Page 40 of I've Got You

Chapter Fourteen

SCOTT

There’d beena shift in almost every aspect of my life since that unexpected moment in the kitchen. Not only had I spent several hours video conferencing Denver about returning to the clinic, but I’d also met up with Terry, who was managing the clinic in my godfather’s absence. I’d made it clear that if I was to purchase the practice, I didn’t want to be the manager. While I’d obviously be involved in key decisions and budgets and such, the day-to-day running would be far better in Terry’s capable hands.

Not only would this keep the existing staff settled, but Terry was doing an excellent job. I’d witnessed how good he was myself when I’d been working there. With the basics hashed out, I then had met with the business manager at the bank to look at funding.

It wasn’t complicated. It was just figures and therefore exhausting. While I excelled at math, I had no desire to be buried in it. But still, together we worked out options to look at financing not only the house but also the clinic. Denver had tried asking for a ridiculously low sum, knowing full well I wasn’t going to be asking my father for funding. He knew me better than I’d originally given him credit for.

The opportunity was beyond anything I’d envisioned for myself, outside of the financial support of the Anderson inheritance. And while I was grateful for the low offer, I pushed him for a more realistic agreement—but nor was I a fool. I needed all the support I could get.

With reams of paperwork to go over, contracts to be properly drawn up and signed, licensing to be acquired, it would take a few weeks to get everything settled. It would mean financially I was going to be tied to a loan that made me feel slightly queasy, but I knew I’d make it work. I wanted this.

It also helped that with this purchase, I was making a commitment to stay. There was new ease between Davis and me, and I was sure it was because I was finally settling. With no chance of me up and leaving, the very real chance of a future was a little more attainable.

An edge of fear still remained, but largely to do with the unknown. I was just relieved that excitement kept me high and pushed me forward. It was always close to the surface whenever Davis was around or in my thoughts.

I looked out of the front window when I heard a car pull up outside. With a grin, I headed to the door and stepped out to greet Jenna and the boys. While my smile didn’t falter when I saw them, my brows dipped when I saw just how full her car was. Boxes sat on the passenger seat, and the station wagon’s rear window would have been impossible to see out of, it was stacked so high with bags and boxes.

I opened the door and felt my eyes light up when I took in my two favorite boys in the world. Toby and Hunter’s bright eyes widened, and they sprang into action unbuckling their harnesses; it was at that moment I was grateful for video calls so that despite not seeing them regularly, they knew exactly who I was.

“Hey, monsters.” I leaned in and helped Hunter with his straps, relief trickling through me that they seemed as happy to see me as I was them. It had been so long since I’d seen them, a real pit of dread had sat in my gut at how they’d react at our reunion. I shouldn’t have worried.

Both boys launched themselves out at me. A loud laugh burst free as I gingerly managed to maneuver us out to the side of the car without banging their heads along the way.

“Uncle Scottie,” they called in chorus.

I rained kisses on their cheeks and blew raspberries for good measure.

“How are my two favorite boys?” I repositioned them so I had one on each hip, trying to get my head around how much they had grown. “You ready to cause chaos and stretch your legs after your long journey?”

They both nodded, and Hunter shouted, “Yes!”

“Hey, you.”

My sister’s voice had me looking in her direction. She looked dog-tired, but the smile on her face was real. “Hey.” I grinned and indicated with a nod for her to follow me in.

The sound of the car door closing and the doors locking followed me into the house. Once inside, I set the boys down, crouched, and ruffled their hair. “Do you want to go and explore and see if you can work out where you’re sleeping?”

Hunter bobbed his head excitedly up and down while Toby said, “Yes, please.”

“Go on then. There may even be a couple of surprises for you both.” I’d headed to the toy shop in town and had bought them both a couple of small gifts each. They grinned and raced in the direction of the staircase. Standing, I turned and faced Jenna, not quite prepared as she hurled herself at me and broke into a flood of tears.

Hands gripped the back of my shirt as she sobbed. Wide-eyed and confused, I held her close. “Hey.” I hushed her and placed a kiss on the top of her head. Guilt threatened to claw at my chest. Something was so very, very wrong, and I’d had no idea. “Shh, it’s okay, you’re here now. It’s okay.”

Her sobs calmed a little, her breaths broken. Jenna nodded against my chest. I heard her expel heavy breaths as her shoulders lifted up and down in time with the forced inhale and exhale.

“Let’s head to the kitchen.” The boys were distracted, but I wasn’t sure for how much longer. I heard little feet still thudding above us. She pulled back, but she didn’t lift her head to meet my eyes. Instead, she tucked herself under my arm and allowed me to lead the way into the kitchen.

“Sit.” I directed her to a chair at the kitchen table. “Tea, or something harder?”

This time she glanced up at me and offered a watery smile. “Coffee, please.”

“Coffee?” Jenna never drank coffee.

She snorted a little and nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been hitting the hard stuff recently.”

I cast my eyes over her, my worry for her bubbling to the surface. “You start speaking, and I’ll make coffee.” I paused and listened to the boys. I heard them both squeal and then laugh; a louder thud followed. They’d found their gifts, so should be occupied a while longer.

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