by Erica Penrod
Levi knew the answer, but he’d hadn’t anticipated the regret in his gut after having tasted his breakfast and ogling over her omelet. “I expect I’ll be late. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay.” Monica swallowed. “Have a good day.” She went back to her plate and continued to eat.
Levi set the empty glass down on the counter and smiled, even though an unsettling thought crashed and banged through his mind like a bumper car. For just a second, Levi imagined what his life would be like to leave for work every morning with a full belly and a kiss on his lips from a beautiful girl standing barefoot in the kitchen.
“Levi?” Monica’s voice intruded. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” He pushed aside the daydream and forced his to-do list to occupy the space. “Goodbye.” Levi walked into the hallway, just as one last thought escaped and wondered if Monica’s kiss tasted half as good as her protein shake.
Get your head on straight, he lectured himself.
Maybe it was a good thing he wouldn’t be back for dinner, because he knew exactly what he’d want for dessert.
Chapter Seven
The doorbell rang, and the sound fell over Monica’s shoulders like a heavy rain. Not now, Doris. She set the paint can on the table and wiped her hands on her jeans.
From the moment she’d opened her eyes this morning, her mind had hummed like an overworked motor in need of a tune-up. Monica didn’t know why today felt so different. Her workload hadn’t changed, but the rate at which her heart pumped and the speed her muscles worked was slower than usual.
She padded over to the front door as she drew in a deep breath. “Doris, I—” Oh, it’s you. Monica smiled as she stuffed her hands in her pockets to keep from reaching out and throwing her arms around the hunky man on her front porch. Now this guy was a dream come true. Not like the narrow-minded man living under her roof for the next couple of months. “Alex.” She expelled the air from her lungs as she looked down to see the bee-yellow tool bag in his hand, and relief fueled a smile across her face.
“Where do you need me?” Alex glanced at her. His grey eyes never lingered long, and Monica wished she knew how to talk to the man. They’d spent hours together, yet she knew so little about him. He’d done so much for her, and she wanted to convey her gratitude with more than a simple “thank you,” but when she’d offered him money, he’d stepped back like she’d offended him, and she never wanted to do that again.
“Are you sure you have time?” The two facts she did know about Alex Strand were that he was finishing a degree and he was working full time for a construction company. She felt like a miser robbing the man of his last cent. “I’m sure you have plenty other things you’d rather do than help me out all day.”
“No. It’s fine.” Alex stepped inside the house as she retreated. “We’re waiting on an inspection for my other job, and I’m all caught up on my classes.” He waited as she shut the door. A few hours spent with her, and Alex’s clean scent and damp hair would be replaced by sweat.
“If you’re sure.” She led him into the kitchen, where she’d relocated her work materials. If she kept the mess to one room, she might have a better chance of making the place look respectable by the time Levi got back. “I feel like I’m taking advantage of you. At least let me make you dinner sometime.” She picked up her own bucket of tools. “I am a professional, you know.”
Alex surveyed the mess and slightly raised a brow.
“Not at remodeling or cleaning, but at cooking. I am a certified chef.”
A slight smile played at the edge of his lips. “Maybe dinner sometime.” His excitement reminded her more of one forced to keep an unfortunate obligation. Maybe Alex really didn’t like her, and Doris was behind his recurring presence.
A knot twisted in her gut at the thought. “You don’t have to.” She looked into his storm-cloud-colored eyes. “But—”
“It’s fine.” Alex eyed her bucket as if he wished she would get to work instead of talking. “But you don’t have to cook for me.” His tone softened as his shoulders relaxed. “I need to keep busy, so don’t worry about thanking me.”
The tone of his voice eased her need to rescind the dinner offer. “I have to cook anyway, and I enjoy having someone to cook for.” Levi’s face popped into her mind, and his scowling expression when she’d presented him with the protein shake reminded her that her first guest was a challenge. A person without a taste for adventure, so to speak, might not enjoy her culinary itinerary. When she’d dreamed of running her own kitchen and preparing gourmet meals for guests, she hadn’t considered she might get someone like Levi Hernandez.
