Doctors Orders (Book#1 Hope Ridge)

Chapter Five: Meeting the Neighbors.

Before I realized it, the sun was rising behind me and I woke up still perched against a log in front of the now dimly lit embers of my campfire.

I knew sleeping outside in the elements was dangerous, especially in a space I wasn't familiar with.

After reprimanding myself, I got up and decided to look around the land a bit before heading into town for some cooked food.

I would also have to call Rochester Construction and schedule a meeting with my contractors to go over the work so far.

Now that the sun was rising, I took in my half-completed house. The exterior was nearly completed. It looked like all the framework inside was done. At this rate, it will be able to move in within a couple of weeks at the max.

I wouldn't be able to see the extent of the interior until I contacted Rochester for the walk-thru, as they have the lock key.

I quickly took a picture of the sunrise over the river as well as the exterior of my house with the field of wildflowers in the background. I sent the pictures off to my parents and Dr. Winston followed by a Good Morning message.

I was already in love with this house and I hadn't even seen the inside yet. I already knew I would love it too, though.

Rochester does incredible work, and his crew is fast at the assembly. The lumber on the exterior was exactly what I wanted.

My mother responded immediately to my message with a FaceTime call. I didn't hesitate to answer.

The greeting was filled with my mother's squealing with excitement.

"Oh my goodness, Rubes. It's beautiful. I can't wait to see the inside. Can you walk us through the house while face timing?"

I laughed at my mother's antics.

"Good morning Mum. Morning Dad!" I shouted out, knowing he was close by. I hear him chuckling in the background followed by a good morning from him.

"I promise to take a walk around the interior with you guys a bit later. I just need the key to get inside first. I have to contact Rochester to have him let me in. First I plan on driving into town and eating breakfast, though."

"Alright, show us around the property then. I want to see that river first." again I laughed. My mother will never change. She gets excited quickly and when she's excited about something it is infectious, and you can't help but oblige her just as enthusiastically.

After walking around the property and talking at length about the drive and my campsite setup, I let my parents go and headed into town.

It had a rustic nature charm that you could never find in Ontario. I loved it. Mountains! I lived around real-life mountains. Where I come from; those types of things you only see in movies. The only mountain I've seen was Twynn River Road- it was the tallest hill and an absolute beast to hike up back home. I am not sure that counts, though.

Even our national parks don't offer this scenery.

I wonder what the female term would be for Grizzly Adams, maybe Grizzly Alice? I feel I may have become one of those wild bush women you read about in that Sasquatch—is-real "believers" magazine. I chuckle at my absurdity.

The drive into town was a peaceful one. The evergreen surrounds the entire length of the old dirt road. I could already feel myself falling deeply in love with this relocation.

I did need to do something to thank Dr. Winston. If it wasn't for him and his contact here, Dr. Bergs, I wouldn't have found this position.

He set everything in motion for me to start a new and happier life. I live the life I wanted, rather than what someone else wanted for themselves and brought me along.

After I got in touch with Rochester, I would call Dr. Winston and update him properly.

He sent me a few text messages while I was on the phone with my parents, but I couldn't respond and now that I'm heading into town, I want to wait to get home first. Give him my undivided, uninterrupted attention.

After what felt like forever, I broke through the train of trees and cracked through into civilization. The town.

Sleepy, small, and cute. Hope Ridge was a small town with a big-town heart vibe. I could already tell by the uniformed town decor, they took their town seriously. I liked that.

This was one of those small towns that shut down at six and closed for the day for their high school football games.

Everything about this screamed rustic charm.

There was no stopping the soft smile that stretched across my face. My dad would love this. He loves football. Being in a town that was shut down just for game nights, was his dream come true.

I wondered if he'd maybe consider a small shop located here. He could buy the land lot across from me on the other side of the small river stream.

The lots were divided by thirty-forty feet of river. Both lots were beautiful.

I spent a long time mulling over which one to pick with both my parents as well as Dr. Winston. They both brought dock options and a beautiful unobstructed view of sunrise. Which happens to be my favourite time of the day.

My dad and I would both get up early and take in the start of the day. He'd have his cup of coffee, and I'd have my lukewarm hot chocolate until I was old enough for coffee.

Some of my favourite memories are sunrises and chats with my dad.

That was one of the main reasons I wanted either of these lots. I planned on doing the same with my partner and children; once I had them, of course.

I stored the idea of the lot and my parents away for later. My priority was finding a local diner and getting some local food.

My inner ‘Ruby the Explorer’ was shaking with excitement. I loved discovering new favourite foods and places to eat. Having a professional chef for a mother, food was always a constant in my upbringing, and finding good food was even more exciting.

I loved watching my mum fall in love with someone else's cooking. She gets this look about her and it kind of seems a little bit magical. It's hard to explain but both my dad and I loved the challenge of surprising her with our ‘treasures’.

I decided to park my Betty and walk around town instead of driving my beast, drawing unnecessary attention. I was going to be the new nurse for the family practice here. I needed to appear friendly and approachable. Driving that monster of an SUV is not a screaming, friendly, and approachable female. I chuckled. I loved Betty, but only my dad would buy the biggest beast he could find on the lot for the smallest female in his life. I chuckled to myself while I stepped down from Betty. I was comically too short for such an SUV, but I loved it anyway. It was oddly empowering.

Clicking the car beeper, I pocketed my key and took in the wild sightseeing of sleepy Hopes Ridge. Putting a big welcoming smile on my face, I headed out.

