Page 54 of Paging Dr. VanRyan

“I want you to promise me something,” she said after a minute of silence.

“Okay?”

She shifted, covering my hand with both of hers. She swallowed and hesitated before she spoke.

“If things change, if you meet someone⁠—”

I started to interrupt, but she stopped me. “No, this is important,” she argued. “Life changes. Things happen. We’re new. Very new. If the visits don’t happen, if the calls become voice mails, then just texts to check in, and those become silent, I understand. It happens.”

I shook my head. “No.”

She smiled, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. “Sometimes, we meet the right person at the wrong time.”

“And sometimes you have to fight for that person.”

“I know. But no matter what happens, what we have shared, what you mean to me, will always be so special.”

“Are you ending this?” I asked, aghast. “It sounds as if you’re breaking up with me.”

“No. I just wanted to let you know, you owe me nothing. If you meet someone, if things change…”

“They won’t.” I pulled back my hand and crossed my arms. “And frankly, I’m not generous enough to offer you the same buyout clause. I’m not giving you an out, Madison Tate.”

She offered me a watery smile. “Good.”

I stood. “I’m going to head out so you can make your calls and figure out the logistics. I’ll be back around lunch with some boxes and food.” I bent and kissed her hard. “I expect a full report when I get back—and a new attitude. None of this ‘in case’ BS. It’s not needed.”

“Okay,” she said softly. “Good to know.”

I stopped at the door. “We’re just getting started, Maddy. This is a blip. Just a blip.”

And I left before she saw the same anxiety she was feeling reflected in my eyes. We had to stay strong.

But I had one thought in my head as I headed to my car.

Could we stay strong for a whole year while thousands of miles and life separated us?

The local moving company provided me with the boxes, bubble wrap, and tape I knew Maddy would require. I also grabbed a few sturdy-looking totes for important items she wanted to store. They were far safer than cardboard boxes—fewer chances of mice and damage.

I sat in my car, unsure what to do next. I had planned on spending the day relaxing after a few errands, then hanging around the bakery, hoping to coax Maddy away early and spending time with her.

Now I wasn’t sure if we’d have much time left.

I thought of the plans I had been bursting to tell her about. How Gramps had happily agreed to my borrowing his larger boat so we could do an overnight trip on the water. I had planned on a romantic dinner on board, spending the night with her in my arms as we made love under the moonlight on the open water, then gazed at the stars that were so bright away from the city lights. I had purchased some tickets to a band she’d heard was coming to town that she liked and I wanted to surprise her with. Found a cool website that offered adventures in a small town with a picnic lunch I knew she would enjoy.

Now none of them would happen.

My chest ached to the point that I had to rub it, trying to ease the pain. I kept telling myself to knock it off. We hadn’t known each other that long. I was simply reacting to the abrupt change. I told myself I couldn’t possibly have such strong feelings for her already. Love didn’t happen overnight.

Then I thought of my “cousin” Liam—who had fallen for his wife instantly.

“I knew the moment I met her she was my future,” he told me once.

Ronan, his brother, admitted he fell for his wife within days of knowing her. My brother Gavin told me the moment his wife, Amanda, had walked into his office, he was done. He’d fought his feelings until a snowstorm brought them together, and he married her as promptly as he was able to.

Love, it seemed, did happen quickly in my family.

I scrubbed my face, feeling unsure and lost. Then I started my car and drove to the one place I knew I could find the right advice or, at least, a shoulder to cry on.