Catching Fireflies

“If you’re sure you don’t care about going to the game, going to Wharton’s would be great.”

“Then it’s a plan. And keep thinking about talking to Ms. Reed, okay?”

“Sure,” Misty said, her mood sinking again. With Dr. Fullerton’s ultimatum hanging over her head, too, she might not have much choice.

3

Most days J.C. had someone in the office pick up lunch for him while they were out, but his concern for Misty made him restless today. He decided a walk to Wharton’s would relieve his stress and give him a much-needed change of scenery.

He’d just settled into a booth when he looked up and saw his nurse standing there with a statuesque, red-haired stranger beside her. She was attractive in a way that would have once appealed to him, but today he felt not a single spark. He congratulated himself on finally building up sufficient immunity to all women. It was something he’d worked hard to do ever since the disastrous and sadly predictable end of his marriage. He should have known before ever walking down the aisle that he, too, would fall victim to what he thought of as the Fullerton curse, an inability to choose women who wouldn’t betray them.

“Isn’t this a wonderful coincidence?” Debra said, beaming at him. “May we join you?”

Even though he saw this for exactly what it was—yet another of her very sneaky attempts to set him up—J.C. couldn’t think of a single gracious way to say no. “Of course,” he said grudgingly, standing. “Have a seat.”

As soon as they’d slid into the booth opposite him, Debra said, “J.C., this is my friend Linda’s daughter, Janice Walker. She’s visiting from California. Remember? I told you all about her yesterday. It’s her first time in Serenity.”

J.C. managed a smile. “And how are you liking it so far?”

“It’s a lovely town,” she said at once. “Call me Jan, please.”

She gave him a commiserating look that suggested she understood his discomfort and shared it. That, at least, helped him relax.

“How long will you be here?”

“Only a few days,” she said.

“Unless I can persuade her to stay longer,” Debra chimed in. “Did I mention that Jan is a pediatric nurse practitioner? I’ve been talking to Bill for ages about adding to the staff. With the town growing so fast and all these young families, the two of you can barely keep up anymore, isn’t that right?”

Though she had a point, J.C. was not about to encourage her scheme. “Bill makes the staffing decisions. It’s up to him.”

“But he’d listen to you,” Debra pressed.

Jan chuckled. “You’ve made your point, Debra. Leave the poor man alone. I did not come here looking for a job.”

“Maybe not, but you’d be the perfect addition to our team. I, for one, do not intend to let you get away.”

Fortunately Grace Wharton bustled over just then to take their orders. “Sorry, Doc Fullerton. We’ve been swamped. Apparently nobody in town decided to brown bag it today. They’re all in here, and not a one of them can make a decision.”

“Well, I don’t have that problem,” he assured her. “I’ll take the chef’s salad, Italian dressing on the side.”

Grace rolled her eyes as she always did. “Big surprise. One of these days I’m going to convince you to eat a burger like a normal customer.”

He laughed. “Someone besides me must eat the salad, or you wouldn’t have it on the menu.”

“How about a chocolate shake to go with it? Milk’s good for you, right?” she taunted.

“Not with the amount of ice cream you add to it,” he told her. “I’ve heard about those impossibly thick shakes you make. As delicious as they sound, I’ll pass.”

“You are so boring,” she accused, turning to Debra and Jan. “I hope the two of you are a little more adventurous.” She regarded Jan curiously. “You’re new in town. I never forget a face.”

“She’s visiting me from California,” Debra said. “Janice is the daughter of an old friend. I’m hoping to persuade her to move here.”

“Well, good luck with that,” Grace said. “Now, what can I get you?”

“Cheeseburger for me,” Debra said at once.

“And I’ll have the same,” Jan said, a twinkle in her eyes. “I’ll just run an extra mile this afternoon.”

J.C. gave her another look. “You’re a runner?”

“Not a marathoner, if that’s what you mean,” she said with a chuckle. “But I usually get in a few miles on a regular basis so I can justify all the terrible things I enjoy eating.”

“Maybe the two of you could go for a run together,” Debra suggested, clearly not giving up on her matchmaking scheme. “Jan mentioned just this morning that the track at the high school is starting to get boring. You could show her the route around the lake.”

“It’s not necessary,” Jan said, clearly embarrassed by Debra’s persistence.

“I’m going for a run first thing tomorrow morning,” J.C. found himself saying. “I’d be happy to pick you up and take you along. The lake is a lovely setting, especially just after dawn.”

Jan nodded. “Then I’d love it, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“Is seven too early? Much later and it starts getting crowded.”

“Absolutely not.”

He noticed that Debra finally sat back looking like the very sated cat that had swallowed the canary. A part of him hoped she’d choke on it.

* * *

Five minutes after he returned to the office, J.C. called his nurse in.

“You ready for your first patient?” Debra inquired cheerfully.

“Not just yet,” he said, trying to keep his expression stern. It was hard to do when she was so clearly pleased with herself. “Debra, have I not told you repeatedly that I’m not interested in dating?”

“You have,” she said readily.

“And which part of that didn’t you understand?”

“Oh, I heard all the words,” she said. She beamed at him. “I just don’t accept them.”

“Debra,” he began in frustration, then faltered. What could he say that he hadn’t already said, especially if he had no intention of revealing all the sordid details about his divorce years ago? He heaved a sigh. “Never mind. Just put Mrs. Carson and Tommy in room two and tell them I’ll be right there.”

“Already done,” she said, proving once more the sort of efficiency that would make her nearly impossible to replace. If she turned that same skill to his social life, he was probably doomed. The only way to beat her at that game would be to take charge of it himself.

“Have you spoken to Dr. Townsend about Jan?” he asked as she started to leave.

“Not just yet,” she said. “I thought it would be more effective if you mentioned it.”