Chapter Eighteen
Lincoln
Iwalk into the hospital after a ravishing night with the love of my life. We should have went to bed sooner, but I couldn’t help myself. Having her next to me is hard to resist. Will this feeling of desire ever fade? Fuck, I hope not. I’ve got a short shift today, though. I only have two surgeries and should be in and out procedures. It’s better that way because I’m having such a good day, losing a patient will put me out of commission for a few days. It’s always hard when it happens, working here, especially at a cancer hospital, it’s bound to happen. I’m an optimistic guy, so I always think the best. It’s my flaw. Or is that even considered a flaw?
“Morning, Dr. Montgomery!” Nancy yells from the nursing station.
She has been wanting to go out with me since I started here, but until Heather walked back into my life, I never felt the need to put a relationship before my career. And now… I’m wondering if that’s exactly what I should do. I imagine starting a family with her, and think of all the long hours I work. The good man in me does not want her to have to raise our child alone. I’m not the type of man to go to work, come home, and go to bed. I want to be present in my child’s life. So, I’m gonna need to make somechanges. Because, after this morning, I want to start a family as soon as she agrees to marry me.
“Dr. Montgomery! Just the man I was looking for. You have a few minutes to talk to me in my office?” Chief of Staff asks.
“Of course.” I follow him to his office wondering if he is trying to talk me into taking that position still. I’ve turned it down twice since he originally asked. “But if this is about that promotion, I’m still gonna have to decline. It’s not a good fit.”
“Actually it’s more of what you were looking for.” We step into his office and he shuts the door. “You mentioned wanting to remain employed here but the commute back and forth to Lawson Ridge was weighing on you.”
“That’s right, sir.”
“So what if I could offer you a promotion, but it would be less hours and a consistent schedule?”
He’s got to be kidding? How is that even possible? “Okay, maybe I’m hearing things. Can you explain?”
“The pediatrics unit had a meeting last night about you. We know that you have been wearing yourself thin with the commute, and we don’t want you to even think about leaving us, so we are willing to let you work only forty hours a week and we will schedule all surgeries within the timeframe you are scheduled. No more working sixteen hour shifts. How does that sound?”
I'm stunned. This is exactly what I need, but I never imagined it would be possible. My mind races, trying to process this unexpected opportunity. “That sounds... incredible,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I have to ask, why me? Why go to all this trouble?”
The Chief leans back in his chair, a knowing smile on his face. “Dr. Montgomery, you're one of our best and the patients love you. We can't afford to lose you. Plus, we've all noticed thechange in you lately. You seem happier, more focused. We want to support that.”
I can feel my cheeks flush slightly. Is it that obvious how Heather has changed my life?
“I… I don't know what to say,” I stammer, still processing the offer.
“Say yes,” he chuckles. “Take the weekend to think it over if you need to, but I hope you'll accept. We need you here, and I think this arrangement could benefit everyone.”
I nod, my mind already made up. “I don't need the weekend, sir. I accept. This is exactly what I've been hoping for.”
The Chief stands, extending his hand. “Excellent! We'll work out the details next week. For now, go enjoy your short shift. And Dr. Montgomery? Congratulations. On everything.”
As I leave his office, my head is spinning. This changes everything. I can have the career I love and the life I want with Heather. I pull out my phone, my fingers hovering over her contact. Should I call her now? No, this news deserves to be shared in person.
I head towards my first surgery of the day, a spring in my step and a smile on my face. For the first time in my career, I feel like I can truly have it all. And I can't wait to start this new chapter with Heather by my side.
Two surgeries later, I am biting at the bit to share the news with Heather, but my adrenaline is on high right now and I have something else I want to do first.
“Hello?”
“Red, I need you to send me all the listings available in Lawson Ridge as soon as possible. I’m wanting to see and put an offer on a house tonight.” I know it’s crazy, but I don’t want to wait anymore. This is exactly the big move I’ve been wanting to do to prove to Heather that I’m hers, in every way possible.
“Excuse me? Did I hear you right?”
“Yes, yes. I’ll be back to Lawson Ridge in thirty-five minutes. Just pick the nicest 3 bedroom, two bath and send me the address. I’ll meet you there.”
“You got it!”
I put my keys into the ignition and head back to the small town where my future is waiting for me to take the reigns.
Chapter Nineteen
Heather
