9781405964173

Talia Eden loved Foster Madden for one year, two months and eleven days.

On day 438 that love died. The day he chose to marry her best friend. The day she vowed never to think of Foster again. Until years later when he has the audacity to show up in her small hometown of Quincy, begging for her help.

-SARAH

Prod Controller

-HELEN

Pub Month

NOV 23

Format

129 X 198 MM

Print Size

129 X 198 MM

Finish

23 MM MATT LAM

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FINISHES

Except Talia has forgotten exactly what made Foster famous. The man has dedicated his life to victory.

He’s steadfast. He’s determined. And he won’t stop fighting until he’s won her heart.

B PB

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Spine Width

The ink on his divorce papers is barely dry, yet he comes armed with apologies and promises. She knows it’s all a ploy.

Foster is the king of games and secrets.

PENGUIN Fiction Cover design by Sarah Hansen; Cover photos © Shutterstock

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15/09/2023 09:57

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Garnet Flats Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing.

She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.

P EN GU I N B O O K S

PENGUIN BOOKS UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published in the United States of America by Devney Perry LLC 2022 First published in Great Britain by Penguin Books 2023 001 Copyright © Devney Perry LLC, 2022 The moral right of the author has been asserted Edited & proofread by Elizabeth Nover, Razor Sharp Editing; Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services and Judy Zweifel, Judy’s Proofreading Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–1–405–96417–3

www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

OTHER TITLES

The Edens Series

Indigo Ridge Juniper Hill Garnet Flats Jasper Vale Crimson River Sable Peak Christmas in Quincy - Prequel The Edens: A Legacy Short Story Treasure State Wildcats Series

Coach Blitz Clifton Forge Series

Steel King Riven Knight Stone Princess Noble Prince Fallen Jester

Tin Queen Calamity Montana Series

The Bribe The Blu! The Brazen The Bully The Brawl The Brood Jamison Valley Series

The Coppersmith Farmhouse The Clover Chapel The Lucky Heart The Outpost The Bitterroot Inn The Candle Palace Maysen Jar Series

The Birthday List Letters to Molly The Dandelion Diary

Lark Cove Series

Tattered Timid Tragic Tinsel Timeless Runaway Series

Runaway Road Wild Highway Quarter Miles Forsaken Trail Dotted Lines Holiday Brothers Series

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend A Partridge and a Pregnancy Standalones

Ivy Rifts and Refrains A Little Too Wild

CONTENTS

ROUND 1

xi ix

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 ROUND 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 ROUND 3 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 ROUND 4 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 ROUND 5

1 15 14 25 27 29 26 41 45 57 52 67 62 73 79 81 74 93 85 109 101 119 110 131 121 141 131 155 145 167 157 169 158 185 173 199 186 213 199 223 209 233 218 245 230 257 241 271 254 281 264 289 272 299 283

Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Epilogue

301 284 315 297

Bonus Epilogue Acknowledgments Preview Chapter About the Author

325 345 351 331

325 307 335 316

355 333

ROUND 1

CHAPTER ONE TALIA

“

T

hirteen.” The dry erase marker squeaked as I added a tally mark to the inside of my locker’s metal door.

Thirteen. “A new record.”

Thirteen days without a patient yelling at me. Thirteen days without anyone requesting Dr. Anderson, Dr. Herrera or Dr. Murphy in my place. Thirteen days without Rachel, the charge nurse at Quincy Memorial, lecturing me for, well . . . anything.

Thirteen good days.

What were the chances this streak would last through Christmas next week? If I made it to twenty-two days in a row, that would mean I’d gone an entire work month without my intelligence, my education or my skills being called into question.

The door to the sta" locker room opened, and Rachel stood in the threshold. Oh, God. Don’t ruin my streak.

“Hi, Rachel.” I forced a smile. “How was your day?”

“Fine.” Her voice was #at. She was in her late forties and might have been pretty if she’d relaxed. Or if she’d let her 1

DEVNEY PERRY

hair down. But in the three years I’d worked with Rachel, I’d only ever seen her blond hair, streaked with gray at the temples, pulled into a severe bun.

Was it short? Long? No clue. Even the few times I’d bumped into her outside of work, Rachel’s hair had looked the same. Was that why she was so sour? Was that bun giving her a headache? Her frown was as ever present as her hairstyle. Did she ever smile?

“I’ve got a problem with a chart, Talia.”

“Okay,” I drawled.

There was no problem with a chart. I’d spent three years getting lectured by this woman on exactly what boxes to check, how she wanted the doctors to input notes and where her nurses looked for patient details.

Dr. Anderson, Dr. Murphy and Dr. Herrera each had their own charting preferences. They put their notes wher‐ ever they pleased. Had Rachel ever lectured them on their charting? No. She also didn’t call them by their "rst names. I was the lesser doctor on sta# and Rachel always found a way to remind me that I was just a resident.

I was just Talia.

I was just the girl who’d grown up in this small Montana town and who’d loved it enough to move home after medical school. I’d come home to give back to my community and, maybe someday, earn the respect that Dr. Anderson had garnered in his decades as Quincy’s favorite doctor.

Not only was he my boss, he was also the man who’d delivered my "ve siblings and me into this world. He was a staple in our town. Did Rachel razz him about meticulous charting? Doubtful.

“Should we take a look?” I returned my marker to the 2

GARNET FLATS

locker’s shelf, then closed it up, following Rachel to the nearest nurses’ station.

She took a seat, clicking with fury through the hospital’s records as I hovered over her shoulder. When she had the chart pulled up, she shifted so I could read the screen.

It was Memphis’s chart. My sister-in-law had come in for a routine pregnancy checkup this afternoon. I scanned the information for anything out of place. Medications prescribed? None. Labs ordered? Just the standard urine analysis. Baby’s heart rate? Normal. The nurse had entered in Memphis’s vitals.

“What’s the problem?” I asked Rachel.

“Your notes.”

“What about the notes?” I’d added a few quick sentences stating that Memphis was feeling !ne and that her weight and blood pressure were in the normal range.

“I can’t read those notes and know what concerns were discussed with the patient.”

“You can read those notes and see that the patient had no concerns to discuss.” I kept my smile !rmly in place, but damn, this woman loved to poke at me. She’d been poking for three years and it was growing old.

This entire encounter was a waste of my time. And she’d just broken my thirteen-day streak.

Why was it always her? Was it horrible that I wished she’d retire early? Her nursing sta" was wonderful. They were a joy to work with, and I would bet my annual salary that not a single one of them would have felt misinformed by the brief summary notes in Memphis’s chart.

But nothing I did seemed to be enough for Rachel. She viewed this hospital as hers and I was the too-young, too3

DEVNEY PERRY

hair down. Butdoctor inexperienced in the roaming three years herI’d hallways, worked intruding with Rachel, on her I’d only turf. ever seen her blond hair, streaked with gray at the temples, pulledelse?” into aIsevere “Anything asked.bun.

“I’ve got dinner plans.”

Was it short?

Long?myNo Even few and times I’d Memphis had been lastclue. patient for the the day Knox bumped intoalong. her outside of work, hadwhen looked had tagged My brother neverRachel’s missed hair a thing it the she was sour? Was bun camesame. to hisWas wifethat and why kids. After the so checkup, they’dthat invited giving her a headache?

Herturned frown down was asKnox’s ever present as her me to dinner, and I rarely cooking.

He hairstyle.

Did sherestaurant ever smile?in town, and though meals at owned the best “I’ve got a problem with a chart,the Talia.”

Knuckles were always outstanding, real magic came alive “Okay,” drawled.at home for those he loved most. when he wasI cooking There nohad problem a chart.

I’dbar spent years Lunch was today been with a stale granola andthree a protein getting lectured by had this been woman on exactly to shake. My stomach growling for an what hour. boxes As if on cue, it rumbled. check, how she wanted the doctors to input notes and where her nurses looked for patient Rachel’s eyes dropped to details. my waist as her lip curled.

