lost in it? Honestly, she could relate to that. Her father had been much the same way, and to a great extent she took after her father in that. Her dad had buried himself in work because he’d lost the love of his lifemuch too early. And she’d buried herself because that’s all she’d known. Maybe for Neil it wasn’t a bad thing, being that way. According to Laura, though, it wasn’t such a good thing either. “Well, when the rumor flies your way again, would you mind infusing it with a bit of truth, that it was a casual dinner between two medical colleagues? That’s all. No need for speculations.”
“I think there might be some disappointment with that,” Laura replied.
“Haven’t people noticed the obvious about me?”
“People notice what they want to notice. Carol Vincent, the night clerk at the hospital, said Neil looked happy when he came back from dinner. Apparently that was much more obvious to her than your condition.”
“And?”
“We don’t see that smile on him much. That’s what made it so noticeable.”
“So when he does smile, it starts a rumor?”
Laura laughed. “Under normal circumstances, I’d say no. But because it’s Neil, and because he’s so well loved… Look, I’ve got to get busy. I just wanted to stop by for a moment, say hello, see if there’s anything you need.”
Anything she needed? Now, that was a loaded question because the honest truth was, she did need, but she wasn’t sure what. “I’m fine,” she said, trying to figure out what should be on the top of her list of needs. “A little surprised that I’ll be staying here for a while… You don’t mind me staying in the cabin, do you?”
“I love having you in the cabin. Normally at this time of the year there’s no one to talk to, so this is good. And I know Angela is glad you’re here. With what she’s been going through lately…” Laura stopped abruptly.
“What?” Gabby asked.
“If I told you, that would be small-town gossip, wouldn’t it?” Laughing, Laura scooted away from the table. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it’s good to have you here, and I’m hoping that after six weeks you’ll decide to call it home.”
A lot could happen in six weeks, but for now Gabby decided that no decision was the best one. Liking the texture of the little town was one thing, but settling down here and setting up a new life…she just didn’t know if that’s what she really wanted to do. Of course, she didn’t know if that was not what she wanted to do either.
After Laura scurried off to do whatever it was she had to do, Gabby bundled up for her walk to the hospital. Her morning schedule was light, but she did have patients to see. And according to her schedule, the day was going to begin with some kind of a dedication. She wasn’t sure what, wasn’t even sure she was going to go see what it was about. But when she arrived at the hospital, the entry corridor was bustling with people. Dozens of them, all headed in the same direction.
“What’s this about?” she asked Fallon O’Gara.
“The hospital staff voted to name the newly remodeled pediatrics ward after Neil’s brother. He endowed it with sufficient funds for a nice expansion, and we’re having the dedication ceremony this morning.” She glanced at her watch. “In five minutes, actually. Guess I’d better hurry. I’m the one who’s supposed to meet the mayor and escort her to the podium.”
A dedication, the mayor… This was a big event, apparently as much for the town as it was for the hospital. To be honest, Gabby was a little curious to meet Neil’s brother. In fact, until this very moment she hadn’t even known he had a brother. Not that it really mattered since she knew nothing at all about Neil. But the buzz of excitement was a little contagious, as more and more people hurried down one of the halls she’d yet to explore. So, why not? She was a part of this, ifonly for a while. And she didn’t have a
“I think there might be some disappointment with that,” Laura replied.
“Haven’t people noticed the obvious about me?”
“People notice what they want to notice. Carol Vincent, the night clerk at the hospital, said Neil looked happy when he came back from dinner. Apparently that was much more obvious to her than your condition.”
“And?”
“We don’t see that smile on him much. That’s what made it so noticeable.”
“So when he does smile, it starts a rumor?”
Laura laughed. “Under normal circumstances, I’d say no. But because it’s Neil, and because he’s so well loved… Look, I’ve got to get busy. I just wanted to stop by for a moment, say hello, see if there’s anything you need.”
Anything she needed? Now, that was a loaded question because the honest truth was, she did need, but she wasn’t sure what. “I’m fine,” she said, trying to figure out what should be on the top of her list of needs. “A little surprised that I’ll be staying here for a while… You don’t mind me staying in the cabin, do you?”
“I love having you in the cabin. Normally at this time of the year there’s no one to talk to, so this is good. And I know Angela is glad you’re here. With what she’s been going through lately…” Laura stopped abruptly.
“What?” Gabby asked.
“If I told you, that would be small-town gossip, wouldn’t it?” Laughing, Laura scooted away from the table. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it’s good to have you here, and I’m hoping that after six weeks you’ll decide to call it home.”
A lot could happen in six weeks, but for now Gabby decided that no decision was the best one. Liking the texture of the little town was one thing, but settling down here and setting up a new life…she just didn’t know if that’s what she really wanted to do. Of course, she didn’t know if that was not what she wanted to do either.
After Laura scurried off to do whatever it was she had to do, Gabby bundled up for her walk to the hospital. Her morning schedule was light, but she did have patients to see. And according to her schedule, the day was going to begin with some kind of a dedication. She wasn’t sure what, wasn’t even sure she was going to go see what it was about. But when she arrived at the hospital, the entry corridor was bustling with people. Dozens of them, all headed in the same direction.
“What’s this about?” she asked Fallon O’Gara.
“The hospital staff voted to name the newly remodeled pediatrics ward after Neil’s brother. He endowed it with sufficient funds for a nice expansion, and we’re having the dedication ceremony this morning.” She glanced at her watch. “In five minutes, actually. Guess I’d better hurry. I’m the one who’s supposed to meet the mayor and escort her to the podium.”
A dedication, the mayor… This was a big event, apparently as much for the town as it was for the hospital. To be honest, Gabby was a little curious to meet Neil’s brother. In fact, until this very moment she hadn’t even known he had a brother. Not that it really mattered since she knew nothing at all about Neil. But the buzz of excitement was a little contagious, as more and more people hurried down one of the halls she’d yet to explore. So, why not? She was a part of this, ifonly for a while. And she didn’t have a
Similar Books
