Chapter Eleven
ABBIE
It’s the official start of my first full week of work at the clinic. Lilah has also started day care — but just half-days at first, so she can spend time with Dad and Vivianne during the week. They insisted, assuring me it wouldn’t be any sort of inconvenience.
Weird as it still is to be back, it’s working. We’re falling into a routine and that’s good for both of us. I want Lilah to have as much stability as quickly as possible, and I want us to settle into our lives here in Ivy Glen.
I’ve been able to push my encounter with Jake this past weekend to the back of my mind and I’m not thinking about him every minute of the day, so that’s progress, I guess.
On top of everything else, today is the day that the new doctor starts, which means I’m that much closer to taking things over from Uncle Andrew. That’s a thought that both terrifies and excites me, but one step at a time—first, I need to help get the new doctor settled.
Sitting at Uncle Andrew’s desk in his office, I go through paperwork, preparing for the day ahead, though my curiosity about the new doctor is distracting me.
I never followed up with Uncle Andrew on Friday about who this guy is because we got so busy with patients, and then I went away for the weekend with Sophie.
I’ve also been unpacking and getting Lilah settled so it kind of slipped my mind.
I check my watch. It’s almost eight in the morning. Uncle Andrew and the new doctor should be arriving any time now.
Getting the paperwork all squared away, I stand up just as the back door opens and someone comes down the hall.
I crane my neck around the corner. I can’t wait to see if it’s somebody I recognize — even if it’s just a face, but I don’t know their name, it’ll be fun.
I wish I’d been able to get the name from Uncle Andrew but I’ve kept forgetting everytime I’m around him.
I hear chuckles coming down the hall. Uncle Andrew is one of the voices.
Okay, so it probably is the new doctor. I fix my hair—I want to make a good first impression!
—and move to stand in the middle of the room, ready to greet him, smoothing away nonexistent wrinkles in my scrubs.
The footsteps come closer and closer and my breath catches in my throat…
then releases when Uncle Andrew appears in the doorway.
He’s dressed in a perfectly pressed blue button-up and black pants, and his glasses are perched on the bridge of his nose.
He grins when he sees me. “Oh! Good morning, Abbie. What, did you think somebody else was with me?
I chuckle and shrug. “I’m always happy to see you, Uncle Andrew, but I have to admit I thought it was the new doctor. I’m excited to meet him. Who were you talking to, then?”
That’s when my uncle laughs, and the new doctor steps out from around the corner and I gasp. Holy shit, I do know him.
“I believe we’ve met, Abbie.” Dr. Westbrook grins at me.
I stare in disbelief at the familiar figure with his thick blonde hair, glasses, and beanpole build. Westbrook is the new doctor? What the hell?
His grin widens. “It’s good to see you, Abbie. How are you? Surprised?”
“Uhhh… yeah. Dr. Westbrook, what are you doing here? Are you really the new MD?”
Why would a thirty-five year old doctor leave a well-paying position he’s been at for eight years in a major city hospital to come to a small town clinic like ours? To a town he hadn’t even heard of, I’d assume, before I mentioned it?
He chuckles. “Sure am. I know it’s a little random, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Ivy Glen after you left Harrisburg. I did some research and was really charmed by what I learned about this town. When I saw the job posting for the clinic, I applied. I hope that’s okay?”
Blinking, I shake away the worst of my shock and give him a bright smile.
“Yes, of course! Having a doctor of your skill here is a real privilege. I’m excited to work with you again.”
He’s really a great doctor with excellent bedside manner, and he was nice to work with in Harrisburg.
When I first started at the hospital there, I was pregnant and alone, and he was always kind and supportive.
He even helped me set up my OBGYN appointments and stopped in to visit after I gave birth, along with my other coworkers.
“It’ll be nice working together, even though I can’t say I saw this coming, either,” he laughs.
“This will be such a huge change of pace.” He steps forward and offers me his hand to shake, and I do, relaxing as it fully sinks in that he’s going to be working here.
That’s actually kind of great, truth be told.
Since we’re familiar with how each other operates already, this transition will be much smoother, and I have full confidence that Uncle Andrew will be able to step back. The clinic will be in good hands.
By the end of the day, Dr. Westbrook has already worked himself into the flow of the office.
