Page 26 of Stitch's Mercy

“It’s fine, baby.” He put his arm around me and rubbed my arm.

“Mercy? Why are you knocking?” Mom’s gaze went to Brady. “Oh, Doctor Hayes.” She stepped back and let us enter.

“I have something I want to talk to you and dad about.”

“Well, he’s in the den.” She pointed into the room where he was watching the NFL Channel. “Dear, Mercy and Doctor Hayes are here.”

Dad immediately turned off the television. “Oh, I didn’t hear the door. Come in, you two.”

“I’ll get right to the point.”Just get it over with.“Brady and I are engaged.” I showed them the huge diamond on my finger.

“Well, congratulations.” Dad got to his feet and hugged me, then shook Brady’s hand. “This is great news. Right, Sue?”

“Yes, congratulations.” Mom hugged me, but I could tell she wasn’t thrilled. She was only being nice. “Doctor Hayes, welcome to the family.”

“Please, call me Brady.”

“Yes, of course. Brady.” She forced a tight smile.

“So, have you set a date?” Dad asked, attempting to clear out the tension my mom was radiating.

“We have. Christmas Eve. At the county courthouse around noon, before it closes.” My gaze ping-ponged between my parents. Dad seemed totally fine, while my mom looked as if she’d throw up any second.

“We’d love for you both to be there,” Brady said.

“I don’t think I can make it.” Mom rushed out of the room.

I was about to run after when my dad stopped me. “Let her go. She just needs time. But we’ll be there.”

“Okay. I’m going to grab a few things to take to Brady’s.” I left the room and listened in at my mom’s bedroom door. She was crying, and it broke my heart.

My dad was right. She needed time, so I crept past the room, got what I needed quickly so we could leave.

I knew telling my mom would be difficult. She was my family, so I could accept her displeasure. But there was no telling how the news would be received at the hospital tomorrow.

Brady hadn’t been called Doctor McHottie for the heck of it. Before me, he’d been with a lot of nurses and even more had gossiped about him and ogled him. It’d made me sick, but I supposed their behavior had contributed to my fear of coming out of the supply closet and being a genuine couple.

I prayed I could take the heat and snide remarks.

One thing was for sure: Brady Hayes was mine, and I wasn’t about to give him up for anyone.

10

Stitch

On our first day back at work after our holiday getaway and being snowed in, our engagement had spread through the hospital like wildfire.

Mercy was on edge, afraid her supervisor would call a meeting with her and the medical director, but I’d assured her it was fine. We hadn’t been breaking any rules.

But I heard the whispers. The shock in voices and snide comments.

Mercy isn’t good enough for Doctor Hayes.

She must be pregnant. Why else would he marry her?

Why would he pick her? She’s a fat grump.

I’d almost choked the bitch who called my woman a fat grump. And of course, Mercy had heard. She’d held it together long enough to get me out of the breakroom. Now I was consoling her in the supply closet we used to fool around in.

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