ThisAnderson, Dr. was a test, Dr. right?

Murphy Maybeand Rachel Dr.was Herrera simply each putting had their own charting preferences.

They put their notesMaybe wher‐ me through some sort of resident physician hazing. ever they pleased.

Had Rachel their she wanted to make sure I hadever the lectured backbonethem to beonone of Quincy’s doctors. charting?

No. SheWhy also didn’t else would call them she be bysotheir nasty? "rstWhat names. theI was the lesser onher sta#dislike and Rachel always found a way hell had I donedoctor to make me so much? to remind me that was justwas a resident.

Nothing.

The Ianswer nothing. So this had to be a test.I was just Talia.

IWell, was just theritual girl who’d upwould in thisneed smalltoMontana hazing or not,grown Rachel come at town andmore who’d loved it enough to frowns. move home after medical me with than nitpicking and My dream was to work atI’dQuincy school. come home Memorial. to giveThis back was to myjust community as much and, my maybe earn My the family respecthad thatfounded Dr. Anderson had hospitalsomeday, as it was hers.

Quincy, and garnered in his as Quincy’s favorite doctor. generations ago,decades the Edens had donated money to help build this Not hospital onlyinwas the !rst he my place. boss, he was also the man who’d delivered "ve siblings and me My into tone this world.

He was “Havemy a great night, Rachel.” held more sugara staple our Halloween town. Did Rachel razzahim about meticulous than ainkid’s bag. With quick !nger wave, I charting?

Doubtful. walked away from the desk and retreated to the locker room.

It was empty, “Should we take so I aletlook?” out a Igroan returned as I spun my marker the combina‐ to the tion on my lock and ripped the door open. Then I grabbed 2 4

GARNET FLATS

locker’s the micro!ber shelf, cloth then Iclosed kept on it the up, shelf following and erased Rachelmytotally the nearest marks. nurses’ station.

She a seat, clicking with fury through the hospital’s Zero.took “Gah.” records as I hovered herback shoulder. she had was the Hopefully Rachelover would o" afterWhen my residency chart pulledthat up,what she shifted so Ibefore could read screen. over. Was I needed she’dthe treat me like the was Memphis’s chart. My sister-in-law otherIt doctors?

A full-#edged medical license?had come in for a routine afternoon. scanned the I was pregnancy close. I wascheckup so close.this I’d been lucky Iafter medical information for anything out weren’t of place.

Medications school. Many small-town hospitals accredited to take prescribed?

Labs ordered?had Justjumped the standard on residents,None. but Dr. Anderson throughurine the analysis.

Baby’s heart Normal. nurse on hadoccasion. entered hoops years ago so thatrate? he could haveThe a resident in vitals.

Dr.Memphis’s Murphy had been the !rst. Then I’d applied and Dr. “What’s thetaken problem?”

I asked Rachel.

Anderson had me under his wing.

We hadn’t “Your notes.” talked about the timing of me taking my licen‐ the notes?”

I’d added a fewthis quick sentences sure“What exam, about but I assumed it would happen spring.

And after another stating that Memphis few years,was I hoped feelingto!ne earnand my that board hercerti!ca‐ weight and pressure weretoo, in the tion blood in family medicine justnormal like Dr.range.

Anderson.

“I reada those notes and know If Ican’t earned certi!cation, would thatwhat stopconcerns patients were from giving me with discussed the side-eye the patient.” when I walked into an exam room? It “You can read those notes and see that patient no didn’t happen all the time.

It happened lessthe than it hadhad a year concerns discuss.”

I keptI my !rmlythe in whispered place, but ago. But itto still happened. stillsmile overheard damn, this woman loved to poke at me. She’d been poking for questions. threeIsyears andenough it was to growing old. Are you sure she knows she old be a doctor? entire encounter wasofa waste of mydoctors time. And she’d whatThis she’s doing?

Isn’t one the other available today? just broken my thirteen-day streak.

Why it always her?I got Waswas it horrible thatespecially I wished Most was of the pushback from men, she’d retire Even early?at Her nursing years sta" was They older men. twenty-nine old, Iwonderful. was still viewed by some were a joy of Quincy’s to work with, good and ol’ boys I would as Harrison bet myEden’s annualgirl. salary thatInot of them have felt would misinformed by wasa asingle good one doctor, right?would Dr. Anderson have told the notes Memphis’s chart. let me treat me brief if I’dsummary been doing a in bad job. He wouldn’t Butifnothing I didI’dseemed be enough for Rachel. She people he thought do themtoharm. viewed My this insecurities hospital always as hers#ared and Iup wasafter the atoo-young, confrontation toowith Rachel.

5 3

DEVNEY PERRY

hairIdown. pinched Butthe in the bridge threeofyears my nose I’d worked and silently with Rachel, counted.

I’d only ever seen blond with gray the One. Two. Three.her Four.

Five.hair, Pity streaked party over.

With myatblack temples, pulled severe bun.scrub top, I slung my purse pu!er coat overinto myababy-blue it short?

Even the few times I’d overWas a shoulder andLong? headedNo forclue. the door. bumped her outside work,family Rachel’s hair had looked Whatinto I needed was of a nice dinner.

Knox and the same. were Was waiting that why she inwas sour? that meal bun Memphis for me theso lobby, andWas a warm giving a headache?

Her of frown wastime as ever present as her at theirher place plus an hour quality with my nephew hairstyle.

Didsurely she ever Drake would liftsmile? my mood.

“I’ve gotof a problem with a chart,that Talia.”

Instead taking the hallway led to the employee I drawled. exit,“Okay,” I pushed open the door into the lobby. The reception was noJenny, problem chart.

I’d spent three years deskThere was empty. the with nurseawho worked weekdays, had getting on exactly boxes to probablylectured left rightbyatthis "ve.woman This entrance waswhat for scheduled check, appointments how sheand wanted the the occasional doctors walk-in. to input notes The doors and where here her nurses looked soon, for patient would be locked and ifdetails. a patient came in after hours, they’d Dr.have Anderson, to go to the Dr. emergency Murphy and room Dr.forHerrera help. each had theirKnox own and charting preferences.

They put theirinnotes wher‐ Memphis were standing together the center ever pleased.

Rachel everback lectured of thethey lobby, talkingHad to a man whose was tothem me. on their charting?

The man No.was Shethe alsosame didn’t tallcall height themasby Knox. theirHe "rsthad names. broadI was the lesser on sta# andEven Rachel alwayscouldn’t found a hide way shoulders anddoctor a narrow waist. a hoodie to meframe. that I was a resident. hisremind muscled Andjust damn, his ass was worth a second justweren’t Talia. many guys in Quincy with that sort of look.I was There I was just the none girl who’d in thistosmall Montana physique, at least who grown weren’tup related me. Who was town and who’d loved it enough to move home after medical that guy? school.

“I’mI’d looking come for home a doctor to give who back works to my here,” community the man said. and, maybe someday, earn the respect that Dr. Anderson had “Talia Eden.” garnered in his as Quincy’s favorite doctor.

I froze.

No.decades No, this wasn’t happening.

It couldn’t be him.Not Except only I’d wasrecognize he my boss, that he voice wasanywhere. also the man Even who’d if I delivered myit"ve siblings and me into this world. He was a hadn’t heard in seven years. staple in our town.raced Did through Rachel razz him and about meticulous A jolt of panic my body I #ew toward charting?

Doubtful. the reception desk, practically leaping behind the counter.

My “Should knees cracked we take against a look?”the I returned hard, glossy my marker #oor, to andtheI winced, gritting my teeth so I wouldn’t make a sound.

2 6

GARNET FLATS

locker’s shelf, then was closed it up,here? following Rachel to the Damn it. What he doing Why was he looking nearest for me? nurses’ station.

