Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Christ, I’m addicted to her.
And I’m perfectly okay with that.
I’ve seen two ear infections and had three annual exams before I walk into the next room. I come up short when I see the name on the computer.
Greg Hendrix.
I glance up and frown at the man sitting before me.
“I just saw you yesterday,” I say conversationally as I sit on the rolling stool and check his vital signs.
Everything looks fine.
“I’m just here for a follow-up,” he replies. “I promised my kids that I wouldn’t slack when it comes to this shit, and I keep my word. Had labs drawn yesterday.”
I nod, looking over the results, then smile at him. “You’re doing great, Mr. Hendrix. Your numbers are excellent. I can tell that you’re being smart with your diet and the medication. How are you feeling?”
“Better,” he says, taking a deep breath. “It feels like it’s been a shit show, but I think we’re on the other side of it. I have too much to live for to dick around.”
I sit back and let him talk. I enjoyed our time with him yesterday. It’s evident that Greg adores Harper.
“My babies might not be babies anymore, but they still need their old man.”
“Absolutely.”
“And I want to spend time with my grandkids. I want to spoil them, teach them how to ride a horse. And I have a lady friend.”
I lift an eyebrow, and Greg grins.
“Does Harper know?” I ask him.
“Of course. The kids might have been scandalized, but what are they going to do about it? Besides, if I can deal with the fact that you’re shacking up with my girl, she can handle me going on a few dates here and there.”
Smiling back at him, I close the computer. “I love your daughter, Greg.”
“I know. It was written all over you yesterday. If you didn’t look at her like she hung the goddamn moon, I’d have put up a fight. Because the asshole before you? He did some damage, and none of us knew it was happening until it was too fucking late.”
I take a breath, nodding.
“I know. I’ve seen the damage. It fucking pisses me off, if I’m being honest.”
“Good. It should.” Greg taps his finger on his knee. “My girl deserves the best of everything life has to offer. I’m so proud of her, of the shit she’s pulled herself through. If you’re what’s best, then I’m all for it. She seems happy.”
“My one goal in life is to keep her that way,” I assure him. “She’s amazing.”
“That she is. I’d love to take credit for it, but that’s all her. Now, do I get an A on this report card?”
“You do. Well done.”
Greg nods and pushes to his feet.
“Don’t hesitate to call if you have questions. Call my personal cell,” I tell him. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Thanks, Doc,” he says with a wink, and then he’s off.
It’s been four hours since I was home, and I already miss her.
I’ve turned into a fucking sap.
But I pull out my phone and text my girl.
Me: How are you, sugar?
The message sits on read while I update Greg’s chart, and then I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Dark hair. Perfect legs.
And when I glance over, there she is, smiling at me, holding a bag.
“I’m fine, how are you?”
Without a word, I take her hand and pull her into my office. I close the door behind us.
“I was missing you,” I murmur before I brush my lips over hers.
“I hiked for a bit, then I grabbed lunch from Juliet’s place and brought you some,” she says, gesturing to the bag. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Thanks, baby.” I set the bag aside. “How was the hike?”
“Meh.” She wrinkles her nose, and I turn to her, giving her my full attention. I don’t like her tone or the fact she looks exhausted. “I’m not feeling all that great today, so I didn’t go far.”
“What do you mean, you don’t feel great? What are your symptoms?”
I immediately press my fingers to her pulse point and my lips to her forehead. I don’t feel a fever, and her pulse feels okay.
“I’m fine, Dr. Blackwell.” She presses her hands to my chest but doesn’t push me away, which is good because I’m not going anywhere. “I’m just not myself today. Maybe that twenty-mile bike ride in the sunshine did me in yesterday. I got myself some lunch, too, and I’m going to go home and chill. Read a book.”
Examining her eyes and feeling okay with what I find, I tug her against me and hug her close. “Are you sure? Do you need me to run a blood test, check your CBC, or something?”
“Blake. I’m tired. I have a bit of the icks today. That’s it.” She kisses my chest, right in the middle of my sternum.