Unexpected Romance

r, the one my five-year-old son plucked me with. It's an

does take me

to the dining room. Tyler isn't here anymore, and he's removed his books from his backpac

e the ringing phone. "You know I have to go

out of my morning shift trying to find where he's run off to hide, get him

the phone.

Are you at w

u to ask, Clair

hing al

want to go to

the little imp on the pho

ly I could fin

. "Anyways, I was hopin

door when I hear a noise. "Hmm. It looks like I

I beat you to i

do you

me for the night shift, Clai

urge

gent," rep

or a moment. "How abou

y, Claire. But bringing Tyler wi

work with me, Clair

eting with

Claire. So when do

h. "Don't worry. I'll come and grab the imp.

ll me, who exactly are you

hat at the moment, Claire," Cla

ot?" I

ou all about it tomo

laire had not agreed to babysit Tyler while I stood in for her, I still would not say no to her. She's been like a backbon

two more minutes of searching, I found Tyler i

ose my job, Tyler?" I demand as I squ

ce. "Sorry, mom. But I don't

I say. "What I need you to tell me i

t sca

wh

stio

uestions? Is it

hakes h

ur head t

s head. "The other

hy would their que

ryone has a dad and I don't. It is t

father left before he even came along, it shouldn't make him any more afraid. I gave him a s

ad. "They don't ask

s, not you. I should have a chat with your teacher.

no

"I had to be somewhere yesterd

to be there for everything, helping me with the cuisine, chores, and budgets. When he died, I had to go to therapy. We almost couldn't do without each

the driveway. "I'll be working the night shift for Aunt Clai

ka

l you have to do is be a goo

m," respo

, and head over to the hospital. When I walk through the f

**

eliver her twins. I was the nurse on duty that night. By morning, before I left, one of the twin bo

e disappears up a flight of stairs, his eyes f

Mrs. Pinch as I walked

about

pburn has a new patient. A

ealthy?" I asked ou

ur next pay

my scrubs. "What is

ack," said

t been given an

I followed her out of the stat

ked PRIVATE. The patient on the bed has cords that connect him to a heart monitor, and Dr.

doctor as he finally looks up. "I have an import

t. Aged, with hair a

hat Mr. McRae here is more concerned with winning elections than sticking to a norm that wouldn't aff

ound, doctor?"

ly do not own an office here. Other than that, he's yours," say

then says, "I heard you were offere

d reasons. Is t

as just trying t

the moment, no. I'll leave you now," says Dr. Brooke, and this is the m

," comments

still unco

ke haunted,

y meant." I correct

he sleeping patient. "I guess we'll just have to wait for Daddy here to come around. Do yo

a seat by the wall. "I'l

s out the door. I don't look inside it ri

and mind away, in the form of a winsome man a