She took a seat, clicking fury through the hospital’s “You might try the ER,” with Memphis said. I’d hug her for it records as I hovered over her shoulder.

When she had the later because I was sure she’d seen me from her periphery chart pulled up, she shifted so I could readthey the screen. when I’d walked into the lobby.

“Maybe can track her It was Memphis’s chart.

Mydoors sister-in-law hadthe come in for down for you.

Just head out the and down sidewalk a routine scanned the to the otherpregnancy side of thecheckup building.this Youafternoon. can’t miss Iit.” information for anything out of place.

Medications I inched closer to the counter, careful not to brush the prescribed?

None.

Labs ordered? Just the standard urine chair and make a noise. analysis.

Baby’s heart rate? Normal.

Theswish nurseofhad “Appreciate it.” Footsteps, then the theentered double in Memphis’s vitals. and closed. doors as they opened “What’sI the I asked I’d Rachel.

Phew. blewproblem?” out the breath been holding, but my notes.” heart“Your stayed stuck in my throat.

“What about theKnox notes?”

I’d added a few quick sentences “Coast’s clear,” called. stating that Memphis was feeling !ne that her weight I inched up, my eyes barely over theand counter’s ledge.

“Is andgone?” blood pressure were in the normal range. he “I can’t read notes “Want and know whatme concerns were “Yeah.”

Knoxthose nodded. to tell why you’re discussed with the patient.” hiding from Foster Madden?”

“You can read those notes see thattalk the patient no “Nope.”

De!nitely not. and I didn’t about had Foster concerns for to adiscuss.”

Madden reason. I kept my smile !rmly in place, but damn, this woman lovedaround to pokethe at desk, me. She’d beenglued poking for I stood and tiptoed my eyes to the three yearsinand growing windows caseit was Foster made old. a return appearance. But the was a waste of my“Itime.

And she’d onlyThis thingentire I sawencounter on the sidewalks was snow. should go.” just “What broken about my thirteen-day streak. asked. dinner?” Memphis Why was it always her? Was it horrible that I wished “Rain check.” she’dBefore retirethey early?

Herstop nursing sta" was wonderful.

They could me, I bolted.

Sprinting had never were my a joy to work and I distance would bet mywere annual salary been forte, slow with, and steady races more my that notbut a single felt misinformed by speed, there one was of nothem way would I’d riskhave bumping into Foster. So the brief summary notes in Memphis’s chart.

I tore out of the lobby, and after one quick check down the But nothing did he seemed to beI enough sidewalk to makeIsure was gone, hoofed itfor to Rachel. my car. She viewed this hospital hers and Iwheel was the tooMy hands grippedasthe steering withtoo-young, so much force that my knuckles were white before I’d even pulled out of 3 7

DEVNEY PERRY

hair darkened the down. Butparking in the three lot. I years checked I’d worked my rearview with Rachel, mirror I’d no only ever seen her blondtimes hair, asstreaked gray attown, the less than two hundred I drovewith through temples, into a severe searchingpulled for headlights that bun. might be following me home. It Wasuntil it short?

Evensagging the few times the I’d wasn’t I wasLong? insideNotheclue. house, against bumped into her with outside work, hairI had kitchen counter a of glass of Rachel’s wine, that let looked myself the same. Was that why she was so sour? Was that bun breathe. giving her awas headache?

Her frown waslife as was ever in present as her What he doing here?

His Las Vegas, hairstyle.

Did she exactly where I’d ever left smile? him. Exactly where he’d stayed after “I’ve got problem with Talia.”for me now? Why, breaking my aheart.

Why wasa chart, he looking drawled. after“Okay,” all this Itime, had he come to Montana?

There was no plummeted. problem withI adidn’t chart. I’d spent yearsI My stomach want to three see him. getting lectured by that this woman what boxes to didn’t want to hear voice or on lookexactly into his stormy blue eyes. Seven check, how she years wanted and I still the doctors wasn’t ready to input to face notes him andagain. where If her nurses looked patient details. would he leave?

I managed to avoidfor him long enough, “No,” Dr. Anderson, I muttered.

Dr.Unless Murphy Foster andhad Dr.undergone Herrera each an entire had their own charting They put their wher‐ personality change, preferences. he would eventually track menotes down.

His ever they pleased.

Rachel lectured themtenacious on their nickname was the Had Iron Fist for ever a reason.

He was and persistent. charting?

No. She Unshakeable. also didn’t call them by their "rst names. I was But the lesser on sta#him andtonight.

RachelHe always found way at leastdoctor I’d avoided hadn’t beena able to remind that I wasI just a resident. take meme by surprise. gulped from my wineglass, then took I was Talia. to my bedroom, where I stripped out of it with mejust upstairs I was just who’d grown this small Montana my scrubs andthe tookgirl a shower to rinseup o!inthe day. townMy anddark who’d enough to move into homea after hairloved was itwet and twisted knot medical when I returnedI’dtocome school. the home kitchen. to give My scrubs back tohad my community been tradedand, for maybe earnUniversity the respectof that Dr. Anderson had leggingssomeday, and a ratty Washington sweatshirt garnered in his decades as Quincy’s favorite doctor.of eggs. It when I opened the fridge and pulled out a carton wasn’t Nota only Knoxwas Eden hemeal, my boss, but for he tonight, was alsoanthe omelet man would who’d delivered my "veIfsiblings into this world. and He was have to su"ce.

I’d goneand to me dinner, Memphis Knoxa staple ourpeppered town. Did razz him about meticulous would in have me Rachel with questions. charting?

Doubtful.

Questions I wasn’t prepared to answer.

Dad knew “Should we about take aFoster, look?” but I returned only because my marker he’dtobeen the there in the aftermath. He’d #own to Las Vegas to help me 2 8

GARNET FLATS

locker’sandshelf, move seenthen me atclosed my lowest. it up, Mom following knewRachel becausetoDad the nearest nurses’ station. didn’t keep secrets from her, but the one and only time she’d She up tookhisa name, seat, clicking withher fury through the ithospital’s brought I’d begged never to speak again. records I hovered over her she had had the Thatashad been during theshoulder. raw days.When My wounds chart pulled up,but shethat shifted so Imean couldI read the screen. healed, mostly, didn’t was ready to relive the chart.

My sister-in-law had come in for pain.ItItwas wasMemphis’s too hard. Too humiliating. a routine pregnancy I scanned the Why was he here?checkup After allthis thisafternoon. time, hadn’t he forgotten information for anything out of place. Medications about me? prescribed? ordered? the standard The eggsNone. didn’tLabs sit well in myJust knotted stomach urine but I analysis.

Baby’s Normal. entered forced myself to heart eat. Itrate? would be the The samenurse meal had I’d have for in Memphis’s breakfast, sansvitals. the wine. I was just rinsing my plate when the “What’s doorbell rang.the problem?” I asked Rachel.

The “Yourdish notes.” brush slipped from my hand, clattering into the sink.“What about the notes?” I’d added a few quick sentences stating It was thathim.

Memphis I couldn’t wassee feeling the door, !nebut andsomehow, that her Iweight knew and blood pressure were in rang the normal range. by a knock. it was Foster.

The doorbell again, followed “I can’t read Ithose and know concerns were Why hadn’t driednotes my hair?

Whywhat hadn’t I dressed in anything discussed else? with the Scrubs patient.” would have been better than facing readface those that the no him“You with can a bare andnotes bareand feet.seeThere waspatient a holehad in the concerns to discuss.” place, knee of these leggingsI kept and my this smile shirt !rmly would inhave !t but my damn, this woman loved to poke at me. She’d been poking for brothers loosely. threeIf years andanswer it was the growing I didn’t door,old. would he leave? Or would he encounter was a waste of my time.IfAnd she’d stayThis here entire all night, knowing I was hiding inside?

