Beating Heart: A Small Town, Single Dad Romance (Magnolia Falls Series Book 4)

I’d experienced pushback from parents during residency.

Being a woman.

Being young.

If I had a nickel for every time I was asked if I was a real doctor, I’d be a very wealthy woman.

But this guy—he was a close-minded prick.

He’d judged me before I even spoke.

I understood being worried about his son, but he didn’t need to be an asshole to me. I was here to help.

I’d come here to Magnolia Falls—the last place on the planet I’d expected to be.

But you know what they say… when life gives you lemons, pack up your shit and get the hell out of town.

Maybe I’ll make that the new saying.

I let out a long breath and stared down at Cutler’s file. “I suggest that we start by putting together an asthma action plan. I’m assuming you had one of sorts with Doc Dolby because you knew what to do when Cutler had that asthma attack after his baseball game. But this would be far more specific.”

“All right. What would that entail?”

It’s progress. At least he isn’t growling at me anymore.

“I’d like to get you a peak flow meter, which will let us know how well the lungs are working. This is a handheld device that you can use before you notice symptoms. It’s a helpful tool to know when to adjust the treatment, or it can give us a heads-up if a flare-up might be coming.”

He nodded. And his lips twitched, which I guessed was the closest I’d get to a smile from this grump of a man. “I can do that. We’d use it daily?”

“Yes. I think it will help with peace of mind, as well, because you’ll know how his lungs are doing each day.”

He cleared his throat and started to speak but stopped himself.

“What is it?” I pressed.

He shrugged. “I’m fucking nervous that this is going to happen when I’m not there. That it’ll happen at summer camp or at school, and the teachers and counselors won’t know what to do.”

“I get it. You have every reason to feel that way. So, we come up with an asthma action plan, and everyone in Cutler’s life will be aware of what that entails. Everyone needs to know what to do if this happens again.”

“Okay. I can get on board with that.”

It was the first time I’d noticed his steely gray eyes. His chiseled jaw was peppered in day-old scruff, and his dark hair was shorter on the sides and longer on top. The man looked like he’d just stepped off the set of a magazine photo shoot with his effortless good looks and broody demeanor.

I’m sure women drooled over his presence, but lucky for me, men were not on my radar. I’d officially sworn off all men two months ago—and even the hottest man on the planet wouldn’t get a reaction from me right now.

“We have a lot of different options for medications. I know you have an inhaler now, but Doc Dolby and I discussed running a few tests and then deciding where to go from there. There are other meds that we could try, and I’d be happy to go over those with you now.”

He let out a long breath and sighed. “All right.”

“I want to make sure you know that I will do everything in my power to provide the best care for your son. I may not be from Magnolia Falls, but I promise you, I’m here to help.”

At least for the next six months, which is the contract that I’ve accepted.

I’d needed to get away to somewhere I could think and figure out what I wanted to do with my life moving forward.

After all that had happened, I’d never been more lost.

And somehow, I ended up here.

We spent the next thirty minutes discussing different options such as inhaled corticosteroids he’d already been using and combination inhalers that would offer two types of medications at the same time, as well as filling him in about biologics, which are shots that target certain parts of the immune system.

He listened, and we agreed the best plan would be to start slowly and change the inhaler Cutler was currently using now with a stronger medication before we try a different option. He agreed, and I saw the fear and exhaustion there, and I actually felt bad for the guy.

At least for the moment.

Doc Dolby walked back into the room with Cutler, who happened to be one of the cutest kids I’d ever met.

“How’s it going in here?” Doc asked. He was a nice man, and when I’d met him over Zoom after I’d applied for the position, I’d warmed to him immediately.

“I got a breathing treatment, Pops,” Cutler said, walking over to stand by his father.

Nash rumpled his hair, and it was endearing.

But most endearing was the way that Nash Heart looked at his son.

You could see the love, the concern, the fierce need to protect his little boy, all in that gray gaze of his.

