Free Playing All the Angles by Nicole Lane Page A

you were living with someone. When I got back from school, I…well, you were living with someone.” Glancing down at her hand, he said, “And married now?”
    “Married soon. Yeah. We’ve been together for just over two years.”
    “Congratulations.”
    “Thank you. We’re happy. I’m happy. You? Married?”
    He laughed. “Ah, no. When things started shifting with the vocational callings, I got permission from the Church to continue with med school while I worked toward my vows. They’re hurting for priests, so they’ll bend over backwards. And when I decided I just wasn’t cut for the cloth, I went headfirst into studies. I may as well be a monk. I live in abject poverty, chastity, and complete obedience to my chief attending. Just, I got a white coat instead of black.”
    “I’m sure that will change once you’ve cleared your residency,” she replied, glancing at Olive, who was watching Patrick with unabashed interest.
    “The poverty and obedience bit, perhaps,” he said, jesting. “I don’t have much time to do anything else.”
    “But it’s all worthwhile. I’m glad you found something that makes you happy, Patrick.”
    They stood, smiling shyly at each other, when Alora’s voice broke the silence and the curtain was thrown back.
    “Olive? Oh, my God! Darling, are you all right?” she cried, scooping the child up in her arms.
    “Buh-fly,” Olive sobbed, throwing herself into her mother’s neck.
    “Doctor—” Alora whipped around, a stream of questions flying and then slowing. “Patrick?”
    “It’s him.” Isabelle nodded.
    “Patrick! You’re a doctor?”
    “It was that or priest,” he tried to joke.
    “Is my daughter all right?” she asked, still staring at him.
    “Yes, she’s fine. She swallowed a coin, but there’s no damage. It isn’t lodged in her esophagus, so it should work its way out of her system on its own,” he assured her.
    “Oh, thank goodness,” Alora clucked, hugging Olive tighter before returning her attention to him. “How long have you been back in England?”
    “About six months,” he said, glancing toward Isabelle.
    “Why didn’t you let anyone know?”
    “Lora,” Isabelle chided. “He’s been working on his residency. The man barely has time to breathe, much less catch up with old friends.”
    “Old friends?” Alora cried. “We’re family!”
    Patrick smiled. “Yes, you are. And I’m sure you know I wanted to contact you, but my hours make it difficult.”
    “You silly thing.” Alora swatted his arm. “Come round for dinner some time. Doyle would love to see you.”
    “You know who’d love to see you?” Isabelle said suddenly. “Evie.”
    “Evie threw eggs at me before I left!” Patrick laughed, shaking his head. “I hardly think that was love.”
    “She just did what we all wanted to.” Isabelle chuckled. “But she’d still love to see you. She always adored you.”
    “Well, tell her hello.”
    “I’m expecting again,” Alora announced. “We could be persuaded to change pediatricians if you’re practicing here.”
    “I’m just in my internship.” Patrick shook his head. “I can’t take patients just yet. Give me a few years.”
    “You let me know,” she said, patting his arm. “I’m sure there will be others. Thank you for looking after Olive for me.”
    “Of course. It was good to see you again.”
    She smiled in response and pulled back the curtain. “Coming, Isabelle?”
    “I’ll be there in a minute.”
    Alora looked back, her expression questioning, but she uncharacteristically didn’t say what she was thinking before walking out.
    Her footsteps receded before Isabelle said, “Sorry about that. You know how she is.”
    “She hasn’t changed much,” Patrick agreed with a shrug. “It was still good to see her.”
    She nodded. “I still can’t quite believe you’re here.”
    “That makes two of us,” he replied, blushing. “I’ve missed you, Isabelle.”
    “I missed you too. I’m really