Grumpy Doctor’s Holiday Twins (Forbidden Doctors #17)

10. Ethan

10

ETHAN

W hen the caller ID on the phone displayed the number of Patty from Doctors Without Borders, I answered right away. After the interview process, I had been waiting on a call and I hoped this would be the one. I would always have my status of pediatrician with the team, but my hope of being promoted was my driving factor lately. It meant a little less interaction with patients one on one but would allow me to travel to more destinations every year, overseeing more facilities and programs to reach more children.

"Dr. Sinclair, I hope you're doing well." Patty, the chairman of the board, often did very little traveling. The board members had very static lives, and most of them held other positions at hospitals or medical facilities and colleges around the world. Patty just happened to be an American.

"Hi, Dr. Kinstle, what can I do for you?" My polite, even keel was for her benefit. If I were being honest with myself and her, I'd have come straight out and asked if I got the position.

"I called to discuss the interview process with you and let you know what the team decided. Is now a good time?" I had informed the board and my immediate supervisor of the staffing issue here in Mistletoe Springs and how my former boss needed my help. They knew I was holding a position during my leave of absence, and no doubt, they had called to talk with John about my performance here.

"Now is a great time." I tried not to sound too eager as I found a quiet room to duck into for the call. I had been on rounds, seeing patients and following up with staff, when I got the call. The family waiting room at the end of the hall was about as quiet as it got this time of day. There were a few parents seated at the far end of the room watching the morning news, so I perched on a chair at the other end.

"Great, I'm glad to hear it. We've been through several rounds of interviews with a few different candidates. Every one of you has great potential, but we've made our decision." My heart almost started to feel discouraged for a second, but I took a deep breath and waited for her to deliver the news, anyway. "Dr. Sinclair, we are happy to offer you the position of department chair if you are still happy to accept it."

I couldn't help the stupid grin that spread across my face. From the first day I heard about the organization, I knew it was something I had to do in life. Here in the US, there were so many talented doctors and nurses, and we had such advanced medical care, it was rare for a child to suffer from something that was treatable. But children in third-world countries didn't have that same access, and that became my motivation, to get to a place where I could do the most good for those who needed it most.

This job was a dream come true, and I was most honored to be given the opportunity. "I am absolutely thrilled to accept the position." I took a breath and let the news sink in for a second as she explained in detail how I'd fly out of New York on New Year's Day and spend a week in Copenhagen before traveling to Africa. It was a similar plan to the one I had previously but afforded me more time before I departed the States. I could spend a week in the Big Apple beforehand to avoid as much holiday nonsense as possible.

I thanked her profusely, reminding her that I was still obligated to Mistletoe Springs until Christmas Day, when my promise to John ran out, even if he didn't have a full-time director. She dismissed me with gratitude and the hope to meet in Europe after the first of the year.

With the good news filling my sails with wind, I put my phone in my lab coat pocket and headed out for John's office. He was the first person I thought of because he was the one who would feel the pressure when I left this town for good. He had mentioned having a few good choices, and I wondered if he was any closer to picking one. It was Black Friday, so I didn't suppose he'd made any definite choice yet, but I was curious, anyway.

John's secretary told me to check the doctor's lounge, which didn't make sense. He had his own spacious office and the C-level executives had their own lounge. The only reason John would have to use the doctor's lounge was if he was looking to spend time with someone who wasn't allowed in the executive lounge, which meant he was probably entertaining Melody.

I sighed and thanked her, then headed in that direction. Melody or not, I felt I should speak with John right away to make sure he knew my time here would definitely be ending on Christmas day as planned, though I'd still be spending as much time as possible on campus. I could've had the day off today, given that it was Black Friday and the biggest shopping day of the year, but the crowds irritated me and so did the carolers with their happy Christmas songs and colorful outfits.

When I walked into the lounge, I saw that my assumption was correct. John had one of the twins perched on his hip, tickling them, and Melody stood with her back to the door. The other twin, Holly if I remembered correctly, was draped over her shoulder, almost sleeping. That child slept a lot, and if it were my place to offer advice to Melody, I'd have told her to get that checked out. She was small for her age too, which could indicate a few different issues. However, I wasn't the child's doctor, nor was I even a friend anymore. I burned that bridge the other day when I made it clear to Melody that nothing would ever happen between us. It would be a mistake.

