He didn’t seemed convinced, and she understood what he was saying. It was hard to have a dream someone chose for you, or one you filled out of obligation. “You’re a good man, Dr. McArthur.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t sound like being a good man meant all that much to him, perhaps he took his role for granted.
“No really. It’s impressive.” She rested a hand on his bicep and wanted to wrap her fingers up and around its immensity. Wow, he was solid. Her gaze slid across his chest. And to where she imagined a really ripped set of abs might be waiting. When she forced her gaze back up to his face, his eyes held questions. And she wasn’t sure how to answer them. But she became immediately aware of her bed, makeshift though it was, beneath them.
She stood. “So, maybe I’ll come by tomorrow and get you an estimate this week?”
He joined her on her feet. “Sounds good to me. I’ll let Candace know you’ll be there.”
She led him from the room, trying to shake her thoughts back to where they should be at her current level of familiarity with this guy. When they were down in the kitchen, she shrugged. “I still only have water.”
“I’m fine, thanks. I think I’ll head home.”
“Oh, okay, sure.”
“But see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Come say hi in between patients.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. I want to show you my personal office as well.”
“Great. How about early? Eight o’clock?”
“That’s perfect, actually. Are you a morning person?”
“I am. I do my best stuff right when I wake up.”
He nodded. “Yup. I think either you are or you aren’t. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He headed to the door.
Before she opened it for him, she turned, “Thanks for your help today.”
“Hey, no problem. I enjoyed it.”
“And now we both have lights.”
“Before anyone else.”
She laughed. “Is that what we were trying to do? Beat the neighbors?”
“I don’t know about you but that was high on my list, along with beating the cold.”
She opened the door. “Now I know not to get in your way.”
“What? No way. I let you win.”
“Ho ho! Do you hear yourself?”
“Yeah. I willingly gave you first spot on the street to have their lights up. That deserves some kind of recognition.”
“I don’t have any recognition for you, but how about dinner?” What had she just said? Things were pouring out of her mouth without thought or care.
“Oh, now that I would never turn down.”
“Okay. Let me get some furniture, a table and chairs, and I’ll cook for you.”
“Mmm. So I gotta wait until you furnish the place?”
“Well, yeah.” She waited. Was he gonna ask her out?
“Ok. I’ll be watching for the furniture trucks to pull up.” He stepped out the door.
“Thanks again.”
“My pleasure. See you tomorrow.”
She shut the door and leaned up against it. Wow, he was something. But she couldn’t figure out just how into her he was. If at all.
Until she sorted that all out, she had work to do, for his office and all her other clients. She made her way back upstairs to finish up an order of all the supplies she was going to need. Soon, her house would be full, maybe not of furniture, but of Christmas décor, and that was almost better.
Although now she had a whole new motivation to get at least a table and chairs. She smiled. What would she cook for him? MMM. And she’d get her tree up by then too. Or… she smiled. She could ask him to help her decorate. So many options with this new man in her life. The hardest part with him might just be to take it slow. She didn’t know him. He was keeping things at a reasonable pace, perhaps even only a friends’ pace. Though he had held her hand. She squirmed, full of happy thoughts and made herself comfortable again on her mattress ready for a night full of work.
5
David arrived at work even earlier than usual. As he pulled out of his driveway, he didn’t see her car. Maybe she’d parked it in the garage last night after he left. Her Christmas lights were still on in the early dawn hours. Did she have a timer? If not, he’d have to get her one. He laughed at himself. Then he wondered who would mow her lawn in the summers. And put together her furniture.
Dinner at her house. What would that be like? He hadn’t had a woman cook for him in ages. The last woman he’d dated only ever ate take out as far as he could tell. Which was fine. He ate takeout all the time too, but the thought of Sarah making him food did things to him he wasn’t expecting. Was she a meat and potatoes kind of girl? He loved a good home cooked roast. Or maybe pasta. Lasagna was a huge favorite. Would she have bread too? His stomach rumbled. And he willed her furniture to arrive any day. He pictured the two of them with full plates, talking of everything and eating delicious food.
His office parking lot was empty except for one car. Sarah’s. He hurried out of his car and waved for her to come in.
She held up a finger, a phone to her ear.
He entered, left the door unlocked and made his way through the space, turning on lights. What was she doing here an hour early? He shook his head. He had done the same. But that was just his way. Could Sarah be the same? He smiled at the thought.
He heard her enter and came out to meet her.
She had a tape measure and was already writing things down in a notebook.
“Can I help?”
“Sure, but if you have work to do, I can manage just as well.”
He joined her at her side. “Good morning.”
She paused and her face filled with the light of her smile. “Good morning to you.”
His gaze lingered on her smile longer than he normally would. “I get here early every morning. I like the early hours. They give me energy.”
“Me too.” She stretched out her tape. “And I do have a lot to get finished today so I thought I’d work in the car until another human arrived.”
“I’m happy it was me.” He stretched the tape. “How far?”
