Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Just as I’m stuffing my mouth, a man walks in wearing dark blue scrubs with an ID badge pinned to his top. He must be the older brother, Evan—the doctor. I watch him as he walks to the counter and speaks with John. He shares similarities to Alex with the same dark blond hair and build, and those same bright blue Bishop eyes. However, Evan’s face is more aged, and I can tell he’s the oldest of the brothers. His jawline is cut with darker scruff, and the stress from his job is evident in his features.
I don’t realize I’m staring until John points over at me. Lifting my hand, I wave and try to swallow down the huge bite of muffin I took. Evan makes eye contact with me then walks over. The way he’s looking at me like he knows all my secrets makes me nervous as hell. Cocky confidence must be a Bishop thing because they’ve all got it.
Evan doesn’t ask before he sits in the chair across from me.
“I’m Evan. Alex’s older brother,” he says, formally introducing himself.
“Hi, I’m River. Nice to officially meet you,” I tell him, wondering if he’s an asshole doctor because if I had to judge him by his looks and the way he carries himself, I’d say he was. He has that brooding and serious look down.
“I’m just going to cut to the chase.” He looks at his watch then back at me. “I know about you and Alex. I also know you’re a pediatric nurse. You know I’m a doctor. See what I’m getting at?”
I continue eating my muffins because I have no clue what he’s insinuating but pretend like I do.
“If you’re really moving here and need a job, I can put in a good word for you, if you’re interested. Alex said you were worried about finding work here, but we’re always looking. We can use all the help we can get at the hospital, especially on the children’s floor. Not many people with your experience move to Nowhere, Texas, so we’re always shorthanded.”
Well, these Bishops just get straight to the point, don’t they?
I swallow down the muffin. “You’re offering me a job?”
“Well, I don’t do the official hiring, but one phone call and you’d have an interview within an hour. Mostly just to make sure your references pan out and that you are who you say you are. Then there’d be official paperwork for you to fill out and all of that, but if you want it, then yes, I could help make it happen.” His words make my head spin because I hadn’t decided what I’d do for work yet or if I’d wait till after the baby was born.
“Wow…I don’t know what to say.”
“Think about it and get back to me. No pressure. Just wanted you to know the option is there.”
“I will, thank you.” I smile, feeling the stress melt away. I love my job and working with kids, and knowing I’d be leaving it behind is a hard reality to swallow. However, if I could continue some of that work here, I wouldn’t feel so useless and dependent on Alex.
“Get settled and learn the area and people, and if you want to wait till after the baby, the job will still be here for you.”
I’m shocked to the point of almost being speechless.
“Working with kids was a dream, so I really can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“We don’t have a pediatric hospital—just a ward—so it’s not as large as you’re probably used to, but they could use a nurse with your experience. In fact, they need someone like you. It’s a nice community, and even though you’re not one of us, you’d eventually fit right in,” he teases.
I smile, chuckling. Evan isn’t anything like I’d expected, but that could change. The last three minutes have been strange, to say the least.
“I don’t know what to say…” My mind is racing from information overload on top of everything else.
“No worries. Just think about it. I don’t need an answer now.”
“Okay, well thank you. I certainly appreciate it.”
He winks and checks his watch. “Sorry, I’m going to be late for my shift if I don’t get going,” he says, standing. Before he walks away, he turns and looks straight at me. “Oh, nice meeting you and congrats.”
All my words have vanished. I remember Alex saying his brother was a doctor, but I didn’t realize he had so much pull at the hospital. His words keep replaying in my mind. The hospital needs me. That’s all I needed to hear to help me solidify my decision. Sure, the children’s hospital in Milwaukee needs me too, but it’s not dire. There are handfuls of other nurses who are just as well versed as I am. But moving here would be different. It’d be more intimate at a smaller hospital. And I don’t think he’d lie about needing my experience. After I finish eating, I go upstairs, grab my cell phone, and call Natalie. I have to talk to her now. Considering she’s off today, I know she’s awake and probably doing nothing.