today. I’m in Fenneg sorting out my parents’ things. Could I come through to Indes to see you? Do you have time?”

“I’ll clear my schedule.” His voice settled on her like a thick and comforting blanket.

She glanced at her watch then smiled at Evie. “I’m at Amity. I can leave now and be there in an hour?”

“Perfect. I can’t wait to see you, Ilona.”

After hanging up, she stared at her phone. He had been at the funeral. She remembered that now. Many people had been. The day had passed in a daze for her, yet her mind had recorded it like any other, right down to the gray suit he had worn.

“Wow, just like that. He’s a legend, Ilona, and he called you.” Evie bounced in her chair.

“Still, he can’t keep the position for me forever. The start date looms.”

Evie waved her cake fork before placing it on the unused napkin. “Just remember to cut your hand afterward.” She swiped her thumb over the empty plate to gather the last crumbs. After sucking on the digit for a moment, she widened her eyes. “Go. I’ve got this.” She gestured to the disaster zone, mostly her fault, that was their finished meal. “And text me the details.”

Ilona lunged across the table to kiss her friend on the temple—the cleanest spot on her face. “I’ll chat later.”

She jogged out of the diner and along the sidewalk to her car. As soon as she started the engine, a blast of air cooled the sweat on her skin. The drive was relaxing, with blues playing from a radio station she had stumbled across. It belied the tension stiffening her muscles and her fingers gripping the steering wheel.

She was in turmoil, undecided, when she half-knew she was moving, just not to where. Gran would be ecstatic, and Rhys… Ilona’s breath caught. Sexy, gorgeous, irresistible Rhys would take her relocation as a sign she would date him. Tormenting her were images of herself dressing for dinner, sitting across from him at a candle-lit table, sipping white wine, with his heated gaze on her lips. Yes, she wanted that and all he made her feel.

Without Callie.

Ilona chose the closest parking spot outside the impressive blue, yellow, and white building. After hopping out, she hurried across the emergency bays to the front doors of Indes Pediatrics. The air conditioning chilled her as she strode across the white tiled floor, past the reception and multi-colored walls depicting superheroes, to the stairs spiraling up the first two levels. She took the steps two at a time, not wanting to waste Dr. Olson’s time.

His office door was open, with the delicious aroma of coffee wafting out.

Tapping his door, she peeked inside.

“Ilona. You made good time.” He beamed, holding up a coffee mug.

She smiled and nodded, stepping farther into his office. His glass desk against a patchwork carpet was cheerful. Sunlight streamed in from the wide windows, and toys lined one wall. He had discarded his medical coat, which, along with his stethoscope, hung on a coat stand beside the door. In jeans, a pink T-shirt, and sneakers, he didn’t look like a doctor. The casual clothes put the kids at ease, and the non-surgical staff dressed for that purpose. Some days they wore pajamas, bunny slippers, and clown noses.

“So,” he gestured to the chair then faced the state-of-the-art coffee machine, “how have you been?”

Before she could answer, the machine whirred as it ground beans. He held up a finger, then pressed a button the moment the machine gurgled. Spinning, he rested his backside against the sideboard and folded his arms across his chest.

“I’m okay. Had to help my…grandfather in Coedwig.”

Olson arched a brow.

She scratched at a tear in her jeans. “I covered his clinic for a few days.”

“Coedwig’s north of Inner City, right?”

She accepted the coffee mug, helping herself to the cream and sugar he placed on his desk in front of her. He chose the chair beside her, twisting to face her, and studied her over the brim of his coffee.

“I’m not sure where to start.” When the mug almost slipped from her trembling fingers, she set it on the desk and clasped her hands on her lap. “I was unable to save them.” Clearing her throat might bolster her dwindling voice, might lessen the impact of his understanding gaze. “The people I loved the most I couldn’t save, Dr. Olson. It made me question whether I was capable of saving anyone, and the most precious of all, children.”

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