“I just want this wall. Thanks.”
They worked together until she got everything she would need from the front space.
“This is an awesome sized office. There’s a lot we can do with this.”
“I’m excited to see what you come up with.”
“Me too.”
“Come on. Let me show you my room.” He coughed. “My office, as opposed to the front office, my own personal office, in the back…whatever.”
She laughed. “Lead the way.”
He let her enter first. He was proud of his space. It was clean, orderly, fully functional, and exactly as he liked things. He just wanted to spend more time with Sarah. And admittedly, he wanted her to see it. The room was an extension of himself.
“Very drab. I see what you mean. We can add more to this room, certainly. Here. Help me get measurements.”
Drab? The room he felt most proud of, the extension of himself was…drab in her eyes? “Sure.”
They got the measurements for the room. Then she walked the perimeter looking at his pictures and awards hanging on the wall. “You fish?”
“I love to fish. Those were taken down off the Texas southern coast.”
“Pretty awesome. And are these your parents?”
His heart clenched a little bit. “Yeah. They passed away, but that was one of the last times they were together. We had a family reunion at the beach.”
“I’m sorry. They look so happy together.” She peered closer. “You look like your dad.”
“People tell me that. Most of the patients who used to know him mention it all the time.”
“I love that.”
He had never appreciated the likeness as much as he should have. Now he felt an obligation to do good with the name and his father’s practice, and even with his face. He knew that was crazy, but it haunted him most days. In a good w
ay.
“And these awards and things. They should stay on the wall, right?”
“I think it’s common practice. So that people who come in here for business purposes or for a consultation can feel a greater confidence in my practice? Most doctors display this stuff for that reason.”
She nodded. “Okay, I think I have what I need.”
‘Well, sit down for a minute.”
Her eyes opened in surprise. “Don’t you have work?”
“I have a minute. It’s good to see you in here.”
“It is?”
“Sure. It’s my favorite space and now it’s even better with you in it.” He knew he was coming off too strong. But sentimental feelings were bubbling up with mention of his parents, their fishing trips, his accomplishments. “What’s your day gonna be like?”
“I’m going straight to my first and oldest client right now. I’ve got to get started on her Christmas décor. She called the other day and wanted everything up early. Said she wanted to make sure she has time to enjoy them.”
“That sound ominous.”
“I know. I didn’t like to hear it. She’s older. So maybe she knows something or maybe she just wants a little more Christmas in her life. Either way, that’s what I’m doing, and just from the things she stores in her attic, I will be there all day every day this week.”
“Wow, that’s incredible.”
“I love it. We’re talking mantles and balconies and four trees. And more. I have an idea for her themed room that’s going to be a lot of work, but we’ve never done it over there before. Gingerbread.”
“I love it. Classic.”
“Yeah, I think she’s in the mood for classic. And her great grandkids are coming this year.”
“Sounds like a great week.”
“I’ll enjoy it I’m sure. And I’ll be back over here a few times. First to drop off the Christmas décor and then to test out some pieces I’m thinking of using.”
“Wow, this is awesome. Have you sent the estimate over?”
“It’s in your inbox.”
“Already?”
“Well, I had a pretty good idea before I got here, but I ran some numbers in the car and what I saw clarified a few things. I clicked send while we were talking.”
“Impressive.”
She stood. “Well, maybe I’ll see you around.”
“I hope so.”
She waited, but he didn’t know what more to say. So she turned toward the door.
Then he rushed forward. “Let me get that.” He reached his hand around her to grab the doorknob but he paused. “Hey.”
She turned to him, almost in his arms. “Hey what?”
“Nothing really, it’s just…thanks for coming.”
“You’re welcome.”
He swayed an inch or two, closer to her, then away. Her mouth parted in a lovey slow smile.
The door opened underneath his hand, and he almost stumbled out as his weight shifted.
Candace almost dropped his breakfast. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
“No, it’s alright of course. Candace, this is Sarah Lester. I’ve hired her to do some decorating around here.”
“Oh hi.” She held out her hand for Sarah to take.
“In fact, great timing. Would you mind talking for a minute about the Christmas decorations? Sarah has a new plan for the place and I wanted to get everyone on the same page. Please help her with whatever she might need.”
“Oh sure. Great. Are you ready to do that now?”
“Yeah, I have a few minutes. Let’s talk.”
David watched as Sarah followed Candace down the hall.
What had almost happened there? Something? Anything? He knew what he wanted to happen.
This dinner at Sarah’s couldn’t come soon enough. Perhaps he could take her out before. Were they to that point? Was it okay to ask out your neighbor? Your decorator?
Probably. What did he know about any of it? As long as she didn’t become his patient he was probably okay…
6
Wow, David’s office had felt small at the end there, right before Candace opened the door. But not in a confining way. Every space Sarah saw David in felt small. He was just so large in stature, person, character. He took up space.
