In the Doctor's Arms

by Carol Ross

  “No, you’re not.” The idea that she believed that seemed absurd.

  She let out a laugh. “Yes, I am. I’m good at hiding it. But it’s fine. I don’t care. Nobody has ever asked me to play basketball in DC.”

  Flynn chuckled. James family basketball tournaments were renowned. He loved her for trying to make light of it. She did that all the time, he could see it so easily now, how she avoided her pain with humor.

  “And I know it probably sounds strange because most people want to have kids so they can give them a better life than they had. But what happens when circumstances are beyond your control? What if your child has health problems or other issues and you can’t help them? I’m not sure I could manage it.”

  Flynn reached across the table and enfolded her hand in his. “Iris, I—”

  “Hey, guys! It’s been a while!” Faith called to them from across the cafeteria. She marched to their table, her stylish heels clicking smartly on the tile floor. “Look at you two all snuggled up. What a party last night! You almost caught that bouquet, Iris. Are we going to be hearing wedding bells from you guys next?”

  Iris’s smile looked frozen in place. His guess was that she hadn’t thought about the repercussions of their show last night. Flynn had. That’s what had given him the idea to tell Sonya they were involved. He was hoping to transition their performance into reality.

  “But she didn’t catch it, Faith. So that probably gives us a little time.” Flynn added a wink.

  “Ha. True! Is Hazel seeing anyone?”

  “Not that I know of,” Iris said, seeming to shake out of it. “Her job keeps her on the go most of the time.”

  “She’s so adventurous! I follow her blog. It’s so fun to live through her journeys with her. Although, I can’t imagine living in a tent like she does for weeks at a time...”

  Small talk ensued for a few minutes until Faith finally checked her watch. “Yikes, I gotta run. My sister is having some tests and she should be done soon. I’m driving her home. Good seeing you guys.” She waved goodbye and sauntered off.

  Iris turned an approving smile on him. “You’re good at this.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Pretending.”

  “Thank you, but it’s not that difficult.” He watched her expression cloud over, but this time he wasn’t going to let her get away with it. They were going to talk about that kiss and what it could mean for them.

  He decided to wade into it. “What’d you think about last night?”

  “Last night was a blast. I had a great time, thanks to you. Thank you again for sticking close and being my boyfriend. It gave me the confidence to get through the night and I’ll never forget it. I wish I could repay you somehow.”

  “You just did.”

  “Oh, that’s not nearly the same and you know it. Although—” waving a hand in the direction Faith had gone, she added “—I just realized that the whole town is probably gossiping about us right now. Why didn’t I think about this sooner?”

  “Does it bother you?”

  “No.”

  “Me, either.”

  “Especially since you’re the one who’s going to have to deal with all the questions when I’m gone. Which is what I want to talk to you about. I have good news.”

  Flynn felt the flame of confidence that had fired to life last night and burned steady all day begin to flicker.

  “Remember the think tank I told you about right after I got here? The one that I’ve dreamed of working for and applied to but never heard back—”

  “The Frieze Group,” he interrupted.

  “Yes.” She grinned. “I’m surprised you remember.”

  “Iris,” Flynn said a little too sharply, “how many times do I have to tell you that I remember everything where you’re concerned?” If she noticed the edge to his tone, she didn’t react. In fact, her smile was brighter than he’d ever seen it. He felt his flame dim a little more.

  “They called this morning and I’m flying to Washington, DC.”

  That’s why she was leaving for Anchorage this afternoon. “For an interview?”

  “Yeah. But it’s more like an introduction. Sebastien pretty much offered me the job.”

  “Sebastien?”

  “Dr. Frieze, the head of the company.”

  “I see.” The extent of his denial shook him hard. Disappointment followed, working into him and trying to smother his optimism. Was it possible that their kiss hadn’t meant as much to her?

  Get it together, Flynn. She’s sitting right here in front of you, beaming with happiness. Right now, you need to be happy for her. Dig up some joy.

