even a federal program for underserved areas.” She tucked her legs under her, the soft terrycloth of the robe covering her.
He dropped back onto the overstuffed couch cushion. “I have that all in the works.”
“Good. When will you be able to transition?”
“Not as soon as I would like. Before your boyfriend hit town I was going to ask if I could stay here and make the move up. Now? Hell, I’ll figure something out.”
“Let me look around for a room for you. I can ask Phil; he’s plugged into everything.”
He shook his head. “I can ask him. Thanks.” He leveled his gaze on her and stared at her until she felt uncomfortable.
“What?”
“Seeing you with him, it drove your point home. You feel nothing for me.”
“I told you, friendship isn’t nothing. I’ve known you for two years, Zeke. I enjoy working with you and I want to keep that relationship.” She reinforced her words from the last conversation they had on the topic.
He nodded. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Sure.”
“I’m not sorry I interrupted.” A mischievous smile spread across his face.
She laughed and stood up. “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. I’ll get you bedding and a pillow.” She padded down the hall and retrieved the items, setting him up for the night. “Night, Zeke.”
“Night.”
Eden tiptoed through the living room and headed down the front steps to the clinic entrance. She slipped out of the door and shut it quietly. Jeremiah hadn’t arrived yet, but that was okay. She sat down on the bench and took a deep breath of the cool night air. It was getting hotter every day. Soon, temperatures in the high nineties would be the norm and they would put window air conditioning units back into sashes to keep everyone cool. There were a few houses that had central air but most used window units.
She loved this little town. It wasn’t wealthy by any means. Everyone struggled to build a life, but it was home. She’d realized that about a year ago. She’d planted roots here. Few did. It was a hard life, but it was worth all the burdens. Home always was.
The sound of a door shutting turned her head. Jeremiah had two cups of coffee balanced on top of a small box. She was going to be spoiled by the time he left. She stood up and grabbed the coffee, lifting up for a kiss. He wrapped an arm around her and held her up as his tongue danced with hers. He relaxed his hold and ended the kiss with several smaller, softer kisses. “Good morning,” he said before he released her.
“Good morning.” She echoed the words and sat down with him. He opened the box and handed her a creamer. She gave him his cup and took the top off hers. “You’re driving down to Rapid today?”
“I am. Want to come with me?” He handed her a sausage biscuit. “Gen said you liked sausage instead of bacon.”
“I like them all, but her homemade sausage is amazing.” She sat her coffee down and unwrapped the biscuit. “I can’t go to Rapid today. I have two elderly patients coming in for routine screenings.”
He nodded and they both took a bite of their food. She washed it down with a sip of coffee. “Maybe you could take me on a motorcycle ride in the Hills this weekend. I’m not required to be here every day and I don’t schedule patients on the weekend.”
He stopped chewing and looked at her. He swallowed hard and then asked, “You’d want to do that?”
“I’d love to. I told you, my brothers and father opened a motorcycle shop. I wanted one so badly and pestered them until they rebuilt a wrecked Royal Enfield. Only three hundred fifty cc’s and I thought I was badass.” She laughed and waved a hand. “It was the smallest motorcycle they could find so I could pick it up and manage the weight. I loved to ride with them.”
He smiled at her. “Why don’t you ride now?”
“Well, honestly, I don’t have anyone to ride with. I don’t think I’d enjoy it as much.” She shrugged. “I guess being included and having something I could do with my family was a big part of the thrill.”
“I’d love to have you ride with me. Saturday. We’ll leave early and spend the day.”
She eyed him and hesitated for a second before she suggested. “Why not spend the night, too?”
A wicked smile spread across his face. “No doctors to interrupt us.”