Page 19 of Bear's Heart

He shrugged.“I don’t mind driving.”

“You’ve been in Tennessee too long.Our winters aren’t as nice as Nashville.The icy roads are dangerous, and frequently closed, especially out by you.Find a place close to your business, preferably in town, so you can take meetings and meet people and become part of the community.”

“You like Bozeman that much?”

“It’s a great university town, with lots to do here with the restaurants and bars and entertainment.But Rye has settled in Marietta, and he really likes it there.Marietta is much smaller than Bozeman, with maybe twelve or thirteen thousand people.But it’s not a college town, and it’s more small town.It reminds me of Livingston with its old brick buildings and historic downtown.”She paused.“You’ve been to Marietta, right?”

“A few times, mostly to check out the medical center.”

“Marietta Medical is impressive, isn’t it?

“I mostly drove around the complex.I understand it’s grown quite a bit in the past decade.”

“Marietta Medical has received significant endowments from several very generous benefactors allowing it to become a state-of-the-art medical facility.They have some of the best doctors in the state.”

“I like that.”

“My brother Jasper’s medical team is in Bozeman and they’re really good, but Rye has suggested we switch his care to the specialists at Marietta Medical.They just have a lot of growth and energy.”

“Sounds like you favor Marietta.”

Josie laughed.“You should talk to Rye.They’re on the outskirts of Marietta and they’re very happy.They have ten acres because Rye loved his horses, but he’s finally retired from the rodeo—at Ansley’s insistence.She was afraid he’d be hurt, and we already have two men in my family in wheelchairs.We didn’t need him hurt, too.”And then Josie realized what she’d said, and to whom she’d said it, and she went hot and cold, immediately ashamed.“That came out wrong,” she added quickly.“There’s nothing wrong with being in a wheelchair.”

“Oh, there’s everything wrong with being in a wheelchair,” he answered gruffly, “but it’s better than being dead.”

She closed her eyes, appalled by her thoughtlessness.“I wish the ground would just open up and swallow me whole.”

“That might be a tough one to come back from.”

“Fair enough.”Josie took a quick deep breath.“What else can I tell you about Marietta?It’s got a thriving economy and even people new to town—like Rye and Ansley—feel welcome.”

“Was your brother in construction before he retired from competing?”

“He was a roofer then, but this year he got his contractor’s license and now owns a roofing and construction company.He’s really happy.”

“And your sister-in-law?Is she at home?Do they have kids?”

“No kids, not yet.Ansley is an artist and has a gallery in downtown Marietta, right on Main Street, and she’s doing so well.Rye was worried she wouldn’t be able to make her rent every month, but it hasn’t been a problem.People love her work, and she loves painting, and it’s a win-win.”

“What does she paint?Portraits?Landscapes?”

“Landscapes.Big, big canvases, too.Texas, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming.She recently did an exhibit at a prestigious gallery in Jackson Hole and everything sold by the end of the second night.She’s already been invited back for next year.”

“Impressive.”

“She really is.Next time you visit Marietta, check out her gallery, Ansley Art.You might even find something perfect for your new place.”

He grinned.“You Calhouns stick together, don’t you?”

“Just a little bit.”

Chapter Five

Nashville

“Morning sickness gone?”Dr.Matthews asked, glancing at Savannah as he rolled forward on his low stool to approach where she lay, stomach bared, on the examination table.

Savannah Webb nodded.“Never had it bad, but the nausea’s definitely gone” she said, flinching as he placed the chilly fetal Doppler on her belly.

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