“Dinner would be fine.” Alex held her gaze, before he turned to the various piles of project supplies on the counter. “What would you like me to work on today?”
Progress. Alex sounded almost appreciative and even looked her in the eye. Perhaps his quiet nature had nothing to do with not liking her, but rather with something else or someone else in his life. Monica wanted Alex’s friendship, and maybe in Alex’s world, they were friends and she didn’t need to try to make him into someone he wasn’t. They worked well together, and The Red Pearl wouldn’t be where it was today without him.
“I thought we’d tackle the other bathroom upstairs.” She quickly scanned her bucket for the items she needed. “My first guest got here last night, and he’s gone for the day, so I’d like to get as much work done up there as I can before he gets back.”
Alex nodded. “Okay.” He turned but stopped halfway through the motion. “And congratulations on your first guest. You’ve worked hard for this.”
Monica’s heart warmed, and emotion caught in her chest. His compliment meant so much to her. If anyone knew how hard she’d worked, that person was Alex. “Thanks, and I think I should be congratulating you as well. This day never would’ve happened without you.” She tossed a utility knife and another scraper into the bucket and glanced up at him.
An objection formed in his eyes.
She grinned. “Okay, so eventually I might have gotten the room and bathroom ready, but not anytime within this year.”
He gave a gentle nod. “You would’ve been okay without me.” Something flickered in his gaze. “Although you might be still trying to hang that first piece of tile in the shower.” The corners of his mouth twitched.
Monica laughed. “Alex, did you just make a joke?” She pressed her hand to her chest. “At my expense?” Her jaw dropped and she tried to appear offended, but happiness got in the way. After all this time working together, they’d just turned a corner. “I’m shocked.” She picked up the handle and heaved the bucket from the table. Monica bumped him with her shoulder. “And I hope you do it again.” She grinned as she stepped into the hallway.
His footsteps followed, and gratitude filled her heart. If Alex hadn’t come into her life, she didn’t want to think about the mess she’d be in. Today, she was especially grateful for her meddling neighbor and her late great-aunt for their attempt at matchmaking, even if she and Alex would never be more than friends.
Monica might even forgive Aunt Gwen for messing with her calendar. Levi’s image burst into her mind, and her heart leapt, making the climb to the top of the stairs much more difficult than the trip needed to be. Frustrated by his intrusion on her happiness, she refused to let her thoughts linger on her guest. Levi Hernandez would have to wait his turn to occupy her thoughts.
“You feel okay?” Alex stood beside her at the top of the stairway. “You sound a little winded.”
Heat pooled in her cheeks. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She regulated her breathing. “The bucket’s a little heavier than I thought.” Monica smiled. She’d rather admit to physical weakness than to faintness of heart. “Come on, let’s get to work.”
Alex studied her face, and she offered another smile in reassurance, although she wasn’t sure if the gesture was more for him or for herself. If she wanted to get anything done today, she had to block out any thoughts she had about Levi
or how deep down she wanted to impress him. Monica wished her desire to prove him wrong about her was only professional, but her quickened pulse and humming heart indicated her lingering thoughts about her guest had nothing to do with business.
* * *
The winding roads were impossible to navigate by GPS, and Levi wondered if there were more than schedule-shifting ghosts in Eureka Springs. He’d never seen a navigational system configurate as many times as the one in his new car. What was it with this place? The tourist town was proving to be unlike any other city he’d been to, with ghosts and gorgeous women taking over his thoughts.
Stop it.
If Levi hoped to accomplish all he’d set out to do, he’d have to put this useless notion out of his head and get to work. He made another U-turn and checked the street sign. Yep, he’d have to locate the hospital the old-fashioned way—with street signs and numbers. The engine purred as he maneuvered the twists and turns, and he took in the scenery around him.
