(Complete) Nick has suffered sorrow and loss. He has relied on his family to help him survive. Can Nick ever find happiness and a love?
Sara has spent the better part of her twenties caring for the sickest people of the world. Realizing that her dre...
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Sara had been working for over a month when she saw a sign on the staff room bulletin board, apartment for rent see Dr. Tardiff. She recognized the name as the OB/GYN who worked with the brother's sister. After work, she walked over to that office and asked for him.
The sister, Dr. Shaw smiled when she saw her. "Sara, right? You're still putting up with the boys?"
They weren't boys. "They're fine, Dr. Shaw."
"Please, it's Clare."
Jane asked, "Did you come to meet Emily, our PA? She's back, but she's left for the day."
Sara shook her head. "Actually, I saw a notice about an apartment."
"Oh," Clare said without enthusiasm. "Hey Tardiff, there's a potential tenant here."
Dr. Tardiff appeared. He was gorgeous - blond and built. He reminded her of Joe. He looked her over and finally said, "Are you looking for an apartment?"
"I am. I work next door, but I'm living in Portland."
He smiled. "It's just the right size for one. If you'd like to see it, I'm heading home now."
She agreed and followed his expensive SUV. The old converted home was only a mile from the office. The upstairs apartment was little, but cozy with a sloped roof and a small kitchen. It would be perfect for her. She liked that it was clean with a fresh coat of paint.
"How much?" she asked. He told her an amount she could just afford. "I'll take it." Surprising even herself, she didn't hesitate.
"Great...?"
"Sara, Sara Abbott."
"Well then Sara, you can move in anytime. I've got a lease for you to sign and if you have first and last month's rent, it's yours."
Sara had enough, but not much more in her savings. Her aunt was excited for her, but when her uncle heard, he said, "Be careful. I've heard he's a ladies' man."
Truthfully, it didn't surprise her, but she wasn't concerned because she wasn't the type of girl who men noticed. She was short and thin and lacked the curves which turned men's heads. Her hair was a light brown, and although it turned lighter when she went in the sun, she didn't consider it blond. She was nearly invisible except professionally as she often excelled and stood out. She once again thought about Joe, who appreciated her nursing skills and her friendship, but nothing more.
She wondered if the unethical behavior her uncle mentioned at Lakes Region involved Dr. Tardiff. She definitely didn't think it involved any of the Burkes. She knew that Dr. Shaw, Clare was married, like her brothers. The ethics issue could involve someone from the Internal Medicine practice, but she had not met any of those doctors.
Her aunt insisted she take enough furniture to meet her needs. "Everything in your bedroom is yours." She also gave her a sofa. "I've been asking David to replace it for years. It's still sturdy, but I'm ready for some redecorating."
The apartment had a counter, so she bought two inexpensive stools from Target. She had a TV from her place in Boston, because she had priorities. Returning to the States, she found she enjoyed television especially streaming and bingeing which she had missed out on being away so long. For her kitchen, she had a few basic items including dishes. She set up her home in one weekend and was ready for her new minuscule commute.
The first night she was alone in her new apartment, she messaged Joe. Dr. Joe Lundgren, who she had worked with for three years in Africa. Sara had been in love with him and had foolishly thought Joe might fall in love with her. He only noticed her for her dedicated work and friendship. After three years of crushing on him and trying to get him to make a move, she sadly accepted defeat. It took three days, only three days for Mila, a beautiful blond Dutch PA to show up and catch his attention. Three days and Sara spied her slinking out of his room in the early dawn.
It devastated Sara. She had dreamed of being with the gorgeous man. She dreamed of their children with his amazing brown eyes. She dreamed of being enveloped by his strong body. Instead, she took it as a sign that it was time for her to go home. She enrolled in the PA program because of Mila. Sara had been fooling herself. She would always be invisible whether she was a nurse or a physician assistant.
Joe responded to her quickly. They had remained friends. He was ready to come back to the States and was trying to get Mila a visa. He wrote, I'm certain she'll get one now we're married.
Married! Sara should have expected it. Joe was over forty, so it was time for him to settle down. What he wrote next surprised her more.
I'm in the process of finding a job now. There is an opening at your hospital. After listening to you talk about Maine, I think I would like it.
Maine! She came home with her broken heart to get away from him. True, she missed her friend, but she had spent years lusting for him and had finally gotten over him. Sara had to make sure her crushes were innocent, the kind she'd never expect to be reciprocated. On her way out the door on Monday morning, Dr. Tardiff greeted her, and she thought, not him, nothing about him seemed innocent.
Her first Friday night in her apartment, she changed into jeans and headed out to the supermarket. She had absolutely no food to eat, and she had to work in the morning with Tim. She was looking at apples when a little voice caught her attention.
"Daddy, I don't like that fruit?"
She looked up to see the younger Dr. Burke pushing a cart with his children sitting in it.
She smiled. "Oh, hello."
He was surprised to see her. "Sara."
"Just picking up a few things." She didn't need to explain why she was shopping.
The little girl said, "Daddy, who's the lady?"
"This is Ms. Abbott. She works with us. These are my children, Bridget and Jack."
"Very nice to meet you both."
Bridget who was about four had been doing all the talking. "Daddy, why does she sound like Granny?"
"Because she came from England like Granny."
Sara looked at him. "Your mother is English?"
He nodded. "Yes, but she's been here for over forty years."
"Is that what you whispered to Lily? That I sound like your Mum?"
He smiled and looked five years younger. "Guilty."
Sara turned her attention to the child. "Bridget, I am glad I sound like your grandmother. Does my nickname have anything to do with your mother?"
"You'll have to ask my brother." He smiled. "We need to get our shopping done before bedtime so we should move along."
"Goodbye Ms. Abbott," Bridget said.
"Call me Sara!"
"Goodbye Sara." The little girl smiled and waved.
She watched as they chose some fruit and continued on.
