Chapter 9
Nine
“Auntie Erykah, look at my drawing.” Cheyenne held up a stick-figure family.
There was one with a hat. That had to be my brother-in-law, Asher. The stick figure wearing a circle had to be Ellynn. Then there came a third figure with wild hair. Definitely Cheyenne. She preferred to wear her natural hair without constraint and fought Ellynn every time my sister attempted to braid it. There was also a little circle that more than likely represented the newest addition, Ashlynn.
“What a great picture, Cheyenne. You did an amazing job.”
She beamed. “Mama said I could put it on the fridge.”
“Oh, that’s the place of honor.”
She nodded, then skipped away.
“Hurry and tell me what you need to say before she gets back,” Ellynn rushed out. “You know she’ll take over this video call if you give an inch.”
I laughed. She wasn’t wrong. “There’s not much to say.”
“Well, what about the dog? Did you keep him? Actually name him Charlie?”
“I did.” I grinned. “He’s so sweet and likes to be near me.”
“ How’s the potty training going?”
“Actually not bad. My friend”—my voice cracked—“is helping with that.”
“Friend?” Ellynn’s eyebrows rose. “Female friend or...?”
My cheeks heated.
“You’re blushing!”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not so light you can tell that.” At least I didn’t think I was.
“Of course I can tell. You’re my sister .” Ellynn leaned forward, eyes glittering with excitement. “How did you meet him? When did you start hanging out with other people? Is there more than friendship there?”
Her rapid questions made me want to hide, but this was Ellynn. We didn’t hide stuff from each other. Plus, she was probably trying to get as much in as she could before Cheyenne decided to come back. “We met by accident at a restaurant, then at the governor’s dinner. Since he called me friend. And, no, I’m not girlfriend material.”
Ellynn snorted. “Whatever. Anyone can be a girlfriend. You just have to meet your person.”
“Ell, I’m not like you. I’m not friendly. People don’t strike up random conversations with me.”
“Yet you connected with a stranger enough to now call him a friend.” She stared at me pointedly through the phone lens. “Obviously someone struck up a random conversation and thought you were friendly enough to add to their collection of people.”
“I hate that you’re right.”
She laughed. “Is there chemistry between you? Do you think there’s something more to the friendly feeling?”
“On whose part?”
“I knew it!” Ellynn pumped a fist in the air. “You like him.”
“What’s not to like? He looks good in a tux but is perfectly c omfortable in his log cabin and working with animals all day. The guy is actually somewhat of a celebrity.”
“Who is he?” My sister’s brow furrowed.
“Chris Gamble.”
“From Gamble on Nature? The YouTube guy?”
I nodded.
Her mouth dropped. “Girl! He is cute.”
“Who’s cute? Are you looking at another man?” Asher’s face came into view, and he waved. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey, Asher.” Asher was the perfect guy for my sister. I wouldn’t have wanted to lose her to anyone else.
She’s not lost. She’s still your sister.
“Erykah’s new friend is Chris Gamble.”
“The YouTube guy?” Asher asked.
Ell nodded, and I could feel my cheeks heating. Why was this so embarrassing?
“How did you meet him?” he asked.
“Ordering a burger. He’s nice.”
“Good for you. You need people.”
Unease filtered through me. Did I seem so cut off from others? So alone?
You are cut off. Don’t act like this is a surprise.
I stifled a sigh.
“When will you see him again?” Ellynn asked.
“When he brings Charlie home.”
Her eyes widened. “Girl, you’re not giving me enough information.”
“Oh, Ell. He’s a really great guy. We’d been texting here and there before I got Charlie. Now that he’s helping me while I work, we talk more. He’ll send me random texts during the day, and it’s just so . . .” I searched for the right word. “Wonderful having a friend. I’ve never had a relationship like this.”
E llynn’s eyes watered. “You deserve friendship and more.” She bit her lip. “I know you worry about being in a relationship as a doctor because of your hours, but your person is out there. Promise me if it looks like this could be more that you’ll stay open to something new. ’Kay?”
Before I could respond, Cheyenne came back. This time she brought her favorite doll and told me all about her and why she was treasured. Cheye dominated the rest of the phone call, but it was so good to chat with her. I loved my niece, and talking to her was one of my favorite things.
“You’re my best friend, Auntie Erykah.”
My heart filled to bursting. “And you’re mine, sweetie.” Now I had two friends.
I wanted to stick my tongue out at Asher and his “you need people” comment. But he’d long since left the room. Too soon I said good-bye to my family and sat quietly on my couch in my empty condo.
Chris wouldn’t be coming until tomorrow to drop off Charlie, which meant two nights in a row without my new companion. Chris had had something conflicting on his schedule today, and I’d dealt with another emergency, but since we’d already made plans for Chris to bring Charlie back in the morning, I hadn’t worried.
Maybe I’d distract myself by putting on Chris’s Spotify playlist and tidying the place up a bit before heading to bed.
The next morning, I opened the door to let Chris and Charlie in. “Hey, thanks for bringing him by.”
“Happy to help.”
