Page 95 of Paging Dr. Summers

“You are certainly magical,” he whispered for my ears only in sultry tones that invoked all the good shivers.

I leaned against his towering figure, taking a moment to soak in his comforting presence.

No one said anything, not even to tease us about our PDA, which I admit there was plenty of. I figured they knew I just needed a moment. Needed my person. There was a lot riding on this.

“All right,” I breathed out. “We got this. My mom used to say that there was nothing more invincible than a group of women coming together. So, thank you.” My voice pitched, but I held it together.

The women around the table nodded. Camila reached for my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Her manicured hand looked much different from my mom’s, frequently bruised from treatments, but the motherly warmth was all there, and I needed it.

I took my seat at the table in front of my mic.

Logan kissed my head before retreating to the great room.

“Headsets on, ladies.”

As weird as it sounded, anytime I put on my headset, I immediately felt connected to something greater than myself. Music was a powerful thing. I pressed the record button and did what I was meant to do.

“Welcome to another episode ofThe Babbling Brooke Show. Today is a special episode because I’m not just babbling by myself. Today, I have with me some very remarkable women, whom I will introduce in a moment. These amazing women all came into my life this summer in an adventure that, at first, I wasn’t even sure I wanted. I was afraid to leave home and my comfort zone. But as always, my mom knew best. She led me to these rock stars, who have not only welcomed me with open arms but reminded me it’s not DNA or even time that make relationships or families. Sometimes, it’s the neighbor who invites you over to help you make cookies.” I smiled at Eden, who flashed me a big grin.

“Or it’s the woman who compliments your clothes.” My focus shifted to Lola, who was making the heart sign with her hands. “It might even be some moms who have some extra love to give and know when you need it the most.” I glanced at Camila and Marianne. They clasped their hands together and held them up like they’d just won a prize. Honestly, they were the real MVPs.

“My mom always used to say that women and moms are the backbone of all the love, resilience, and strength in this world. They hold families together, uplift communities, and shape generations. I was lucky enough to be shaped by such a woman. Many of you knowthat earlier this year, I lost my mom, but she didn’t leave me alone. Like the amazing woman she was, she gave me Eden, Lola, Marianne, and Camila.”

I felt that with every fiber of my being. Her bucket list was a masterpiece.

“Say hello, ladies.”

“Hello!” they said in unison into their mics.

“I can’t wait for you to get to know them. But first, a song. Can you guess it?” I asked my invisible audience. “If you’re thinking ‘We Are Family’ by Sister Sledge, you’re right.”

I looked around the table, and such love filled me. The kind of love that told you exactly where you belonged. And I realized it wasn’t about belonging to a place. That wasn’t why my mom had sent me there. She’d sent me because I belonged to these people. They just all happened to be in Aspen Lake. They were the magic.

They were my family.

I KNOCKED ON THE DOOR of patient room two, ready to treat a Mr. Smith. “May I enter?”

“Yes, please,” my favorite voice responded.

Confused, I opened the door, and to my surprise, there on the exam table sat the sexiest creature in the world, impishly grinning.

“Hello, Dr. Summers.”

I quickly shut the door and strode her way, hoping Evie didn’t find out she was in there. Who knew what trouble that could cause for me and the nurse who had obviously aided and abetted Brooke?

Brooke captured me with her legs, wrapping them around me.

Any thoughts I had about keeping this professional went out the window with the smell of her intoxicating floral perfume.

“What brings you in today?” I murmured, my lips brushing her ear, making her grip my scrubs.

“Well, Doctor, I think my tattoo might need some attention.”

“Is it infected?” I played along, the heat rising between us.

“Um ... I don’t think so. It’s just been missing your lips.”

“Hmm. That sounds serious. I suppose I should kiss it better.”

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