2. Prescription For Love

“No chickens, but there are some kittens in the barn. If you want to take a look, you’re welcome to walk around. The kittens are only a few months old and really friendly.”

“Sure, if you don’t mind.” Blake jumped up as if his pants were on fire, obviously anxious to be free of their company.

“Go,” Abby said.

He strode off in the direction of the barn. Abby was aware of both Presley and Carrie watching him, but they didn’t ask anything so she didn’t comment.

“Thanks for inviting us,” Abby said. “We both needed a break from unpacking, and a chance to put a little space between us. Moving is not a lot of fun.”

“Unless you’re like me,” Carrie said, “and you just throw everything into one suitcase, sublease your apartment, and buy a plane ticket. That’s pretty much what I did when Presley told me about this job. Of course, I didn’t realize I’d be staying when I headed out here.” “How are you liking it?” Abby asked.

“I love it.” Carrie grabbed a cookie. “The hospital is beautiful and the people are all pretty great to work with. And I love waking up every morning to sunshine and the green. I love the green.”

“There is that.” Abby looked off toward the barn. She couldn’t see Blake. “I hope Blake adjusts—I at least had summers in the mountains, but he’s a city kid through and through.”

“It’s not nearly as provincial as it first seems,” Presley said. “You’ll find after a while everything you need is here.”

Carrie laughed. “Well, your experience isn’t exactly anything to go by. You’ve only been here a little while and you’re suddenly engaged and about to be married.”

Presley pushed a foot on the floor and set her chair rocking. “I know. It’s so crazy, every time I think of it, I’m afraid I might be dreaming.”

“If you are,” Carrie said, “I am too. So don’t wake any of us up.” “When is the big day?” Abby asked.

“We just decided last night,” Presley said, a blush tinting her cheeks. “The last Saturday in July.”

Carrie coughed and sat up straight. “That’s a month away!”

“Yes, but—”

“Oh my God! We have to go shopping, we have to start planning, we—”

“Carrie, it’s just going to be a small—”

“Oh, bullshit to that!” Carrie grabbed another cookie and took a big bite. “I’ll start on the lists.”

Presley held up her hands in surrender. “Okay—you’re the official wedding planner.” “Of course.”

“And you’ll both be in the bride’s party—the bride being me. Harper says she can’t quite see herself as a bride, but bridegroom works.”

“Mmm, that’s kind of sexy,” Carrie said.

“Well, consider the source,” Presley said, and they all laughed.

“Harper seems terrific,” Abby said. She meant it personally and professionally. She’d had a busy first week in the ER, and Harper had been down half a dozen times to evaluate patients, never complaining when she’d been called, always arriving as soon as she reasonably could, and offering excellent clinical advice. She was great with patients and staff too. A doctor’s doctor. If Abby was sick, she’d want Harper to be the one answering the call. Unless she needed surgery, and then she’d want Flannery Rivers.

Presley glanced at her watch at the sound of a vehicle crunching across the gravel. “Somebody’s early for dinner.” She walked to the far end of the porch, leaned out, and scanned the driveway. She waved and turned back with a big smile. “Apparently Harper and Company are planning on doing a little construction work in exchange for supper.”

“Convenient timing,” Carrie said. “Who’re the other handy hands?”

“Flann and Glenn are with her.”

“Have you met Glenn yet?” Presley asked Abby.

“Yes, last night, as a matter of fact.” Abby had called for a surgery consult on a farm worker with a swollen hand, and Glenn had responded. The surgical physician assistant covered the house on rotation with Flann and several of the other local surgeons. Abby wasn’t used to PAs being first call, but she’d worked with residents her entire career and knew they had more experienced backup if needed. What she hadn’t counted on was how very good Glenn was all on her own. Abby’d had only to discuss the case with Glenn and sign off after Glenn spoke briefly with Flann by telephone to ensure everyone was covered legally. “She’s really good.”

“She was an Army medic in Iraq,” Carrie said. “Three tours, I think.” “It shows,” Abby said.

“I think Flann prefers working with her over anyone else,” Carrie said.

“She’s the calm to Flann’s storm,” Presley said with a laugh.

Abby smiled. “You said it, I didn’t.”

“Sometimes I think Flann just likes to talk a good game,” Carrie said.

“Sometimes,” Presley agreed. “At least she’s honest about who she is.”

“She is.” Carrie blew out a breath. “She asked me out.”

“Oho,” Presley said with a whistle in her tone. “Stepping into deep waters, huh?” “I don’t know,” Carrie mused. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.” “Looking for something a little more serious?” Presley asked.

“Not necessarily. I don’t really know, actually. But Flann and I get along fine right now, and with you and Harper being so close, I don’t want to confuse things.”