Shadows of Recovery (Everhart Family #3)

Chapter 32

Thirty-Two

I t had been two weeks since Kay was fired. Despite the generous severance package she received, she found herself in a difficult financial situation. She applied to hospitals and private practices, but no one wanted to hire a physician who had been fired by the Blackwell Institute. Tristan's reputation was impeccable, and if he fired someone, they must have been bad. The stigma followed her everywhere she went.

Desperation led her to consider options she would have previously dismissed. One name kept resurfacing in her mind: Nathan Whitlock. She knew the Eldon Sect, living on tribal land at Eldon Falls, needed a physician for their five hundred residents plus the seven hundred and fifty tribal members. Despite the alarming news reports about the sect and her knowledge of Damon Whitlock's involvement in Sophie's trauma, Kay's need for a paycheck outweighed her concerns. Sophie Everhart had, in Kay's mind, ruined her chances of rekindling her relationship with Tristan, so she felt no sympathy toward her.

Swallowing her pride and ignoring her apprehensions, Kay made her way to Eldon Falls. The journey was long and the landscape increasingly remote and foreboding as she neared the sect's territory. When she arrived, she was greeted by an imposing gate and a stern-looking guard. After a brief conversation and inspection, she was allowed to pass.

Nathan Whitlock's office was located in a large, rustic building that seemed at odds with the austere surroundings. A chill ran down her spine as she walked through the dark hallways, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the potential paycheck.

Nathan greeted her in his office, a spacious room with a large wooden desk and several bookshelves lined with old tomes and documents. He was a tall man with an air of authority that was both intimidating and compelling.

"Dr. Kay," he said, extending his hand. "Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Whitlock." Kay shook his hand firmly and forced a polite smile, determined to make a good impression.

"Please, have a seat." Nathan motioned to a chair opposite his desk. "I understand you're looking for a position as a physician. We are in need of medical staff for our community. Our previous physician has grown too old to take care of patients."

Kay nodded, sitting down and trying to exude confidence. "Yes, I have extensive experience in both psychiatry and general medicine. I'm sure I can be of help to your community."

Nathan leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. "I must say, I was surprised to hear that someone with your qualifications was available. The Blackwell Institute has a reputation for excellence."

Kay's stomach tightened, but she maintained her composure. "There were some misunderstandings, and, unfortunately, I had to leave. I'm looking for a fresh start, and I'm willing to dedicate myself fully to the position."

Nathan nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Well, we are willing to offer you a generous salary and full accommodations here at Eldon Falls. Your duties will include general medical care, emergency response, and overseeing the health of our residents and the tribal residents. It's a demanding job, but it comes with substantial rewards."

Kay felt a surge of relief and excitement. This was exactly what she needed. "Thank you, Mr. Whitlock. I appreciate the opportunity. When would you like me to start?"

Nathan smiled, but there was something cold and calculating in his eyes. "Welcome to Eldon Falls, Dr. Kay. We'll make the necessary arrangements immediately."

As she left Nathan's office, Kay couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. But she pushed it aside, focusing on the substantial paycheck and the stability it promised. This was a new beginning, and she would do whatever it took to succeed.

As Kay left Nathan's office, she was stopped by a man who bore a striking resemblance to Nathan. His presence was commanding, and his eyes were as sharp and calculating as Nathan's.

"Hold up," he called out, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "Welcome, Dr. Kay. I'm Eli Whitlock. Let me show you to your new home and clinic."

Eli approached her, placing a possessive hand on her arm. The touch was firm, bordering on uncomfortable. "I will have some of our men accompany you to where you currently live to do the heavy lifting, and the women will help you pack. We will get you moved in by tonight."

Kay forced a smile, trying to hide her unease. "Thank you, Eli. I appreciate the help."

Eli led her down a set of corridors, his grip on her arm never loosening. As they walked, he spoke about the community and the important role she would play in maintaining the health and well-being of the residents. His tone was warm, but there was an underlying current of control that made Kay's skin crawl. “One more thing, Dr. Kay. We are aware that Dr. Blackwell has filed a complaint with the state licensing board. It appears your misunderstanding was more than that.”

Kay shook. She realized she was trapped. “It was a disagreement about how to treat a patient,” she stammered.

“Sophie Everhart, possibly?” Eli asked.

“How did you know that?” Her eyes widened. The only reason she didn’t run was the money and Eli’s possessive grip.

“It was in the complaint. Tell me, how is nice Dr. Everhart doing? She saved our father.”

Kay frowned. She knew she was breaking HIPAA. “She’s very emotionally ill, and, physically, she’s still healing.”

“Does she remember how she was harmed?” Eli asked.

“Yes—in pieces,” Kay admitted and then wanted to take it back.

“And she’s at the Blackwell Institute?”

She looked at Eli carefully. “Yes.”

They exited the building and walked toward a cluster of cottages nestled near the edge of the compound. The homes were modest but well-maintained, surrounded by lush greenery that contrasted with the austere surroundings of the Eldon Sect.

"This will be your new home." Eli opened the door to one of the cottages. Inside, the space was sparsely furnished but clean and functional. "The clinic is just a short walk away. You'll find everything you need there."

