“Why not?” Flora reversed out from under the table. “I’ve heard so much about the Stillwater Dozen, maybe it’s time to see it in action for myself.”
Leon reached down and helped her to her feet, planting a quick kiss on her lips as he did. They hadn’t slept much the previous night, their passion fueled with a new intensity.
He couldn’t say he was miraculously cured of his guilt and self-loathing over Karen’s death. But he had been able to articulate what he felt, and Flora had listened to him with sympathy and understanding. Talking to her had made him feel...lighter. Some of the weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Dr. Leon kissed Mommy.” Frankie snickered behind his hand while Stevie smacked his lips together noisily.
Flora’s shoe was finally found—in Tiny’s bed. Dashing out, they arrived at the daycare center, where Tegan Jackson was waiting at the door. The twins greeted her with pleasure.
“That’s a relief,” Flora said. “They seem to have gotten over that reluctant phase.”
Stevie took Tegan’s hand. “Dr. Leon kissed Mommy,” he announced loudly.
“Oh, my days.” Flora rolled her eyes. “He’s going to tell everyone, isn’t he?”
“At least they’ve forgotten about the condoms,” Leon murmured.
The rest of the day felt refreshingly normal. Leon barely saw Flora, whose workload had increased because of Vivien’s absence. His own schedule was full, but when he did have some down time, he found his mind straying to Laurie’s interview with Alan. It still shocked him that a man he had always considered honorable could fall so far.
If Laurie was correct, and Alan was in the grip of a gambling addiction, he needed help. Dependence took many forms and had different outcomes. His patients didn’t deserve the treatment they had received, but, in many ways, Alan was a victim himself. Leon, who had an understanding of what it meant to deal with an addiction, didn’t envy Alan the fight ahead.
His last appointment of the day was with Daisy Cain. Daisy had been one of Alan’s patients, but a quick check of her medical record showed that, apart from a routine annual physical, she rarely visited the Main Street Clinic. With her balanced diet, dedication to exercise, and tall, toned physique, she was the healthiest specimen Leon had seen in a long time.
“Calf pain.” Daisy removed her sneaker and sock and rolled up her pants before extending one long, well-muscled leg. “I think it could be my Achilles tendon.”
“Normally I would ask questions about stretches, footwear, and correct mileage increase.” Leon took her right ankle in one hand as he examined her lower leg. “But I know you’ll have all of those things covered.”
“I forgot you’re a runner yourself, Doctor.”
“I’m not in your league.” Leon flexed her foot. She didn’t flinch, which was strange. If she was experiencing pain in her Achilles tendon, he’d have expected that movement to trigger a reaction. “Can you stand and walk across the room, please?”
Daisy did as he asked. She showed no sign of a limp, or pain, as she crossed Leon’s office and returned to take the seat opposite him. “Do you like this place?”
The question took him by surprise. “It’s a very modern facility.” It was a lame response, but the best he could do on the spur of the moment.
“It’s not the same, though, is it?” Daisy leaned forward. “I mean, it’s not like the Main Street Clinic?”
“It’s certainly different.” Leon wasn’t quite sure where this was going. Somehow, his doctor-patient consultation had been hijacked and he was being interviewed. “You don’t have flat feet—”
“Your patients must miss that homey atmosphere.” She shook her head. “And Dr. Grayson... So many people are asking about him. Do you know when everything will be back to normal?”
Aha. He could see what was going on here. Daisy was leading the charge for the Stillwater scandal-lovers, trying to get information about what was happening with Alan. Leon wondered if there was actually anything wrong with her leg.
“Take a break from the hill running. That will put extra stress on your tendons.” He spoke briskly, ignoring her question. “Take anti-inflammatories for pain, and use the rest, ice, compression, and elevation strategy.”
Daisy was gazing at him with an expression that was almost hungry, presumably hoping for some snippets of information. When she didn’t move, Leon got to his feet. “If that’s all?”
“Oh.” She blinked. “Yes. Thank you, Doctor.”
Leon watched her as she left. No sign of a limp. Shaking his head, he typed up his notes. He hadn’t figured Daisy for one of the die-hard gossips. Maybe she genuinely was missing Alan and wanted to know when he’d be back. It was something Leon would have to think about. Currently, his own career was tied in with what happened at the Main Street Clinic, and it was unlikely the place would stay open given the problems Alan was facing.
A knock on his door roused him from the contemplation of an uncertain future. When Flora entered, his whole body responded to the smile in her eyes, warmth replacing the tension in his limbs. He held out his hand, and she stepped up close.
“I am so ready for a quiet night at home.” Leon pulled her down onto his lap.
“I thought you wanted to go to this bake-off thing?”
He groaned. “Bryce had better not be kidding me when he says he makes the best apple pie in Stillwater.”
It was a beautiful evening as they drove along Lakeview Drive toward Stillwater City Hall. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the heat of the afternoon gave way to a pleasant coolness.
After picking up the boys, they had gone home to change into casual clothes. Flora wore a cotton skirt that ended just above her knee, with a light-weight sweater on top. As they left the car and crossed the parking lot, she took a moment to admire the fit of Leon’s