Houses of every size and color mingled with the trees. Every place was unique, but there was a definite camaraderie within the neighborhoods, and most places were well maintained like there was a sense of pride amongst these Eureka Springs residents. Bed and breakfast signs decorated more than half of the brightly painted homes, and most structures appeared to have old bones and cosmetic face-lifts. The Red Pearl wasn’t the only place under construction, but he doubted any other bed and breakfast dotted along these Ozark hills was managed by someone like Monica Fallentine.
There was something about her, but what that something was, he didn’t know. Levi had never imagined he’d be more attracted to a woman in overalls than one in a business suit, but there he was. So much for not thinking about Monica this morning. Maybe he’d have better luck getting her out of his system if he set a limit and allowed her to occupy his thoughts for a short amount of time. Some people quit bad habits cold turkey, and others needed to ease their way out. He must be the latter, although how could thinking about the lovely owner of The Red Pearl be considered a bad habit? He’d known her less than twenty-four hours, not thirty days.
Levi stopped at a stop sign and checked both directions before he proceeded, which was exactly the approach he needed to take with Monica. Stop: you don’t know this woman. Check both directions; you’ll be better prepared if you see her coming. Proceed with caution: you’re a grown man and can maneuver your way around an attractive woman.
Levi pressed on the gas pedal as his heart rate accelerated. Ahhhh … forget it. He just had to get to the hospital. This was an emergency. Well, not an emergency, but more of an urgent care sort of ailment, and if anything could cure him from his annoying fascination with the B&B owner, it was hard work. No doubt Eureka Springs Healthcare would provide just that.
Levi pushed on the brake as the slope evened out and the hospital, his latest project, came into view. Oh, man. The pictures he’d poured over in preparation for this assignment didn’t resonate like seeing the place in person. The difference equated to thumbing through a history book, then hitching a ride back in time and walking the streets a hundred years ago. Adrenaline fueled his excitement. Now this was a challenge, and a big one.
The hospital rested at the top of the hill like a sigh. Waned red brick and tired windows encased the rectangular building. Cracked sidewalks and weathered pavement, marked with repair like thick veins across an arthritic hand, didn’t suggest a place of refuse, but more like a patient in need of a month or two in the ICU. The out-of-date signage clung haphazardly to the exterior wall, like a growth ready to be removed. The logo, a big red heart, needed an update, although he appreciated the slogan: “The Hospital with a Heart.”
He slowly made his way into the parking lot and parked several spaces west of the only two other vehicles. Levi collected his bag and climbed out of the car, glancing up at the overcast sky. Corpulent clouds oozing with moisture hung over his head, and as he locked the car, he wished he could’ve added a parking garage to the hospital remodel. The black beauty wouldn’t be nearly as stunning when splattered with raindrops. Hopefully, there would be a local car wash with a detail-minded staff.
Levi made a mental note to add the request to his list for Bates. Levi understood the value of a good personal assistant, and thankfully, he’d found one. He moved up the sidewalk and drew in a deep breath, hoping that after today, he might say the same thing about the Eureka Springs Healthcare staff. His previous experiences told him this was like betting on the blackjack table in Vegas. Odds were you’d get close to the right combination of people, but often, you had one or two employees who didn’t want to deal a fair hand.
Levi’s reflection stared back at him in the glass as he reached for the door handle. He was just about to find out what kind of cards Eureka Springs had dealt him.
Chapter Eight
Disinfectant and something Levi termed as an “old smell” whooshed through the air as he stepped inside the entryway of the hospital. The emergency room entrance was to the left, and the reception and waiting areas were to the right.
“You must be Mr. Hernandez.” A woman appeared from behind the counter before Levi had a chance to survey the space around him.
“Uh.” He hustled over to her and stretched out his hand. “Yes, I am.” Levi offered his best business smile and tried to keep the aversion from his face as he looked around at the dozen or so stuffed teddy bears staring him in the eyes. “Is this also the gift shop?” Sitting, standing, or sleeping bears covered nearly every hard surface around the desk area. Do not scowl, do not scowl, do not scowl. Offending the first employee you met was never the way to start a new project.
