Page 39 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

“How did it go?” she asks, concern lacing her voice.

I let out a long breath. “They suspended Rivkin. And they offered me the chief of staff position.”

Her eyes widen. “Joel, that’s huge! Are you going to take it?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “It’s a lot to think about.”

The weekend stretches ahead of me like an open road, full of possibilities but also uncertainty. The kids are up early Saturday morning, their laughter echoing through the house as Lucy flips pancakes in the kitchen. The aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the sound of sizzling batter, and for a moment, I let myself be absorbed into the scene.

Lucy is effortlessly at ease, wearing an old T-shirt of mine that’s a little too big for her. She’s helping Finn pour syrup while Miles chatters away about playing basketball at a friend’s house. Watching them, I’m struck by how natural it all feels.

“Daddy, are we going to the park today?” Finn asks, his blue eyes wide with excitement.

Lucy glances over her shoulder at me, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “I told them we might take them out to the lake. Unless you’re too busy ruminating about your big decision.”

I chuckle, ruffling Finn’s hair as I grab my coffee mug. “The lake sounds perfect. Let’s make a day of it.”

We pack up a picnic, toss a couple of fishing rods into the car, and head out to the lake. The drive is filled with laughter and the occasional bickering between the boys, and by the time we arrive, I feel some of the tension in my chest begin to loosen.

The day is everything I didn’t know I needed. We fish, although Miles is far more interested in tossing rocks into the water than actually catching anything. Finn, on the other hand, takes it seriously, holding his rod with an intensity that makes Lucy and me exchange amused glances.

By late afternoon, we’re sprawled out on a blanket near the shore, the boys building elaborate sandcastles out of dirt and water from a pail while Lucy rests her head on my shoulder. The sun glints off the water, and for the first time in what feels like forever, my mind isn’t racing.

“You’re thinking about it again,” Lucy says softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

I glance down at her, caught. “Maybe a little.”

She smiles, her fingers lacing through mine. “Whatever you decide, Joel, it’s the right choice. You’ll make it work. You always do.”

Her faith in me is humbling, grounding. I press a kiss to her forehead, letting her words settle deep.

By Sunday night, I know what I’m going to do. The decision isn’t easy, but it’s clear. This is my chance to make a difference, to shape the hospital’s future in a way the previous chief never did. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I’m ready.

Monday morning, I’m back in the boardroom. The members are waiting, their expressions expectant. Dr. Harris speaks first. “Dr. Anderson, have you reached a decision?”

I take a deep breath, meeting each of their gazes in turn. “Yes. I’ll take the position.”

The room is quiet for a beat, then Harris smiles, standing to shake my hand. “Congratulations, Chief Anderson. We’re lucky to have you.”

19

LUCY

Life in Everwood has settled into a beautiful kind of chaos. The boys are thriving, Joel seems lighter since accepting the Chief of Staff position, and I’ve fallen more and more in love with this quirky little town that I grew up in. It feels like I’m really back home where I belong.

Saturday morning dawns bright and warm, the kind of day that makes you want to throw open the windows and let the world in. The boys are already up, their laughter echoing through the house as they debate which superhero would win in a fight. Joel is in the kitchen, making bacon and eggs and coffee like the domestic god I never expected him to be. Watching him, barefoot in jeans and a T-shirt, his hair still messy from sleep, I can’t help but smile. He’s so different now. He’s calmer, more confident and I like to think I’ve had something to do with that.

“Good morning,” I say, sliding my arms around his waist from behind. He smells like coffee and Joel, and it’s intoxicating.

He turns his head to kiss my temple. “Morning. Sleep okay?”

“Mmm, I did. But I could get used to waking up to this.” I gesture to the breakfast and the boys’ laughter.

“Yeah, me too,” he murmurs, and for a moment, the world narrows to just the two of us.

The morning passes in a blur of errands, soccer practice, and last-minute preparations for the party the town is throwing in Joel’s honor.

Everwood doesn’t do anything halfway, and this event is no exception. By the time we arrive at the community center, it’s packed with smiling faces, a live band, and tables groaning under the weight of potluck dishes.

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