  So he did. Pushing to his feet, Flynn took her other hand and urged her to stand. He enfolded her in his arms and held her close. This wasn’t over, he told himself, it couldn’t be. He wouldn’t give up until he knew for sure.

  “Congratulations,” he whispered against her silky soft, lilac-scented hair.

  “Thank you. I’m nervous, but in a good way.”

  “Iris, you have nothing to worry about. They’re going to love you.” And that was precisely the problem.

  CHAPTER TEN

  HOW INCONVENIENT THAT Iris would think about Jasper Lake’s cool breezes at this moment. Because thoughts of Jasper Lake led to thoughts of Alaska, which inevitably led to Flynn. And she couldn’t think about Flynn right now.

  Still, she couldn’t remember the nation’s capital being quite so hot last July. Or the streets being quite so crowded. Then again, she reminded herself as she detoured around a throng of tourists blocking the entire sidewalk in front of a white marble statue commemorating someone undoubtedly superimportant, she’d barely stepped outside the previous summer. Between teaching a summer undergrad course, working on a research project and her part-time job at a busy CPA firm, she hadn’t had time to notice the weather, much less ponder it.

  Opening the door of Bennett’s Fine Seafood & Spirits, she was blasted with cool air, which immediately racked her with a shiver. Shivering was her normal state in an Alaskan winter. Flynn claimed he didn’t mind winter. Okay, she really, really needed to stop this.

  It was that kiss. Her lips tingled even now just thinking about it. And, yes, she’d sensed a bit of disappointment when she’d told him about the job, but they were friends. They’d spent a lot of time together lately. Surely, he would miss her, too.

  “Iris?” A tall man in a perfectly cut suit strode toward her. She recognized Dr. Sebastien Frieze from the photos she’d seen online, but he was even more attractive in person. Lean and fit with a keen, very dark brown-eyed gaze and a crooked smile that made him appear both friendly and enigmatic.

  “Yes, hi, Dr. Frieze. It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “Sebastien, please.” He held out a hand. It was cute the way a lock of his silky black, stylishly too-long hair slid across his brow. Iris knew the genius economist was only twenty-nine, but he appeared even younger.

  “I’m sorry, old-school manners.”

  He chuckled. “Totally understand. My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Vanderfleet, is a friend of my grandmother’s. They’ve been close since before I was born, but still, she’s Mrs. Vanderfleet.”

  “Mrs. Patterson, my third-grade teacher, is a friend of my mom’s and my brother’s neighbor.”

  They laughed together.

  “So, we already have a table. This way.” He stepped back to allow her to go first and directed her. “Straight back, take a left through the archway.”

  The table overlooked the Potomac River. They ordered drinks and chatted. He asked about her trip. Iris asked about his cats. Somehow that transitioned into her education and work history, and Iris had to admire his strategy. He had a nice way of conducting an interview without making her feel interrogated. She felt confident and comfortable and couldn’t imagine it going any better.


  Sebastien picked up his menu. “I hope you like seafood. But their pasta dishes are amazing, too. What am I saying? Of course you like seafood. You grew up in Alaska, right?”

  “Yes, I did, surrounded by seafood my entire life,” she joked, expertly evading his mistaken assumption that because she was from Alaska she must love seafood. It was fine if it was well-prepared, but she didn’t get the obsession. “My dad and my brother Seth are both professional fishermen.”

  “Seriously? Fishing in Alaska is at the top of my bucket list.”

  Iris resisted rolling her eyes. The “Alaska bug,” as she secretly referred to the popular obsession with the wilds of her home state, knew no bounds. She didn’t get it, but that didn’t mean she was above using her Alaska connections to impress her new boss.

  “You’re in luck, then. My cousin owns a wildlife guide and outfitter service. He offers some of the best sport fishing in the entire state. I could hook you up. Oops, sorry, bad pun.”

  Sebastien grinned. “Really? What’s his name? And I can’t wait to tell my assistant, Kai, that we have another employee who likes bad puns. I think it’s a sign of intelligence myself.” He added a wink.