A fissure of pleasure unfurled in my middle at the sound of his voice. Having a visit with someone outside of the hospital was huge. Did I get bonus points that my guest fell on the friendly relationship spectrum instead of professional?
F riendly, huh? Keep telling yourself that when you keep wondering about more.
Oh, I would. A friendship was all this could ever be. Sure, Chris watched my puppy while I worked. Yes, I was attracted to him—I did have eyes. No, nothing would go past the thoughts in my mind. They couldn’t, because I couldn’t even be relied upon to pick up my own dog on time. What kind of girlfriend would I make as a doctor? Ell’s words echoed in my head, but I ignored them. I hadn’t actually promised, so I would stick to my friendship mantra.
“How are you?” Chris asked. The crinkles alongside his eyes became prominent. “Everything okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. There was another emergency surgery, but that happens sometimes.” I’d given the patient the best outcome toward recovery. His rehab would be extensive but not insurmountable.
“Then I’m glad. I’ll pray for their speedy recovery.”
“What?” I blinked. “You don’t even know him.” Who was this man?
“God does.” He shrugged. “I’m just adding a prayer to the ones I’m sure his loved ones are already saying.”
Who did that? Who prayed for someone they’d never met?
I eyed Chris. “You’ll really pray for him?”
“Yes. I’ll do it right now if you want to join me.” He smiled.
“Uh...” I pointed toward my living room, and we went to sit. I’m not sure my uh was really assent, but Chris bowed his head, nevertheless.
“Dear Lord, we come to You today thanking You for the talent You’ve blessed Erykah with. That talent was able to help save a couple of people these past two nights.” Chris cracked an eye open and looked at me. “Is that right?”
“Yes,” I croaked. Was this really happening?
His eye closed once more. “Thank You for sending Erykah t o save them. We ask that You bring full healing to their bodies. Please help them through any rehab they go through, and continue equipping Erykah to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
I’d never heard anyone pray before, and it wasn’t at all what I’d imagined. Not that I’d necessarily imagined people praying. Still, I couldn’t believe Chris would pray for a perfect stranger. Part of me was in awe. This man exuded kindness in a way that made me want to get closer. Only now I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt we weren’t meant to be. How could someone pray to an invisible being and believe wholeheartedly that he was heard and that God would answer him? That was not possible.
You’re too opposite. Friendship is all this could be.
Charlie wagged his tail and lay down on my shoes. As I looked down into his black eyes, his tongue lolled out. He seemed to be smiling.
“Can dogs smile?”
Chris glanced at him. “Sure looks like it.”
“That can’t be possible, right?”
Chris shrugged. He ran a hand down his face, and I suddenly realized he looked tired. But also...
“Your glasses are gone,” I whispered.
“Oh, yeah, put my contacts in today.” He smiled.
His eyes were so blue, almost matching the clear azure color of the sky from my earlier peek outside. Why did I have to notice everything about Chris Gamble?
I cleared my throat. “Guess I should let you get back to your day.”
“You want to grab lunch first?” Chris offered. “There’s a barbecue place nearby that’s phenomenal.”
Before I could decline, the doorbell rang. “Sorry. Let me see who this is. I’m not expecting visitors.”
“ Sure thing.” He sat back down.
A squint through the peephole showed someone in a uniform, but I couldn’t make out what kind. “Hey, Chris? Could you stand nearby just in case?” I wasn’t comfortable opening my door to a stranger. No one ever knocked on my door, well, except for Chris.
“Sure.” He moved off to the side and motioned for me to go ahead and answer the door.
As soon as it swung open, the Colorado Springs Police Department uniform became obvious.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you have the wrong door?”
“Are you Dr. Erykah Kennedy?” the police officer asked me.
“Yes, I’m Dr. Kennedy.” What did they want with me? Had something happened to my car? Was this related to the emergency last night?
“I’m Officer Pratt. May I come in?”
I nodded, too dumbfounded to do otherwise. Vaguely, I became aware of Chris introducing himself until I found all of us seated in my living room. Focus.
I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, what’s this about?”
“Dr. Kennedy, I have some bad news for you.” His eyes were full of sympathy.
Already my head was shaking. I didn’t like where this was going. I reached for Chris, who instinctively wrapped his hand around mine.
“Unfortunately, there was a tragic car accident that led to the death of your sister, Ellynn Charles, and her husband, Asher.”
“What?” I scoffed. “That’s not possible. I just talked to her yesterday.” I turned to Chris. “We FaceTimed yesterday. I spoke to both of them.” My voice shook as I tried to get them to understand.
“Dr. Kennedy, I’m sorry to say the Lexington Police Depart ment co nfirmed their deaths. They were in an accident at eight this morning, eastern time. The LPD asked us to notify you.”
It was already nine mountain time. Was he saying they’d been dead for three hours? My breath hitched. How could that be true? I’d talked to them yesterday! “No. It can’t be true.” I squeezed Chris’s hand harder, my own hands shaking. “It’s not true.”
“Dr. Kennedy...” the officer started, but I shook my head.
“No. No. No! ”
Strong arms wrapped around me. I was vaguely aware of Chris’s presence, but everything else faded as the roaring in my ears took over. I curled my face into his chest and sobbed.