Page 47 of Daddy to Go

I laughed loudly. “While that seems absolutely awesome, I think you’ll miss being a doctor. You’ll be back in Farmington soon enough.”

“You’re probably right,” Colleen replied. “Besides, I would miss my grumpy, know it all, irritating patients. I will see you in a week or two and you know how to reach me if you have any questions. But unless something is burning or someone is dying, don’t call me.”

I chuckled as I hung up with Colleen, clicking the side button on my phone and sliding it in my back pocket. Reaching down, I picked up my bags and strode into the apartment. In a weird coincidence, it was the same place I stayed last time with all the same furniture and décor. This must be a popular extended stay residence. Plus, as I headed back out to get the rest of my stuff, my next door neighbor from last time opened her door and smiled widely at me.

“You’re back!” she exclaimed. “Dr. Rivington, right? I’m Edna. You were so nice and quiet last year. If you need anything let me know. By the way, will that nice young lady be coming over to visit?”

I tilted my head to the side wondering if she had mistaken me for someone else. “Who do you mean?”

She snapped her fingers, putting her other hand to her chin.

“What was her name? She came over here and had just missed you after you left last time. She looked so sad about it. Sat out here all night until I finally let her know that you weren’t coming home. Oh right, it’s Abby.”

My breath caught in my throat and I shook my head. “No, I don’t think she’ll be visiting. I’m not even sure that she knows that I’m in town.”

“Well that’s a shame,” the old woman said as she headed for the door. “I could tell that she was in love, but then so was half the town. You were the talk of the gossip circles for about a month after you left. All the women were so sad that they couldn’t see their doctor anymore. I thought it was adorable.”

I helped Edna down the steps and she gave me a kiss on the cheek before turning and making her way down the block. That same unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach surged, just thinking about the fact that Abby had been here sitting on the steps completely destroyed after finding out that I had left her without a word.

But now, things are different. It’s been an entire year since I left Farmington, Maryland. I had no intention of coming to this city again, but of course, the agency didn’t actually tell me until I was halfway through my last assignment. I still felt absolutely terrible about leaving Abby without saying goodbye, but then again, there’s no sense in crying over spilled milk. It happened last year, and I made myself leave her and not look back. It didn’t feel good, and I hate myself for it.

But my heart still ached for her. It hasn’t stopped aching for the curvy girl. I’ve spent the last year choosing books over bars, and movies over women. I tried to move on, but every time that I chatted up a woman, I merely felt worse about Abby. So instead of subjecting myself to torture, I opted for a quieter life.

Plus, I used to travel but never see the cities I stayed in. Instead, the only things I saw were the bars and the women. So this time, every place I went I made sure to find out what the most popular destination was, and then I visited. Now I’ve seen everything from the biggest ball of yarn to insanely tall skyscrapers. I’ve visited stamp museums and watched a Civil War reenactment. I’ve gone to comedy shows where I laughed my ass off, and I’ve visited patients in rural settings who had no way of getting to a hospital.

But no matter what, no matter how many things I filled my life with, there was still a longing for Abby. I couldn’t escape it. The curvy girl haunted me, even when I sat in the middle of a loud comedy club, listening to jokes. All I knew was that I had these intense feelings for Abby, and that they wouldn’t go away.

Shaking my head, I left the rental and drove to Colleen’s office. The brick building looked the same as always, and I let myself in the back door. The office was exactly the same, and it was kind of nice coming back a second time. Despite the painful memories, it was almost like returning home after a long trip.

“Well, look what the cat drug in,” Alex said with a big grin. “Word got out that you’re in town. We are now booked up all week long. Hope you brought your running shoes.”

I chuckled and gave her a hug.

“No, but I brushed up on my herbal teas and tinctures.”

Alex gave me an impressed look.

“Look at you. Preparing for the patients. I like it. But aren’t you tired of traveling yet?” she asked.

I turned with a grin and shrugged my shoulders.

“It’s definitely different from the last time I saw you. Hey, did you ever get married?”

“It’s sweet that you remembered, but that wasn’t me, that was one of the other girls,” she chuckled. “I was the one already married. Haveyougotten married yet?”

I laughed and shook my head.

“No. This really isn’t the kind of job that is conducive to a marriage. But I’m sure it will happen one day.”

“I’m sure it will. My husband and I, well, we just celebrated ten years,” Alex said proudly. “He took me out to Breaker Villa, a little bed and breakfast, to celebrate. It was adorable.”

I had to do everything in my power to keep a smile on my face and not show how my heart had just dropped into my stomach.

“That sounds great. I could use a vacation too. Maybe next year.”

Alex grinned as she walked toward the door, looking back at me over her shoulder.

“Don’t forget, life is short, Dr. Rivington. Before you know it, you’re ready to retire, and you don’t want to have regrets. But better get your white jacket on because your first appointment is in twenty minutes. Actually, she’s out in the lobby already, but take your time.”