Kay nodded, trying to steady her nerves. "It's lovely. Thank you."

Eli released her arm and turned to face her, his expression softening slightly. "We want you to feel welcome here, Dr. Kay. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We take care of our own."

Before she could respond, a group of men and women approached the cottage. Eli introduced them, explaining that they would accompany her to the residential hotel she was staying at since she was forced to leave the Blackwell Institute and pack the little she had there. They would also empty the storage unit she rented to keep her belongings.

At her rented locations and her new home, the men immediately set to work, their strength and efficiency impressive. The women, on the other hand, moved with a quiet grace, their eyes downcast as they followed Eli's instructions.

Kay felt a contradictory mix of relief and trepidation as she watched the scene unfold. Everything was happening so quickly, the sense of control she had always prized slipping away. But she reminded herself that this was a fresh start, a chance to rebuild her career and her life.

As the day wore on, the men unloaded her belongings from the trucks while the women carefully unpacked her personal items. Eli remained close by, overseeing the process and ensuring everything was done to his exacting standards. Despite his polite demeanor, Kay couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and evaluated.

By the time night fell, Kay was settled into her new home. The cottage was quiet and peaceful, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of the past few weeks. She arranged her belongings to create a sense of familiarity in the unfamiliar space.

Exhausted but determined, Kay sat down on the edge of her bed, trying to process the day's events. She thought about Tristan, the Blackwell Institute, and Sophie. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of anger, regret, and a desperate desire to prove herself.

A knock on the door startled her. She opened it to find Eli standing there, a faint smile on his lips. "Just checking to see if you need anything," he asked. "Settling in alright?"

Kay nodded, her voice steady. "Yes, thank you. I'm just getting used to everything."

Eli's smile widened. "Good. Remember, we're here to support you. If you need anything, just let us know."

With that, he turned and left, leaving Kay alone in her new home. She closed the door, leaning against it as a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Tomorrow would be a new day, and she had to be ready to face it. As she lay down to sleep, she thought about the Eldon Sect and the role she had agreed to play in their community.

* * *

At sunrise, a knock on the door jolted Kay from her sleep. She groggily wrapped a robe around herself and shuffled to the door. Opening it, she was greeted by an elderly woman who appeared to be in her seventies, accompanied by six younger women in their late twenties or early thirties.

The older woman smiled warmly and stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, the others following suit. Each woman carried a basket or a casserole dish, filling the small cottage with the aroma of home-cooked food.

"Good morning, dear," the elderly woman said. "I'm Noreen, Trace Whitlock's wife. We've come to welcome you properly."

The younger women introduced themselves one by one. "I'm Belinda, married to Eli," said the first. "Rebecca, Nathan's wife," said the second. "I'm Anna, married to John," said the third. "Hannah, Caleb's wife," said the fourth. "Lydia, David's wife," said the fifth.

The last to speak was a very pregnant woman who smiled warmly. "I'm Emma, and my husband is Damon."

Kay's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Damon's name. The memories of Sophie's trauma surged back, and she struggled to keep her composure. She forced a smile and nodded, trying to hide her discomfort.

"We've brought some food to welcome you." Noreen set down her basket on the small kitchen table. "We thought you'd appreciate a warm meal."

"Thank you, that's very kind of you," Kay replied, her voice tight with unease.

As they bustled around the small cottage, setting out the food and chatting amicably, Kay's mind raced. She hadn't delivered a baby since her residency, and the thought of Emma's impending labor filled her with anxiety. She needed to brush up on her obstetrics skills, and quickly. She made a mental note to talk to Nathan about getting access to the internet.

The women each took turns telling her a little about themselves and their families. Belinda talked about Eli's responsibilities, while Rebecca mentioned Nathan's leadership role in the community. Anna and Hannah shared stories about their children, and Lydia spoke about the close-knit nature of their families.

Emma, sitting with a hand on her swollen belly, spoke softly, "Damon and I are expecting our third child soon. It's a blessing, but also a lot of work."

Kay nodded, trying to focus on the conversation despite her growing sense of worry. The more she heard, the more she felt like a fish out of water. This community, with its insular ways and close connections, was so different from anything she had experienced before.

Noreen noticed her discomfort and placed a gentle hand on her arm. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it? But don't worry, dear. You'll find your place here."

Kay forced a smile. "Thank you, Noreen. It's just a bit overwhelming."

"That's understandable," Noreen said kindly. "But we're here to support you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

As the women continued to chat and share stories, Kay felt a mix of gratitude and apprehension. This was her new life now, and she had to find a way to navigate it. But the presence of Damon Whitlock loomed over her thoughts, a constant reminder of the trauma that had brought her here.

When the women finally left, Kay stood in the quiet cottage, the warmth of their visit lingering in the air. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. She had made her choice, and now she had to live with it. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head, and that the challenges ahead would test her in ways she hadn't yet imagined.

Determined to prove herself and find her footing, Kay decided to visit Nathan as soon as possible. She needed to discuss her role, her resources, and, most importantly, her access to medical information. She was going to make this work.