Page 158 of Rocky Mountain Home

His cousin slipped across the room to give Dare a quick hug. “Now you have. Ignore them for a minute. They’re probably going ballistic over there trying to figure out what’s true and what’s rumour.”

This didn’t sound good. “Tamara, what’s up?”

She let out an enormous sigh. “I got fired.”

“Oh my God, why?” Dare caught Tamara by the arm as Vicki returned to the room to add her voice to the question.

Tamara opened her mouth and then closed it quickly. “Okay, this is a lot more awkward than I thought it was going to be. I have been accused of violating the patient/doctor confidentiality agreement. Because of that they can fine me, and or fire me, or both.”

“Are you going to get a lawyer?” Vicki asked. “Someone to fight the charges?”

Tamara made a face then pushed her glasses firmly into position. “No. Because it’s true.”

Jesus. Jesse stepped forward. “Tamara, what the hell?”

“Look, it happened a long time ago. I knew what I was doing. I still believe I made the right decision, but they have every right to do this.”

“Why did it come out now?” Dare had settled back in the chair, and the rest of them joined her so she didn’t have to crane her neck.

“Yeah, that’s the part that sucks. Dr. Tom didn’t like me, and I’m guessing this is his final fuck you gesture, but that doesn’t change the truth.”

“Then why did you do it, if you knew this could happen?” Vicki asked.

“What happens now?” Jesse added.

Tamara paused before answering.

“Chances are once the rumour mill gets hold of this, and with everyone speculating exactly who I talked about, I’m about to become the town pariah.” She shrugged. “Actions have consequences. I’m not about to go and tell everybody why I did it. If people don’t know me well enough to assume it was for a good reason, then I don’t care about their opinion. Yes, I could’ve been wrong, I’m not invincible, but I feel as if what I did was better than not doing it.”

“So now you’re unemployed, but your ego is intact?” Jesse asked.

“My soul—which is more important,” she retorted, before making a face. “I need to leave, though.”

“What?” All three of them.

“There’s no way I can stay. I’m not too proud to get a job at a store in town, but I don’t think I can hold my tongue and provide customer service to people who assume the worst.”

“Can you get a nursing job somewhere else?” Dare asked.

Tamara hesitated again. “Terms of the agreement. The criminal charges would be dropped if I agreed to give up my license.”

“Jesus, Tamara. Criminal charges?” This was more serious than a slap on the wrist.

“I know. I’d do it again in a heartbeat—what I did was legally wrong, but it was morally right.” She turned to Dare. “The reason I’m here is to ask a favour. You think your brother would hire me as a nanny?”

Dare’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

Tamara nodded. “I can’t actively nurse, and I don’t want to go back to working on the ranch because that means I’d still be living here. But you were telling me about Emma and her speech issues, and maybe I could help in an unofficial capacity. I like kids, and I’m pretty easy to get along with.”

“You’d be working for Caleb. Will that be a problem?”

She shook her head. “If he’s not still pissed off at me for getting the jump on him in the hospital.”

Vicki leaned forward, curiosity written all over her. “Wait. How come I didn’t hear this story before?”

All three of them waved her off.

Dare didn’t hesitate. “You’d be perfect. Ginny is already gone, and since I can’t be with the girls, I would love to have you there. Caleb is not going to have a problem with it, because I will tell him he can stick his ego up his ass.”