“I think that’s a great idea.”
He was at the school offering a free physical to every student present. He knew that many of the families couldn’t afford yearly checkups for their children, or they didn’t take the time to do them. he offered his assistance just in case there was a child or tow that had something serious. A physical would be the place such a thing was caught. So far, he’d seen two cases of scoliosis and plenty of children that needed to wear glasses. Also, a couple cases of strep and a possible case of the flu. The child’s fever was raging high and was sent home immediately. Why did he do this? It just seemed more simple to him. Get the physicals done. And he’d been doing them long enough that he was developing histories for the children. In order to participate, the parents have to fill out a history for him also.
As he was packing up to go, Nurse Smith shook her head. “You know, I can’t figure you out. Every one of those children would have been money in your practice. Why are you here doing them all for free?”
“Well, I can catch them all in one place here. Some of these kids would never get a physical otherwise. That’s worth the loss in income for me.”
She shrugged. “I think that’s real noble of you, but someone’s got to pay your bills too, right?”
He sighed. She was right. But he didn’t have time to think about the sense of her words today. “I’ll see you tomorrow Nurse Smith.”
“Sounds good, Dr. McArthur.”
His drive home took longer than it had all week. Because today he wasn’t excited to see Sarah. Instead, he looked forward with dread to her ignoring him, or rushing into the house so she didn’t have to talk to him. Or worse, saying hello but her expression would be flat, uninterested. For the first time since Sarah moved into his neighborhood, he wished she lived somewhere else.
But no matter how slowly he drove, he eventually arrived home. And he noticed Sarah’s car right away, but she was already inside and he was saddened at his relief over that fact. At least now he wouldn’t have to know just how made she was at him.
Today he felt low, lower than he had in a long time.
Miss Lily Townsend was going to die.
And she didn’t know it yet, but he was going to have to be the one to tell her.
She could pursue radiation, blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, but even after all of that, she was going to die. There was nothing medicine cold do to save her, only prolong her life, and those methods of prolonging were not comfortable ones.
Of what good was her really in this profession? Even the nurse at school chided him for offering free physicals. He couldn’t help anyone with a serious problem. He spent more of his time prescribing simple fixes to everyday problems.
And where was he during all these years running checkups on dear Miss Lily? Why had he not noticed any abnormalities sooner? The great failings of his life were falling down around him. Everything he’d ever done wrong in his medical profession flashed before his eyes. The boy he’d misdiagnosed as having strep when he really had the flu, a child with a severe ear infection he’d prescribed too large a dose of antibiotics, a boy with a broken ankle he’d said was only sprained. The list went on and on. And now, Lily would pass away and pay the price for his poor performance.
His phone rang. The night callers were on early. It rang again. He almost didn’t answer but then the man inside who could never turn down someone in need said, “Hello.”
A familiar voice moaned. “I seem to have developed a hang nail.”
“Pardon me?”
“A hang nail. It’s this piece of skin at the edge of my fingernail. It hurts so bad, you don’t understand. I need help.”
He laughed. “Sarah?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to come over?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Oh, and bring your hang nail I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.”
Relief filled him. She wanted to see him. She’d called him. He chuckled. And she was in good humor possibly.
The doorbell rang and he hurried to open in. Jessie stood at the door with a pot of something warm, carried between two pot holders.
“Um, Jessie! Hello.” His gaze lifted up over her head. Sarah stood in the middle of his sidewalk, frozen. “What’s this?” He asked Jessie while watching Sarah.
“Dinner. I know how much you love a home cooked meal so I brought it over. I hear it’s been a rough couple days.”
His eyes held questions for Sarah. Did she want to join them? Did she understand that he was now in a bind, that he must show gratitude and entertain Jessie?
Her eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips, waiting. Apparently she was not understanding any of those things. But he was helpless to know what to do about it so he raised a hand to point inside, asking her to join them.
She shook her head so he shrugged and closed the door. What more could he do?
A half second later, there was a knock on the door, he opened it.
Sarah stood there. “Oh hey. I changed my mind.”
His smile grew. “Great! This should be interesting. Come on in.”
She nodded and he led her into the kitchen.
Jessie looked like she might swallow her tongue when she saw Sarah.
“hey Jessie, Sarah was on her way over when you came. We’re working on a new plan for my office.”
“And your house.” Sarah waved her hand around, pointing to his space.
“My house?”
‘Sure. I have thoughts. This place is amazing. We can start with the kitchen.”
Jessie snorted. “Oh yeah. That’s a great idea. Can I help with those plans? Since I’m in here so much I’d love a say, you know?” Her proprietorial expression made David wonder what Sarah would do about it.
“Oh sure. I know what you mean, just last night I was trying to figure out cookies, and…then, no. Look at those cabinets.”
“Right, like the other day. I was making him dinner…”
“And then I was here and when I saw it for the first time, in the middle of our conversation, I had a brilliant idea.”