I ignored him just broken tonight,my would thirteen-day he comestreak. to the hospital again? The last Why was ittoalways her?

Waswas it horrible that I wished place I wanted talk with Foster at my work. she’dSoretire early? sta" They I lifted my Her glass,nursing draining thewas restwonderful. of my wine for liquid were a courage. joy to work Thewith, moment and II would swallowed bet my theannual last drop, salaryI that not amy single one ofand them wouldthrough have felt by squared shoulders walked themisinformed house. the brief notes Memphis’s chart.

The summary sooner this wasindealt with, the better. I’d !nd out nothing did seemed to on be enough Rachel.

She whyBut he was here,I then send him his way.for With any luck, Foster viewedwould this hospital be gone as from hers Quincy and Iby was morning. the too-young, tooMy heart beat so hard it hurt. Every pulse resounded 9 3

DEVNEY PERRY

hair down. through myBut limbs. in the I sucked three in years a breath I’d worked and held with it as Rachel, I inched I’d only evertheseen her blond hair, streaked at the through entryway, my footsteps silent. with Whengray I reached temples, intoon a severe bun.and pressed an eye to the the door,pulled I stood my toes Was it short? Long? No clue. Even the few times I’d peephole. bumped herinoutside work, hair the hadcovered looked Fosterinto stood pro!le,ofhis gazeRachel’s cast across the same.

Was that awhy she It waswas so asour? thatShort bun porch.

He’d grown beard. niceWas beard. giving hersoa headache?

Hermake frownout was ever present trimmed, you could still theassharp corners as of her his hairstyle.

DidFoster she ever smile?had a beard, just stubble on the jaw. But my hadn’t gothea hadn’t problem with a chart, Talia.” days“I’ve when shaved.

“Okay,” A stab ofI drawled. pain pierced my heart. This wasn’t my Foster.

There problem with a that chart.belonged I’d spenttothree There waswas no no version of Foster me.years Not getting lectured by this woman on exactly what boxes to anymore. check, Hehow raised shea wanted !nger and the pushed doctors the to input doorbell notesagain. and where Then her nurses looked for patient details. he ran a hand through his chocolate-brown hair, something he’dDr. obviously Anderson, beenDr. doing Murphy a lotand tonight Dr. Herrera because each the ends had their own charting preferences. were sticking up at odd angles. They put their notes wher‐ everI they pleased.

Rachel ever lectured on three their dropped to myHad heels and waited through them another agonizing No. charting? heartbeats, She also didn’t then Icall"ipped them by thetheir dead "rstbolt names. andI was the the lesser doctor on sta# and Rachel always found a way opened door to Foster Madden. to remind me that I was for justone a resident.

The man I’d dated year, two months and eleven days.I was just Talia.

IThe wasman justI’d theloved girl who’d grown upheart. in this small Montana with my whole townThe andman who’d I’d loved vowedittoenough forget. to move home after medical school.

TheI’d view come from home the peephole to give back hadn’t to done my community him justice.and, He maybe someday, earn the respect that Dr. Anderson had was every bit as handsome as I remembered.

Maybe even garnered his he’d decades as Quincy’s more nowinthat grown that damnfavorite beard. doctor.

Age had Not onlyonly wasenhanced he my boss, his rugged he was features. also the Heman was bigger who’d delivered "veyears siblings me into this world.

Heperfect was a than he’d my been, spentand honing his body into the staple our town.

Rachel razz him about fightinginmachine.

HisDid black hoodie stretched acrossmeticulous his broad charting?

Doubtful. chest, molding to his shoulders. His jeans hung on his narrow hips“Should and pooled weattake the hem a look?” aboveI areturned pair of motorcycle my marker boots. to the 2 10

GARNET FLATS

locker’s Howshelf, many then timesclosed had I traced it up,the following bump inRachel the middle to the of nearest station. his nosenurses’ with my !ngertip? How many nights had I drowned She deep, took aocean-blue seat, clicking with furymany through thehad hospital’s in those eyes?

How kisses I given records as I hovered over her shoulder. When she had the the soft pout of his lips? chart“Talia.” pulled up, she shifted so I could read the screen.

It wasthat Memphis’s chart. My had come in for God, voice. Raspy and sister-in-law deep. My name had never a routineaspregnancy checkup afternoon. sounded good as it did out ofthis Foster’s mouth.I scanned the information anything out of place. Medications “What arefor you doing here?” prescribed?

None.

Labs“You’re ordered? the standard urine He studied my face. not Just surprised to see me.” analysis. heart had entered “No.”Baby’s I crossed myrate? armsNormal. over myThe chestnurse as the chill from in Memphis’s vitals. outside seeped through my clothes. “I saw you at the “What’s the problem?” I asked Rachel. hospital.”

His “Your jaw notes.” clenched. “You saw me.” thedoing notes?”

I’d added a few quick “What about are you here?”

I repeated.

“Andsentences how did you stating know thatwhere Memphis I lived?” was feeling !ne and that her weight and Not bloodthat pressure werebeinhard the normal range. it would to !gure out. Quincy hadn’t “I can’t read thoseinto notesthe andmodern know what entirely transitioned age, concerns and the were local newspaper discussed with stillthe printed patient.” an annual phone book along with “Youthe can read those online. notes and see that the patient had no putting information concerns to discuss.”

I kept my smile in place, but “It’s been a long time,” he said.

“How!rmly are you?” damn, woman pokeare at me. been poking for It’sthis been a longloved time.toHow you?She’d “Small talk?

Really? three your yearswife and it was you’re growing old.

Does know here?”

Thislifted entirehis encounter waswiggling a waste his of my time.ring And!nger. she’d He left hand, naked “I’m just broken not married.” my thirteen-day streak.

Why was always Was it This horrible wished When hadithe gottenher? divorced? wasthat the Iproblem she’d retire early?toHer nursing sta"It was wonderful. when you vowed forget someone. meant that in theThey past seven were ayears, joy toI hadn’t work with, once let andmyself I would search bet for myFoster. annual salary thatInot a single one at of his them would haveaccounts felt misinformed by hadn’t peeked social media or typed his the brief in Memphis’s chart. name intosummary Google. notes I hadn’t watched any of his pay-per-view Butand nothing I did seemed enoughI’dforeither Rachel. !ghts, if his name came uptoonbeESPN, shutShe o" the viewed television this hospital or walkasouthers of the androom.

I wasMy thebrothers too-young, likedtooto 11 3

DEVNEY PERRY

hair down. rent UFC !ghts.

But inI’d thelied three more years than I’donce worked about with being Rachel, on call I’d only ever her parties. blond hair, streaked with gray at the to avoid oneseen of their temples, intohere?” a severe “Whypulled are you Thebun. growl in my voice surprised us both.Was it short? Long? No clue. Even the few times I’d bumped into her his outside of work, hairbobbed had looked Pain clouded beautiful eyes.Rachel’s His throat as he the same. Was whyhis she was so sour? Was that bun swallowed, then that dropped chin. giving her ahad headache?

Her frown ever my present her What he expected?

Mewas to as open armsas and hairstyle.

Did back she ever welcome him intosmile? my life?

“I’ve got a in problem with a chart, just Talia.”

The hurt his eyes vanished as quickly as it had “Okay,”And I drawled. appeared. all that remained was sheer determination. wasstare. no problem withspine. a chart.

I’d "exed spent three TheThere focused The steeled The jaw. Ityears was getting thisinwoman on exactly what boxes to the looklectured Foster by wore the boxing ring, usually before he won.how she wanted the doctors to input notes and where check, her nurses looked patient details.

He shoved a for hand into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out aDr. single Anderson, silver key.

Dr.“Here.”

Murphy and Dr. Herrera each had theirI took own itcharting preferences. theirnot notes wher‐ from him as he heldThey it out,put careful to let our ever theybrush. pleased.