He’d been close enough to kiss, to hug. The distance between them felt intense, something; it felt powerful. She wondered what would have happened had Candace not opened the door. Would she have stepped closer? Put her hand on his chest like she wanted to? Would he have circled her in his arms, kissed her forehead? Her mouth? She burned at the thought. Wow, he was something. At least on her end, there was some significant chemistry going on whenever they were close.
She evened out her breathing hoping to sound like a normal person by the time she and Candace discussed plans.
The woman seemed friendly, had a cheery face, a sparkle in her eyes. Sarah could tell she was curious about how this whole thing had come about but Candace didn’t ask or allude to anything out of the ordinary. They talked through the plans, she seemed excited about things and Sarah was about ready to go when a young a beautiful blonde haired woman walked in.
“Oh hi Amber, This is Sarah Lester. She’s the decorator Dr. McArthur has hired.”
The widening of her eyes was the only indication she gave of a recognition of the suddenness of David’s plans. Sarah didn’t miss Amber’s swift assessment of her and then a hint of sadness. Interesting. Amber was young, pretty. She would be crazy not to harbor some kind of hope for something further with Dr. McArthur. Perhaps there was something between them, or perhaps not. David didn’t seem like the type to date his nurse.
She seemed nice enough to Sarah and that’s what mattered at the moment. “So I’ll be back a few days this week and in the coming months to get this started and oversee it to completion.”
“I’m excited to see what you do with the place.” Candace walked with her toward the door.
“Hopefully I do it justice. It’s such a great space.”
“I think so too. I’m sure you’ll do fine. In my mind, any change is good. Spice things up, if you know what I mean.”
Sarah wondered at what she meant, but her expression was blank and she remained professional the whole while.
As Sarah was driving away she smiled at the thought of David’s place. It was a good, organized space. The people were efficient and kind. No nonsense anywhere in the entire office. She wondered if he could use a little bit of nonsense in his life. The thought made her laugh and she was itching to take a look inside of his home.
Then she turned her next thoughts to Lily Townsend, her oldest and dearest client. She loved the woman for many reasons. Number one being she’d been a precious and trusted friend of her mothers. Sarah missed her mother every day. And hoped to make her proud even in death. Lily had been something of a mentor to her in her work with the children, in their joint efforts at two important nonprofits that raised money for lower income families. And more than anything, Lily had been like a mother to Sarah’s mother when her own was not functioning.
She pulled into her house. Lily’s daughter’s truck was out front, a beautiful red Ford that Sarah envied in a good way. How fun to get to run into Tricia while she was there.
Sarah knocked on the door and waited longer than usual for someone to come open it. At length, Tricia stood in front of her with red rimmed eyes. “Oh Sarah. Come in.” She reached out to give her a hug. “I’m sorry it took so long to get to the door.”
“It’s okay of course. Is everything al right?”
Tricia paused, her face pinching up a little bit. “Why don’t you come on in to talk to mama.”
Fear twisted in her stomach. But Sarah didn’t say anything just followed Tricia back to Lily’s favorite sitting room on the back side of their home, overlooking the forest. She’d bought property that shared a border with miles of natural park land. And Lily loved to sit and stare out over the trees and watch
for the wildlife that always came to pay a visit. She’d often talk of the different critters she’d seen back there.
But this morning she sat with her head leaning back against her chair, eyes closed. Sarah crept in quietly and sat at her side Then Tricia placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Mama. Sarah’s come to visit.”
Lily mumbled something and then fluttered her eyes open. “Oh my dear Sarah, you’ve come.”
“Yes, but I can come back at a better time if you’re tired…”
“No, no, you came at just the right time for we have work to do don’t we?”
“If we want to get Christmas up, we certainly do.”
“And this year, must be the best. Every piece out, every memory collected. Everything an expression of our love.” She swallowed as though with difficulty and then smiled. “Let’s get started right away.”
“Excellent. I have you booked this whole week. So I’ll be here every day as usual. I thought today I’d start unloading the attics and putting pieces in position. I’ll do as much as I can so that there isn’t a lot of clutter in the process.”
“You’ll be wonderful. I have full confidence in you, Sarah. The house will look even more magical than ever.”
“Oh thank you. You know, I tell you this every year, you’re my oldest and most favorite client.”
“And you’re my only decorator. I would never use another.” She reached out and Sarah took her hand in her own. It’s softness surprised her. But she cradled the woman’s hand in her own.
“Let’s bring out the magic, shall we?” She was immediately reminded of David. What a beautiful thought. Magic.
“Oh and have you given thought to the theme?”
“I have, but I’d love your thoughts on the matter.” For some reason, she hesitated to bring up the gingerbread idea, even though she’d spent hours finding ways to bring unique and beautiful gingerbread references to a room.
“This year. I wonder if we can turn it into somewhat of a creche exhibit? Use what I have found over the years and add to it?”
Sarah opened her mouth and then closed it again. Then nodded. “Certainly. It will add elegance to the room and a sense of an actual exhibit perhaps.”
It's a Wonderful Date Page 4
