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glass doors of the emergency room. The hospital was small by modern standards, but they still saw their fair share of common medical emergencies. Walking up to the admittance desk, she smiled at the night duty nurse. “Hey, Janice, how’s that beautiful new grandbaby of yours?”
    Her weathered face split into a smile, making her look years younger. “Hi, Dr. Monroe, it’s good to see you. Stephanie’s wonderful. Do you want to see a picture?” She reached beneath the desk, taking a cell phone out of her purse.
    Maya took the phone, admiring the screensaver of the beautiful baby dressed in her Sunday best. “Wow, she’s getting prettier every day, isn’t she? You must be so proud.”
    “I sure am,” she said, taking the phone back to admire the image once more before she slipped it into her purse. “I can hardly wait until August rolls around. When I retire, I’ll be able to see her every day. Stacy is returning to work, so I’ll be babysitting.”
    Maya patted her gnarled hand, smiling. “I’m sure you girls will have a great time together, but it won’t be the same around here without you.”
    “You know this damned arthritis has taken its toll on me, Doc. Running after that little angel will help keep me young.” She winked. “But don’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily. I’ll be stopping by to visit all the time. That’s the beauty of living just around the corner.”
    Wagging her finger, Maya grinned, “I intend to hold you to that. Don’t forget, I know where you live, and if I have to hunt you down, I will.”
    She laughed, perching her glasses atop her gray curls. “What are you doing here tonight? You’re not on the schedule.”
    Maya was acutely aware of Dave’s presence behind her. He paced the small waiting area as though he was getting ready to bolt at the slightest provocation. “My friend had a little accident. He just needs a few stitches. Do we have a room available?”
    “One should be opening up in just a few minutes.” She passed a clipboard across the desk. “But you know the drill; your friend has to fill out some paperwork first.”
    Given the fact his right hand was injured, she knew she had to do the honors, which he would undoubtedly resent. If she knew one thing about her ex, it’s that he would rather die than reveal any sign of weakness, especially to her. “You got it, Janice. Let me take care of this and I’ll get it back to you.”
    Janice peered over Maya’s shoulder. “Your friend is cute.” She pointed between the two of them. “You sure there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”
    Only in her dreams. She laughed. “No, we’re just friends.” Even that was a stretch, but her co-workers didn’t need to know the whole sordid story. That was part of the reason she hadn’t moved back to Brant when she graduated. She knew the townsfolk would take sides, and Dave would wind up the poor victim while she was viewed as the heartless bitch who betrayed him.
    “Hey, gorgeous. This is a pleasant surprise. Are you here to see me?”
    She looked up to see Dr. Chris Thompson rounding the corner. He was a colleague she’d been dating for a few months. In his mind, things were getting serious, but she didn’t think she would ever be ready to commit to him.
    “Hey, Chris.” She felt Dave move in behind her.
    He braced his good hand on the counter beside her, obviously intent on listening to their conversation.
    “I didn’t know you were working tonight.”
    “Yeah, I traded shifts with Dr. Smyth. Didn’t you get my message?”
    She pulled her cell phone out of her purse, noting that she’d missed half a dozen calls. “No, sorry, I must have missed it. I was in Brant tonight. They had a charity auction and I thought I’d go. You know, support the old hometown.”
    He chuckled. “Yeah, they can use all the help they can get.”
    “Is that so?” Dave asked, fisting his left hand on the counter. “Why’s that?”
    He frowned,