Page 2 of Beginnings By the Sea

Janie usually worked as Everleigh’s nurse but had been helping around the office since Everleigh was taking time off before her baby boy was due. On busier days, having two nurses made things easier.

I looked at Autumn skeptically. “Are you sure you can handle it?”

A smirk formed on her lips. “Please. I’m more worried about you.”

This was met by a chuckle from Gina, who quickly turned on her heel. “Going to make coffee now. You’re both going to need it.”

I grabbed the stethoscope off my desk and draped it around my neck. “All right, let’s get this day started,” I told Autumn.

We walked down the hall to the front desk, and a couple of patients were already in the waiting room. While Gina checked them in, I stood back with Autumn in the hallway.

“Are you excited about the festival coming up?” Autumn asked.

A groan escaped my lips. Even though I was doing it for a good cause, it still made me nervous. “I can’t believe you and Everleigh came up with it and I agreed,” I grumbled, hanging my head.

Autumn giggled and nudged me with her elbow. “Hey, we were just trying to help. You’re single and this town is full of eligible men who’d love to take a hot doctor out on a date.”

Since moving into town, I’d met several men, but it was hard to focus on dating when I was trying to get used to my new life. A part of me knew I was ready to date, and I think Everleigh and Autumn knew it, too. That was why they did what they did.

The Oak Island Spring Festival was happening in just a little over a month—which seemed like a long time, but it really wasn’t—where tons of vendors set up booths to showcase their work. There was going to be music, food, and hundreds of giveaways and prizes. It just so happened that Everleigh signed us up to draw more people to our practice with our special prize . . . a date with a doctor. That was what she was calling it. She even had a giant poster made with a picture of me on it which she planned on sitting at our booth. I only agreed to do it if the money went to charity.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a romantic date; it was just for two hours at the local ice cream shop once the festival ended.

“What if no one buys a ticket?” I said, looking over at Autumn. “That’ll be so embarrassing.”

Autumn turned to face me and placed her hands on my shoulders. “Are you serious? I know of six guys already who want to enter.”

The breath hitched in my lungs. “Who? Why haven’t you told me this?”

Autumn winked, her bright blue eyes twinkling. “Don’t worry. You’ll see soon enough.”

Gina brought Autumn our first patient’s chart, and Autumn snickered as she walked away. Was I ready to move on with my life? The pain and hurt from my divorce still lingered like a shadow in my heart, even though it had been almost three years since then. A twinge of pain sparked in my chest, but I shook it off, pushing away the sadness that threatened to resurface. It was time to forget the past and move on. I can do this.

2

NYLA

“How are things at the office? Do you miss me yet?” Everleigh asked, her bright hazel-green eyes dancing as she lifted her glass of homemade lemonade to take a sip.

She looked so cute and motherly in her pale green maternity top that flowed over her belly. Even her caramel-blonde hair seemed brighter; it had to be the pregnancy glow. I pressed my fingertips against my chest and lightly rested my other hand on her arm.

“Oh yes, desperately,” I said sarcastically. “I don’t know how I keep our office running without you.”

Everleigh laughed and tossed a sweet potato fry into her mouth. “Okay, now. That’s not how you’re supposed to say it. I was hoping you really did miss me.”

I smiled warmly and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “You know I do. Why do you think we meet here at The Beachcomber twice a week on top of our usual Tuesday tradition since you stopped working?” I asked, waving a hand about the small but cozy restaurant with its beachy décor—exposed lightbulbs, driftwood signs, and surfboards hanging from the wall. “That’s three times a week, Everleigh,” I laughed. “But hey, if you want to see me more, maybe we can add an afternoon girls’ date to the bakery. We can meet Michelle and Trish there and grab some chocolate cake pops.”

Michelle and Trish were Everleigh’s friends who she introduced me to before I even decided to move to Oak Island. They were married to two of her husband’s friends. Now they were all my friends, and they never treated me as an outsider. Every Tuesday night, the big group of us would meet at this same spot and have dinner. It was a tradition I looked forward to every week, even if I was the seventh wheel. All of them were happily married. There was a time when I thought I would be, but I screwed that up.

Everleigh rubbed her pregnant belly and closed her eyes. “Chocolate cake pops sound amazing right now. I blame Michelle for the last ten pounds I’ve gained.”

We both laughed and I nodded, glad to get my thoughts away from my past. “Yeah, I need to have some words with her, too. I think I’ve put on five because of them; it’s all her fault.”

“Hey, ladies,” Debbie greeted as she poured more ice water into my glass.

Debbie Carroll was the owner of The Beachcomber. She was fifty-eight years old and a tiny lady with tanned skin from loving the sun, with chin-length dark hair that was always wavy.

“Thank you, Debbie,” I said, lifting my glass of water.

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