Free Uncovering Hope (Uncovering Love Book 3) by Kacey Shea Page B

here. The only way to remember is to count back six months from when I got pregnant with Ezra.” He grins and sips his sugar coffee.
    “That’s your oldest, I assume? But you said you had ‘kids,’ so how many of those do you have?”
    “Just two boys. Ezra is eight. Eli is five.”
    “Brothers. That’s nice they have each other.” He glances out the window.
    “I think so. Do you have any brothers or sisters?” He ignores my question and nods to the garden.
    “That’s new.”
    “Yeah, they put it in last year. It’s a healing garden. Whatever that’s supposed to mean. It’s peaceful, though. A place to sit and think or not think after a long day.”
    “I like this place. Seems they really care about their patients. Everyone I’ve met that works here takes pride in the care.”
    I nod. “It’s the main reason I can’t seem to leave. I’m sure someday I’ll want a job with regular nine to five hours, but I love it here. I mean, it’s a nursing job so it’s not easy, and a few of my co-workers are real pain in the asses, but overall it’s what I feel called to do.”
    “It doesn’t bother you being around sick kids.” He states, not a question, but I answer anyway.
    “No. It doesn’t. They’re some of the best people I’ve ever met. And sometimes, yes, it’s gut wrenching, but I’d want someone to love and care for my boys the way I care for my kids when I’m on duty, so this is what I do.”
    “You’re amazing.” I look into my cup and take a drink, not sure how to accept his compliment. I’m sure my face is stained with a deep blush.
    “So, enough about me , friend . I want to know about you. What do you like to do when you aren’t here or with your band?” I tease and take a long sip of brew.
    “Eat pussy and fuck.” I choke on my coffee and Derek howls with laughter. When I can finally breathe normally again I glare at his smiling face.
    “Why do you always do that?”
    “What? I have a very healthy sexual appetite.” I think back to the woman from his earlier phone call.
    “I’m sure you do.” I roll my eyes. “But you must like to do something besides that.” What if he doesn’t? What if he’s some kind of sex addict? He just grins.
    “I write.”
    “Like stories?”
    “No. Music. But not the kind you hear our band play. More of a folk singer songwriter style.”
    “Like the stuff you play with Luis?”
    “Yeah. Those are my songs.” I raise my brows and stare at his confident face, my mouth wide and gaping.
    “Those are great songs, Derek.”
    “I’m glad you think so. I’m actually working with an agent to sell the rights to a bunch of my stuff.”
    “What? You can’t do that! Those are your songs.”
    “Yeah, but what else can I do with them? I don’t sing. My voice is horrible.”
    “I like your voice.”
    “Well, thanks. I like it too, but what I mean is that I’ve no desire to start a solo career. I write music because if I don’t, I literally turn into a crazy person. The zombie who walks around the world talking to himself because he can’t sleep type of crazy.”
    “That’s really cool, Derek.”
    “No. Not cool. You never want to see me turn into the crazy zombie.”
    “No.” I roll my eyes, “That’s not what I meant.” He laughs.
    “I know what you meant, Carly. Thanks. I love writing music. It’s a blessing to be able to make a career of it.”
    “Well, I better get back upstairs. My break is almost up.”
    We stand and walk toward the doors when I recognize Dr. Brooks fiddling with the coffee machine.
    “Hey, Dr. Brooks!” I call out. He turns and smiles, those dimples in full effect.
    “Carly from Oncology, it’s been too long. But I told you to call me Garrett.” He pokes a few more buttons on the machine and curses under his breath. That machine can be a temperamental bitch sometimes.
    “It was nice having coffee, Derek, but I better go help him.” I glance over my shoulder at Dr. Brooks. Derek studies him as well