“Do you think it will help the doctors with their free time? I’m worried they are working far too many hours.” I look more carefully at Dr. Tom’s appointments, and it’s not healthy for him.
“I think we need to keep Dr. Carvel so all three of the doctors can have time away from here to regenerate their energy,” Barbara looks at me and I give her a decisive nod.
“Leave it with me, Barbara,” I pat her shoulder, take the purse from under my arm and head to my office, where I quickly fire up my computer and look at ways we could have Simon Carvel stay at the practice.
Two hours later, Jamie walks into my office, places a mug of coffee on my desk and takes a seat herself. She looks tired and stressed.
“Are you alright, Jamie?” I quickly ask while turning away from the computer to give her my undivided attention.
“I’m not sure, Molly.”
“Tell me,” I ask, but walk over to close the office door, ensuring what Jamie is going to say remains private.
“I’ve told Fury we are done. I’m sick of the sneaking around, and he’s been sleeping with the club girls. I found out yesterday after Floss so eloquently laid it out for me.”
“Oh, that woman is obnoxious and just downright vicious. I can’t wait for her to cross me again. I’ll make sure I give her an extra punch for you, Jamie.” Jamie laughs, but it’s not the warm laugh she usually has. It’s full of sadness and hurt.
“What did he say?” I can’t help but ask.
A bitter laugh leaves Jamie with a tear trickling down her cheek, which she roughly wipes away. “He said, okay…that was it, okay. We’ve been hooking up for a year, and all he had to say was, okay. Why did I even bother caring about him?”
“Jamie, sometimes we learn hard lessons, and I think this must be one of them. I’m here for you, and if you need me, tell me.”
“The practice is running smoothly, Molly. You’ve done an incredible job in a short space of time. Tim is starting on the yard, and honestly he’s shown me the plans he had in mind, and the practice will look smart when he’s finished. Getting rid of Angel was a boost because we could not have had a worse receptionist if we tried. Simon is fabulous. He’s a brilliant doctor, and he covered my butt for me.”
I interrupt her. “Do you think we could keep Dr. Carvel? He would give you and Dr. Brackenridge some time to step away and recharge. I’ve looked at the financials, and we could afford it. We could take another thirty patients into the practice with the figures I showed the accountant.”
“That’s a great idea, and Tom was speaking to me about having a week's vacation to see his brother. His brother has just gotten married last year, and now they are expecting a baby. He wants to be there for the birth, as they are scheduling a C-section.” Jamie taps her fingers on her thigh. “Let me speak with Simon and see if he’s willing to work here permanently.”
“Okay, and by the way, Trudy is working out great. She has rejigged the system, and it’s much more efficient. Between her and Barbara, I think we can now stop worrying about the reception desk and area.” I grin at the relief on Jamie’s face. “Now, what do you want to do about Fury?” I ask, taking her by surprise that I’ve gone back to the subject.
“First, let me say I’m giving you a pay rise, Molly. You’ve done an incredible job, and I appreciate it. As for Fury…well, he’s the past and I’m going to pull up my big girl panties and move on.” I don’t miss the whispered‘If I can.’
“Is it okay if I have the afternoon off, Jamie? I want to go into town and look at a wedding outfit. I’m getting married at the clubhouse, so I don’t want a stupid white wedding gown. Just something simple that I will feel comfortable in.”
“Congratulations, Molly. I knew Breaker would lock you down eventually.” Jamie gives a small laugh, then continues, “Of course, you helped work the Saturday we were missing a receptionist without a moment of hesitation. I have no issue with your having an afternoon away from here. Skedaddle, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jamie gives me a finger wave as she leaves the office, but my heart pangs when I see the sadness resettle on her face.
Two hours later, I’m standing in the middle of a row of wedding dresses. Dresses I have no interest in. “Bri, Marcia, I am not buying a wedding gown. I told you I want a nice dress or suit. Cream, off-white or a pearl color. Not white, long, flowing, puffy, or anything else bridal.”
I see nothing that resembles any kind of thought I had for my wedding dress. I want something different, stylish, knee-length,and shocking. Something that will make Breaker’s eyes pop, and show I see the style he set by giving me this engagement ring.
We walk from one shop to another until I remember a small shop down a side street that a young new designer opened. I quickly make my way there with Bri and Marcia following, but they are complaining all the time.
I explain to the young woman, funnily called Molly, exactly what I’m thinking. She taps her chin and then points at me. “Just a minute. I may have just the thing.”
We wait in the small shop while Molly dashes out the back. It’s not long before she returns and opens a flat box, takes out the tissue paper and gently lifts the dress out. My eyes round, then tear up because this is perfect, and I hope it fits.
I slide the dress on, and it fits me like a glove. “I think I made this just for you, Molly,” Molly murmurs, and all I can manage is a nod.
Looking in the mirror, I look just as I imagined. The dress is black, knee-length, fits my body beautifully and flares out from the hips. Not too much, just enough that walking is easy in it. But the off-shoulder lace in white, which flows down the sleeves makes this dress stand out.
“Black heels will complement this look, Molly,” Molly states as she walks around me to see me from all angles.
“You look beautiful in it, Molly,” Bri says as she stands in front of me, with what I think is awe on her face. “I would never have thought of this, but it’s exquisite, and as you said you wanted it to match your ring, it does, perfectly.”
Marcia laughs, “Only a biker would appreciate a woman walking to the altar in this dress. But you know, Molly, it’s staggeringly beautiful on you, and I think Breaker will just love it.”
“Okay, Molly, I’ll take it.”
