The Promise

  “I’ll be fine,” she said tartly.

  “You fell asleep in the fort. Happens to me all the time.” He rubbed a spot on his forehead. “So does that.”

  “What time is it?” she asked.

  “It’s almost one. I’m so sorry, this never should have happened. I don’t take advantage of people like that, I swear. I extended babysitting to Devon long before I asked her to help me. But then I had Gabby’s help. And, man, all in one week, Gabby has to leave, Devon gets married, you start working for the clinic and a church camp bus holding thirty-seven kids wrecks.” He shook his head. “If that ever happens again, I’m moving....”

  She started to get up. He held out a hand to help. “I want to hear about it. All of it...” she said.

  “It’s so late.”

  “I know. And you’re so tired. But seriously, I saw little snippets of news, and I want to know what it was like. What you found when you got there, what you did, how you helped...because I was thinking, if you had had a babysitter, I could’ve gone. I’ve only been involved in a couple of emergencies like that, but it really got my motor running.”

  He grinned at her. “I should’ve known. An excitement junkie. I’ve had too much coffee to sleep right away, anyway,” he said, heading for the kitchen table. “Was there any video?”

  “The same one, over and over—bus on its side, a couple of banged-up cars, enough kids to start a small school.”

  “It was a miracle there were no serious injuries. Only two broken bones and they were transported to Eugene. Cuts and scrapes and bruises.” He got out his cell phone and brought up the pictures. It was common practice since his residency, taking pictures of injuries to refer to afterward. “That’s going to need a plastic surgeon referral, but I did the best I could on the stitches. That wicked hematoma earned a head CT and overnight in the hospital. Go ahead, look through them. All parents were notified, and by the time I left, most of the kids had been united with their parents. That’s a wide-awake nightmare—send your kids off to camp and get that kind of phone call.” He shook his head. “How were mine?”

  “Perfect,” she said. “Very well behaved.”

  “I probably owe most of that to Gabriella. Such a gentle soul, but she’s firm.”

  “They’re almost abnormally good,” Peyton said.

  He just laughed. “Oh, they have their moments. Especially Will. I didn’t know when we named him that it was short for Willful.”

  “He was a little prince.”

  “I told him he wouldn’t get to camp on the beach if I heard one complaint.”

  “He is very excited about that. He invited me to join you.”

  “Oh?” Scott asked.

  She yawned. “Unfortunately, I’m busy.”

  “We haven’t picked a day yet.”

  “Whatever day you pick, I’m busy.” She stood. “I’m heading out.”

  Scott stood, too. “You can have Jenny’s bed. The sheets are clean. She’s been in my bed every night since clean sheet day.”

  “That’s generous, but, no. I have a date with my toothbrush.”

  “I have a new toothbrush, Peyton. It’s late.”

  “Going home, Scott. I’m not friendly in the morning.”

  He pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to her. “Take my car. Bring it to the clinic sometime tomorrow. And don’t feel obligated to show up to work if you can use the rest—this is bonus time, anyway.”

  “I’ll be there,” she said. “I’ll drive your car to the clinic and take mine home from there. You have an extra car key, don’t you?”

  He nodded. He couldn’t help but smile at her. Damn she was beautiful. Too bad about that not-interested-in-men thing because she really rocked a pair of jeans. Her legs were long, her ass so round and firm. He suddenly knew how women felt, the women who asked why were all the really good ones gay?

  “Your car will be safe parked at the clinic, next to the sheriff’s office.”

  “I’m not worried about the car, Peyton. And thanks a million, really. I promise that isn’t going to be a habit—it’s not in your job description to babysit for me. Devon will be home day after tomorrow.”

  “Babysitting isn’t a commitment I can make, but this was an emergency. A rare emergency. And your kids are enjoyable. I don’t feel taken advantage of.”

  * * *

  Scott wasn’t surprised that Peyton was a trouper. She was at the clinic at eight in the morning, and she seemed to be in a cheerier mood.

