Gail Love(ON HOLD)

Chapter One: The case of Leno August

GAIL'S POV

The smell of coffee reached her before her feet touched the floor.

Dr. Abigail Love blinked herself awake, the crust in her lashes pulling a little as she squinted at the pale morning light soaking through her curtains. Everything outside looked washed in soft pastels—the kind of gentle dawn that usually warned of a brutal heatwave by noon. She pushed herself upright, rubbing her face with both hands, and the comforter slipped off her legs.

"Eli," she called, voice still rough from sleep. "Up. Now. We're not racing the bell again today."

Nobody answered, which meant the little boy was either still drooling into his pillow or—more likely—sitting cross-legged on the floor with his tablet, pretending not to hear her while watching some science video about exploding volcanoes.

Gail sighed as she rolled out of bed, tugging on her satin robe and pulled her curls into a messy bun. Her room smelled faintly like lavender and fabric softener. It was clean , quiet, and orderly.

She couldn't control much in this world, but she could sure control her mornings.

Downstairs, the smell of coffee bloomed stronger, mixed with butter and eggs. Lyra was already in the kitchen, wearing an apron the color of lemons as she stood in front of the stove.

"Good morning, ma'am," Lyra said, already sliding two plates onto the island.

"Morning," Gail murmured, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "You're a saint."

"I know." Lyra winked. "Your coffee is strong as you like it. I also made Eli's eggs, and I'm packing his favorite turkey sliders for lunch."

Gail huffed a tiny laugh and poured herself a mug. The bitterness grounded her instantly. "You spoil us."

"That's literally my job, Dr. Love."

Right on cue, Eli shuffled in with mismatched socks and bed-head curls pointing in seventeen directions. He clutched his tablet against his chest.

"You're late," Gail said, eyebrow raised.

"You're early." He didn't even look up.

Smart mouth, just like his father. But his eyes? Those were all hers.

He climbed up onto the stool and began devouring his breakfast like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Gail leaned against the counter and sipped her coffee, letting the quite settle.

An hour later, they were both dressed, her in a tailored navy blouse and cream slacks, Eli in his uniform polo and jeans. She double-checked his backpack and handed Lyra a note for groceries before ushering them out the door.

The car ride to school was filled with chatter as always. His project on volcanoes, a new kid who apparently thought Pluto should still be a planet, and whether they could get sushi that night.

"I'll think about it," she said as she turned into the school lot.

"You always say that," he huffed.

"And sometimes, I mean yes." She leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Have a good day, bug."

"You too, Doctor Mom."

She watched him run off before pulling back onto the main road, the hum of city life slowly creeping in through the windows. Her office was twenty minutes away, nestled in a quiet medical block just off the freeway. A converted Victorian house, white with navy shutters and a freshly repainted porch. Professional, but warm.

As she walked up the steps, the front door opened before she could reach for it.

"Good morning, Dr. Love," Min Jee greeted her with a tablet in hand and a smile that had three espresso shots behind it. Her assistant was sharp, relentless, and frighteningly efficient.