Resisting the Off-Limits Pediatrician by Kate MacGuire

Author:Kate MacGuire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-12-08T20:51:57+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

BY THE TIME Charlotte and John got back to the clinic, it was long past dark. The clinic was locked and Sarah’s car was gone. Charlotte had barely spoken after Tommy’s perilous rescue and now, under the parking lot’s lamps, John noted dark shadows under her eyes. He didn’t press her for conversation as they unpacked the coolers and prepped for the next day.

“See you at the house,” she mumbled as she rooted through her purse for her car keys.

John’s stomach fluttered with alarm. Everything from her slumped shoulders to her slow gait screamed fatigue. His partner was far too tired to be behind the wheel of a car.

“Let me drive you home,” he said.

“I’m fine,” she countered, but it sounded like a reflex.

John paused, considering his options. Just long enough for her to unsuccessfully smother a huge yawn.

She gave him a sheepish half-smile. “Maybe you’re right.”

She dropped her keys into his hand and followed him to the car. John slid into the driver’s seat and pressed the car’s ignition button. The radio picked up Charlotte’s playlist, playing an R&B song that was a soothing balm after their long day.

John turned on the car’s heater, then checked his texts. Piper had gone to a friend’s house after school, her first ever playdate since she had moved in with John. Living with Charlotte and finding camaraderie with a cat who didn’t know where he belonged either had helped her find her bearings a bit, and helped John to see that in his desire to protect Piper he might have accidentally smothered her. If she was going to heal, he had to help Piper find her own village of friends and caring adults. And maybe a dumb cat too.

John texted the friend’s mother to let her know he was on his way to pick up Piper.

She was blossoming at Charlotte’s house. Sometimes John woke on his days off to find Piper’s bedroom empty. Instead of the rush of alarm he’d felt that day when he’d been having pizza with Charlotte, he knew exactly where to find her. In Charlotte’s kitchen, perched on the counter, helping to stir eggs or just chatting away while Charlotte made breakfast. Sometimes they both worked on the cat, brushing his fur out or showing him the joy of feather wands.

Their work seemed to be paying off. John could no longer count Cat’s ribs at a glance. Cat was filling out with a steady diet of good food and extra treats.

In time, it had become natural to start their mornings in Charlotte’s kitchen, with sunlight streaming through the windows while soothing music played on the speaker. Charlotte and Piper had little jokes that he didn’t understand. But he liked to watch them while he pretended to read the news on his phone. Their easy camaraderie and quick laughter mixed with the music and the smell of coffee brewing and the sizzle of eggs and bacon on the stove. They were like threads in a tapestry, all woven together into something that felt warm and nurturing.

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