He’s been shadowing Uncle Andrew, getting to know the patients, and they all love him so far.
He always had a good bedside manner, and he’s so smart and quick-witted that he is able to put people at ease quickly when he’s examining them.
Uncle Andrew has already taken off, and I finish up a few pieces of paperwork before I grab my stuff to head out for the day. Dr. Westbrook is in one of the exam rooms, checking out some of the equipment. I pause in the doorway and smile.
“Do you mind locking up on your way out?” I ask, zipping up my coat. “It’s just the back door.”
Looking up, Dr. Westbrook grins. “No problem. Hey, thanks for such a great day. I think I’m really going to enjoy working here.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I tell him. “I think you’re going to be a really good fit here too. I’m looking forward to working together.”
“Me too.”
“Where are you staying, anyhow? You must have found a place lightning quick. Like, I’m impressed.”
“Oh…” he shrugs. “Around the corner from here. Temporary place. Can’t say it’s ideal. Have any leads on houses here?”
I think for a moment. Not really, but I do feel like I should help him out. “Nah, but I’ll ask around.”
“Thanks. You have a good night, Abbie.”
“You too, Dr. Westbrook.”
I give him a little wave before continuing on down the hallway, out the back door, and into the frigid evening air.
As I make my way to my car, movement out of the corner of my eye causes my steps to falter.
I look over and find a tall man pushing away from the side of the building, as if he’d been leaning against it.
His coat looks threadbare and too thin to actually be warm.
What the hell is he doing? It’s freezing out here.
“Abbie!” The guy smiles and raises his hand in greeting. “Hey!”
I pause and he continues walking toward me.
I don’t really recognize him, but he seems to know me.
Glancing around, I see that we’re the only two people out here and start to feel uncomfortable.
I know this is a small town, but I’m so used to big city living that any unknown man approaching a woman in an unpopulated area is a red flag to me.
“Hi?” I reply cautiously.
“Stuart.”
He stops in front of me, tucking his hands into the pockets of his kaiki cargo pants. He looks older, maybe late thirties or early forties, and his thin, dark hair looks a tad greasy.
“I wanted to tell you how glad I am that you’re back in town. It’s so great to have my favorite nurse around again.”
“Sounds like you never were on the receiving end of a needle from me,” I murmur, realizing only a second later that a snarky response like that probably isn’t good for business. “Anyway, I have to?—”
“Seriously,” he says, inching closer. “I’m so glad!”
Okay, so he has to be a patient, but I still can’t place him. I’m starting to get a weird feeling deep in my stomach. The thought crosses my mind that maybe I know him from Harrisburg, but that can’t be right. Why would a patient from Harrisburg be here?
Unless… no, no. He wouldn’t be this bold, would he? To just appear in front of me like this?
“I’m really happy to be back too, Stuart,” I reply, doing my best to maintain a polite, friendly demeanor. I don’t want to do anything to upset this strange man who appears to have been waiting for me in the parking lot of my place of employment.
Thankfully, he doesn’t linger. “Well, I’ll let you go. Just wanted to tell you how lucky we are to have you back in Ivy Glen. I’ll see you around.”
With a wave, he turns and walks away. I let out a long breath and swallow. My heart is racing and a cold sweat has broken out across my forehead.
“Abbie?”
I jump and turn to find Dr. Westbrook making his way toward me from the back door. He’s frowning, looking between me and the retreating stranger.
“Oh, hey,” I reply, my voice squeaking a bit.
He locks his eyes on me. “Was that guy waiting for you?”
“I don’t know what the hell he was doing. I don’t know him.”
He furrows his brow. “You should be more careful. I know it’s a small town, but creeps are everywhere.”
“You can say that again. I’m fine, though.”
Dr. Westbrook doesn’t look convinced. “Still… just promise if something like that happens again, you’ll come get me or something. Don’t be alone, okay?”
“Gotcha.”
He seems satisfied by that and turns for his car. I hurry to get into mine and pull out of the parking lot, desperate to get home. I didn’t want to worry Dr. Westbrook, but I’m fully freaking out.
I need to calm down. Those messages I got back in Harrisburg have me anxious and paranoid, but things have been good since I moved back here. Calm and peaceful.
