The Sky We Seek (Love and Other Dreams #2)

Chapter 25

Elina

I review the documents with Maria's blood test results sent from the lab this morning. The owner of the village shop has been under my treatment for a few weeks now. Surely, from now on, we will only need regular checkups.

"It seems like we have your diabetes well under control," I say, smiling up at her.

The old lady on the other side of the desk looks at me incredulously. "So quickly?"

"Because you've been so cooperative." I nod approvingly. It surely wasn't easy for her to make the necessary lifestyle changes, but she did it. "Of course, you can't let your guard down now," I add with an apologetic expression.

I appreciate her vehement headshake. "Absolutely not."

She's a true fighter. "Then I wish you lots of fun with your grandchildren. See you in four weeks." Perhaps , I add in my thoughts about the upcoming job interview, and suddenly, I feel a pang in my chest.

"Oh, those rascals." She waves it off with a warm smile, then stands up from her chair. "Thank you, Elina. You have something good coming your way."

I don't. I'm just glad I could help her. And when she approaches me and wraps her short arms around me, it brings me more happiness than any gift ever could. After saying our goodbyes and watching her leave the treatment room, I glance after her. As strange as the villagers initially behaved toward me, they have now welcomed me into their circle.

I like them. A lot. And the mountainous landscape is no longer as boring as it was at the beginning. The wild beauty of nature has something unique. The fresh air is liberating. However, I still miss the hustle and bustle of the city. I will attend the job interview I've been invited to. There's no other way. I can't let go of my dream. And with Noah, there will surely be a solution. Our feelings are strong. Too strong to fail because of a relocation. I know it. I feel it in every moment we spend together, even if Maya keeps reminding me that I'm giving away my heart too quickly.

Lost in thought, I walk down the hallway to the reception area, where Clara stares at the computer screen in concentration.

I lean over the counter. "Is anyone still waiting?"

Without looking at me, she shakes her head, her two braids swaying back and forth. "You're free."

Not entirely. Impatiently, I tap my fingernails on the wooden reception desk. "Tell me, have Noah's EEG results arrived today?" I sent the recording of his nocturnal brain activity for evaluation a week ago.

Suddenly, with an amused grin, she raises her eyebrows. "You mean your lover Noah?"

How on earth does she know that?

"We're in Semmtal, remember?" She bursts into laughter.

Right. Someone must have seen us at the summer toboggan run, and since there isn't much else going on here, they happily gossiped about it. But Noah and I also didn't hold back. Smirking, I straighten up and walk around the counter. "Yes, I mean my lover Noah. Did the data arrive?"

"Tell me everything," Clara breathes eagerly. Her cheeks take on the color of her hair. "How did you get together? Does he have a six-pack? And is he a good kisser?"

Oh yes, he is. "The results, Clara. Do you have them?" I reach out my hand to her demonstratively.

She glares at me but then reaches for an envelope and hands it to me. "You're a mean, mean person," she accuses.

I lean down toward her. After all, we are kindred spirits. We both crave excitement and action, much more than the remote corners of Tyrol can offer. And now I'm denying her the little thrill that's currently present. "We'll talk later. I promise."

Reluctantly grumbling, she turns back to her work. Meanwhile, I walk back to the treatment room, feeling motivated. The analysis of the EEG must provide some clues because everything else I documented directly in my notebook during the night was of little help. The same goes for the data provided by the EKG.

I sit at the desk and open the Excel file where I transferred the recorded values days ago. Frantically, I search through the brain wave measurements and combine them with the other information. But no matter how hard I try, I can't make sense of them.

"Start over, Elina." I make a new attempt and once again recite aloud the facts I know. "Blood pressure, blood oxygen, respiration, heart activity, movement, and temperature within the normal range. Hardly any fluctuations over the observation period. No sleepwalking, no teeth grinding, no restless legs." I sigh heavily and rest my head in my hands. "And the lack of REM sleep during falling asleep is probably due to my inattentiveness. All in all, I have... nothing."

Great.

"What kind of doctor are you?" I ask myself sharply.

Should I reconsider pursuing the cancer theory?

I snort dismissively and lean back in the desk chair, spinning in circles. Not that it would help me make a decision. But I have to do something, right?

Suddenly, the door opens. Helene enters the room. "Elina, there you are," she sounds less than pleased.

Did I do something wrong? "Hey, what's up?" I try to sound as casual as possible and smile at her.

My boss approaches the desk without taking a seat. "We need to talk."

So my earlier question is answered. I definitely did something wrong. I nod cautiously.

"As doctors, we have obligations," she begins, then turns away and slowly walks toward the window. "The patients come first. Always."

"Of course," I confirm although I feel like she doesn't really expect a reaction from me.

Thoughtfully, Helene gazes out at the light gray clouds that cover the sky today. "We can only treat them well if we are unbiased."

Suddenly, I can't find a comfortable sitting position anymore, and I start fidgeting in my chair.

Taking a deep breath with her back turned to me, she continues, "Even though we are in the countryside, the same rules apply as in the city." A hunch creeps up in me. She knows it. She, like the rest of the village, heard that Noah and I kissed as if we never wanted to let go of each other.

"A doctor should never get involved with a patient," she continues in a firm voice. "I never thought I would have to explain that to you. Since you started here, you have been an exemplary student. The best trainee I've ever had."

Normally, this compliment would mean everything to me. But the fact that Helene is using the past tense doesn't bode well. "My work is still the same. I can separate things," I counter because that is the truth. I would never forget what it means to be a doctor just because I am with Noah. "You must have treated family members too," I say. She must have, as this practice is the only one around for miles.

Suddenly, she whirls around. "Do yourself a favor and stay away from him." Her voice carries a coldness that now fills the entire room.

What does she mean? Will she fire me if I continue to be with him? I dare not ask her about it.

"But—"

She raises her hand, silencing me immediately. "I like you, Elina. Very much."

If that's true, then why doesn't she want me to be happy with Noah? I look at her with doubt.

"Believe me, I don't mean any harm to you. On the contrary, I'm trying to save you from making a big mistake," she says, nervously fiddling with her earrings.

Why would Noah be a mistake?

Wait a minute. This isn't about me being the doctor and Noah being the patient. This is solely about Noah being Noah. "Why do you think he will hurt me?" I ask cautiously.

For a moment, she stares at me. "Stay away from him. He's dangerous," she says with tension, and then rushes toward the door so quickly that I don't have a chance to say anything in response.

The door slams shut with a loud noise. I watch in astonishment as the nature pictures on the wall next to it tremble. My mind is spinning.

What the hell just happened? And how does she come up with the idea that Noah is dangerous? It must be a misjudgment. Because if he were, I would have noticed.

Regretfully, I turn back to the results of the sleep study. "What nonsense," I mutter, shaking my head. At the same time, I'm annoyed that I didn't have the courage to stand up to her directly just now. Even if it meant risking my standing in her eyes, I should have stood up for myself and my feelings. Shouldn't I have?