“Oh no.” The woman beamed up at him as she shook his hand. Her dark hair, laced with grey, contradicted the vivacious brightness in her eyes. “These little cuties belong to me.” Levi didn’t miss the pride and enthusiastic tone in her voice. “The gift shop is just down around the corner.” Lines parenthesized her mouth as she smiled. “I can show you if you like.”
“No, that’s fine. I’m sure I’ll see it when I take the tour.” He took a step back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” Levi glanced down at the name tag on her blouse. “Lily Dahling.”
The woman’s cheeks flushed. “Oh my goodness, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She took a tissue and dabbed her brow. “Please, call me Lily.” A couple passes along her forehead and Lily tossed the tissue into the trash can. “You’re just so much more handsome than your picture online.”
It was his turn to blush. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat. Levi anticipated a lot of things when he started a new job, but Lily’s comment wasn’t one of them. “Is Dr. Evans available?”
Lily shook her head like she was trying to clear the fog. “Yes, he is, and he asked me to tell you he’ll be a couple minutes late. He got called into the ER for a set of stitches. Poor little Jayden Brooks crashed on her bike.”
“Okay.” Levi stepped towards the waiting area, noting the complete disregard for patient confidentiality. “I’ll just wait for him right here.” He took the closest seat in the waiting area.
“Of course.” Lily took her seat. “Can I get you anything? A bottle of water?”
“No.” He raised his hand. “I’m fine. Thank you.” Levi stared up at the artwork along the walls.
“Most of the art comes from the Ozark Family Festival.” Lily appeared beside him. “And this picture over here is of Dr. Alvah Jackson.” She directed him to the adjacent wall, where a blurred black-and-white photograph hung in a dark wood ornate frame. “He’s credited with discovering the Basin Spring.”
Levi remembered skimming over something about natural springs.
“Our famous healing water.”
“Oh yes.” Levi chuckled. “Healing water.”
Lily stood very still. “Mr. Hernandez, you should know most of us here in Eureka Springs take our history very seriously.”
So much for not offending the first person he met at the ho
spital. “Of course. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
She glanced down at him and smiled. “Whether or not you believe there’s something special in the water around here, you have to know some folks do.” The twinkle in her eye soothed his concern. She sounded just like Monica when she talked about believing in ghosts. “Just keep that in mind when you’re dealing with us local folk, and you’ll do just fine.”
He nodded his head in agreement. That and believe in ghosts. Levi didn’t ask Lily what her opinion was on lingering ancestors. If she believed in healing waters, she more than likely believed Monica’s great-aunt Gwen was still hanging around the old house.
“Mr. Hernandez?” a gravelly voice called from behind.
Levi turned to see the man he believed to be Dr. Perry Evans, and he was grateful to put his mind back on task. “Yes.” Confidence filled his chest as he strode toward the older man. Levi was here to help the hospital transition with the times, and once he was done, Eureka Springs Healthcare would be an innovative healthcare system to the surrounding community. Success wasn’t optional in Levi’s mind. “You’re Dr. Evans?” He stretched out his hand to the man who’d run this hospital for the last thirty years.
“I am.” Dr. Evans’s handshake was firm and strong. “I see you found our little hospital.” Thick, silver brows hooded his metal-grey eyes. His large nose was offset by his wide, kind smile. Coffee-stained teeth and a series of deep-rooted lines etched along his forehead attested to the long hours the man had spent serving as a medical professional.
Something about the doctor reminded Levi of his grandfather. He half expected the man to pull a piece of butterscotch candy from his pocket.
“We’re glad you’re here.” Dr. Evans wore a sky-blue button-down shirt, and his corn-yellow tie was covered in pink flamingos. Strings hung from the embroidered name on his white coat, and a stethoscope hung around his neck. Levi wondered if the doctor might experience phantom pain at the loss of the medical appendage in his retirement.