I’m safe here. I just need to keep telling myself that..
Still, my anxiety hasn’t fully left me by the time I arrive at the apartment building, park, and hurry inside.
I burst through the door, looking around frantically for my baby.
Dad and I decided it would be easier for him to watch her here so she can maintain a routine in familiar surroundings, and I’m glad that I’m able to come straight home to her.
I need to see Lilah - just see her, and I’ll feel better.
“Lilah?” I call out.
“Mommy!”
She comes running out of the living room and I kneel down, opening my arms wide so she can crash into them. I hug her tight and kiss her head, feeling so relieved to see her and to know that she’s safe and sound that I could cry.
“Hey, sweetheart! You’re home.”
I look up to find my dad standing over us, gazing down at us with a smile.
“Hi, Dad,” I say, quickly hiding the fact that I’ve been panicking. “How’d it go today?”
“Great,” he assures me. “Lilah and I had a wonderful day, didn’t we, sweetie?”
Lilah beams up at me. “Yeah! Papa and I went to the park! I built a snowman!”
“That sounds so fun.” My words are there, but I’m not feeling any of it. I keep thinking about that weird patient. What if he’s the stalker? Maybe I’m being paranoid for no reason, but that was a seriously strange run-in.
I shouldn’t worry, though. I’m in a whole new town. We’re safe. Lilah’s safe. I need to stop worrying like this.
My thoughts are interrupted when my phone starts ringing. Standing, I grab it out of my purse and see that it’s Sophie and hesitate before answering.
“Go ahead and take it,” Dad tells me, picking up Lilah. “We’ll be in the living room.”
“Thank you!”
Dad takes Lilah away to give me some privacy.
“Hey, Soph! What’s up?”
“Hey, girl!” Sophie replies. “What are you up to? Do you want to hang out? I feel like I haven’t seen you at all this week.”
A stab of guilt cuts through me. I’ve kind of been avoiding Sophie because I found out that Jake is staying with her and Carter. I don’t know why the hell he’s been sticking around for so long. He was always so adamant about getting out of this town and staying away.
I know it’s not Sophie’s fault that he’s here, and I shouldn’t ignore her because of it. Unfortunately, I genuinely can’t hang out tonight. I’m supposed to go over to Vivianne’s to meet with her and Sophie’s mom to start planning a surprise baby shower.
“I wish I could,” I tell her. “I can’t tonight, though. How about tomorrow? Maybe Vivianne and my dad can take both kids and you can come sleep over like old times?”
Sophie lets out an excited squeal. “That’s a fantastic idea! Okay, deal! Meet me at the ice rink at two tomorrow afternoon. Chase has skating class.”
“Absolutely,” I agree, happy that I’ll actually have time with my friend and can make it up to her for avoiding her this past week. “I’ll see you then!”
“Love you!”
“Love you, too!”
Hanging up, I make my way into the living room. Dad is sitting on the couch with Lilah in his lap, reading one of her picture books to her. He looks up as I approach.
“Who was that?” he asks.
“Sophie. We’re going to hang out tomorrow night. Would you and Vivianne be able to watch Lilah and Chase overnight?”
Dad beams. “Oh, for sure! Vivianne would love for us to have a sleepover with both kids.”
“Yay! Sleepover!” Lilah throws her hands in the air in excitement.
Chuckling, I reply, “Great! Thanks so much, Dad. And thanks for staying with Lilah this evening so I can go meet Vivianne. I’m going to go change, then head over there.”
“Sounds like a plan, honey.”
I hurry to change out of my scrubs and put on a t-shirt and yoga pants, then I say goodbye to Dad and Lilah before heading back out to my car once more.
I’m feeling much better. Much calmer. The stranger in the parking lot isn’t a looming fear anymore, and as I get in the car, I don’t feel like I have to look over my shoulder.
Everything’s fine. I don’t have to worry about that fucker anymore.
My sense of peace shatters, when my phone buzzes, showing I’ve gotten a text from an unknown number.
Unknown number: Have you missed me, baby? Don’t worry. I’m not about to let you and your sweet little pussy be lonely.
Oh, no.
No, no, no.
Fuck! I drop the phone like it’s a snake, but it keeps looking up at me. It’s ready to bite, and I don’t have an antidote.