Rachel themanymore. on their !ngers He Had wasn’t mineever to lectured touch. Not “What’s this?” charting?

No. She also didn’t call them by their "rst names. I was “My the lesser doctor on sta# and Rachel always found a way building.” to remind that I was a resident.

“Your me building.”

I just narrowed my eyes. He’d better be I was justaTalia. talking about building in Nevada.

IFoster’s was just the dove girl who’d grown in thisthis small hand into his jeansupagain, timeMontana coming town andawho’d enoughHe to move home afterhand medical out with smallloved slip ofit paper. took my other and pried it I’d school. open. come home to give back to my community and, maybe someday, earn up themy respect that calloused Dr. Anderson Electricity zinged arm. The tips ofhad his garnered in tingles his decades Quincy’s !ngers sent acrossasmy skin. favorite doctor.

His eyes Not only"ared, was he likemy he’d boss, felt he thatwas charge alsotoo, theasman he placed who’d delivered mymy "vepalm, siblings mego. into“That’s this world.

He was a the paper in thenand let me the address.” staple town.

DidmyRachel razz him meticulous At in theour street name, heart sank.

“Thisabout is in Quincy.” charting?

“Yep.”Doubtful.

“Why dowe “Should youtake haveaalook?” building I returned in Quincy?” my marker to the “Come tomorrow and you’ll !nd out.”

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locker’s “No.”shelf, then closed it up, following Rachel to the nearest station.

He nurses’ dug into his other pocket this time, pulling out a She tookpouch a seat, in clicking withshade fury through the hospital’s small velvet a familiar of teal. “I’m guessing records I hovered this will as make it a yes.”over her shoulder. When she had the chart“What pulledisup, sheIshifted sohe I could read the screen. this?” asked as handed it over.

It was Memphis’s chart. come for Foster didn’t answer andMy hesister-in-law didn’t wait had for me to in open atheroutine checkup thismarched afternoon.

I scanned the pouch.pregnancy He spun on a heel and across my porch, information forsteps anything out of Then place.he Medications jogging the few to the sidewalk. rounded the prescribed?

None. black Labs truck, ordered?

Justthe theengine standard urine hood of a gleaming started and drove analysis. down theBaby’s block. heart rate? Normal. The nurse had entered in Memphis’s vitals.from the threshold as his taillights disap‐ I inched away “What’s the the problem?”

I asked Rachel. peared, kicking door closed.

With every passing second, the pouch “Your notes.” got heavier.

“What about Don’t open it.the notes?” I’d added a few quick sentences stating Foster that was Memphis counting was feeling on my!necuriosity. and that He her weight hadn’t and blood apressure were in the range. instead leaving answered single question of normal mine tonight, “I can’t those and know me with evenread more thannotes I’d started with.what concerns were discussed Don’t with open the it. patient.”

“You canI read those the notes and the patient had no “Gah.” stretched top ofsee thethat pouch and turned it concerns to discuss.”

I kept my !rmly in place, over, the item inside dropping intosmile my palm beside the key.but damn, loved toemerald-cut poke at me. She’d beeninlaid pokingonfora A this ring.woman A two-carat, diamond three years and it was growing old. gold band.

This entire encounter wasglinted a waste of my And light. she’d I gasped as the diamond from thetime. overhead just Howbroken did hemy have thirteen-day this ring? Why? streak.

Why alwaysI crumpled her? Wasthe it horrible that I wished In my was otherit hand, paper into a tight ball, she’d retireasearly? nursing sta" was wonderful. They squeezing hard asHer possible. wereThen a joyI to pried work it apart. with, and I would bet my annual salary thatDamn not a single of them wouldhim. haveI felt misinformed him. one I should ignore should pretend by he the brief summary notes in Memphis’s chart. that in seven didn’t exist.

But considering I hadn’t managed But nothing I’d I did seemed be enough for Rachel. She years, I doubted forget FostertoMadden by morning. viewed this hospital as hers and I was the too-young, too13 3

CHAPTER TWO FOSTER

T

he phone’s ring bounced o! the block walls in my new building. I pulled it from my pocket. Jasper.

“Hey,” I answered.

“Hey. Just checking in. How was yesterday?”

“Could have been worse.” She could have had a man answer her door last night. I knew she wasn’t married, but a boyfriend would have made this more of a challenge. Not impossible, just another challenge. “She didn’t slam the door in my face.”

“Well, you would have deserved it if she had.”

I chuckled. “This is true.”

Jasper wasn’t just my trainer. He was my closest friend and one of the only people in the world who knew the truth about my situation. About Talia. About why I’d come to Montana.

This was the "ght of my life.

There were "ve rounds in a "ght. And after last night at Talia’s, I had a feeling I’d need them all to win.

“How’s the gym?” he asked.

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hair “Empty. down. But Dirty. in the I don’t three know years I’d if you worked could with even Rachel, call this I’d only seen My her voice blond echoed hair, streaked gray at the place ever a gym.” around with the dank space. temples, pulled intoI aget severe bun. a building sight unseen.”

“Guess that’s what for buying Was short?

Long? clue. was Even the few times Fromitthe outside, the No building nothing more thanI’da bumped intopainted her outside work,GYM Rachel’s had on looked square box a dullof gray. was hair written the the Was that why shade she was so sour?

WasThe thatletters bun frontsame. wall in an obnoxious of safety orange. giving a headache? frown wasphotos as evermy present her hadn’t her looked nearly asHer ugly in the realtoras had hairstyle.

Did she ever smile? sent.

“I’ve a problem a chart, Talia.”

Theregotwas a bit of with resemblance to the pictures. But the “Okay,” I drawled. photos had shown a bright, clean space with outdated equip‐ There was no problem witha decade a chart.ago I’d spent threea Phot‐ years ment.

Either they’d been from or he had getting lecturedonbysta". this woman on exactly what boxes to oshop magician check, Regardless, how she wanted I shouldthe have doctors known to input something notes was and where wrong her nurses looked details. when I’d met himfor anpatient hour ago to pick up the gym’s keys and he’dDr. hesitated Anderson, outside Dr.theMurphy front door. and Dr. Herrera each had theirI’down charting preferences. put their hoped the interior wouldThey be better, butnotes with wher‐ every ever they pleased.

Hadit only Rachel lectured them on their loop around the room, gotever worse. charting?

The cement No. She#oors also didn’t were covered call them in by a coat theirof"rst dust. names.

EveryI was theceiling lesser tile doctor sta# and Rachel single wason spotted with wateralways marks.found Most aofway the to remind I was resident. paint was me thethat same grayjust as athe exterior, but the orange had I was just Talia. snuck its way inside too and covered an entire wall. Not one I was just the girl who’d in this small Montana of the #oor-to-ceiling mirrorsgrown at theupback of the gym lacked town who’d loved it enough move home cracks.andAnd there was a drafttocoming fromafter onemedical of the school. windows—or I’d come maybe homealltoofgive the back windows. to myThe community furnace and, was maybe earn the fan respect thatas Dr. had runningsomeday, on full blast, nearly loudAnderson as helicopter garnered in it hiswasn’t decades as Quincy’s doctor. blades, and doing a thing tofavorite cut the December chill.

Not “Howonly badwas is it?”heJasper my boss, asked. he was also the man who’d delivered siblings and me He wasHea “Bad. my The"ve realtor handed meinto the this keysworld. and bolted. staple ouranother town. appointment, Did Rachel razz meticulous said heinhad but Ihim haveabout a feeling he was charting?

Doubtful. leaving before I could pummel him. Those pictures he sent were“Should bullshit.” we take a look?” I returned my marker to the “What are you going to do?”

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locker’s I sighed shelf,and then dragged closeda it hand up, through following myRachel hair. “Get to the to nearestI’ve nurses’ work. got tostation. get this usable.”