  “Well, good morning,” she said to him. “Where are the kids today? In the break room?”

  He shook his head. “Ashley has the whole day free for me. She’s not working at the diner or the deli today. I think she gave me one of her few free days, but she’s hungry for money and happy about the work. She might walk them down to the beach later. If she does, I’m sure she’ll drop by to let me know. Some of her friends might be down there. They all work, but when they’re done, they gather, and it’s usually at the diner or the beach.”

  “Have you heard from your sitter?”

  “She called, yes,” he said. “Her mom is doing well—no lymph involvement. Still, they’re waiting for a chemo decision and schedule. She’s going to stay with her mom until they have more information. I expected that. Thank God it’s summer. Between Devon, Ashley and Mac’s daughter Eve, I should be covered.”

  “I bet you’re tired today,” she said, tossing her purse under the counter.

  “I’m okay. I’m used to catching sleep when I can. But I’ll tell you what I didn’t catch—breakfast. Cover for me here while I run across the street? There aren’t any appointments until nine.”

  “Sure,” she said.

  “The kids were lazy this morning. They were just waking up when Ashley got to the house. I was just about to call Gina and ask her to meet me in the middle of the street with an omelet to go.”

  She laughed at him. “Take your time. I’ve got it.”

  “You seem pretty well rested,” he observed.

  “I had a nap in the fort,” she said with a shrug.

  He grinned at her. “And a slight concussion.”

  “I should’ve negotiated for hazardous duty pay,” she said, smiling gently.

  “Can I bring you back anything?”

  “Yeah. If they have something kind of glazed, a sticky bun or donut or something not healthy. I have a little bit of a sweet tooth.”

  “I’ll see what I can round up,” he said.

  There was still a small breakfast crowd at the diner, though the majority of their clientele was very early, and the rush was usually completely exhausted by nine. Scott took the stool that had become his and asked Gina for his usual.

  “Let’s see—three-egg omelet with cheddar and bacon and some potatoes?”

  “And coffee.”

  She slid the ticket through the serving window to Stu and poured Scott some coffee. “Late night?” she asked.

  Of course, Gina would know what went on since Mac was her husband. “It was a mess of people, but we got real lucky. Only a couple of serious injuries. I have to find out what church that is—thirty-seven kids, bounced around a bus, and they not only survived, we didn’t have any critical injuries.”

  “Well, except the driver,” she said.

  “Poor woman. My money is on a heart attack.”

  “And Peyton had your kids?”

  He nodded. “I feel terrible about that. We hardly know each other. There was no one to call. If it hadn’t been an emergency of that magnitude, I would never have done that. I wouldn’t have asked. But...”

  “I doubt that’ll happen again, Scott. You’ve been here a year—when was the last time we had something that big?”

  “I was called out one night when a bunch of drunk teenagers had a brawl and split some lips and skulls. But there were seven of them, and that was madness enough.”

  “She must be a very good sport,” Gina said. A bell dinged, and she reached behind her to deli
ver Scott’s breakfast.

  “She is that,” he said. “And she has a very sassy wit—easy to get used to, although Peyton and Devon in the same office could be overwhelming.” He put a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

  “And she’s beautiful,” Gina said.

  He nodded, swallowed. “No kidding,” he said.

  “Maybe your luck is changing.”

  “How so?” he asked.

  “Scott, you’ve been ready for years now. But the right woman hasn’t appeared. Now you have, right under your nose, a beautiful, funny, talented, single woman. Maybe this one will work out.”

  “Not likely,” he said. Not since she’s playing for the girl’s team. “She made it very clear, she’s not interested in men. And she’d only give me a three-month commitment. That’s understandable—a little clinic like mine doesn’t pay well, and she can use this time to find her next position for more than twice the salary. Nah, my luck is the same. Don’t you have a pretty cousin somewhere you can introduce me to?”

  “No,” she said with a laugh. “Listen, lots of women say that they don’t want to date. Could be anything—just coming off a breakup, frustration with the way things haven’t worked out in the dating world, some reason we’d never think of....”

