The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(12)

She shook her umbrella under the pub’s awning, closing it up. It was a little less busy than usual, probably because of the weather. She loved the food here but she usually got it to go. In fact, she usually got whatever anyone at the clinic wanted and took it all back. At least once a week they got take-out orders from the diner, the pub or the pizza kitchen down the street. Most other days they all packed a lunch or dashed home for a quick bite.

Today she chose a booth in the bar. Sully had not arrived yet.

“Hey, Doc,” Rob said, coming out from behind the bar. “How’s it going?”

“Excellent,” she said. “How’s my favorite patient?”

Rob chuckled and slid into the booth across from her. “After we left the clinic the other day, he stayed home from school and his girlfriend cut class to bring him lunch. His hand hasn’t hurt since.”

“Amazing how that works,” she said with a smile. “Bring him in next week and I’ll take his stitches out. I can fix him up with a more manageable bandage and he can see how baseball works for him. Unless he’s getting a lot of mileage out of the big, bulky one.”

“He’s always been kind of shy with girls. I’m amazed by the girlfriend. They’ve been an item all year,” Rob said.

“I’m surprised to hear that he’s shy with girls—he’s so darn cute.”

“Boys don’t want to be cute, if I remember correctly,” Rob said. “From a father’s perspective, I’m happy he doesn’t seem to be a player. But for the last several months every time I talk to him, his mind seems to be elsewhere. Can I get you something? Did you call in an order for lunch?”

“I’m eating here today,” she said. “I have a date!”

“Do you now?” he said, smiling.

“You sittin’ in my place, boy?” Sully said, looking down at Rob.

He got up immediately. “Sully! Long time, buddy! Is it hamburger day already?”

“I want bacon and cheddar on it, too,” he said, sliding into the booth.

“You got it, pal. And for the lovely doctor?”

“Turkey club sandwich with a side salad, no fries or chips. And how about a Diet Coke.”

“Girl food,” Sully scoffed. “I guess you’re allowed. I’ll take a water and coffee, black.”

“I have to mind my figure, you know,” she said.

“Your figure is fine,” Sully said. “You doing any interesting doctoring today?” he asked.

“It is very boring doctoring today,” she admitted. “Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow everyone who got their feet wet today will come to me complaining of a cold or cough. Being cooped up inside means people are exposed to more viruses and they all pass around the same germs. What’s going on with your family, Mr. Sullivan?”

“Well, little Sam is walking and, when he picks up steam, running. Sierra’s big as a house and about ready to whelp. Elizabeth is talking nonstop but only about ten percent of her words are recognizable. Thing is, Cal and Maggie respond to her as if they can understand everything she says. Maybe they can. Dakota and Sid are just hanging around—Dakota’s still working on that garbage truck, sometimes they let him drive and he gets the biggest kick out of that. Sid helps out in here sometimes but she’s been back to UCLA a couple of times to work on those fancy computers. They’re going to move to Boulder at the end of summer. Sid has herself a job in the university computer lab and Dakota is going to take a few courses so he can teach in high school. He said he had a lousy experience in high school. He was bullied a lot...”

That caused Leigh’s eyes to widen in surprise. “Dakota? Bullied? He doesn’t look like he could’ve been the kind of kid to get picked on. He’s big, strong and to-die-for handsome!”

“No one is immune, that’s what. He was dirt poor and his father is crazy as a bedbug. Those Jones kids—they grew up with a lot of drama going on. The other Jones kids did all right in that regard but seems like Dakota took a real hit. So he thinks if he’s a teacher, he can profile bullies, help with that problem. Plus, I think he likes kids.”

She just stared at Sully. “That’s wonderful,” she said. “I think I love him for that.”

“Yeah, it was my lucky day when Cal hung out in my campground and eventually married my daughter. I inherited a whole family. So what’s up with your family?”

“I talked to Aunt Helen just this morning. We’re going to sell the house we shared in Chicago. Then she’ll come here for a visit. I miss her. I haven’t seen her in a while. We went to Maui for some sun. But she’ll be here next month and she’ll stay while she plans her next move. A couple of months, probably.”

“Will you take time off then?” he asked.

“Maybe an extra day or two but Helen likes to stay busy. And she needs her writing time, which doesn’t include me. Usually about this time of year she makes all her plans for the trips she’ll take in the year to come. She goes to conferences, library events, visits friends all over the place. And she usually rents a house or condo in a warm place for winter.”

Rob delivered their plates. “Sully, just like you like it,” he said. “That burger should moo for you. And for you, Doctor, your boring turkey club.”