  “Yep. His name is Bering James and he’s one of the best at what he does. He’s very well-known and respected in the field. Tons of corporate clients. I’ll send you a link to his website.” Iris pulled it up on her phone and sent the information to him. “Reservations will probably show that he’s full for the summer, but don’t let that discourage you. He always keeps a few spots open for family and friends.”

  The waiter appeared. Iris ordered the pasta special, Sebastien the seafood platter.

  “So, as I alluded to on the phone, I’d like to formally offer you a position at The Frieze Group.”

  A mix of satisfaction and joy rolled through her in a gratifying wave. Years of studying and hard work were finally paying off. She did her best to stay in the moment as Sebastien quoted a salary that made her want to weep. Calculating the cost of living in DC paired with her frugality, she could have her school loans paid off in three years. This was it. Dreams coming true at table nine! She wanted to stand up and shout.

  The waiter arrived with their meals. Hers was delicious. Sebastien explained that if she chose to accept the position, he’d like her to start in October if possible, the exact date to be decided upon later.

  “I’m sure you’ll need to give notice where you’re working now. We’re moving into a new suite of offices next week. Then we have our annual staff getaway in August. I’m taking the week after that off as well, possibly two, depending on how things work out.

  “Any chance you’d like to join us for our retreat and get to know me and some of your coworkers? We usually rent a vacation home in the Hamptons or Nantucket or somewhere equally as fabulous. This year it’s the Outer Banks.”

  “That sounds lovely.” And it did. She loved the beach. It was one of the few outdoor environments where she didn’t have to stress about so many mosquitoes. Iris could almost feel the sand between her toes. “Mark me in the yes column.”

  “Cool. Are you up for dessert or coffee, or both?”

  Incredible how comfortable she felt with this guy already. Iris eyed him carefully. “Honestly? I’d like to order the crème brûlée. But not if this is going to be one of those uncomfortable moments where I say yes to dessert, but you decline, and then we sit here awkwardly while you watch me eat dessert.”

  The waiter appeared. “Crème brûlée for you today, Dr. Frieze?”

  Iris went wide-eyed. Sebastien tipped his head, and then they both burst out laughing. He said, “Yes, thank you, David. Looks like we’ll both have my usual. And coffee for me. Iris?”

  “Yes, to coffee also.” Iris excused herself to use the restroom, but really she wanted to text Hazel.

  Sebastien was holding his phone when she returned to the table. “Wow, Iris, I’m blown away here. I’m looking at your cousin’s website right now.”

  “Yeah? He’s kind of a big deal. My brother Tag owns Copper Crossing Air Transport, which is mentioned on the site. He handles most of Bering’s flights. My whole family is very adventurous and loves the outdoors.”

  “I have the best idea.” Sebastien sat back in his chair, enthusiastic expression confirming the notion. “We could take our retreat in Alaska this year. Do you think... Is there any way that would even be remotely possible?”

  Oh. No. No, no, no... A cramp began to form somewhere in her midsection. “Sure, probably. I can call Bering.”

  “That would be amazing,” Sebastien said and then quoted from the site, “‘Backpacking, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography excursions...remote cabins...’ Wow, look at the size of that moose rack!

  “The fishing...” He looked up and Iris could see the longing in his expression. “I’ve dreamed of fly-fishing for grayling practically my entire life. But it looks like there’s just killer fly-fishing all the way around. Everyone will be so stoked. We’ve talked about doing something like this for the last few years. Almost everyone, that is. All the, uh, not-as-adventurous folk among us can still go lie around the Outer Banks, but the rest of us—we know where the good stuff is, right?” He winked. “Alaska.”

  “You got that right!” she said with way too much fake enthusiasm. It was like they were suddenly filming a promo spot for the tourism bureau that Emily headed up. Cue the wildlife footage!

  “And this is extra fabulous, because you can be our tour guide.”