Shethis tookpoint, a seat,I clicking witha fury the hospital’s At didn’t have lot ofthrough other options.

This records as I hovered her to shoulder.

When she had the building was just goingover to have work temporarily. chartWith pulled up, she shifted so I could read the Christmas in !ve days, I doubted I’d screen. be able to !nd It was Memphis’s chart.after My sister-in-law for another place to live until New Year’s.had Thecome hotelinwas a routine pregnancy afternoon.

I scanned the booked—ten minutescheckup after I’dthis walked through the gym’s information of place.

Medications door, I’d calledfor Theanything Eloise Innout and asked to extend my reser‐ prescribed?

None. ordered?

Just the vation.

But the hotelLabs was booked through the standard holidays. Iurine had analysis. heart rate?

Normal.

The two nightsBaby’s left before my room would go nurse to thehad nextentered guest. in Memphis’s vitals.

And every motel, VRBO and Airbnb within !fty miles was “What’s the problem?” I asked Rachel. taken.

After “Yourthe notes.” holidays, I could search for a nicer home. But I “What about thetraining notes?”had I’d added a few quick sentences needed a gym.

My been delayed enough these past stating fewthat weeks Memphis dealing was withfeeling everything !ne in and Vegas. that her weight and Eventually, blood pressure wereget in the range.

I could thisnormal place remodeled.

Or I could knowBut whatthat concerns tear “Iit can’t downread andthose buildnotes fromand scratch. would were take months. discussedI with didn’tthe have patient.” months. So I’d settle for this place. I’d read thoseone-bedroom notes and seeapartment that the patient had no make“You the can gym’s small, livable.

And concerns to I’d discuss.”

I kept smileto!rmly place, but meanwhile, convince Taliamy to listen what Iinhad to say. damn, this woman poke for at me. poking for If there was oneloved thingtogoing me,She’d it wasbeen the element of three yearsPart andof it was surprise. the growing reason old.

I’d bought this shithole was Thisitentire encounter was aable waste time.

And she’d because was vacant.

I’d been to of paymy cash with a quick close. just broken Thatmy had thirteen-day been onlystreak. a week ago. Talia had been Why was it always I wished surprised by the addressher?

I’dWas givenit horrible her last that night, which she’d retire early?gotten Her wind nursing sta" was wonderful. meant she hadn’t of me moving to Quincy. They wereI awas joybanking to work on with, Talia’s and natural I would curiosity bet my annual to bring salary her that not a single one oftothem would have felt misinformed here today.

I needed see her again.

I needed to see herbya the brief summary notesthen in Memphis’s chart. hundred times. Maybe I’d realize this wasn’t a dream.

But nothing I did seemed bechance. enough Seven for Rachel.

She Seven years I’d waited for tothis goddamn years viewed andthis I couldn’t hospitalrisk as fucking hers and it up.

I was the too-young, too17 16 3

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hair “Have down. you But talked in the to three Kadence?” years I’dJasper worked asked. with Rachel, I’d only“Last ever night.” seen herI walked blond hair, streaked with open gray to at the toward the door temples, pulled into a severe bun. apartment.

Was clue.asEven the few I’d It wasitinshort? just asLong? bad ofNo shape the gym.

The times bedroom bumped intoI her outside of work, Rachel’s had looked was empty. counted myself lucky that anhair animal hadn’t the same.to Was that why so weather sour? Was thatcloset. bun decided take shelter fromshe thewas winter in the giving a headache?

Herand frown as of ever as her But theher carpet was stained thewas scent catpresent piss clung to hairstyle. the air. Did she ever smile?

“I’ve got a problem with a chart, Talia.”

I surveyed the cramped living space and attached “Okay,” I drawled. kitchen.

I hadn’t had the guts to open the fridge yet and see was no problem withbathroom a chart. I’dwould spent need three ayears whatThere was growing inside. The few getting this woman exactly what boxes to gallons lectured of bleachby before my skin on came in contact with the check, showerhow or toilet. she wanted the doctors to input notes and where her nurses for patient details.

On thelooked list of renovations, this apartment was at the top.

Dr. “It’s Anderson, temporary,”Dr. I told Murphy Jasper.and AndDr. myself.

Herrera each had their“You ownsure charting They put their notes wher‐ aboutpreferences. this?” ever“I’m they!nally pleased.

HadI’dRachel ever lectured their free.” been trapped for sothem long on I wasn’t charting? even sure No. howShe to act alsoofdidn’t my own callfree themwill. by their But it"rst wasnames. time toI was doctor on sta# a way buildthe thelesser life I’d missed.

Theand life Rachel I’d heldalways in my found grasp before to I’dremind fucked me it allthat up.I was just a resident.

I“Iwas Talia. hearjust you,” Jasper said. “What can I do?”

I“Nothing. was just the who’d grown up in this small Montana I’ll girl !gure it out.” town“Do andme who’d loved to move home after medical a favor?

Fititinenough a workout today.” school.

“Does I’d cleaning come home count?” to give Toback get this to my place community ready, I’dand, be maybe busting someday, my ass. earn the respect that Dr. Anderson had garnered his decades as Quincy’s favorite doctor.

“Thatinworks,” he said.

“How’s your head?”

Not “Notonly great,” was I admitted. he my boss, he was also the man who’d delivered my "ve siblings melife intoI this He wastoa This was the !rst timeand in my had world. no motivation staple in our town.

Didthat Rachel train. To !ght.

Now Arlo razz was him deadabout and meticulous no longer charting?

Doubtful. pushing me to win, win, win, I just . . . didn’t care.

“Should I needed we to !nd takethat a look?” motivation I returned because myI had marker a !ght to the 17 2 18

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!rst locker’s weekend shelf, inthen March. closed Maybe it up, Talia following could help.

Rachel If I tocould the nearest nurses’ get her to listen.station.

She took a seat,I clicking with“I’ll fury “Don’t worry,” told Jasper. bethrough ready.” the hospital’s records as Ishould hovered over her shoulder. When she had the “When I come?” chartI sighed pulled and up, she shifted so Itocould read following the screen.my own walked back the gym, It was in Memphis’s chart. My sister-in-law footprints the dust. “Give me some time.” had come in for a routine pregnancy checkup this afternoon. I scanned the “You don’t have time.” information anything outhave of time place.

Medications “I know,” Ifor muttered.

I didn’t to waste cleaning prescribed?

None. ordered? the standard up an old gym and Labs making a crappyJust apartment livable.urine Yet analysis.

Baby’s heart rate? Normal. The nurse had entered here I was. in Memphis’s For Talia. vitals.

“What’s problem?”

I asked Rachel.

“Call methe soon,” Jasper said.

“If “Your I don’t notes.” talk to you, Merry Christmas.”

“What to about “Same you.”the notes?” I’d added a few quick sentences stating I ended that Memphis the call and wastucked feeling my !nephone and that intoher myweight jeans and blood pressure weretoward in the normal range. orange wall. pocket.

Then I walked the ugly-as-fuck can’twas readgiving those me notes and knowbut what concerns were The“Icolor a migraine it would have to wait. discussed The with !rst order the patient.” of business was cleaning the apartment.

“You can read those notestoand seefurniture that the patient had on no I’d made arrangements have delivered concernsThere to discuss.”

I kept tomyripsmile !rmly in place, but Friday. were carpets out and rooms to scour. damn,I’d thistackle woman Then theloved gym. to poke at me. She’d been poking for three years and itwas wasin growing My stomach a knot old. as I paced to the opposite end This entire encounter wasofa waste of mywindows. time. And she’d of the space, peering out one the grimy Would she justcome broken today? my thirteen-day Had that ring streak. piqued her interest enough?

Whypalms was it alwaysasher?

Wasthe it horrible wished My sweated I paced length ofthat the Ibuilding she’d retire early? was My wonderful.

They again.

