“Ben and his wife live in Hope Harbor.” Beth shifted her position slightly. “Marci’s the editor of the Hope Harbor Herald and heads up the chamber of commerce. I got to know her after I agreed to fill a vacancy on the chamber board—and she led me to Ben.”

“I’m sure you’ll meet her soon.” The doctor grinned. “My wife’s a dynamo, with her finger on the pulse of everything that happens in town. She knows almost as much about what’s going on as Charley does—which is saying a lot, if you haven’t figured that out yet. And now I’ll leave you two to visit. Barring any complications, expect to be discharged late tomorrow afternoon, Beth.”

“Thanks. I want to sleep in my own bed ASAP.”

“I hear you. Nice to meet you, Christi. Welcome to Hope Harbor.”

“Thank you.” She waited until he left the room before setting the flowers on the wheeled bedside table. “I hoped these would brighten up your day.”

“What a thoughtful gesture.” Beth touched a petal, features softening. “I didn’t expect this—nor did I expect you to drive back to Coos Bay after getting up at the crack of dawn to chauffeur me here this morning. I could have taken a cab.”

“I was happy to do it.” Letting someone travel solo to a hospital for surgery would be a major lapse of charity. “Besides, I, uh, had to be in this area tonight anyway.”

In fact, she was due at work in an hour. Not that she intended to tell anyone in Hope Harbor about her sports bar gig, though. It was unfortunate she’d run into Jack there—on her first night, of all things—but why would he spread the news?

“Were you able to swing by my mailbox?”

“Yes. I took care of that en route. I put all of your mail on your kitchen table, like you asked—except for this.” She pulled an envelope with a handwritten address from her purse and held it out. “I thought it might be a personal note you’d want to read.”

Beth hesitated for a moment, conflict registering in her eyes, then took it. Set it on the sheet. “Thank you. Now I have one more favor to ask. There’s a special chamber of commerce meeting Wednesday night for all members, and I’m not going to be up to attending. Could I impose on you to represent me and take notes? I’d like to stay in the loop. Of course I’d pay you your usual hourly wage for the time.”

The sports bar hadn’t scheduled her for Wednesday—but a chamber of commerce meeting, representing a business she was just learning?