Page 11 of Keep This Promise
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
They start making kissy faces at each other, and I can’t take it. All of these guys went from being single to these lovesick puppies in what seems like overnight. I’m happy for them, I really am, but dear God, stop already.
“You two need to go on a real honeymoon,” I say, feeling queasy as they start to tap each other’s noses.
“Or you need to find a girl willing to marry your ass and finally be happy.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. I have no desire for a woman or kids. I’m perfectly happy living a single and stress-free life.”
Not to mention, I’ve already been married, and I know how fun divorce is not. I would prefer to keep things simple, and if I avoid the marriage and kid thing, I won’t have that issue.
Before we can argue further, there’s a woman knocking on the door. She’s short, has long blonde hair, and looks as if she’s been through hell, but God, she’s stunning. Her big blue eyes are taking in the room as she holds tight to a little girl’s hand.
God, these poor women trying to escape. I wish I could do more for them.
“Excuse me? I . . . I was hoping someone could help?” she says in a British accent.
Blakely quickly moves to her. “Hi, I’m Blakely, the director of Run to Me. That’s my husband, Sheriff Maxwell, and this is Brielle, Spencer, and that’s Holden, he’s a doctor if you need help. What’s your name?”
Immediately, her eyes find mine. There’s a mix of relief and fear. “Holden?”
I walk over, moving slowly as not to scare her. “Yes, my name is Holden James. I’m a surgeon, and I can help if you’re hurt.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m not hurt. Not . . . physically at least.”
Her blue eyes don’t leave my gaze, and she’s studying me as though she knows me.
Blakely’s voice is soft as she asks, “Is this your daughter?”
The woman glances at the child. “Yes, this is Eden.”
“Hello, Eden, my name is Blakely. Would you like something to eat?”
Eden’s eyes go to her mother and then back to Blakely before she smiles a little. Blake takes that as a yes, walks over to the cabinet, and grabs a granola bar. When she returns, the little girl twists her body and grabs her mother’s leg.
I stand here, watching them. There’s something about this woman, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe she was a patient of mine before?
My eyes drop to her daughter, whose eyes are large and brown with little traces of hazel in them. Then her nose, it looks like my sister’s. In fact, she looks just like Kira did at that age.
The woman speaks again. “Sorry, she’s normally rather chatty, but it’s been a very hard few days, and when I got into town, I was told to come here to find Holden James.”
“You were looking for me? Do I know you?”
She tucks her blonde hair behind her ear. “My name is Sophie Pearson. We met a few years ago, my name then would’ve been—well, it doesn’t matter, we didn’t exchange our full names that night.”
“Were you a patient of mine?”
It’s right there. I just can’t place it.
“No.” She shakes her head before hoisting her daughter in her arms. “But we have met before, and while I hadn’t been sure why I was sent here, now it’s a bit clearer.”
“And when did we meet exactly?” I ask.
“It would be a little over three years ago.”
Three years.
I glance down at Eden, doing some math because this little girl has the James nose. And the way she’s looking at me, it’s . . .