  That’s for sure, he thought.

  “When I was frustrated with Mac not noticing me as a datable woman, a romantic partner, I was so furious I swore off men. Be patient. The right opportunity might present itself.”

  “Um-hmm,” he muttered, eating his breakfast. “I think I took you out to dinner a couple of times during your moratorium on men. Timing is everything.”

  She smiled at him. “Sorry that didn’t work out, Scott.”

  “No, you’re not,” he said.

  “No, I’m not. I say we give Peyton time to settle in and then reevaluate.”

  “Gina, I say we face facts.” And too bad about the jeans, he thought. But, damn!

  Five

  Devon and Spencer weren’t due back until Thursday, but on Wednesday afternoon they pulled into the garage of their beachfront home. They dropped their bags inside the door of the house and went directly to Cooper’s.

  “Hey, the bride and groom are back!” Cooper said. “Don’t you have another day of freedom?”

  “I missed the kids,” Devon said.

  “She missed the house,” Spencer corrected.

  “Well, I’ve never had a house before!” Devon said. “And there’s still a lot to do before football practice starts, and I no longer have a husband.”

  “She brought me back to work,” Spencer said. “I don’t know what’s harder on my back—football or construction.”

  “But we’re so close....” She flushed a little. “And I did miss the kids,” she said.

  But to Devon this house meant security, for maybe the first time in her life. She’d been raised by a woman known as Aunt Mary, but she was really the day-care provider Devon had been left with when her mother died. She didn’t realize Mary couldn’t leave her a house to live in until after her death when Devon was a very young woman. The years since had been hand-to-mouth, until she’d met and fallen in love with Spencer. Once Spencer understood how uncertain and unstable her life had been, he thought the best thing he could do for her, for both of them, was to own a piece of property, protected and secure. Devon loved him so much for understanding, for helping to provide. And she’d made a promise to him. “I’m going to make it the most loving home you’ve ever known.”

  “All you have to do to accomplish that is live in it with me,” Spencer had said.

  Cooper grinned at them. “I’ll help out while I can, but I think pretty soon Sarah is going to have chores for me.”

  “How is she doing?” Devon asked.

  “She’s laying down right now. She has heartburn, water retention and gas. I had no idea how sexy pregnancy was.” Everyone laughed at him. “Your kids are down there with the real babysitter.”

  Down on the dock Rawley was fishing with Mercy and Austin.

  “I’d better go tell them we’re back,” she said.

  “Let ’em fish,” Spencer said. “They’ll figure it out pretty soon and come up here. Cooper’s going to give me a beer.” He looked at his watch. “I have at least a few more hours of honeymoon left.”

  “Is that Ashley with Scott’s kids down there by the water?” Devon asked.

  “Uh, yeah,” Cooper said. “It’s been kind of exciting around here. Let me get that beer and I’ll tell you all about it. A wine, Devon?”

  “That would be wonderful. What’s going on?”

  Cooper sat with them on the deck and explained that Gabriella had left suddenly because her mother needed her, the bus accident being the big talk around town, Peyton helping out in the clinic and Ashley babysitting—the story as he knew it. It was only a few minutes before Mercy was up the stairs and on her mother’s lap, a few more minutes before Scott was walking across the beach at the end of his work day to check on his kids. He came up to the deck to have a beer, and Rawley and Austin joined them. And then Sarah appeared, looking a little sleep rumpled.

  “And here’s Mrs. Cooper with her big bump and bed head,” Cooper said.

  “I couldn’t sleep,” she said. And then with a muffled groan, she bent over slightly, and water spilled down her legs.

  Cooper jumped to his feet with a horrified look on his face.

  “Oops,” Sarah said. “Maybe that wasn’t gas.”

  “Mommy,” Mercy said. “Sarah had a accident.”

  With a very large grin, Sarah said, “I’m going to have ankles again.”

  “That’s not all you’re going to have, Sarah,” Scott put in.

