Page 53 of Dr. Alaska
She paused for a few seconds. “I’m also glad for what you’ve done for Mav.”
Lee’s head whipped over. “What?” How did she know? Had she read the chart notes? Lee hadn’t told anyone about the extent of her notes and the reasons why she’d documented in that manner. Terrified of giving up protected patient information, she clamped her mouth shut.
Deirdre didn’t seem to notice Lee’s distress. “He might be my younger brother and a royal pain in the patoots, but I care about him and want him to be happy. He’s smiled more in the past month than in the past two years.”
“Oh. Mm-hmm.” She unclenched her hands. After a moment, she managed to say, “It’s easy for anyone to smile when you live in a beautiful lodge at the edge of gorgeous wilderness.”
Deirdre glanced over out the corner of her eye. “What about the dogs?”
“They’re adorable!”
“I know. I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with them.” She sighed. “After our parents died, Mav and I have struggled to keep the mortgage above water. That ship seems to be sinking.”
“Hmm.”
“He’s always wanted to develop Mom and Dad’s property into an all-season wilderness destination.”
“You both own it.”
“It’s important to me, but not like it is for Mav.” She flicked the turn signal to turn right onto the state highway. “He was worried about this weekend. Felt like a lot was riding on the exposure this trip might provide.”
This morning, Lee had seen the latest Yelp review for Maverick’s business, and it wasn’t complimentary. Of course, there was no mention about the role the review’s author, Randy, had in his own bad decision-making. The review had been cross-posted to several social media sites. How could someone fight slander when people were entitled to their opinion, no matter how ill-informed?
“Exposure.” Lee tapped her mittened fingers on the door’s armrest. “Posting.”
“Yes, reviews, referring friends.”
“Word of mouth. Rumors going across town and back,” she murmured. “‘More connections on social media than the national power grid has outlets.’” Like her colleague Kathy had said. Lee sat up straight. “Any chance we could stop at Three Bears?”
“Sure.” Deirdre flicked the turn signal the other way and made a left on the highway, then a right into the Three Bears parking lot.
“I won’t be but a minute. Thanks!” Lee ducked into the store, hoping that Tuli was working the Sunday morning shift. Weaving her way through the array of office supplies, children’s clothing, and food products, she followed her nose to the smoked meats in the back.
Empty.
“Shoot.”
A few seconds later, a head popped out from the back room. “Hi, Doc!” he said with a broad smile.
“Tuli, I’m glad you’re here.” Suddenly, nerves fluttered in her stomach. Would Maverick understand what she was doing and why? Would it make a difference?
“What can I get you? Sliced meat? Ground chuck?”
An impulse to retreat and quit this stupid plan made her leg muscles tense, but she planted her feet. “I need something that’s not found in the deli, but I believe is your area of expertise.”
He leaned on the counter, chin propped on his fists. “You have my attention.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Mav dragged hissorry butt out of bed early Sunday to check on the babies and feed them breakfast. None of them were the worse for wear, despite yesterday’s impromptu runs without correctly timing their nutrition.
He didn’t need an alarm clock this morning.
He hadn’t slept since he and the team had arrived back at the lodge yesterday evening.
He had waited up until one of the guests returned in the SUV with Nick and Randy.
Nick had clomped through the great room on crutches with a fiberglass cast on his leg, thanks to thepretty Dr. Tipton. He seemed slightly woozy but comfortable, which was a decent outcome, all things considered.
