Page 60 of Paging Dr. VanRyan

I had never flown first class before. The seats were roomy, and there was no one beside me. The flight attendant was friendly, and I accepted the fresh coffee she offered, waving away the mimosa. I wasn’t sure I should be drinking, considering how little sleep I was running on and my emotional state. I’d probably start crying and spill my whole story to her.

I stared out the window, my thoughts racing. He said he loved me. My Matthew. Aside from Sue, I’d never had those words, that quiet promise, from anybody. Last night as I’d lain in his arms, I had admitted to myself that I’d fallen for him. Telling him today felt right. I wanted him to know how much he meant to me. I wanted him to wait for me the way he said he would.

The year ahead was going to be intense. Since I already had a year under my belt, I would be fast-tracked. There would be labs, classes, exams to study for. Hands-on training. Placement in a care home then a hospital for practical, supervised experience. It was going to take every ounce of my concentration and intelligence to cram two years of schooling into one.

But I had to do it. I wanted to do it. It was a step forward for my future. Our future. By working hard and getting my degree faster, I could work in my profession. And return to Matthew.

The flight was long and uneventful. I studied the information I had, used my laptop to start some lists and notes. Nibbled the meal provided, my appetite not great.

I texted Matthew after we landed.

I got my suitcase and headed to the exit door. The airport was crowded. Bustling. Bigger than Victoria. Matthew had told me someone would be waiting for me. In the sea of people, one man stood out. He held a sign that read MADDY. He met my eyes, briefly glanced at his phone, and then smiled widely, waving his massive arm.

“Hey, Matty’s girl! Over here!” His voice boomed.

Taken aback, I made my way over, stopping in front of the giant. He was taller than Matthew. Broader. Even older, he was extremely fit, his muscles flexing and contracting as he lifted them, offering me a hug. He had one green eye and one brown, which were twinkling and warm.

“Hi,” he said, embracing me before I could react. “I’m Aiden. How was the flight?”

“Um, good.”

“Great. Now, listen, I have the car outside, but the place is crazy. Gino might have had to move, so we may have to wait while he does the circle. Stick close so I don’t lose you. I don’t want Matty boy to be upset.” He grinned and winked. “The kid is lethal when he’s mad.”

I began to laugh at his drollness. I had never seen Matthew mad, but I doubted he was that scary. Especially given his kind nature.

Aiden bent and picked up my suitcase, then added my carry-on. I started to protest, but he waved off my objections. “Please, I lift more than this with my pinkie. Let’s go.”

I followed in his wake, the throngs of people parting as he strode through them. Moments later, I was ensconced in a luxurious car, the leather rich and pungent. I sank into the seat, sighing in pleasure. Aiden sat beside me, taking up a great deal of the back seat. He spoke with the driver, then settled back and handed me a bottle of water. “You need to stay hydrated. Airplanes dry you out.”

I smiled and accepted the bottle. “You sound like Matthew.”

He grinned. “The boy is smart. And has good taste in women. So you’re going to be a nurse in one of the accelerated programs? Tell me about it.”

I nodded and explained everything I could think of. He asked good questions and listened to my answers. The ride passed quickly, and we stopped in front of an older Victorian-type house. Three stories high, it had once been a lovely place. It looked worse for wear now, the steps sagging, the outside needing some work and what I was certain were once-beautiful gardens, now straggly and sparse. But the steps were swept, and two chairs sat on the porch.

“Home for the next year,” I said quietly.

Aiden grunted. “Bent, Mad Dog, and I lived in a similar place while we went to school. Old but serviceable. If you need anything done, let me know.”

“It’s just a rental. I only have a room. In the attic.”

Aiden’s eyebrows lifted. “It’ll be hot up there.”

I shrugged. “Not much choice.”

“Right. Well, let’s get you inside.”

He followed me to the door. I had been sent a code and I used it, walking in. No one was home at the moment, so we headed upstairs and I found my room, a note on the bed welcoming me and saying someone would be around soon.

The room was small, the old floors creaky. A twin bed was set up against one wall, a night table and lamp beside it. Under the eaves was a makeshift built-in closet with a set of drawers. The room had been painted a light blue, so it was cheery and light. I grimaced as I realized I had to go and buy pillows and sheets for the bed. I hadn’t thought of that.

The room was stifling and warm, and I went to the landing, turning on the small window air-conditioning unit, hoping to cool it off.

Aiden looked around and clapped his hands. “Okay. I’m going to leave you to it, but I’ll be back.”

“Oh?”

He nodded. “I can’t leave Matty’s girl like this. I’ll be back tomorrow. Will you be around?”