  * * *

  Peyton enjoyed the pace of the Thunder Point clinic, especially once Devon was back managing the schedule and paperwork. It ran very smoothly. A three-person clinic with appointments spaced to give the practitioners the opportunity to handle the walk-ins, to take time for lunch and breaks, even to arrive late or leave early, was so easy on the nerves. Scott was able to spend some time at the ER or Bandon clinic, which supplemented his income. Now that Peyton was on board, that moonlighting didn’t rob him of time with his kids. They had it worked out so that the bulk of their appointments fell when both Peyton and Scott were available to see patients, and with Devon’s expertise in scheduling, they were at the clinic together at least twenty hours a week.

  A couple of very low-stress weeks zipped by. Peyton even took a long Fourth of July weekend with her family at the farm.

  Peyton happened to be standing at Devon’s desk one weekday afternoon when Al Michel brought in one of his foster sons. The boy was pale as a ghost, slightly bent at the waist, and he was holding a bowl. “Oh, boy,” Peyton said. “Who is this, Al?”

  “This is Kevin, and he’s feeling really terrible.”

  “That bowl was a dead giveaway. Come on back. Let’s figure it out.”

  “I heard there was a bug going around,” Al said, following them to the exam room. “I had to pry him off the bed to bring him in to see you.”

  “Can you make it up on the exam table, Kevin?” she asked him.

  He took his time, but he made it.

  “Ordinarily I’d put you in a gown, but if you’ll just loosen your jeans, that should be enough. Lay down for me. And tell me where the pain is.”

  “Right about here,” he said, indicating his lower abdomen just south of his belly button. “But I been throwing up, and I think it’s just sore.”

  She pressed down, and when she let up, he winced.

  “Al, can you take Kevin’s shoes off, please? Socks can stay on.” While Al was doing that, Peyton took the boy’s temperature. Then she swatted the bottom of his feet, and again, he winced. “When did this start?”

  “Early this morning, but it’s getting worse,” Kevin said.

  “Did it come on suddenly?”

  “Sort of, yeah. Like food poisoning—I had that once. It’s like one minute you’re
fine, and all of a sudden you’re dying....”

  She smiled at him and ran a hand over his sweaty brow. “Stay down for me, Kevin. I’ll be right back.”

  She stuck her head in Scott’s office. “I’ve got a hot appy. Hundred and one temp, extreme tenderness, vomiting. Want to weigh in and decide where to send him?”

  Scott was on his feet instantly. When a practitioner made that call so fast, it could be real hot. He already knew after just a couple of weeks of working with Peyton that she wasn’t indecisive—when she was sure, she was right. She certainly didn’t lack confidence. He walked in to the exam room. “Hey, Kev,” he said, right before starting to torture him, pressing, poking. Kevin winced and moaned. Scott felt his hot, damp brow. “So, Al, we think this is appendicitis. I want you to take Kevin up to Pacific Hospital in North Bend. I’ll call ahead and make sure there’s a surgeon available.”

  “Is this an emergency?” Al asked.

  “It certainly could be. That’s not my call, that’s the surgeon’s call, but we don’t mess around with appendicitis. That’s why I want him to see Kevin right away. I have a feeling this is going straight to the operating room.”

  “I should go scoop up the boys,” Al said. “They don’t like to be separated, especially when something big is going down. You can understand.”

  “I’ll go see to the boys. I’ll tell them what’s going on and make sure they get up to North Bend if there’s going to be an operation. There could be some waiting around while someone decides. They’re going to want some blood work to confirm. Or, it could move fast. Want me to explain to Eric you’re not going in to work?”

  “Well, when it rains, it pours. Eric and Laine left town for a few days, and I’m in charge. I have the station and the tow business. Norm is my backup—could you let him know he’ll have to stay late? He can call Manny if necessary. We’ll just hope no one needs a tow. Justin is at the station, and Danny’s at home right now. I told them I wanted to make a quick trip to your office to make sure Kevin just had a bug.”