Chapter 486: The Lighthouse

Tuesday, February 14th, Late Evening

The door opened; Candi turned to see Dani walking out onto the patio. Dani carried Candi's plate of empanadas. Dani gave Candi a look of concern with a tilt of her head. Candi nodded, pushed herself off the wall, and adjusted her dress.

Dani held out the plate, "Are you okay? You just took off and left your empanadas. You got Abuela all worried," Dani said.

"I'm fine; I needed to center myself," Candi said and took the plate.

"Well, that's a first," Dani said.

"What's a first?" Candi asked and took a bite of one of the empanadas.

"I've never seen Doctor Candace Scott have to run off to center herself," Dani said.

"What are you talking about, Dani?" Candi asked.

"You're known as the Ice Queen because you're always calm, measured, and resisting all attempts to flirt with you," Dani said.

"I'm there to work, not flirt," Candi said and took another bite of her empanada.

"But you've always been stand-offish, and I've never known you to date," Dani said.

"I've gone on dates since I've come out here, but I'm in very intense programs, so dating not normally on the cards," Candi said.

"How many of those dates even came close to a second date?" Dani asked.

"I don't know," Candi said.

"I bet you have cobwebs down there; when was the last time you got laid?" Dani asked.

"I don't know, and what type of question is that?" Candi asked.

"A legitimate one," Dani said.

"Dani!" Candi said, took a bite, finished her first empanada.

"I just want to make sure," Dani said.

"Making sure of what?" Candi asked.

"I don't catch one of my bridesmaids with one of the groomsmen in a compromising position," Dani said.

"What?" Candi asked.

"Oh, I didn't get a chance to ask you," Dani said.

"Ask me what?" Candi asked.

"I want you to be one of my bridesmaids," Dani said.

"Are you serious, Dani?" Candi asked.

"Yes," Dani said.

Candi put her plate down and hugged Dani. "Yes, of course, I will," she said.

"Thank you," Dani said, "Could you loosen your grip."

"Oh, sorry," Candi said and let go.

Dani sort of flexed her body. "I keep forgetting how strong you are," she said.

"I do, too," Candi said.

The door opened, and both Candi and Dani looked towards it. The rugged physiqued leather jacket wearing brown-haired man walked out. Dani looked at him and smiled. Candi looked at him, willing herself to breathe.

"Dani, here you are," he said.

"Bren, how are you doing?" Dani asked; they hugged and kissed each other on the cheek.

Once they separated, they looked at each other. "I've been looking for you. Marcel said you headed this way," he said.

"Well, I was looking after a guest," Dani said.

"This place is amazing," he said.

"It's one of the doctors I work with place; she volunteered to host," Dani said.

"That's great," he said.

"So, where did they stick you?" Dani asked.

"I just finished my assignment in Peru," he said.

"So, when do you head back?" Dani asked.

"I got some time, and it won't be until after the wedding unless something bad happens," he said.

Dani held up a finger, "One second, Bren," she said.

"Sure," he said.

Dani walked over to Candi; she leaned close. "Smile be nice, and you have the right bait to reel this one in," Dani whispered into Candi's ear.

"What?" Candi asked.

"Bren, I'd like you to meet one of my friends," Dani said.

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

"Bren, this is my friend Doctor Candace Scott, MD, FAAP, " Dani said, "Candi, this is Doctor Brendan Lyndon, MD," Dani looked them both over noticed Candi and Brendan have made eye contact, "Bren, Candi; Candi, Bren."

"Hi," Candi said.

"Hello," Brendan said.

"So, you're just back from Peru?" Candi asked.

"Yeah, I was working in a clinic in the Loreto Region," Brendon said.

"Oh, really? For who?" Candi asked.

"Dani and Marcel didn't tell you?" Brendon asked.

"Tell me what?" Candi asked, "They only mentioned you flew into town."

"Oh, I see," Brendan said, "I'm with Doctors without borders."

Candi looked at him. "Oh, wow!" she said.

"So, you work at the hospital with Dani?" Brendan asked.

Candi nodded, "I'm in my cardiac residency," she said.

"Oh, really?" Brendan asked.

Candi nodded, "Yeah, I'm trying to get my second specialty," she said.

"Second?" Brendan asked.

"I want to be a pediatric cardiologist," Candi said.

Brendon chuckled, "That explains the FAAP," he said.

"Yeah," Candi said.

"Nice," Brendan said, and Candi noted that his light brown eyes dropped slightly.

"So, how do you know Dani and Marcel?" Candi asked.

"I went to med school with Marcel," Brendan said.

"Okay," Candi said.

"I can't place your accent," Brendan said.

"I have an accent?" Candi asked.

"Yes, yes you do," Brendan said.

Candi shrugged, "Never noticed," she said.

"I'm sure," Brendan said.

Candi smiled picked up her plate, "Well, it's nice meeting you, Brendan," she said.

"Bren, please," Brendan said.

"Okay, Bren," Candi said and walked into the house. Fawn was standing nearby. Fawn stopped Candi.

"Who is that?" Fawn asked.

"Doctor Brendan Lyndon, a med school friend of Marcel's," Candi said.

"I see," Fawn said.

"I have to complement Abuela on her empanadas," Candi said and walked away.

Fawn stood there and smiled, looking through the window at Brendan and Dani talking.