Page 53 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“My point is, I know what I want, and it’s not going to vet school and taking over this clinic. But people I care about are counting on me to stay the course. Shifting gears would only let them down. And even if everyonewantedto support me… I can’t forget the sound of my dad laughing.”
An alarm vibrates on my phone, reminding me it’s time to check LuLu again. I don’t want to disturb Natalie, but I know she wouldn’t want me to skip taking care of LuLu because she fell asleep. So I slip a hand under her and ease my shoulder out, leaning her back against the couch. Her neck tips, and her head rolls to one side, propped only by her shoulder.
If I leave her like that for long, she’s going to wake up sore. So I head to the linen cabinet and grab a stack of blankets. Returning to the lobby, I pile some of them on one end of the couch. Then I gently lower Natalie onto the makeshift pillow. She sighs and nestles into the blankets. When I cover her and tuck one last blanket around her, Natalie still doesn’t open her eyes.
Man, she must be exhausted.
Creeping out of the lobby, I check on Gator and Willa first. Then I do another set of tests on LuLu to be sure her stats are where they should be. The whole time, she keeps blinking up at me with her big brown eyes. She’s so trusting. So pure.
Once I’ve got LuLu settled back in her kennel, I make some notes on her chart, then head to the office to update her digital records. Natalie’s beach bag is on the chair, and the schedule of appointments is still pulled up on the computer. Thanks to her, every appointment has been pushed to next week.
I’ve known for years that Natalie was generous, but I never realized how much she’s willing to give of herself until this week. The woman’s afraid of airplanes, but she flew across the country twice within a matter of days. Why? Because that’s what worked for other peoples’ schedules. She traded bridesmaid dresses with Amber. Hung out with her parents and Beau all night. Supported everybody else at those ridiculous beach games. Then she dropped everything to help me and the Swansons.
And even though she’s wiped out from all the travel and wedding activities, she insisted on staying here. For me.
It’s kind of remarkable, really. She’s remarkable. And I’m not surprised she’s committed to a nursing career. I just wish she weren’t committed to moving three thousand miles away.
Or that I weren’t so solidly stuck here.
Shoving the chair back from the desk, I accidentally knock Natalie’s bag off. She’s been in and out of it all night, so the drawstring isn’t cinched. When the bag lands upside down, the contents spill out. Lip gloss. Sunblock. Extra bands for her hair. A folded-up note on pink stationery.
Whoa.What’s this?
My throat goes tight. I absolutely should not read this note, right? As curious as I am, I can’t invade Natalie’s privacy. Glancing at her again over the half wall, I see she’s still asleep. Peaceful. Trusting. Blonde hair draped over her face. Something swells in my chest. The desire to protect her. To keep her safe. Which means I can’t take advantage of her when she’s vulnerable.
Yeah, man. Don’t do it.
So I pick up the bag to repack it, and more loose stuff clatters to the floor. Her wallet. A pen. Her hair brush. I can’t help smiling at these breadcrumbs of her life. I start to repack the bag, but there’s still stuff inside that didn’t fall out. Her new monogrammed towel from Kasey, her sundress, and… some papers. The words “Rental Agreement” are printed across the top.
Oh.
OH.
I’m not being nosy—at least not on purpose—but this is obviously a contract for her new apartment. For all I know, it’s a copy of a document Natalie already signed. Either way, drumbeats of guilt start banging around my torso. I almost kissed her tonight. I still want to kiss her. But this rental agreement is a concrete reminder of Natalie’s plans to leave.
If I truly cared about her, I’d let her go, right? That’s what they say. If you care about something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it was yours. If it doesn’t… blah blah blah.
It’s in all Mrs. Swanson’s romance novels. But this isn’t a novel. This is real life. And I don’t want to be the reason Natalie starts doubting her plan.
But I want her to start doubting her plan.
Across the lobby, as if she’s channeling my thoughts, Natalie sighs. Even thinking about that kind of conversation feels like a stone in my chest. Sinking. Weighing me down. Then that sinking sensation turns into the buzzing of my phone. An incoming call from Doc Swanson.
At this hour?
Fearing the worst, I hurry to the back of the clinic, where my talking won’t disturb Natalie. “Hey, Doc,” I answer.
“Brady?” He sounds surprised. “I thought you’d be sleeping. I was just going to leave you a message with an update.”
“How’s Mrs. Swanson?”
He lets out an audible breath. “They’ve given her fluids and run a bunch of tests, but it appears she was just dangerously dehydrated. She’s stable now, and they want to keep her a few more days for observation. Just to be sure.”
“Overall, that’s good news, right?”
He clears his throat. “Yes, it is.”
“Thank God.” The knots in my gut begin to unravel. I can only imagine how scared he’s been. How scared they both were. As much as Doc Swanson can’t imagine losing his wife, I’m sure she’s equally determined not to leave him.