"Oh, hey, Ethan." John smiled at me, and Melody turned to look over her shoulder. The boy on John's hip tried tickling his neck, and the goofiness continued.

I accepted John's greeting as an invitation into the conversation and walked into the room that was otherwise empty. Dr. Lucas Hart stood with Melody and her family, happily playing along with John.

"Just wanted to catch you about a few things," I told John, but he was distracted. Melody had come in for a reason. Like a lot of the primary staff, she had the day off for Christmas festivities. Those who volunteered to work were being paid double for their sacrifice of missing out on shopping today, but patients never stopped getting sick. It was why I was here and not vegging out at home instead.

"I was just telling John I need the card…" Melody raised her eyebrows as she pulled John's attention away from his nephew's giggles back to the reason for her visit here. Why she needed any card from him was a mystery to me, but obviously, he understood. He whipped out his wallet and handed it to her, and I watched her take the hospital credit card out of it.

"You sure you don't want to go? I could use some help." Melody handed him back the wallet and he slid it into his pocket, and now I was really curious. I had offered to provide everything she needed, and in fact pay her, for anything related to the hospital decorating, which was the only reason I knew of that she'd need the credit card.

"I'm sure. I have a few meetings this afternoon, but maybe Ethan will go? He's nonessential today." John raised his eyebrows at me, and I had no clue what I was even getting into. Dr. Hart looked miffed as I chimed in.

"Go where? I do have a few things to get done, and I need to talk to you, John." My "things to get done" were menial tasks I could do any time, and spending time with Melody seemed a dangerous choice. I had too many unresolved feelings about her. It was obvious last night when she was crying and I kissed her. I was a weak man when it came to that buxom beauty.

"I need to pick the trees and wreaths for the children's wing. Probably not up your alley," she said, and I felt the sting of her words. Had she not said it with that tone, I might have actually considered it for a second, but the comment was an insult and I bit back a snarky reply.

"Oh, I'd love to go. I'm free all afternoon. I’m done with rounds." Dr. Hart even reached for the boy on John's hip, whose name was nagging at me, but I couldn’t remember. All I remembered was how the little stinker threw his cup on me and soiled my pants.

I was usually very good with children. Being a pediatrician, it sort of came with the territory. But when it came to Melody's kids, I found myself stiff and reserved. I didn't know if it was because I couldn’t stand the thought of her with another man or if I just felt the need to protect my heart.

It should have been a clue for me when I felt instantly jealous that Hart spoke up and volunteered to go. It made me want to change my mind and talk the fool down. But again, I bit my tongue and her smile grew brighter as the boy clung to this new man with joy. He hated me at dinner, but he liked the new doctor. It irked me.

"Great, then it's a date." Melody smiled and kissed her daughter, who rubbed her eyes and mumbled something about being “sweepy”.

"Oh, I think we should take the kids too. They're so much fun, and how amazing will it be for them to make a memory of a Christmas tree farm?" Dr. Hart was way too enthusiastic, and Melody snickered at his joy. I hated it. They were perfect for each other.

When Melody shifted Holly to her other shoulder, I noticed her pale little face and how much she looked like her mother and stopped myself from being angry. These children needed someone exactly like Lucas Hart in their life. He was supportive and happy and seemed to genuinely enjoy being with them, while I knew I'd always be the Grinch who didn't quite like living in this town. Even if it would have worked out between Melody and me, I didn't deserve the blessing of children. Besides, I'd be leaving town soon and my going to that tree farm with her would only make me feel more attached. It was good what she did, leaving town and ghosting me. It allowed me to pursue my future, a future that wasn't just a dream now, but a reality.

"Okay, guys! Let's go pick Christmas trees!" Melody crooned, and her little boy cheered.

Holly grunted and said, "My belly hurts," which made Melody sigh and purse her lips, but she pecked John on the cheek and walked toward the door.

Dr. Hart followed her out but as he passed he muttered, "She looks like you, always grumpy."

John must've heard him too, because when I looked up at him, he had a dark scowl. We both watched her walk away with her children and held a companionable silence. I didn't know what was going through his mind, but mine was irritatingly annoyed that I wasn't the perfect, happy man she was walking off with. I still had feelings for her that I wanted to torch, but I couldn't. She had my heart even if I didn't want her to. It was time to put distance between me and this town again and this time, never look back.