I hadn’t beenHer this nursing nervous sta" in years. phone rang in my werepocket. a joy to Vivienne’s work with, ringtone. and I would Jasperbet hadmy probably annual called salary that told not aher single one of and to check in.them would have felt misinformed by the brief summary notes“Everything in Memphis’s chart.

“Hey,” I answered. okay?”

But nothing I did“How seemed to you?” be enough for Rachel. She “Yeah,” she said. about viewed “I’mthis all right. hospital It’s .as . . weird.” hers and I was the too-young, too“I know. I was thinking that earlier when I was walking 19 18 3

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hair around down. theBut house.” in theVivienne three years wasI’d theworked only one withinRachel, the world I’d only seen her Because blond hair, streaked the who’dever understand.

I wasn’t the with only gray one at who’d temples, into aShe severe just beenpulled set free. hadbun. too. “But a good weird, you Was it short? Long? No clue. Even the few times I’d know?” bumped into herIt’s outside work, Rachel’s hair had looked “Yeah, Vivi. a goodofweird.” the “How’s same. Was that why she was so sour? Was that bun Montana?” giving her abut headache? frown was ever present as her “Cold, I’m gladHer to be here.

I’llasbe busy getting the hairstyle.

Did she ever smile? place set up.”

“I’ve a problem with a chart, Talia.”

“Howgot is it?”

“Okay,” I drawled.

Awful. “Fine.”

I wouldn’t tell her about the actual state There no problem with a chart. threeityears of the gym.was She’d see it eventually, andI’dif spent she knew was getting lectured bad, she’d worry. by this woman on exactly what boxes to check, “Will howyou shecall wanted later?”the doctors to input notes and where her nurses looked fora patient details.

“You bet.

Have nice day.”

Dr. “YouAnderson, too. Good Dr. luck.”

Murphy and Dr. Herrera each had theirNext own tocharting put their Jasper, preferences.

Vivienne wasThey my best friend.notes She wher‐ knew ever HadShe Rachel them on been their why Ithey waspleased. in Montana. knewever thatlectured Talia had always charting? in my heart.

No. She also didn’t call them by their "rst names. I was Over the lesser doctorshe’d on sta# and found way the years, been theRachel one toalways keep tabs on aTalia. to remindVivienne me that Ihad wasdone just aitresident.

Mostly, to save me the heartbreak of I was just Talia. seeing photos of Talia with another man. So she’d randomly I was just social the girlmedia who’dposts. grownShe’d up ingoogle this small Montana check Talia’s Talia’s name town and who’d lovedchanged it enough to Eden. move home after medical and see if it had ever from school.

TheI’dfact come thathome Talia towasn’t give back married to my hadcommunity been a miracle. and, maybe someday, earn the respect that Dr. Anderson had My miracle. garnered in his decades and as Quincy’s favorite The day Vivienne I had signed ourdoctor. divorce papers, she’dNot encouraged only wasme he tomytake boss, thisherisk. wasShe’d also done the man everything who’d delivered myto"ve siblings me into this world. He was a in her power help me getand to Montana. staple in our town.

Rachel razz him about meticulous Here I was.

TimeDid to get to work. charting?

Doubtful.

“Okay.”

I clapped my hands, the sound !lling the gym.

I’d stopped “Should at wethe takehardware a look?” store I returned this morning my marker for to a few the cleaning supplies, knowing I’d have to do some work. I 19 2 20

DEVNEY PERRY

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hadn’t locker’sexpected shelf, then this closed much work it up,and following my stashRachel wouldn’t to last the nearest station. long, butnurses’ it would get me started. took with fury theAnd hospital’s IShe took onea seat, step clicking for the door, but itthrough opened. there records she was.as I hovered over her shoulder. When she had the chart“Talia.” pulledMy up, voice she shifted so Ihoarse. could read screen. sounded “Youthe came.”

It was Memphis’s chart. sister-in-law had she come in for She nodded, looking me My up and down. Then held up a routine checkup this afternoon. scanned“You the her hand, pregnancy the velvet pouch dangling from herI!ngers. information knew I would.”for anything out of place. Medications prescribed? ordered? standard “Hoped.”None.

Yes, I’dLabs baited her withJust thatthe ring.

And I’durine do it analysis. Baby’s heart rate? Normal. The nurse had entered again. in Memphis’s vitals.

She tore her gaze away and let the door swing closed “What’s the problem?”

I asked Rachel. behind her. Then she stepped inside and tucked a lock of her dark,“Your silky notes.” hair behind an ear. Last night, she’d had it up in a thecurled notes?” added a few quick sentences knot.“What Today,about it was inI’d waves that hung nearly to her waist. stating that Memphis was feeling !ne and that her weight and Fuck, blood she pressure were in the normal range. was beautiful.

I would have sworn she couldn’t “I can’t read those yet notes whattheconcerns were get more breathtaking, sheand had know managed impossible. discussed The air with rushed the patient.” from my lungs. My heart beat too fast.

“You can was readlike those noteshitand theItpatient hadthe no Seeing Talia being in see the that chest. had been concerns discuss.” kept times my smile in to place, but same last to night.

How Imany had !rmly I wished see her damn,tothis woman pokeand at me.

She’dthe been poking for face, stand in theloved sametoroom breathe same air, just threemore yearstime? and it was growing old. one This entire wasshe a waste time. she’d Beneath herencounter black coat, woreofamy pair of And baby-blue scrubs just broken that brought my thirteen-day out her sapphire streak. eyes. A man could !nd Why to was her? Was it horrible that I wished the secret lifeitinalways those eyes. she’dTalia retire early?toHer wonderful.

They walked the nursing center ofsta" thewas room, looking every‐ where were abut joyattome. work with, and I would bet my annual salary that“You’re not a single one ofFuck. them Nice, wouldMadden. have feltWay misinformed by a doctor.” to state the the brief summary notes in Memphis’s chart. obvious.

But nothing I did seemed to be enough for Rachel. She “Yes.” viewed “That thiswas hospital alwaysasyour hersdream.” and I was It didn’t the too-young, surprise metooin the slightest that she’d made it come true.

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hair Talia down.pushed But in the up three the sleeve years I’d ofworked her coat, withtapping Rachel,her I’d only blond with grayhospital. at the watch.ever “I’mseen on aher break and hair, need streaked to get back to the temples, intoFoster?” a severe bun.

What dopulled you want, Was Noyou. clue.Tell Even few times I’d You. it “I short? wantedLong? to see youtheI was in town. bumped herwe outside work,up.

Rachel’s hair hadorlooked Thought into maybe couldofcatch Go to dinner some‐ the same. that why shehotel wasissoreally sour?good.

WasI that bun thing.

The Was restaurant in the ate there giving her a headache? Her frown was as ever present as her last night.” hairstyle.

Didmy shebrother’s ever smile?

“That’s restaurant.” She crossed her arms got a problem with in a chart, over“I’ve her chest, still walking circlesTalia.” around the gym. “Why “Okay,” drawled. did you buy Ithis building?”

There wasIno problem with afacility. chart. I’dThe spent three years “Because need a training other gym in getting by this something woman onI exactly whatforboxes to town is lectured public. I needed could tailor myself. check, Put in how a ring. sheHeavy wanted bags. the Mats. doctors That to input sort of notes thing. andPlus where it’s her looked forthat patient got nurses an apartment will details. work until I’m able to buy a house.”

Dr. Anderson, Dr. Murphy and Dr. Herrera each had theirTalia’s own charting They put noteswalking wher‐ stunningpreferences. blue eyes widened.

Shetheir stopped ever pleased.

Had Rachel ever going lectured on their and they pointed to the "oor.

“You’re to them live here?

In charting?

Quincy?”No. She also didn’t call them by their "rst names. I was “Yes.” the lesser doctor on sta# and Rachel always found a way to remind me that I was just a resident.

“Why?” IWasn’t was justit Talia. obvious? “You always talked about Quincy.