“What was it?”
“White.”
Jessie held her hands out. “Yes. Paint them white? Cause I’m so in with that idea.”
“Totally. And then a splash of color right here.” She moved to the center island. “What do you think? Coral?”
“Yes! Or blue. Have you seen that in a pretty royal blue?”
“Totally, But I like the coral just cause then it’s not such a man cave around here.”
“Right. This place oozes masculinity.”
“I know.”
They stopped and both looked up at David.
“What? Don’t stop on my account. I hope you remember though that a man lives here.”
“Oh we know. Right Sarah?” Jessie held up her hand for a high five.
“Absolutely.” Sarah high-fived her back.
Jessie dug around in the bag of food. “Ok, so I brought dinner, not knowing you would be here. But this isn’t awkward at all, is it?”
“We could make it a business dinner?” Sarah rose one eyebrow. “I could talk décor and you could talk assistant?”
Jessie nodded. “I like that.”
“Okay then.”
They turned to David again and he just shrugged. “Whatever you guys want. I’m hungry and the food smells good?” He didn’t know if he and Sarah would ever be able to go on a date, like a real date without it being totally shattered by someone or something else. But she was being such a good sport about this he might have fallen just a little bit in love with her.
Sarah smiled. “Sounds good to me.” She dug around in the cupboards and grabbed three plates. Then she handed them to David. “Set the table?”
He shook his head and did as he was told. And soon the three of them were sitting at the table eating the dinner Jessie had brought over.
Sarah wiped her mouth. “I gotta say, this is delicious.
Maybe you could share the recipe some time.”
“I’d love to. You know, one thing I’ve wanted to start in this neighborhood is a dinner group. Do you think anyone would want to?
“Sure. I’d be so game. I think the others would too, but uh. Maybe just adults only?”
“Oh yes. No more UNO.”
“Have you been a victim as well?”
David laughed. “Oh, we all have.”
Sarah shook her head. “You know, I think they cheat.”
“Of course they do. “Jessie snorted. “How many games have you ever played where the last twenty cards to be played were all trick cards and only in the hands of the Gempseys?”
“Did that happen with you too?” Sarah laughed. “I’ve learned my lesson.”
David listened to the two of them. Even with Jessie present the time with Sarah helped him feel lighter than he had all day. The problems of his day, the stresses, the worry for Lily, everything that that weighed him down was still there and he wanted to talk more with her about it all, but at the moment, he felt better able to handle all the tough decisions and difficult conversations.
After dinner, the three of them lingered at the table. Conversation slowed. David stood. “I’ll get these. Why don’t you two move to the couch, relax for a minute.”
While he placed the dishes in the dishwasher, he eyed the two of them. Well, at least they were all friends now. Jessie was a good woman, a good friend, a helpful assistant. She was a bit overdone, but so were a lot of women. But not matter how pretty or nice she looked all the time, nothing about her tugged at his interest like his was piqued when it came to Sarah. She was in a class all by herself.
If he could ever actually date her…or even go on one date…Maybe they could see where something would go between them. He shook his head. Back when he had an active social life, he didn’t remember getting a woman to go out with him to be so difficult. And yet, here he was. A beautiful woman lived across the street and he had yet to be able to take her on a date. He snorted. Or even just go out and get a meal. He was losing his touch.
Watching two beautiful women sit on his couch, waiting it out in competition to see who would stay and who would go, he laughed at himself, rotated his shoulders and then sat on the couch beside Sarah.
“Jessie, really that was delicious. Sarah and I couldn’t have asked for a better meal as we try and plan out what to do for a dear friend.”
She paused, her gaze looking from one to the other and then back, she nodded. “Hey, you’re welcome. She stood. And Sarah, we’re starting that dinner group, right?”
“Absolutely.”
She headed to the door. “I’ll come back and get my dishes tomorrow.”
“Of course. Or I’ll drop them off.”
“And I’ll send you the invoice for last month.”
He nodded.
Jessie lifted her hand in the air. “Okay, then I’ll leave you two at it.”
Sarah stood. “Let me walk you out.”
“Oh hey, no, I know my way out.”
“Thank you again!”
When she left and the door shut behind her, Sarah let out a sigh. “And I was just starting to really like that woman.”
“She’s awesome. You two could be great friends.”
“Yeah, I see that.” She turned to David. “But thanks for giving us a moment.”
He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. “How would you feel if I told you I’ve been wanting to do this all night?”
“Do what? Put your arms around me.”
“Yes, and a few other things.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
She stepped closer and looked up into his face. “Like what?”
“Like…” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His eyes searched her face. “Sarah. It’s been a long time since I’ve really been with a woman. I’m so busy. You saw the other night. All those phone calls, the practice, the town. But … what I’m trying to say is. For the first time in a long time I would like to see where something between us could go.”
“I’d like that too.” She searched his face. “I think.”
