Page 8 of As They Are
I wanted to ask where she was going, but she was already hopping in her truck before I could even open my mouth.
“Have a nice day!” I managed to say before she shut the door.
She peered out, hair glowing in the late afternoon sun. “My day was pretty bad, but it got better for just a little bit.” Her eyes met mine and she smiled. “I appreciate you stopping, kind stranger. And being my bodyguard.”
I was pretty sure my heart stopped at the sight alone, so I stood there like a fool and watched as she drove off.
I adjusted my glasses. That ... could have gone better. I was usually so much better at socializing, but I was way too tired to get words right.
My mind still circled back to her as I pulled into town. I could see her so clearly in my mind’s eye, and I wondered if I’d seen her somewhere before.
Finally, I pulled into my driveway. I lived near downtown Strawberry Springs in a two-story home with a decent-sized backyard, only a few streets away from the square. It was nothing compared to some of the land the other people in town owned, but it was close enough to the clinic that I could walk on nice days, and had enough land for me to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes.
The city center here was nothing like I was used to. There were hardly ever visitors, save for the farmers market when it came through on Saturdays, and usually, people took the directroute in. There were hardly any sirens and most of the residents respected each other enough not to rev engines or be loud while on the streets. The longer I stayed, the more I loved it.
The spring air was warm. I’d enjoyed it more than usual since Bennie Grove Farm had opened back up. I still had frozen strawberries from Mollie that I could use in smoothies. I always liked to grow plants, but seeing her work pay off made me want to plant even more.
My thing was with flowers, though. Ever since I bought my house, I’d added more and more to my yard. I loved to find the meaning of each bloom. When I first moved here, I’d go for a plant that corresponded with some other part of my life. I’d gotten white lilies to symbolize new beginnings, potted lavender for serenity, and bluebells after I made a mistake at the office for humility. Over the years, I’d gotten more that didn’t have a connection to my life, though I knew each and every one of their meanings.
No matter how tired I was, checking in on all of my plants was a part of my routine. I eyed the few remaining tulips, and then went to the back to ensure there were no weeds in the other plants. I had already gone to a greenhouse out of town to get everything I needed, and all I had to do was wait for them to fully bloom.
I loved taking care of things. So much so that it had even expanded to the rest of the town. The pots and the fairy lights were my work, and it kept me busy.
After I made sure everything was in order, I took off my shoes at the door and checked on the seedlings I’d been bringing up. Then I showered, changed my clothes, and finally flopped on my bed.
Tomorrow, it would all start again when I woke up. I would make a smoothie, water the plants that needed it, and go into theoffice to keep the people in town healthy. Everything was exactly as I expected. Nothing more. Nothing less.
It was a comfort zone, one that I held on to tighter than anything else.
The last bit of tension left my body as I took a deep breath.
Being alone might have been boring at the end of the day, but it made sure that everything went exactly as expected.
And if I wanted to be the kind doctor who everyone knew, who everyoneliked,it needed to stay that way.
2
WREN
RWLSuperfan Discussion Central
Carly Ware:Season two is INCOMING! Where do you think Wren and Jude will go next?
Comments:
Jamie McCullough:There’s the old school! Ooh, or the prison?
Neve Bullock: Why would she renovate a prison?
Jamie McCullough:She could make it a community center!
Neve Bullock:I’m all for reusing spaces, but that one should be left alone.
Jamie McCollough: As the person who called Wren and Jude before the show even started, I can tell you that I see what others don’t.
Neve Bullock:They were obvious from the START.
Kerry Winsor:I know someone who knows Wren! I should ask if she knows anything!!!
