Serenity had totally forgotten about that promise. Now she really felt bad. The server brought their food to the table. “Thanks.” She picked up her fork and stabbed at the salad, but her appetite had waned. After forcing down half her food, she asked the server to box up the rest.

Natasha glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get back. There are a couple of houses coming up for sale, so I need to do a walk-through, then schedule a photographer for the listing.”

“So do I. We’re back-to-back this afternoon.” There were four doctors in the practice, and when they all worked, it made for a hectic pace. They left money for the bill and a tip on the table and waved to Ms. Bernice and a few of the patrons they passed on the way out. Outside, she gave her friend a strong hug. “Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow. You’re absolutely right about Gabriel, and I’m going to apologize.”

“I’m glad. Since we did lunch today, how about we meet for ice cream on Friday during lunch?”

“I can always make time for homemade ice cream from Splendid Scoops.” Laughing, the two women went their separate ways.

The waiting room was already half-full when Serenity got back to the doctor’s office. She washed her hands, stashed her salad in the staff refrigerator, and pulled the first chart. Two hours later, she called back her final patient for the day. “How are you, Mrs. Satterfield?” she asked, closing the examination room door.

“Can’t complain. The Good Lord let me see another day, so I’m blessed.” She took a seat in one of the chairs.

Serenity took the woman’s vitals and input them into the digital file.

“How’s Andrea liking her new job?”

“She said she’s enjoying it so far.”

“That’s good. Della’s sure gonna miss that girl, but she’s glad to have her grandson here. Have you met him yet?”

“Yes.”

Mrs. Satterfield chuckled. “Della said every time he comes to visit, he’s gone before she can blink good.”

“Mrs. Satterfield, have you had any problems with your medication, or do you have any other concerns since your last visit?” Serenity had to cut the woman off; otherwise, she’d be there for the next hour, telling everybody’s business.

“Oh, no. Everything’s going fine. As much as I like my fried chicken, I’ve been baking it like Dr. Jacobs said.”

Serenity smiled and finished typing the information, then logged off. “Dr. Jacobs will be in shortly.”

“Thanks, baby.”

Serenity closed the door behind herself and laughed softly.

“Mrs. Satterfield spilling tea again?” Starr, her fellow nurse, asked.

“How did you guess?”