So, I’d give him a pass for being a bit of a dick to me, because it was coming from a place of concern.

“Great. We’re going to try a few new things, too,” Nash said.

“I wrote out the prescription for a new inhaler with a stronger medication, and you can pick up the peak flow meter at the pharmacy, as well. So we can start with these right away.” I handed him two pieces of paper.

“Well, if you have any problems with the new meds, you’re in luck. Dr. Chadwick is renting the house from Winston and Mary Hall right next door to you. She moves in this weekend. They had a holdup with getting the utilities turned on, so she’s been stuck at the Magnolia Falls Inn for now,” Doc Dolby said.

What are the chances that this guy who already didn’t like me was my new neighbor? And why the hell was Doc telling him where I was going to be living? That was none of his business. I’d shared the fiasco about my move with him this morning because I’d had to have the movers hold off on delivering all my furniture while I was holed up at the hotel in town over the weekend. But I certainly didn’t need him telling patients about it, even if he’d eventually figure out that I was his new neighbor.

“She’s moving next door to us?” The man sounded like he’d just been told a serial killer was moving in next door to him. My new neighbor clearly didn’t care for me. “That house has been empty for years, aside from a few summers when the Halls used to come down for the weekend.”

“Yeah, I spoke to them when she accepted the position, and they agreed to rent it out to her for the six months that she’s staying.”

Nash’s face hardened. “Six months? Seems tough to provide this phenomenal care you keep promising when you’ll just be passing him off to the next person in a few months.”

Who the hell does this guy think he is?

I squared my shoulders. “It’s a six-month contract. I will provide the best care I can during my time here.”

Nash pushed to his feet, surprising me, as he had to be at least six foot two inches with the way he towered over me. “You couldn’t find someone more permanent, Doc? I don’t like the idea of switching doctors every six months.”

Doc clapped him on the shoulder, and it was clear they had a close relationship. “You worry too much, Nash. Plus, I think she’s going to fall in love with Magnolia Falls and extend that contract of hers.”

Wishful thinking.

This was temporary.

I just needed some time to figure out how to rebound from the dumpster fire that was currently my life.

I cleared my throat and bent down to meet Cutler’s gaze. “It was nice to meet you, Cutler. I’d like to have you come back in a few weeks so we can see how the new inhaler is working. Would that be okay?”

“Yes. And now that we’re friends, you can call me Beefcake. That’s what all my friends call me. And if we’re going to be neighbors, we should be friends for sure. You can even be my girl.”

I chuckled at the unusual nickname and the fact that a six-year-old appeared to be hitting on me.

Hey, my self-esteem is in the shitter, so I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Cool name, Beefcake. And we can definitely be friends. How about you call me Dr. Emerson instead of Dr. Chadwick? Since we’re friends and all.” I winked before pushing back up to stand as I turned to his father and raised a brow. “And do you have a nickname that I should be calling you?”

Nash’s lips twitched in the corners before his eyes hardened again. “I don’t think you’re sticking around long enough to be using nicknames, Dr. Chadwick.”

He took his son’s hand in his and led him out the door as Cutler turned around and waved at me.

The little guy had his dark hair slicked back with a ton of gel, and his cherub cheeks were pink and adorable.

“Well, that went well,” I said, not hiding the sarcasm as I reached for the file once they made their way down the hall.

“He’s just a protective dad, but he’s one of the best men I know. I can promise you that. Nash has never cared for surprises, and I should have spoken to him first. I assumed his friends had filled him in because I’d talked to them at the hospital. But with everything that’s been going on with Cutler, I’m guessing it just didn’t come up.”

“Nothing like being neighbors with a guy who clearly can’t stand you,” I said, shaking my head as I followed him out of the room.

“He’ll be a great neighbor once he gets over the shock of me leaving.” He reached for his water bottle and took a sip. “He’s a contractor, so that’ll come in handy if you have any problems at the house once you move in. And I like the idea of you being next door if Cutler has any issues.”

