Chapter 132

Grabbing her lunch pail, Hope headed for the door, certain everything was as ready for the next day's lessons as could be expected. Nicholas met her on the porch. "Dr. Howard! It's so nice to see you. What brings you away from your patients in the middle of the day?"

Nicholas shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and gave a slight shrug. "I wasn't busy, so I decided to come and offer you a ride home. I hope your first day went well."

"What a lovely gesture." Normally, Hope enjoyed her strolls home. It gave her time to reflect, much like the walk to school in the morning. But today, she was exhausted from a long day, and her head was beginning to ache slightly. "I would gladly accompany you, sir."