Page 77 of Nate

I’ll try.

Nate set his phone down and knew she was right about Knowles. He would be with Stella so he could get close to Markie. Nate would make sure that didn’t happen.

****

Markie placed her phone on her desk. At least with her mother coming, she’d be able to check her prescription bottle. If Jarrett was stealing her pills, Markie would chew him a new one. How dare he take them? Her mother needed them and being an opioid, they were strong. Jarrett was either just taking a couple because his back did hurt, or he was addicted to them or getting there. He should know not to take someone else’s medicine. For one thing, it was illegal, for another, her mother needed them too much.

With a deep sigh, she left her office to see patients. At least that would keep her mind occupied. She was just so disappointed that Jarrett was coming with her mother next week. Markie knew they’d never get time alone.

She smiled though as she thought about taking them to dinner. Nate was determined to keep Jarrett away from her and she was happy about that.

At the end of the day, she was exhausted. It had been unusually busy for Monday and there were two surgeries scheduled for tomorrow. A cat being neutered and a dog being spayed. She was happy they had responsible owners. She needed to get Socks spayed soon. Although she didn’t go outside, Markie didn’t want to take any chances.

She climbed the stairs to her apartment, unlocked the door and entered to see Socks on the back of the sofa. She jumped down when she saw Markie, walked toward her then wound around her ankles, meowing.

“Let me get some comfy clothes on, then I’ll feed you.” She walked toward her bedroom, entered, then changed into a T-shirt and lounge pants. She was so tired, but it was way too early to go to bed and she needed to eat.

The following week, Markie was a wreck. Why couldn’t her mother come alone? Why did he have to tag along? She knew anytime she saw him, she’d be trying to get away from him.

When her phone buzzed, she stopped outside of an exam room to see who it was. She never wanted to miss a text from Nate, but she saw it was from her mother. With a sigh, she opened it.

We’re here. It’s a lovely B and B. Her mother had sent.

I’ll have to get back to you, Mom. I’m working.

Okay, honey. I’d love to see where you work and live.

We’ll do that soon. I’ll give you a tour of the hospital. Talk soon.

She put the phone back into her pocket and entered the exam room. She hoped the day went quickly so she could get home and relax. She was so tense about Jarrett being here.

After Tess returned from lunch, Markie left the building to head for the diner. She didn’t have much of an appetite, but she knew she had to eat something. Entering the diner, she smiled at the people who waved or called out her name.

She was so happy she had moved to Clifton. The people were the best at making someone feel right at home. Taking a seat on a stool at the counter, she ordered her lunch, then glanced around. The place was packed as usual, and she was sure a lot of them were tourists.

The bell above the door jingled, and she looked over to see Caysen Anderson enter with his brothers and another man. Mentally shaking her head, she couldn’t take her eyes off any of them.

Caysen stopped beside her. “Good afternoon, Doc.”

“Hi, Caysen. How’s your day going?”

He grinned. “Slow. Oh, this is my cousin, Agent Rawley Bowman. Rawley, this is Dr. Markie Russell. She’s a veterinarian.”

“Ma’am, it’s nice to meet you,” he said in a deep voice.

“It’s nice to meet you too. Is your name spelled like the city, Raleigh?”

He grinned. “No, ma’am. R. A. W. L. E. Y.”

Markie laughed. “That’s different. Enjoy your lunch.” She almost sighed when he nodded, and touched his hat, then he looked at Caysen.

“We’ll grab a booth, Case.”

“Alright.” Caysen looked at Markie. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“You too.”

As she turned on the stool, Connie set her plate on the counter, winked, then waited on another customer.

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