“I have work tomorrow,” she reminds me.
“Yeah, and I get up early for chores. I’ll make sure you’re up.”
“Okay,” she answers softly.
I can’t tear my eyes away from her. She’s beautiful. No makeup. Hair, a wild mess of curls. Her brown skin radiant beneath my rough hands. Pulling the blanket from the back of the couch, I cover her so I can get up before I change my mind.
“You stay here. I’ll fix us something to eat.”
I force myself to walk away when all I want to do is hold her. But more than that, I also need to take care of her, and that includes making sure she eats. Making sure she’s warm enough. Making sure she’s comfortable with me. Because one thing is certain: now that I’ve had her, I’m not letting her go.
Chapter 17
Joy
“Whothehellisplanning a date for Monday night, anyway?” Rayna asks as I glance at my watch for what feels like the hundredth time.
I’ve been on edge ever since I walked in and glanced at the schedule of patients. The afternoon is booked solid, which almost always means we won’t be getting out on time. But that’s not the point. Even if I didn’t have plans, there’s literally nothing worse than getting out of work late. As a rule, we aren’t supposed to have the schedule that full.
“That’s not the point,” I argue, cutting my eyes at my friend. “I’d want to get out on time even if I didn’t have anything to do after work.”
She laughs to herself as she types away on the computer. “Calm yourself, it’ll be fine. We’ll make sure you get out of here on time. What do you have planned for tonight?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. The point is, I don’t want to be stuck here.”
Now, she’s laughing, and as much as I want to be pissed at her, I can’t help but laugh along. I’m being dramatic, but I haven’t seen Tate since I stayed the night at his house. Our schedules didn’t match up, and then he was out of town. This is his first day back. I know it’s stupid and clingy, but I miss him.
“It looks like after Mr. Crawley’s appointment there’s a break until that madness after lunch. You want to order pizza?” I suggest.
Rayna looks surprised by my suggestion but recovers quickly. “No, I brought a salad, but you can see if Dr. Robinson wants something. You didn’t bring a lunch?”
“I did, but I’m not hungry for a sandwich. If I have to deal with all of Cole County after lunch, I need my strength.”
Rayna laughs and shakes her head. Before she can say anything, the bells chime as the door opens, and Mr. Crawley walks in. Pasting on a smile, I pick up my tablet and make my way around the desk. By the time I make it around, I become aware of the dog standing beside him.
“Mr. Crawley, you can’t bring a dog in here.” I point at the sign on the door.
“Patches isn’t botherin’ anybody. Now, come on. I have a twelve-thirty tee time, and you’re gonna make me late.”
I open my mouth to argue, but snap it shut without saying anything. I’d be surprised to find out Old Man Wilber golfs. Even if he did have a tee time, there would be no way he could make it all the way to the other side of the county by twelve-thirty. Not even if he left right this second.
“Follow me,” I say with a sigh and a raised eyebrow directed at the dog.
I take him into the last exam room. That way, if the dog makes a mess, it’ll be easier to avoid the room until it’s cleaned. The nurse is off, so I ask the regular intake questions as I take his vitals.
“So, what brings you in today?” I ask as I take his wrist and measure his pulse.
“The missus said I had to come in because I was sick last week,” he answers in a gruff voice.
“Oh, okay. What seems to be bothering you today?” I ask as I enter his pulse rate into the chart.
“Nothing. I said I was sick last week.”
My brow is furrowed as I wrap the blood pressure cuff around his arm and use the stethoscope to listen. I enter the perfect numbers into the chart. His vital signs are better than mine.
“So, nothing is bothering you?” I confirm.
“No. Like I said. Last week.”
