Shelly stands up and starts to pace across the linoleum. Once she hits the far wall, she stops and reiterates, “On one hand, you’ve met a wonderful woman.” She starts moving again and when she arrives at the opposite wall, she raises her other hand. “On the other hand, you’ve been offered your dream job back in New York.”
Sitting back down, she asks, “Would you ever consider doing something else?”
“Shelly,” I tell her, “It took eleven years and four hundred thousand dollars to get me to this point. I don’t think a career shift is an option.”
“I guess I can see that.” She starts drumming her fingers on the table again. Then she stands up abruptly and announces, “I can’t help you.” Shaking her head, she adds, “I’m sorry, Thomas. This is something you need to figure out for yourself.”
I slowly push myself back up to my feet. “I appreciate you hearing me out. Let me know if a solution comes to you.”
“Will do,” she says while walking me to the front door. “You want me to ask Kevin about it when he gets home?”
“Why not?” I say. Not that I think he’ll have a solution, but at this point I’ve got nothing to lose.
I usually do my best thinking in the shower, which is why I go home and take the longest and hottest one of my life. I don’t get any insights, which leads me to conclude this is an unsolvable problem.
As a last resort I drive down to the lake. Maybe a walk on the beach will bring miraculous insights. I park in the same spot Finley and I parked the other night. Then I hike a short distance until my feet hit the sand. Sitting on a rock, I take off my shoes and socks and let my toes sink into the cold depths.
Leaning my head back, I offer up a plea in case anyone in the Great Beyond is listening. “I could really use some help here.” After uttering my prayer, my eyes pop open and look around half-expecting a bolt of lightning to slice through the sky, bringing the answer I need. Yeah, that doesn’t happen.
Instead, I look out onto the lake and spot a boat heading toward shore. It’s moving fast like it’s on a mission. When it nears the dock, it slows down and I watch as the driver ties it off. Then two people get out and walk right toward me.
One of them raises his hand and calls out, “Thomas! We were just talking about you …”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
FINLEY
I feel bad that Thomas has to work. What a champ though, doing a double on his day off. I suppose that’s how it is for doctors. There are only so many of them, and when someone’s sick, whoever is left must take over.
I kind of feel sorry for myself, too. I was really looking forward to seeing Thomas today. And I know he was excited about finishing our photo shoots. Instead of enjoying some free time at home, like I thought I might, I decide to go into work and get started on his calendar.
Once I arrive at Happy Snaps, I turn on the computer and immediately start a new file titled “Revenge.” Then I drag Thomas’s best shots into it. From there, I’ll whittle them down according to which month they’ll fit best.
Because we’ll be a couple of looks shy, I’ll have to double up. I figure I can run two or three duplicate photos through photoshop and make small adjustments. Like I can add a Santa hat to make it suitable for December, and I can add an Uncle Sam top hat to one for July.
I spend the better part of an hour putting together a fabulous layout that’s as good as any professional calendar I’ve seen. I don’t doubt it would sell like hotcakes on the open market, but as a revenge tool, it’s a work of art. I’m immensely proud of the results and can’t wait to show them off.
Being that I don’t have any other appointments today, I decide to head over to Rosemary’s to pick up some treats. I’ll deliver them to the hospital to Thomas as a booby prize for having to go into work. Just the thought of seeing him sends a shiver up my spine.
I grab my purse and coat before locking up. Then I practically float down the street. Maybe my mom is right, and I should let myself fall in love without worrying how it will turn out. After all, there are no sure things in life. I could get hit by a bus right now. I briefly glance around to make sure I’m not in any imminent danger.
I walk into Rosemary’s, full of excitement that I’m going to see the man who makes me feel all tingly just thinking about him. Faith waves when she spots me. “Good morning. You look pretty today.”
I look down at my third favorite sweater. I’ve paired it with boring blue jeans and boots, but I’m wearing new soft pink socks, so my feet are happy. “Thank you,” I tell her before declaring, “I need a bunch of your best goodies.”
“How many do you want?” she wants to know.
“Maybe a dozen?” I reply. Then I tell her, “I’m taking them to a friend.”
“Lucky friend,” she says with a grin before assembling a collapsed box. She picks up individual pieces of parchment and starts selecting items from the case in front of her. When she’s done, she asks, “Anything for you?”
I order a hot chocolate and a ginger scone. After paying, I retrieve my purchases and tell Faith, “You’re making at least twopeople very happy today.” I’m guessing more because I’m sure Thomas will share at work.
It’s raining when I leave the bakery, which once again makes me glad I’ve decided to learn to drive. If I already knew how I wouldn’t be facing a soggy six-block trek to the hospital and then another five back to my shop. Maybe Thomas can take a break, and we can have a little chat while I wait for the rain to stop. Or if I’m lucky, he might even drive me home.
Kicking into gear, I practically jog the whole way to the hospital. I’m only partially drenched by the time I get there. My raincoat has kept my body dry, but my feet are cold and soaked and so is my hair. I should have stopped at my shop to get an umbrella, but I was so excited to see Thomas I talked myself out of it.
I tell the woman at the information stand who I’m there to see. She clicks away on her computer before saying, “I’m sorry, Dr. Culpepper isn’t working. It’s his day off.”
