Page 12 of Wild Promises

When he opened his mouth wide, I shined a light in it. "No frogs."

"Seriously?"

"You seem disappointed," I observed as I moved to his ears. There was the usual buildup of wax. Nothing that should bother him, and his ear canals were clear.

"Are those marshmallows?" Joey asked.

I laughed as I followed his gaze to the jar of cotton balls. "My dad doesn't allow any candy in here. It's not good for your teeth."

Joey frowned. "Your dad?"

"Her dad is Dr. Clark," Oliver said.

Joey considered that for a few seconds while I listened to his heart. I wanted to ask where Joey's mother was or, more importantly, who she was, but I didn't.

"Are you back for good?" Oliver asked me.

"That's the plan." I'd gotten more than my share of questions about that this week.

"It's good to have you back."

I smiled at Oliver. "It's good to be back."

"Have you been out on the slopes yet?" Oliver asked.

"No. But Xander invited me out tonight."

"You two kept in touch over the years?" Oliver asked as I motioned for Joey to lay down and swing his legs onto the table.

"Not as much as I would have liked." I suspected that Xander was upset I hadn't returned home like I'd promised. But planschange when you go to college, then medical school. I was resentful that he'd chosen to break off our friendship, but I was hopeful he wanted to resurrect it now. I could use a friend. "I planned to take over my dad's practice but got sidetracked for a bit. I learned a lot in the emergency room, but I missed this one-on-one attention. I want to have a relationship with my patients."

I helped Joey sit up so I could test his reflexes with my hammer.

Each time I tapped his knee, Joey giggled.

I couldn't help but feel that this was what I was meant to do. It was a slower pace in a private office, and here, everyone knew who I was. Not because I was dating a surgeon or that he was sleeping around with the nurses behind my back. Now that I was following my heart's desire, I was hopeful that my life was turning around.

I just had one unresolved issue, which was Xander Wilde. Hopefully, tonight, we'd resolve our issues and move forward together as friends.

"You're fit as a fiddle," I said to Joey, knowing my dad always ended an exam with that saying.

Joey jumped off the table. "You sound like Dr. Clark."

"That's my name too."

Joey's nose scrunched. "But you're a girl."

I couldn't help but laugh at his obvious confusion. "I'm his daughter. We have the same last name just like you and your daddy."

"Oh," Joey said, but I was positive he was still confused. "Mommy doesn't have the same last name."

I mouthed, "Sorry," to Oliver.

"You ready to get your ice cream?" Oliver asked.

"Yes!" Joey said, putting his hand in his dad's, and my heart warmed at their sweet interaction.

"We're happy you're home, and I hope we'll see you around," Oliver said to me.

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