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Nancy walked into the therapy center and ran into Belle kissing Jake. They immediately backed up, and Jake turned with the biggest grin to exit immediately. Belle just blushed and looked at her with the goofiest expression.
“I see things are going great with the two of you?”
“Oh, my goodness, he is amazing,” Belle said. “I hear you might have some personal news to report as well?”
“How did you hear?” Nancy said, realizing her facial color was now matching Belle’s red tone.
“You think this 200-acre ranch looks big, but it has its own built-in gossip mill. I heard he asked you out in front of the pig pen?”
“He did. We went to the outdoor movie theater Saturday night. I didn’t even know that was a thing anymore.”
“Yeah, isn’t it great? They only have it open in warmer months, but we love driving out there.”
“It was great. I think we talked more than watched the movie. He seemed so nervous, the first date since high school for him. He and Catelyn were high school sweethearts, so this was a big deal. He is such a gentleman, though; I had an amazing time.”
“You haven’t been married before?” Belle asked.
“No. I was close when I was twenty-five, but our lives went in different directions. I was married to my career back then, so it just never panned out. Now here I am on the downhill slide to forty, and suddenly a great guy like Brendan asks me out,” she said with a smile.
“Well, I hope it works out. I know it has been a tough period for him, but I’m hoping he finds some happiness. What about his having two kids, I know that can be a lot to deal with?”
Nancy thought about that question for a moment. She had always known that Piper and Charlotte were part of the deal, and it hadn’t for a second been something she gave a second thought to. The girls were adorable, sweet, and well-spoken. It was just a bonus in her mind, not a minus.
“I hadn’t thought about it, as I love hanging out with them when they are around. They are a bonus, not a detriment.”
“I’m certain you didn’t come over to talk about personal lives, did you need me for something?”
“I was running into town to take care of some personal errands and thought I would do a quick check to see if anyone needed something.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Dry cleaning, groceries, and I need to pick up some office supplies.”
“Oh, my goodness, I have a dress for Friday night at the Dry Cleaners if you could pick that up you would be awesome.”
“Absolutely, going to be there anyway. I did put a note on the clinic, but I have my cell if anything comes up.”
“Sounds good. Say hi to Dr. Rosio for me,” she said, wiggling her eyebrow as she grinned.
“How did you know I was going to see—” Nancy stopped realizing she was caught.
She just shook her head and swiveled to exit.
The smile didn’t leave her face the entire trip to town, and when she found herself in front of Brendan’s clinic, her resolve faltered for a moment. What if he didn’t like her interrupting his workday? What if he was busy?
What if she quit acting like a teenager; she silently chastised getting out of the vehicle? She could simply say she was checking in, and then carry on if he was busy.
As she entered the office, the receptionist gave her a welcoming smile. “He’s in the back.”
“Does he have a patient with him?”
She just shook her head to the negative.
Nancy gave herself a tiny pep talk and stepped through the door, down the hall, and into the doorway of Brendan’s office.
He stood the second; she was visible and walked over.
“Hey, you,” he said. “Business or a personal visit?”
She grinned, “Just wanted to say hi.”
“Hi,” he said and bent over to give her a light kiss as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She felt that tiny gesture throughout her entire being. He was fast becoming her favorite thing about Little Bend.
