The Promise. Робин Карр

take joint custody issues personally. We have to be flexible.”

      We? Ted didn’t have to be flexible. He lived at the practice or hospital. He played golf and tennis; he said they were important professional relationships. He went to meetings out of town—he was a much sought-after presenter, given his relative notoriety within the cardiology specialty. He spent so little time with his children, Peyton was surprised he could remember their names.

      Maybe she could use a little time in a town that knew about hard work. It wouldn’t hurt to be around a few friendly people. She could have space again—her own bathroom, closet, TV, bookshelf. Her belongings would be safe. She could build up her armor once more so her feelings weren’t hurt all the time by callous remarks and disrespect. She could figure out how she’d gotten into that mess and how to never let that happen again.

      Maybe working in a clinic that ran on a tight budget would be inspiring in a way that Ted’s rich practice hadn’t been.

      This little Pacific Coast village was only three hours from her parents’ farm, a place she had long ago grown out of but still fled to in times of heartache or confusion. Maybe she could sit here for a little while and recover her lost mind and knit together her frayed emotions. But at the salary of forty-thousand per year, she wouldn’t live extravagantly. Her last salary had been ninety-five. But, because of her living arrangement and Ted’s veritable wealth, she had saved a lot of money. In fact, she had always been careful with money and saved quite a bit, but she didn’t want to spend it by volunteering in a little clinic. Unless, of course, there was a point to it.

      Before finishing her tea and leaving Cooper’s, she met a couple more people from town—a Realtor, the caterer who supplied Cooper’s with deli items, the local sheriff’s deputy and, while crossing the beach she met the Great Dane, Hamlet, who was loath to be too far from Landon, Sarah’s brother, a handsome and athletic young man. The teenagers all said hello very briefly since they put their game on hold for the time it took her to pass. That enchanted her. Then she considered what a mess her life had to be for her to be that impressed by teenagers halting their ball-batting game while she passed.

      It was four-thirty by the time she was parked back in front of the clinic. This time the waiting room held people—six of them. She walked up to the counter and once again, Devon stood. “Oops. I guess the doctor is busy,” Peyton observed.

      “He’s with a patient and a few are waiting to see him, but depending on what you need, I can snag him for a minute.”

      “Is it always this busy, so late in the day?” Peyton asked.

      “There were two appointments for after work and a few walk-ins. This isn’t the case every day, but it’s not uncommon. Would you like his cell number?”

      “Seriously? Isn’t that kind of...you know...a little too personal?”

      Devon shook her head. “I think everyone in town has his cell number.”

      “Oh, that’s scary.” Patients never had Ted’s cell number. They had to go through his service.

      Peyton took a slip of paper off the counter and scribbled on it. Three months? “Give him this note. He has my cell number from the résumé. I’m afraid that’s the only commitment I can make at this time. And I’d also need time to find somewhere to live around here. Ask him to let me know if he’s interested.”

      Devon grinned hugely. “I’m so glad, Peyton. I have a good feeling about this. I look forward to working with you. And you might want to give this woman a call,” she said, scribbling on a sticky note. “She’s our local Realtor and is really good at finding hard-to-find rental property.”

      That coaxed a smile out of Peyton. “I met Ray Anne at Cooper’s. I have her card.”

      “Kismet,” Devon said.

      Peyton thought Devon was a darling girl. She turned to go, then turned back. “Can I ask a question? I hope it’s not too personal. You’ll tell me if it is. I went out to Cooper’s to enjoy the ocean, and I met a few people—one of them was your intended, Spencer.”

      “You did? Oh, good! Isn’t he the most handsome, wonderful man?”

      Peyton tilted her head and gave a brief nod. “He seems to be, as a matter of fact. I also met Cooper and Sarah and some old guy who didn’t introduce himself.”

      “Rawley. He was taking Mercy fishing off the dock today.”

      “Yes, I saw her. And the boy, Austin, who he said was Cooper’s son?”

      “That’s right.”

      “But you said he was Spencer’s son,” she said. “I’m just a little...”

      “Cooper is his biological father. Spencer is his stepfather. Austin’s mother passed away about a year ago. Spencer was the only father Austin had known, so they moved here so Cooper could be more involved. Oh, and to take the job as athletic director and coach at the high school. Some angel was definitely smiling on me.”

      “That explains it.”

      Devon laughed. “As soon as you start here, we’ll get you a program.”

      * * *

      It was five-thirty before Scott came up for air and the last person had left the clinic. He was making notes in a chart when he looked up to see Devon standing in the doorway. “I bet you’re ready to get out of here,” he said.

      “I’m fine. Spencer and Rawley have been entertaining the kids this afternoon. But I wanted to be sure to tell you—Peyton stopped by. She left a note.” She presented it to him. “She said that’s all the commitment she can make at this time.”

      “Well, it offers some help and time to look around for someone more permanent.”

      “Maybe she’ll like it here,” Devon said.

      “Don’t count on it, Devon. She’s sought after. She could name her price in a lot of clinics or practices. Doctors fight over PAs of her caliber and start bidding wars. I really didn’t expect her to take even a temporary job here on the salary I offered her.”

      “Then why would she?”

      “I think Thunder Point is a place holder while she decides where she’s going next, for a great deal more money. And prestige.”

      “Why wouldn’t she just go somewhere else now, then?”

      “Because she’s clever. She’ll research, take her time, choose well, negotiate a terrific package.”

      “Hmph,” Devon said. “You could be wrong.”

      “Could be,” he said. “But I bet I’m not. Give her a call, will you? Tell her we’ll be happy to take her offer when she’s available and for the three months she suggested. Ask her if she can call with her start date when she knows it.”

      “I wish you’d be more positive,” Devon said. “This could be perfect.”

      “Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled to have someone of Peyton’s experience on board,” he said. “But why would anyone in their right mind go to work for less than half the salary they could receive in other practices or hospitals?”

      “I don’t know, Scott. You did.”

      “True,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t think our circumstances are similar. I don’t want you to be too disappointed, Devon. I think she’ll be great. And hard to replace. By the way, make sure she has my cell number. If she wants to call me while you’re away on your honeymoon, she should call that number.”

      “I tried to give it to her. I got the impression she didn’t want to impose....”

      “Sometimes that’s the only way to get my attention,” he muttered. “Get going. Go find your family. If I know you, you’re going to be out at that new house, tinkering around, getting it ready.”

      That