The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(84)

“I should have been thinking about that from the beginning. I’m so glad you’re only as far as the Crossing so I can see you often. Helen, I’ve been a real idiot lately. I hope I haven’t always been that self-centered.”

Helen laughed. “You are not that way, sweetheart. You’ve always been a generous and giving person. I’m sure a lot about a surprise pregnancy makes a person panic and get a little crazy.”

“You have no idea. I’m embarrassed on a lot of fronts right now. But I have patients waiting. I’ll talk to you a little later.”

“Would you like to join Sully and me for dinner?” Helen asked.

“I’m sorry, I can’t. Rob wants to take me somewhere. And he promised to get me home early—I’m completely worn out! Let’s never do that again. If I overstep, just hold up a hand and tell me I’ve gone too far!”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

“Aunt Helen, I took you for granted,” she said softly. “I remember how hard you worked, how much you did for me.”

“It was the joy of my life,” Helen said. “And now I take credit for you. And the other thing that was left unsaid. I love Mr. Sullivan. He makes me happy. And my books terrify him—it’s the most perfect relationship.”

Leigh laughed. “I love him, too,” she said. “Who doesn’t love Sully?”

“Go back to work, Leigh. No worries. But I think maybe it did us a favor. We both need to move on in a more positive direction. I’m glad you pushed me. I dreaded telling you.”

“You did?” she asked.

“I did. I could tell that, even though I was spending almost every day and most evenings with Sully, you had no idea...”

“You’re right. I knew you had a special friendship. I didn’t know it was that special.”

“It’s that special,” Helen said. “Now get back to work and let’s talk later.”

“I love you, Auntie.”

Leigh sighed heavily. Thank God for Helen. She was so reasonable. So thoughtful. And now, so much in love.

She stood from her desk and opened her office door to signal that she was ready to see patients and who should be standing there with his hand raised to knock but Rob. She jumped in surprise.

“You startled me,” she said. “Why are you here?”

“I went to the pub and Kathleen said you were looking for me. You all right?”

“Excellent. I just wondered what time we’re going out and what I should wear. I was going to text you but there’s been a lot going on.”

“Casual and as soon as you’re out of here and can change. Will you text me when you’re home and let me know how much time you need to change?”

“I will,” she said, leaning toward him for a kiss.

He smiled and accepted. “That’s nice,” he said. “We’ve been too busy lately.”

“We should change that but I think we have to get Finn to school before our schedules lighten up.”

“I’m taking him on Saturday.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“It’ll only take the day,” he said. “He’ll be anxious to get rid of me so he can start enjoying college life.”

“Promising,” she said. “Now get out of here so I can finish up.”

She grabbed his hand and walked him out. The look on his face said it all—he was surprised and welcomed this change.

They got to the waiting room and Johnny Holliday was leaning on the reception desk trying to talk his way in. She saw the two men in the same space for a moment and was amazed by the difference. Johnny looked like a boy compared to Rob. Johnny was good-looking but Rob took it up a notch—his shoulders were broader, his frame taller, his color more rich and tanned. And that was only on the outside—he was a good father, a friend with integrity, a man of his word.

“Hello, Johnny,” Leigh said, hanging on to Rob’s hand.

“Leigh! I came by to tell you I got the job in Colorado Springs, so we’ll be seeing more of each other.”

“Rob, this is an old neighbor from Chicago—Johnny Holliday. We grew up next door to each other. Johnny, this is Rob.” She turned her eyes up to Rob. “My fiancé?” she said, as if in question. Rob lifted one corner of his mouth and nodded.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, not letting go of Leigh’s hand.

“I’m happy for you about the job. Alyssa will be so happy. I’m sorry I don’t have time to visit. Congratulations. Eleanor, I’m ready when you are.”

She turned and went back to the exam rooms.







Choose the best life;
for habit will make it pleasant.

—Epictetus



17


ROB KNOCKED AT Leigh’s door at about five thirty. When she opened it, he immediately got a whiff of her shower gel and shampoo, a scent he loved to curl up to. She wore tan capris and a white blouse over a white tank top. “Am I too casual?” she asked. He just shook his head and pulled her to him for a kiss. He enveloped her closely and devoured her in that way that promised more to come.

When he released her lips, she said, “God, what a day.”