A Randall Returns by Judy Christenberry

you can shower, change and start work.”
    Mike began studying the paperwork piled up on his desk to indicate the discussion was closed. For some time now he’d intended to discuss an exercise programand firearm use with his staff, though he hadn’t planned it for today. But the discussion allowed him to successfully avoid talk of his love life. That was the important thing.
    Now he’d have to make a note to approach some of the local ranchers about his plan right away.
     
    E VERYONE ASSUMED C AROLINE had come in late that morning because of her activities the night before. And they were right, of course, but it was her activity with Mike that had caused her to oversleep, not her activity with Mr. Gambil. She struggled to keep her blushes at a minimum whenever the subject came up.
    At lunchtime, she got one of the nurses to go pick up some food from the café. She hadn’t had time to fix a lunch that morning, even though that was her usual practice.
    Time. That had always been a problem in Chicago. But she hadn’t thought it would be a problem in Rawhide, especially as she shared the work with Jon.
    Her partner poked his head in her office. “I’m meeting Tori for lunch at the café. Want to join us?”
    “I wish I could, but Connie’s gone to pick me up a salad.”
    “So stick it in the fridge for tomorrow.”
    She hesitated, worrying about running into Mike. But she squared her shoulders and gave an abrupt nod. “Okay.”
    “You look like you’re going to face a firing squad. It’s only lunch, Caroline. You okay?”
    “I’m fine. Just trying to get used to the routine.” She stood, removed her lab coat and grabbed her outer coat. Then she followed Jon to the door. When they passed the nurse’s station, she asked the nurse on duty to tell Connie to put the salad in the fridge. “I’ll be at lunch with Dr. Wilson and his wife.”
    “I have my cell,” Jon added. “You can reach either of us that way.”
    As they walked off, Caroline said, “I guess I need to get a cell phone.”
    “We should’ve already ordered one for you, but…well, we weren’t sure you were going to come. Or stay if you came.”
    Caroline bit her bottom lip. She hadn’t intended to make Jon think that. Unfortunately, it was true.
    “I thought I might be bored, that there wouldn’t be enough work for both of us.” She gave a rueful smile. “I didn’t realize how hard you’ve been working.”
    Jon smiled in return. “It comes and goes. Some weeks I don’t have many patients. Here, when that happens, I cut back my hours and spend time with our son and help out at home. Since Tori’s pregnant again, she tires out early. Other weeks I never seem to get caught up.”
    “In Chicago we never got a respite. I think I might like it here, after all.”
    He gave her a long look. Then he said, “I’m glad. We finally did order your cell phone. It should be here any day.”
    She was surprised at the relief she felt. And she insisted to herself it had nothing to do with Mike Davis.
    At lunch, she asked Tori if anyone had heard from Nick on whether he’d gotten Holly released on bail.
    “Yes,” Tori said, a hint of a smile on her face.
    “Why the smile?” Jon asked.
    “Nick said he thought the sheriff there would’ve paid him to take her away. She’d been crying nonstop since they’d locked her up.”
    “She was like that last night, too,” Caroline muttered.
    “I think we can go ahead and discharge Mr. Gambil,” Jon said. “That’ll make for a nice family reunion.”
    “Great, Jon. I’ll drop by after work and check up on him.”
    “Good. That’s the other thing about this job. You have more than a professional relationship with a lot of the patients.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me, since I’m related to half the citizens of Rawhide.”
    They all laughed, since that statement could describe each of them.
    Jon held up his coffee cup. “Here’s to our partnership, Caro. I’m glad you’ve decided to