Gabe had done a little finagling with Dr. Young to make sure he and Luke received salaries that compensated them for their time spent in the office and not merely the number of patients they treated each day. And thankfully, Valerie, the receptionist down the hall at the chiropractor's office, was on hand in case they had computer problems.
"Yeah, man. Thanks for that." Luke's head bobbed. "Knowing I'm getting paid a dollar more an hour while I'm here, makes the drive from the Tri-Cities pass a lot quicker."
"The way you drive your bullet bike, you probably got here in half the time it took me."
Luke grinned. "Yeah, but it still takes me three times longer to get to work now than it used to."
It took Gabe four times longer, but he hoped the sacrifice would be worth it in the long run.
"Seriously, man, what am I supposed to do all day?" Luke waved his arms, motioning to the empty room.
Gabe pointed at the backpack behind the younger man. "Homework. You keep your nose to the grindstone, and you'll get your pick of PT schools next year."
He took his laptop to the consultation room at the back of the gym. He wasn't sure how mobile Paige was, but he wanted his hands free in case he needed to help her.
A petite middle-aged woman entered the office as he walked back out onto the gym floor. She held the door open for a pretty young blond who walked slowly with the aid of crutches, favoring her left leg. Shadows framed the young woman’s eyes, and despite feminine curves, her slender frame looked like it might blow over in a strong wind.
Knowing the effort Dr. Young went through to get this office up and running before his daughter came home from rehab, Gabe had anticipated working with a spoiled teenage girl, who expected everyone to cater to her. He should have taken note of Paige's age in her file because he was completely unprepared for the beautiful woman with striking blue eyes, who looked to be in her mid-twenties.
"Are you sure you're okay from here?" the older woman asked. "I can stay if you want me to. I'm sure Mr. Harris won't mind filling in for me again in my meeting with the superintendent."
"I'll be fine, Mom. Thanks for the ride and your help this morning."
The older woman hovered as though reluctant to leave. "Call me when you're ready for a ride home. If I can't break away from school, I'll send Faith."
"Okay."
"I'll try to make it home to fix you lunch. If I can't, I'll have Faith do that too."
"Mom." Impatience filled the blonde's voice as she put a hand on her mother's shoulder. "I'm a big girl. I can fix myself a sandwich."
"I just don't want you to overdo it." The older woman tucked a lock of damp hair behind her daughter's shoulder.
Judging by Paige’s grimace, she didn't appreciate her mother's hovering. Or maybe she was just tired of being coddled. Either way, she was more independent and less spoiled than Gabe expected.
He approached the women, eager to kick off his practice.
"Tellhimthat." The young woman motioned to Gabe. "He looks eager to torture me."
Her mother spun and faced him. "You must be the new physical therapist. James said you came highly recommended by Paul Stoker." She held out her hand. "I'm Hope Young, Paige's mother."
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Young. Yes, I'm the new therapist, Dr. Gabriel Rivera." He shook hands with Hope before turning to the younger woman. "You must be Paige."
"Last time I checked." She leaned on the left crutch and smiled as she shook his hand.
Behind the smile that showcased perfect white teeth, Gabe detected an air of exhaustion. It was only ten in the morning, but considering she was still on crutches, the effort it took to shower and dress—even in yoga pants and a t-shirt—must have been taxing.
Paige eyed him skeptically. "You don't look old enough to be a doctor."
"I don't feel it most days. Other days?" He shrugged. "Well…you know how it is when life runs you ragged."
"Yes, I do," she said without hesitation.
"I'm not your typical medical doctor, so I usually insist people call me just Gabe."
"Just Gabe, huh?" This time Paige's smile was big enough to expose a small dimple in her left cheek, but he still sensed reservation behind the emotion.
Considering all she'd been through since the accident, Gabe had a feeling this woman hadn't smiled much over the past few months. Hopefully, he could help her find a reason to smile again. A real smile. Not the exhausted, polite one he'd seen twice now.