“You think?” He played with the braid going down her back. “What can I do to convince you I’m a good idea?” Then he lifted her hand in his.
“Hmm. More of that, to be sure.” She laughed.
“Oh, well, I like that direction.” He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the tips of her fingers. “Still good?”
Her face flushed but she swallowed and nodded. “Mmm.”
As he moved closer, she lifted her chin and stared up into his face. Then he pressed his lips to her forehead.
She closed her eyes, her small smile growing. “And.”
“Hmm?”
“And a date.” She mumbled and then opened her eyes. “A real date where we’re together and no one else, no interruptions.”
He opened his mouth.
“Unless there’s an emergency.” She amended.
He shook his head. “That’s what 911 is for.”
“Well okay then.”
“That I can do.” He ran a thumb down the side of her face and she leaned into his hand.
She closed her eyes. “And then maybe….”
He lowered his lips to hers, close, her puffs of air tickling his skin. When her tongue came out to wet her mouth, he waited no longer and pressed his lips to hers. Once, then paused, looking into her eyes.
“Maybe we can make something special here.”
“I’d like that.”
She lifted up on her toes and put her arms around his neck.
When he pressed his lips to hers again, his hands cupped her small waist and pulled her as close to him as she could come.
Her fingers curled into his hair and his hands moved up her back. But they paused, both of them together on a half breath pulled away. Then she looked away. “Wow.”
“Yeah. Wow.” He tugged her closer again and wrapped her close in a hug. “Thank you.”
She laughed into his shirt. “Thank you?”
“Yeah, sure. Thank you. This is nice.”
“I agree.”
10
Sarah drove down Main Street after looking in the antique store Mrs. Miller was raving about in the driveway the other day. The rest of her week had been lovely, from the time in David’s home until today. Days full of work, nights full of more work but with David at her side. His kisses were familiar and the way his hands held her made her long for more. She was well on her way to being in love with this amazing new man in her life. They still hadn’t actually been on a real date yet. But her table and chair arrived that morning and so she’d bought ingredients for the dinner she would cook for him. Date number one of many she hoped.
As she was about to turn at the light, movement on her right caught her eye. David, coming out of what looked like an old and broken down building. But he carried two large garbage bags, full of something and hurried down the street. That man was involved in more things than she could keep track of.
She pulled into David’s office, and Amber pulled in beside her. She must be coming back from lunch. The place looked empty.
Amber had always been friendly but there was a hint of disappointment whenever Sarah saw her that Sarah wished she could chase away. Did she hope for a relationship with David? Was she unhappy David had chosen her? Sarah didn’t know. But the young woman was pleasant enough when she saw her that she was grateful.
“Hey Amber.”
“Oh hi! You coming back to beautify the place?”
“I am. We should be finished this week. How’s it looking so far?”
“It’s stunning! The paint alone changed everything.”
“That color is my favorite. I’ve been looking for a place to paint it ever since I discovered the shade.”
“Well you found it. And the patients have been commenting.”
“Have they?” That made Sarah smile. They wal
ked in together and she made her way into the back to leave her stuff in the storage room. Candace was getting opening up the office again for the after lunch patients. The three of them paused by the desk.
Sarah pocketed her phone. “I just saw Dr. McArthur on Main street coming out of an old building, carrying two full garbage bags. What else does he do in his spare time?”
Candace smiled, her face warming. “He’s such a good man. That would be the shelter. He’s in there checking on current residents. It’s a county program and we never know who is living there or for how long. He stops in to see if they have medical needs.”
Sarah was amazed. “I don’t know how he has time, honestly.”
“Me neither, if you could follow up and all that is required, but he feels like it’s important.” She clucked. “Now, as far as why he’s carrying out the trash?” She shrugged. “That’s just Dr. McArthur for you. It was probably sitting there, so he did it.”
Sarah could well believe he bagged it up himself. “I’m amazed at all he does.”
“He really is incredible.” Amber held her eyes for several seconds until Sarah nodded. “I’m beginning to see that.”
The door chimed, which probably indicated he’d returned. Sarah went out to the front to see.
His cheery face warmed her to her toes. “David.”
“hi beautiful. It’s looking better all the time in here.” He pulled her close and whispered. “But I can’t tell if that’s just cause you’re actually here in my office, or cause the paint and furniture make it look fresh.”
She laughed. “Good to see you too.”
He kissed her a too quick hello and then murmured. “More of that later.”
Then he made his way to the back. “I’ll wash up and we are ready to go. Team, bring on Phase two of the day.”
“We’re ready for you, boss.” Candace winked.
“And where’s that Amber? Does she know the Hendersons are coming back?”
“Oh yes. We have a whole corner blocked off back there just for them.”
Sarah worked on the garlands and the tree for the front office. She added lamps and the table top décor. Then she went to the car to grab six large decorated faux gifts: the finishing touches. She was proud of the space.
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