  Tour guide? Perfect, she’d just bragged herself right out of a vacation to the Outer Banks and into more time in Alaska. A pasta-encrusted ball of regret cemented inside her gut.

  “Oh, well, Bering has professionals for that. I would just be...” How to describe herself here? A fish out of water seemed apt.

  “Our boots on the ground,” Sebastien said, finishing for her. “How fun to have insider information, to see the place you know and love so well from your eyes. Isn’t this the coolest thing?”

  “So cool,” Iris responded. Heaven help me, she thought, what have I done?

  * * *

  SETH’S WILD BOUT of laughter propelled him backward against the sofa. “You, Iris James, my Alaska-eschewing sister, are going to show your new boss and your coworkers the outdoor wonders of southeast Alaska?”

  “Seth!” Hazel barked. “Not helpful.”

  Iris had very efficiently used her time on the long trip back to Rankins to work herself into a state of panic. After a day and a half of travel, she was an anxiety-ridden mess. That might explain why she’d walked into her parents’ house, where Hazel was helping Seth tie some fishing flies, taken one look at her siblings’ pride-filled smiles and blurted out her predicament.

  Iris’s eyes filled with tears that she was too exhausted to fight. “No, he’s right. This is my new boss, at the job I’ve dreamed about for basically my entire life. I have to work with these people. I’m supposed to be smart and they’re going to think I’m an idiot.” She swiped at her cheek.

  Seth pushed to his feet and hurried to her. Massive arms smothered her with a brotherly hug before he took her by the shoulders, leaned back and said, “Shoot, Trippa, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But surely you can see the irony here?”

  “I can, of course. It’s like Mother Nature is getting back at me for dissing her all these years.”

  “Um,” Hazel said, “I’ve spent quite a bit of time in nature and am quite sure that’s not how it works.”

  Voice edged with panic, Iris released her brother and let her hands fall to her sides. “Sebastien can’t wait to go fishing with me. Me, fishing? I haven’t held a fishing pole in my hands since we were fourteen. You guys remember what happened, right?”

  Seth snorted with the unsuccessful attempt to hold in another laugh. He looped an arm over her shoulders and drew her close again. “It wo
uld have been a beautiful cast if you’d managed to hang on to the pole.”

  Even Hazel snickered a little at the memory.

  “Dad tried so hard not to be disappointed, but I knew. Or how about when the entire family took that Mother’s Day canoe trip on the Opal River and I tipped over my canoe? I’m sorry again, Hazel, that I got you wet.”

  “She was fine,” Seth replied, lips trembling. “She’s an excellent swimmer. But did it have to be the canoe with our lunches in it? Remember the time we went clam digging and I was determined that you were going to get your limit and—”

  “And I lost my rubber boot in the surf? How could I forget?” Iris let out a groan. “See? This is hopeless. I am hopeless when it comes to this stuff and you guys know it. And Sebastien will see me for the fraud that I am. I’ll be humiliated and then how can I work there?”

  Seth was frowning. “Iris, don’t get upset with me. But I don’t understand why this matters so much. Why didn’t you just tell him that you don’t do this stuff?”

  Why, indeed. “It’s hard to explain. It just sort of happened. It was an interview and I was trying to impress him. Sebastien was talking about how fishing in Alaska is on his bucket list and I bragged about you and dad and your fishing. And Bering—”

  One side of Seth’s mouth pulled up into a grin. “You bragged about me?”

  “You’re the best fisherman in the state, possibly the world, aren’t you? You’ve told me that like a billion times, anyway. Sebastien was all, ‘Oh, tell me about your brother... What does he like to fish for? Where does he fish? Does he tie his own flies?’”

  “What did you say?”

  “Um, I said you’ve been the best fisherman in our family since you were a kid, that you had spent every free minute fishing for something or practicing your casting. I told him you like to fish everywhere and for everything, but that steelhead are your favorite and you love to fly-fish, too. I also told him you’re an expert at tying flies.”