2. Prescription For Love

Abby pulled in behind a long line of pickups, Subarus, and an occasional minivan in the drive leading up to Presley’s farmhouse. Construction equipment in vivid yellow, green, and orange crowded the slope behind the house. She thought the big prehistoric-looking things were backhoes, but she hadn’t quite gotten the nomenclature straight yet. “It’s seven o’clock in the morning. I don’t think it’s polite to show up before people actually get out of bed.”

“Mom,” Blake said in an aggrieved voice, “this is the country,” as if she didn’t know that, “and everyone gets up at sunrise.”

Abby gave him a look. “This coming from the guy who used to complain about getting up before nine.”

He jumped out of the car as soon as she put it in park, peered in at her, and grinned. “That was before. Margie and Flann and everybody are probably already here. I don’t want to miss anything.”

Laughing, Abby climbed out and waved him on. “Go, then. And be careful with the tools.”

Blake gave her the aggrieved expression reserved for parents who clearly didn’t get it, and jogged off down the drive. Abby took her time following, wending her way between cornfields, basking in the cool air that would give way in a few hours to heat and humidity. It was July, after all, but she found she didn’t mind the weather. How could she mind when surrounded by clear skies and the smell of growing things everywhere? No, she definitely didn’t miss summer in the city. No wonder so many city dwellers had historically escaped north into the mountains and countryside every summer.

She smiled. She’d never have to escape again. She was already home. She was as sure of that now as Blake had been almost from the beginning. All she needed was to be sure the job worked out and Blake adjusted to his new school. No small tasks for either of them, but they’d both made great progress so far. Thanks to Margie, Blake had a growing circle of friends who would help him when school started, and she had made solid inroads to getting the ER residency program up and running.

And then there was Flann.

Flann was a very definite reason to want to stay right where she was.

As if reading Abby’s thoughts, Flann appeared at the top of the drive. “Hey! You made it.”

“According to Blake, we’re already late.”

“Not to worry. People will be drifting in and out all day.” Flann wore her usual nonhospital attire of work boots, jeans, and a T-shirt, this time with her sleeves cut off and a raggedy V slashed at the neck. The shirt was tight enough to show the curves of her breasts if you were looking, and Abby was looking. She shaded her eyes, the better to take in every inch of her, and Flann slowed as if knowing exactly what she was doing. The easy grin Abby was coming to love spread across her face.

“Sleep okay?” Flann slid her hands into her pockets and rocked a little on her heels, waiting for Abby to draw next to her.

Abby wanted to say How could I, considering the state you left me in, but she decided to be more subtle for the moment. “Great. How about you?”

Flann leaned close, her breath warm against Abby’s cheek. “Had a hard time getting to sleep, thinking about all the things I wanted to do with you and didn’t get a chance.”

Abby drew a long breath, savoring the earthy freshness of her. She’d know Flann’s scent anywhere.

“Really? I fell asleep the second I lay down.”

“And here I thought you never exaggerated.” Flann chuckled and slipped an arm around her waist.

“Didn’t you think about me just a little?”

Abby slid her hand onto Flann’s back, tracing the edge of muscle running from her shoulder down her spine, hungry for the touch of her solid, sexy body. She pressed into her just a little, not caring they were standing in the middle of the drive. “I’m still waiting for the wild part.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Abby was about to invite her to get as wild as she wanted when Harper yelled down, “Hey, Flann, you gonna work today or what?”

Flann sighed. “You’re not going anywhere, are you?”

“No,” Abby said, meaning it. “I’m second call, so as long as it stays quiet, I’ll be here.”

“Good. I’ll find you.” Flann turned as if to go, turned quickly back, and kissed her. “I’m feeling a lot more than a little wild.”

Abby laughed and gave her a push. “Don’t be thinking about anything except what you’re doing out there.”

“Promise.”

“Thank you.” Abby grabbed her hand. “Would you keep an eye on Blake for me?”

“Of course. You never have to worry about that.” Flann ran a finger along the angle of Abby’s jaw.

“I want to kiss you but if I do, I’ll never get to work.”

“Go,” Abby said, already so aroused she ached. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

Flann jogged away and Abby slowly followed, giving her body a chance to calm down while enjoying the view of Flann from the back. She had a great ass. Finally she rounded the corner to the back porch, which, along with the kitchen, she’d quickly come to realize was the center of all activity.