Claire plopped onto his stool and heaved a sigh. “Isn’t he a doll?”

“He certainly is charming.” She licked crumbs from the side of her fork.

“That’s an understatement. The guy radiates charisma like a neon light. He’s the heir apparent of St. Luke’s Hospital. Drop-dead gorgeous and desired by all.” Catching her heels on the bottom rung, Claire slipped off her sneakers and wiggled brightly pedicured toes. “I’ve been here since six a.m. My feet are killing me.”

“You must be exhausted.”

Claire massaged her arches. “You have no idea.” She righted herself and slid back into her shoes. “Richard and my husband Tyler are collaborating on research. Very high-tech, cutting-edge stuff. Honestly, Richard could have had his choice of positions. It’s sad really.”

With careful fingers, Tessa picked up the last bit of delicate pie crust and slid it onto her tongue. “He told me about his father.”

Claire gazed toward the grill. “St. Luke’s isn’t the same without old Dr. Bruce. He was a mentor to Tyler, and now, Tyler works with Richard. Funny how those things happen. All I know is Tyler’s doing everything he can to keep Richard right here in Green Ridge. Aren’t you, honey?”

A slender man with sandy hair and glasses slung an arm around Claire’s shoulders. “Aren’t I what?”

“Keeping Richard here.”

“That’s the plan, Stan.” He nodded to Tessa. “Do we have you to thank for these fabulous pies?”

“Sort of. I didn’t make them.”

“But you were clever enough to bring them, and for that we are grateful. Tyler MacMillan.”

She took his offered hand. “Tessa Meadows.”

“Good to meet you. Our kids, Caitlyn and Sam, are somewhere around here. I swear I saw them a second ago.” He peered out under the tent. “Ah, there they are.”

Tessa followed his gaze and spied two, impeccably dressed children somersaulting across the lawn.

The kids waved and made funny faces.

Claire rolled her eyes with a grin. “Couple of goofballs.”

“Dr. Bruce.”

“Dr. MacMillan.”

Richard and Tyler greeted each other with the exaggerated formality of doctors on a dramatic television show and broke into smiles.

“I trust you have coverage on the wards today,” Richard said.

“God bless the residents.” Tyler gestured to Tessa. “You’ve met the lovely Tessa Meadows, bearer of pies?”

Claire beamed. “He has, and he’ll get to know her better when he takes her out to thank her for jumping on board this crazy event.”

Richard thrust his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Fine by me. Name the time, Ms. Meadows, and I’ll be there.”

She looked from one beaming face to the next. “How can I refuse?”