I gaped at him. I certainly wouldn’t be going next door to ask the man to change my lightbulbs, and I wouldn’t expect him to knock on my door every time his son got the sniffles. He clearly noticed my surprise at the way I’d reacted to what he’d said.

“I thought you told me you grew up in Rosewood River. Aren’t you a small-town girl at heart?” he asked me.

I shrugged. “I did, and I am. But I’ve been living in San Francisco for the last decade while I attended school there and did my residency at UCSF.”

“But you know small towns, Emerson. Everyone knows everyone, and we look out for one another.”

I didn’t want anyone looking out for me. I wanted to be alone. I came here to get away. To start fresh.

“Yeah, but I don’t live here, and I’m not from here. I’m very capable of doing my own handiwork around the house.” I glanced down at my phone when it vibrated to see a text from my brother.

“I’m not surprised. You mentioned that you have a large family, right?”

“Yep. I’ve got four brothers, one being my twin, and two cousins who grew up next door to us, also boys. Let’s just say that I know my way around a toolbox and a car engine.”

“Impressive. Not only a doctor but a woman of all trades, huh?” he asked, as Petra called out to him that he had a phone call. “You can take a break while I take this call.”

“You got it.” I made my way down to my new office and sat at my desk as I pulled out my phone.

Easton

What’s up, girl? How’s the first day as a small-town doctor?

Well, the first kid I saw was adorable, but his father was not pleased to have a newbie on staff. So that was fun. <eyeroll emoji>

Easton

You know how small towns are. They need time to warm up to new people. That’s why I told you that you should have just come back home instead of picking some random town to go to.

Oh, sure, I could come home and have everyone in town talking about poor Emerson Chadwick. Being a jilted bride sucks as it is. I certainly don’t need everyone gossiping about it. At least no one knows my story here.

Easton

Need I remind you that we’re Chadwicks? We don’t give a shit what anyone thinks of us. And if anyone so much as looks at you wrong, you know you’ve got backup.

I needed to go somewhere new for a while, you know? Take some time to figure out what I want to do with my life. I’ve been so set on how my whole life would play out for so long, and now it’s just—a mess.

Easton

You’ve never been a mess, Em. You are rock fucking solid. Always have been. You just picked an asshole of a man who never fucking deserved you. And if that piece of shit shows his face in this town anytime soon, I promise, he won’t live to see another day.

That’s a bit dramatic.

I chewed on my thumbnail, fighting back the lump in my throat as I thought about all that had happened over the last two months.

Easton

What Collin fucking did to you requires all the dramatics I can muster. He better stay the fuck away. And we all feel that way, so if he knows what’s good for him, he won’t show his face for a while.

Gee. I wonder why I wanted to go somewhere new. <laughing face emoji>

Easton

Just know we’ve got your back. Always. And if you change your mind and want to get the hell out of Magnolia Falls, just say the word. We’ll get you moved back home in no time.

I signed a six-month contract, so I’m locked in for at least that long.

Easton

Hey, I know a good lawyer who’s great at getting people out of contracts. <winky face emoji>

I chuckled. My brother was an attorney, and a ruthless one at that. He may have chosen to open his practice in the small town we grew up in, but he was highly sought after and commuted to the city often for trial cases.

Love you, E.

Easton

Love you, Em. Remember, we can activate these twin powers of ours anytime, so if you need me, I’m there. You know that, right?

Yes. But I’m good. I promise. Get back to world domination and stop worrying.

Easton

<heart emoji>

I sighed and tried to push away all the thoughts that were flooding my mind when my phone vibrated again.

Unknown Number

Hey, it’s Collin. Please unblock me, Em. It’s been so long, and I miss you. I want to explain things.

I blocked this latest phone number just like I’d done to all the numbers he’d tried to reach me from since our relationship imploded.

There was nothing to explain.

But his arrogant ass thought he could talk his way out of this.

He was definitely giving himself way too much credit.