Page 51 of Love Me Fearless

“I don’t think he knows, either,” I add.

“Sounds tricky,” Sofie says.

“Yeah.”

In the background, Elliot’s excited shriek fills the airwaves.

“I’ll let you guys go,” I say.

“You guys wanna come over for dinner tonight?” Sofie asks. “Zach has to work late again.”

Zach is likely working Marin’s murder case. If only I could help. “Love to,” I reply.

We settle on a time and what we can bring. After we say goodbye, I let myself into the office, but nearly collide with a tall figure coming out of the exam area.

“Dr. Boone!” I cry out in surprise.

He gives me a bright grin, which makes his ruddy cheeks shine. “Ava! Didn’t mean to scare you there. How are you?”

“I’m good.” I glance at the dark hallway behind him. “What are you up to?”

He lifts the manilla file folder in his big hand. “Police asked for a copy of Marin’s medical records.”

“Got it,” I say. “You didn’t have to come in. I could have done it for you.”

He shrugs. “I had time. And she was more my patient than yours.” His eyes turn sad.

“True. She hasn’t been in since I took over.”

“There you have it,” he says. “Things still going well for you here?”

“Yes. You’ve left me some big shoes to fill, though.”

“You’ll fill ’em,” he says with a wink. He points a corner of the manilla file at me. “Don’t work too hard, you hear? Take time forfun, and your family. Nobody ever went to their grave wishin’ they worked more.”

Though he means this to be lighthearted, a chill prickles the back of my neck. Maybe because I can’t help but think about Marin. What desperate thoughts were racing through her mind during her final moments?

“I’ll remember that,” I manage.

“All right,” he says, and heads for the door. The movement brings his face into the light coming in through the glass, revealing a red welt on his neck.

“Ouch,” I say. “What happened?”

Realization dawns on his face. “Oh, this,” he says, wincing as he rubs the spot. “Garret thought he could surprise me with a single-leg takedown. I set him straight, but he got me with his claws. The little twerp.”

If I remember right, Garret is his youngest grandson. “Next time, clip his fingernails first,” I say.

He arches an eyebrow. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

“Bye,” I say as he turns to go.

Dr. Boone gives me a soft wave, then slips through the doors. I lock up behind him and head for my office. Focusing on the simple charting I need to accomplish takes all my energy, thanks to the way my thoughts keep drifting to Hutch and my coffee date with Chris, going round and round. By the time I finally leave, I’m exhausted but restless. I drive home and change into my running gear, then queue up a playlist and head down the road.

Letting my thoughts drift as I run, the tension slowly drains out of me.

And with it, the solution to my problem is right there, waiting.

Hutch isn’t staying in Finn River, so I just have to avoid seeing him until he’s gone.

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