Page 31 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

“You, too.”

Though it would have been better if he had been out grabbing a cup of coffee or taking an early lunch instead of manning the pharmacy desk right now. Less risk of him overhearing any of the meeting I need to have with Doc.

I let the door close behind me and step in, scanning to ensure no one else is inside, lurking between the aisles of products and OTC medications. “Is Doc available?”

He nods, placing his book face down to save his page. “I’ll grab him for you.”

“Thanks.”

Ted hustles into the clinic area behind the pharmacy, and Dr. Baker appears behind him on his return and motions for me to come back.

Doc doesn’t say anything until I’ve followed him into his private office and closed the door behind me. He reaches into a drawer in his desk and pulls out a large, unmarked paper bag, pushing it across to me. “I assume you’re here for this.”

I nod, eying the innocuous bag that could hold the key to helping Pops. “I am.”

“How is he doing?”

Even though only the two of us are in here, and I know no one will be able to hear us openly discussing Pops, it still makes the back of my neck tingle. “The first initial shot you gave us last week seems to have helped slightly, so that’s good, I guess.”

He motions for me to take a seat. “I know we didn’t have a lot of time to discuss this when you stopped in before, but depending on how severe the deficiency is, it could take months or even a year for him to fully recover, if he does. Some people have lingering effects.”

I nod slowly. “That’s what Camille said.”

The corners of his lips tip slightly. “I’m glad she’s assisting you. I know your grandfather never would’ve come down here, and I really don’t feel like making that trek up the mountain to give him shots once a week until you can back off on the dosing schedule.”

The battle that ensued last week when I returned from my supply run with that first dose where Camille and I had to wrangle Pops and convince him to let her inject him replays in my head like some slapstick comedy movie.

Only Camille’s “nurse voice” and insistence that he comply “if he knew what was good for him” got him to stop fussing long enough for her to give him the shot.

I laugh and rub the back of my neck, relaxing into the chair. “She’s good with him, doesn’t let him boss her around or rattle her. And she tolerates his moods far better than I do.”

Doc chuckles low. “I don’t know her very well, but it certainly is nice to know she’s around, should anything else ever arise.”

Should anything else ever arise.

His words bring that fear that’s been lingering in the back of my head since the moment I met Camille to the forefront again.

“She’s pregnant.”

Doc doesn’t react to my statement, just reclines and props one foot up on his desk.

Shit, maybe I shouldn’t be discussing somebody else’s medical conditions when I’m sitting here worried about Pops’ private information getting out.

“I only tell you this because…” I take a long breath and let it out slowly. “I’m concerned. She’s due at the end of October, and she’s alone at the homestead with Davey.”

He nods slowly. “Well, thankfully, she’s a nurse, so she can monitor herself during the pregnancy and knows what will need to happen when the time comes for delivery.”

“Has she been to see you?”

Rocking in his chair, he shakes his head. “You know I can’t tell you that, Dalton.”

“Shit.” I run a hand over the scruff growing on my cheek. “I know. I’m sorry for even asking.”

It isn’t any of my business what her plans are for the delivery of her baby. She’s an adult. Anurse. And she’s done this before on the mountain. But I can’t turn off this protective instinct that has cropped up since I met the Bowers. This need to ensure both Camille and Davey are safe drives my actions every day I step onto their property and push myself beyond what I should.

I push out of the chair. “I’m just not sure what I can do to help her when the time comes.”

He offers me a knowing grin. “It’ll all work out, I’m sure. She’ll ask for assistance, if she needs it.”

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