I missed him so much and couldn’t be angry with him any longer. He was trying to do the right thing for his sons. I had to appreciate that, even as I hated Professor Lecherous Noxious-Gasbag the Third for creating the situation. Even as I cursed Victoria for running to Rick.

Surely she’d go back to Tuscaloosa. I looked at my phone for the millionth time, willing a text or missed call from Rick. There was nothing.

I walked over to the closet and took Mrs. Noodle out for the first time in years, the closest thing I had to a teddy bear to sleep with. Deanna was softly snoring in the next room. She’d be leaving soon, and I dreaded saying goodbye.

I was working on a patient’s chart the next day when Kait summoned me to the phone. “It’s someone named Victoria,” she hissed, her hand over the receiver.

I took a deep breath. “Hello?”

“Hello, this is Victoria Pratt. I’m Rick’s former wife.”

“Yes, I know who you are. Has something happened to Rick?” I walked as quickly as possible to the nearest supply closet, closing the door and sinking to the floor.

“No, no, I’m sorry if I frightened you. I called to talk with you for a moment about Rick’s and my relationship, Connie.”

“Ronni.”

“Oh, of course, Ronni. Anyway, my husband and I are working through some difficulties, but I am sure we’ll be reconciling soon and the boys and I will leave the lakehouse. I know Rick has brought you here. It’s a bit small for the three of us.”

I was bewildered. “Well, I hope you, umm, reconcile.”

“I want you to know there’s nothing going on between Rick and me. He’s Joshua and Jeremy’s father, but that’s it.”

“Did Rick ask you to call me?”

“Oh, of course not. He did tell me, though, that you won’t speak to him until my situation is worked out. I truly appreciate that. So, I’m simply trying to help you, um, Ronni.”

“Okay, thank you.” I couldn’t wait to hang up. My hands were shaking so hard I thought I might drop the phone.

“Ronni,” she hesitated, “you seem like a nice person. There are some things I feel you should know. You’re very young and Rick’s a man with a lot of history. He’s prone to making the same mistakes over and over.”

“I don’t think this is a conversation we should be having, Victoria.”

She sighed dramatically. “I’ve been where you have. I know all his moves. He put you on a pedestal, right? There’s no one in the world like you. He’s left sweet notes on your car. Rick O’Shea makes you feel like the center of his universe. He tells you how beautiful you are...”

“Excuse me?”