5. BRIGGS
CHAPTER FIVE
brIGGS
“Davie says you ran into Dr. Landish,” Cormac says, gently bouncing Jesse on his knee while we wait for our lunch to be delivered at Fancy’s Diner. It’s rare for us to meet for lunch, since Cormac is always busy with ranchwork, but he’s been making an effort to cut back now that he has a family.
Guess that’s one point in Davie’s favor—getting Cormac to relax after decades of being a workaholic.
“Did she now?” I don’t know why the thought of Autumn sharing our encounter with Davie makes my chest tighten. Or causes my lungs to stutter over my next breath.
So, the curvy doctor felt the need to talk about me with her friend.
Big fucking deal.
A diner worker drops off two baskets filled with fries and our sandwiches before hurrying back behind the busy counter. The lunch rush is in full swing this afternoon with practically every booth and table taken.
Unfortunately, the noisy chatter of customers doesn’t deter Cormac from his quest for answers.
“Yeah, she did. Apparently, you were kind of an asshole.”
My mouth twists in amusement. “What else is new?”
“Drop the bullshit act,” he says, and immediately, my gaze drops to the baby in his lap, brows raised in mock admonishment.
Cormac snorts. “He’s too young to understand curse words.”
Jesse babbles a few nonsensical sounds as if to confirm his dad’s summation.
“Look, the doctor showed up at my rage park and seemed…” I pause for a bite, using the delay to search for the right descriptor. Pretty as fuck? Strong as a valkyrie? “Overly enthusiastic.”
There.
That's a good, non-interest-piquing answer.
“I checked on her before she accidentally hurt herself.”
Cormac's piercing eyes study me through two giant bites of pastrami on rye before accepting the story with a shrug.
Good.
It’s not like I’m lying. It just glosses over the fact that I wanted to talk to Autumn for more than professional concern about liability for some unknown reason.
But the stubborn man isn’t done yet. “I don't blame her for visiting your place. There's got to be a lot of frustration after her divorce,” he says, balancing Jesse in one hand and his sandwich in the other.
Something knots low in my stomach. I'd heard whispers through the grapevine that the new doctor was single, but I didn't realize it was a recent development.
“What happened?”
“I don't know all the details, but I could ask Davie.” He pins me with another inquisitive stare. “You seem awfully interested in the doctor.”
“Nothing more than morbid curiosity,” I lie.
“Right…” he acquiesces, but the threat of our conversation hangs in the air while he rubs soothing circles over Jesse's back when he starts to whimper. “Don’t forget you agreed to go to the street dance with us on Saturday night.”
Fuck, why did I say yes to that?
“You really want a third wheel on a date with your girl?”
Cormac spears him with a smug narrowing of his eyes. “More like a fifth or sixth wheel. Deacon and Connor are coming, along with whoever else they invite.”
“Perfect.” Just what I need for a relaxing weekend—to be surrounded by happy couples.