I was justyour the girl who’d grown the up intown. this small About how family founded How Montana it was a town who’d enough to move after medical place and where rootsloved ran it deep.

I decided if home I was going to relo‐ school. cate, why I’dnot come Montana? home toIt give was time backfor to amy change. community Time toand, get maybe someday, earn the respect that Dr. Anderson had out of Vegas.” garnered in his decades as Quincy’s favorite “A change.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Whatdoctor. does Vivienne think Not about only thiswas change?” he my boss, he was also the man who’d delivered "ve siblings andmy mewife.” into this world. He was a “Doesmy it matter?

She’s not staple in our DidtoRachel him about meticulous There wastown. so much say. Sorazz much to explain.

But there charting? was a #reDoubtful. in Talia’s eyes, and if she was angry, she wouldn’t hear“Should me out. we Maybe take she a look?” wasn’tI ready returned for what my marker I had to say. the And I needed her to hear me. To hear the truth.

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locker’s “Howshelf, aboutthen dinner closed tonight?” it up,I asked. following Rachel to the nearest station.

Shenurses’ raised her chin. “How long have you been planning took a seat, clicking with fury through the hospital’s this She move?” records I hovered over her shoulder. When she had the “Notaslong.” chart“I’m pulled up, she shifted I could read screen.“Foster surprised no oneso knew.”

She the sco!ed.

It wasmoving Memphis’s chart.isMy had come in for Madden to Quincy bigsister-in-law news.” a routine checkup afternoon. scanned Whichpregnancy was exactly why I’dthis made sure to Ikeep a lid the on information the purchase offorthisanything building. out of place. Medications prescribed?

None. ordered? urine “When did you Labs buy this ring?” Just She the heldstandard up the pouch analysis.

Baby’s heart rate? Normal. The nurse had entered again.

“Was it hers?” in Memphis’s “No, that vitals. was never Vivienne’s.” That ring had always the problem?” I asked Rachel. been“What’s for Talia.

It “Your hadnotes.” stayed locked away in my safe until I’d "nally added a few quick sentences been“What able toabout give itthe to notes?” her last I’d night. stating “There’s that Memphis a lot to talk wasabout. feeling If you’ve !ne andgotthat to get her back weight to and blood were indothe normal range. work, thenpressure tonight. What you say? Dinner?”

“I can’t thosetighter notes across and know what and concerns were Her armsread cinched her chest she started walking discussedagain. with “No. the patient.”

I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“You can read those notes and see that the patient had no “Why not?” concerns to discuss.”

I kept myyou, smile !rmly in place, but “Because I don’t want to see Foster.

I don’t want you damn, this woman loved to poke at me. She’d been poking for in my town.” three years and it was growing old.

“Too late.”

Thisnostrils entire encounter Her #ared. was a waste of my time. And she’d just Shit. broken I’dmy always thirteen-day loved Talia’s streak. steady nature. When others Why was she’d it always her? Was it horrible thatreason I wished would panic, stay calm.

It was part of the I’d she’d retire Herincredible nursing sta" wasBut wonderful. known she’dearly? make an doctor. every nowThey and then, were ashe’d joy to getwork mad.with, Andand when I would someone bet my pushed annual thesalary right that not aTalia single onehad of them would have felt misinformed by buttons, Eden a temper unmatched. the brief summary notes in IMemphis’s chart.

So before it blew and really pissed her o!, I changed But nothing I did seemed to be enough for Rachel. She the subject. viewed “There’s this hospital a lot to beasdone herstoand fix Ithis was place the up. too-young, That orange too23 22 3

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hair wall down. has gotBut to go. in But the three I thinkyears the building I’d worked itself with willRachel, work. I’m I’d only herupblond streaked with in gray theI going ever to setseen the ring here.”hair, Marking an outline the at dust, temples, a severe walked a pulled square into in the center bun. of the floor, then pointed around Was itas short?

Nomats clue.in Even the few times I’d the room I spoke.Long?

“I’ll put that corner.

Hang heavy bumped outside Rachel’s hair had looked bags frominto thather beam.

Bringof in work, a treadmill and stationary bike.” the “You same.can’t Wasbethat whyabout she this.” was so sour? Was that bun serious giving headache?

Herinfrown wasand as ever presentaashard her “I her am. aI’ve got a !ght March am having hairstyle.

Did she smile? time focusing in ever Vegas.

A change of scenery should help.

“I’vesome got a fresh problem with a chart, Maybe faces.

You were Talia.” always good at keeping “Okay,” IMaybe drawled. me focused.

I could enlist your help.”

There wasa slight no problem with aItchart.

I’d same spent look threepeople years She gave head shake. was the getting lectured by this exactly what spinning. boxes to had after you rang theirwoman bell. Ionhad her head check, “You’rehow asking sheme wanted to help theyou doctors get ready to input for anotes !ght?” and where her nurses looked for patient details.“Something like that. We No, I was asking her to dinner. could Dr.talk Anderson, about it tonight.”

Dr. Murphy and Dr. Herrera each had their“I—what?” own charting preferences. They put their notes wher‐ ever“Dinner, they pleased.

Rachel ever lectured them on theirI Tally.”Had It was a mistake to use her nickname. charting? knew it the No.moment She alsoher didn’t expression call them blanked. by theirGone "rst names. was theI was the lesser doctor and Rachel always found a way confusion.

Gone was on thesta# anger. to remind meme thatout I was justthan a resident.

She shut faster I could blink.

I“Get was just out Talia. of Quincy, Foster.” She marched across the just want the girl "oor.I was “I don’t youwho’d here.”grown up in this small Montana townThe andcold who’d it enough move homeopen after the medical airloved rushed inside asto she ripped door school. and stormed I’d come outside. home to give back to my community and, maybe someday, earn athehand respect Dr. Anderson “Fuck.”

I dragged over that my face.

A pop of had teal garnered in hismy decades velvet caught eye. as Quincy’s favorite doctor.

Not The ring. only was he my boss, he was also the man who’d delivered "ve siblings me into this world. He was a She’d my dropped it on theand "oor. staple in our over town.

Did Rachel razz him about meticulous I walked and picked it up, holding it in my hand for charting?

Doubtful. a long moment.

“Should Was I pushing we taketoo a look?” hard? Too I returned fast? That my marker was thetoonly the 23 2 24

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way locker’s I knew shelf, howthen to go.closed But it itwas up,exactly following how I’d Rachel lost Talia to the in nearest the !rst nurses’ place. station.

She tookone.” a seat, clicking with fury through the hospital’s “Round records as Ione hovered over her When had the Round was over.

Andshoulder.

I’d gotten my she fucking ass chart pulled up, she shifted so I could read the screen. kicked.

It was Memphis’s chart. My sister-in-law had come in for a routine pregnancy checkup this afternoon. I scanned the information for anything out of place. Medications prescribed? None. Labs ordered? Just the standard urine analysis. Baby’s heart rate? Normal. The nurse had entered in Memphis’s vitals.

“What’s the problem?” I asked Rachel.

“Your notes.”

“What about the notes?” I’d added a few quick sentences stating that Memphis was feeling !ne and that her weight and blood pressure were in the normal range.

“I can’t read those notes and know what concerns were discussed with the patient.”

“You can read those notes and see that the patient had no concerns to discuss.” I kept my smile !rmly in place, but damn, this woman loved to poke at me. She’d been poking for three years and it was growing old.

This entire encounter was a waste of my time. And she’d just broken my thirteen-day streak.

Why was it always her? Was it horrible that I wished she’d retire early? Her nursing sta" was wonderful. They were a joy to work with, and I would bet my annual salary that not a single one of them would have felt misinformed by the brief summary notes in Memphis’s chart.

But nothing I did seemed to be enough for Rachel. She viewed this hospital as hers and I was the too-young, too24 3