I breathed in the fresh air. You do not get air like this in Ontario, that is for sure. It is weird how I always immediately felt healthier. I wondered if I would become one of those hippy, life-is-better-outdoors preachy people. I hoped not. I respected their decisions and agreed with many of them, but Lord don't let me become another oat-eating preacher.

Shaking the thought away, I continued my adventure to find food.

I passed a few locals, I got sized up by nearly all of them as they sauntered by. It was becoming evident that not too many outsiders came walking through their sleepy little town. At least not at this time in the morning.

I was more than okay with that idea. I wanted a calm-quiet. I was never one for the loud city.

"Can I help ya, miss?" A cautious middle-aged man and his equally cautious female companion, whom I was betting was his wife, approached me with friendly enough smiles. I returned the smile and released a sigh of relief.

"Hi. I am Ruby, I just arrived late last night and I need to find a local diner before my stomach eats itself." The man chuckled and shook his head.

"Well Ruby, you are in luck. We were just heading towards Ruth's Diner, ourselves. Why don't you join us? You can tell us all about yourself." Internally I laughed. The gossip mill has begun, and it's only eight thirty-two am on a Tuesday.

Smiling, I looked at them both and agreed.

"Mayor Richards, you have someone new with you two this morning. Who might this young lady be?" The older lady around the counter hollered over to the middle-aged couple, who I now knew as Mayor Steven Richards, and his wife, Louise Richards when we entered the diner.

"Oh Ruth, nosy as ever." Mayor Richards bantered back as though he weren't just as nosy earlier. Batting her hand in the air, Ruth walks around the counter and comes towards us.

"Hello Dear, and who might you be? I am Ruth, I own this fine establishment." I liked her. She had a level of playfulness with just a touch of nosy. I liked her charisma.

Extending my hand, I smiled. "I am Ruby, I just drove into town last night, I am filling the nursing position with Dr. Bergs." Ruth doesn't waste time taking my handshake and pulls me into a big hug. I loved every minute of it. It felt like my mother's warmth.

"Don't pay Ruth any mind," Louise quickly cues. "She gets readings on people, and sometimes she spontaneously hugs them or slaps them." I double-take Louise as her words sink in.

Chuckling, Mayor Richards lightly nudges my shoulder. "She hugged ya, so don't worry so much.

Ruth pulls away, and her smile goes from briefly sad with her eyes full of momentary pity to a big bright smile. "Your pain will ease, my dear. Love is around the corner for you. Just be patient and stay the course. He is coming. You'll see." I would be lying if I didn't admit I was taken aback by what she said. Then what Louise had just mentioned connects the pieces.

Looking into Ruth's eyes, I was met with kindness and understanding.

"You're my new neighbour, aren't ya?" A voice from behind me chimes in. Turning around, I met this woman. She is beautiful and blind. I nodded foolishly but quickly corrected myself.

"I am, maybe. I just bought the lot about three miles up the dirt road. Range Road three-nine-eight. I am the one having a house built on that lot. Wait, Red house with the white shutters." She smiles and nods. "That's us. I believe my husband has been anticipating your arrival."

I was caught off guard by her comment.

"Your husband? I don't know anyone here yet, other than the Mayor, Louise, Ruth and now yourself. I haven't even officially met my contractors." I chuckled.

"Rufus." She called out softly, but like a beacon, a middle-aged man appeared out of nowhere. He was instantly by her side. It made me internally jealous. I wish my husband had been that attentive and supportive. Perhaps if he was, then I wouldn't be a twenty-five year old divorcee. I felt Ruth take a step, a calming hand rubbed my arm. It was both weird and comforting. I suspected I would have to adapt and learn to appreciate her quirkiness.

"Rufus? This is your new nurse. Ruby, yes?" I nodded, again not remembering and immediately feeling foolish. Chuckling, Rufus shook his head.

"Don't think too much about it. Ellie is very highly functioning regardless of being visually impaired. Don't be embarrassed if you forget and nod. It happens often. Heck, I even do it from time to time." His smile was warm. He wrapped his arm around Ellie's waist and extended his other to shake my hand.

"Hello Ruby Collins, it is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you. Tom raves about you and how efficient you are in your role. He made a few comments about how hard it is to believe you aren't an actual doctor at times, the way you take charge and lead situations. I am very happy to have your level of attention to detail and patience coming to my clinic." I shook his hand and smiled.

"You're Dr. Bergs. Oh my goodness. I am sorry if I am not presentable. I wanted to appear in a better state than this when we met." Batting his hand in the air, he scoffed.

"In case you haven't noticed Ruby, none of us are dressed overly fancy right now. Plus, you just arrived. I thought I saw headlights over at your lot early this morning. You just drove in now? You must be hungry." Dr. Bergs gestures to Mayor Richards, Louise, and me to attend their table by the window.

Taking our seats, I looked around and took in the diner decor. I knew my dad would like the layout but my mum, that would be answered just as soon as I sample the food first.

The conversation flowed, Ruth even found a bit of time now and then to pop back into the conversation. Overall, I loved the experience. Dr. Bergs and his wife were so lovely. I realized Ellie must be Dr. Winston's sister since Dr. Bergs is his brother-in-law. It was interesting that it never really came up in conversation, though. I was curious, but I didn't want to ruffle any feathers.

After all, I did just meet not only the Mayor of the town but also a psychic and my new neighbours.