It took Venetia a second to form a reply, she was lost in this blue eyes which had seemed to pull her in. “Thank you,” she stammered, still unable to look away.
Lewis could feel the attraction between them but wasn’t sure if Venetia was feeling it too. “I’d love to take you for coffee and talk about your work. I seriously considered going into pediatrics at one point, but the lure of neurosurgery was just too strong,” he said, stammering over his words, suddenly more nervous around a woman than he’d ever been.
“I’m awfully busy, but I could make some time at lunch today.” Venetia was just as surprised to hear the words as Lewis was. “We could meet in the cafeteria around noon,” she added, suddenly nervous.
“That would be wonderful,” he said, hardly believing his luck. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
Venetia walked away from Lewis wondering what had just happened. Had she just made a lunch date or was it simply two colleges meeting professionally? Either way, she shouldn’t have agreed to meet him, there was no time in her life for lunch meetings, especially if it wasn’t a professional meeting.
At times, she missed having someone in her life, but her work left little time for romance so she’d been alone for a long time. She didn’t really mind; after all, what man would put up with her work schedule? There would be plenty of time for romance later, she was still young and in no hurry to have a family of her own. Her patients were her family, every child she treated became hers in some small way.
Her first impulse as she walked into her office at the clinic was to call Lewis back and cancel their lunch appointment, but she hadn’t gotten his number. Of course she could find him in the hospital directory but decided that it was too much work. Then had to admit to herself that she actually wanted to meet this mystery man for lunch, he’d sparked something in her she’d never felt before.
It wasn’t that she’d never been attracted to a man before, but this had felt different, felt more intimate than a simple attraction between two people. Venetia had never been an especially romantic person, her past relationships had been based on mutual need and convenience. Usually ending when the man became annoyed that she had many other priorities than their relationship.
She never minded and in fact had usually been relieved to be free again. Romance had never been high on her list of important things and still wasn’t, but she found herself a little excited to be meeting Lewis for lunch. It was stupid to feel that way, but she’d seen the spark of attraction in Lewis’ eyes and liked it.
When Bernice came in, she knew that she’d have to tell her about her lunch plans since they often took patients on during lunch. “I’m going to meet another doctor for lunch today,” she said, trying to make it sound like no big deal.
“Oh, yeah? Who would this mysterious doctor be?” Bernice asked, suddenly suspicious. Venetia never took time out for lunch. “It must be someone important if you’re actually going to take a lunch break.”
“He’s a neurosurgeon from the 5th floor. He was on the award committee and just wants to talk shop,” Venetia said, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Hmm, I’m trying to believe that, but the fact that you’re blushing tells me differently,” Bernice said, giving Venetia a long look.
“Well, he is kind of good looking, but I’m sure it’s just professional interest. We’re not exactly from the same world.”
“Since when does that make any difference? You like him I can tell.”
“I don’t even know him,” Venetia said to Bernice as well as herself.
“Seems to me that a lunch date is a perfect way to get to know someone,” Bernice said over her shoulder as she disappeared into one of the exam rooms.
Chapter 2
Venetia managed to only be a few minutes late for lunch, a real miracle considering the patient load she was carrying. She rushed into the room, slightly out of breath, worrying that he might have left already. When she saw him across the room, sitting at a table with files spread in front of him, she instantly felt guilty. He too was a busy man, and it had been rude to keep him waiting.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, rushing up to the table.
“It’s fine, I brought some work to do. I know how busy you are,” Lewis said, getting to his feet. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Let’s get something to eat and then we can get to know one another better.”
Venetia was strangely nervous. She’d never been nervous around a man before, but there was something different about Lewis. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she’d never felt this way in the past. It could also be because in this case not only was she attracted to him, but she wasn’t in control. After they’d gotten their food and were seated at the table, they ate in silence for a few minutes before Lewis cleared his throat nervously.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you for a while but haven’t had the chance. I think you’re doing great work with the clinic. I hear that parents travel a long way just to bring their kids to the clinic.”
“I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, but I didn’t do it alone. I have a wonderful staff who are really dedicated to helping kids,” she said, finally looking at him across the table.
She was almost sorry that she did because when their eyes met, there was no doubt in her mind that this was more than a professional lunch. The desire she saw in his eyes was a shock, but even more shocking was that she felt a responding desire that flashed though her like a sudden storm. The tingle she felt in her loins was both pleasant and alarming at the same time.
The sound of her phone ringing saved her from any more thoughts of how attractive Lewis was. When she broke eye contact, it was with a little regret, but her patients were her first priority. Pulling the phone out of her pocket, she sent Lewis a regretful look and checked her messages.
“I’m sorry, but one of my hospitalized patients had gotten worse, I’m so tired of this flu. It’s been especially hard on the kids, too many of my patients don’t get the proper food they need so they’re especially vulnerable to it.”
“I understand. I’d be happy to walk upstairs, if you like.”
Venetia only hesitated for a second. “I’d like that.”
Lewis was disappointed that their lunch had been cut short, but it had been a last minute thing, so he accepted it with grace. But he was determined to get her to agree to a date before they parted ways.
As they rode the elevator up to the patient floors, he said, “I really enjoyed lunch, but I’d love to get to know you better. How about dinner some night?”
Venetia considered his offer; the elevator would be stopping soon which didn’t give her much time to think about his offer so she went with her gut. “I’d love that. Let me give you my number, call me, and we’ll figure out when.”
He followed her from the elevator to the nurses’ station where she wrote down her number then walked away feeling pleased with himself. He’d gone from not even knowing her to a date in just a few hours. Today had turned out better than he ever could have hoped for.
As she walked away from Lewis, Venetia couldn’t resist one more look at him. Standing at the elevator, he was checking his phone, giving her a chance to look at him without him noticing. He was certainly handsome, maybe not the kind of guy she was usually attracted to, but he definitely got her blood pumping.
Blushing at the direction her thoughts had taken, she refocused on why she was there. This was not the social hour, she had patients that needed her, both here in the hospital and in the clinic. She’d worked hard to build a life that made her happy, and she wasn’t sure that a relationship, even a casual one, had any place in her life right now.
But she had to admit that she was intrigued by Lewis and was looking forward to seeing him again if she could find time in her busy schedule. This might just be one of those times that she’d have to make an effort to be available, something she rarely did. She’d learned a long time ago that making plans was a wasted effort sin
ce she almost always had to cancel.
The only people she made room for right now was family. However, something inside her kept pushing her toward adding Lewis to that group of people. Shocked at her own thoughts, she pushed him from her mind and concentrated on what the nurse was telling her about her patient.
At the end of another long day, she was finally home, the extra shifts at the hospital mercifully cancelled since the flu had finally played itself out. She threw her stuff onto the chair by the door, placed her phone on the table, realizing with a sinking heart that Lewis hadn’t called. He had probably just been being nice she decided heading for the bathroom and a much-deserved hot bath.
It wasn’t like she needed romance in her life, her life was fine the way it was. She’d been silly to get her hopes up, love didn’t just bump into you on the way to work. A gorgeous guy like Lewis couldn’t possibly be interested in her, she was way too short and carried those few extra pounds that no amount of diet and exercise could eliminate.
After she got out of the bath, she refused to look at her phone, knowing that she’d be disappointed if Lewis hadn’t called. How, she wondered, had she gotten to this point after less than 24 hours. If nothing else that should have raised the red flag, but the part of her that was all woman really wanted him to call.
She made herself some dinner and curled up on the couch to watch television, a treat she rarely allowed herself. Sleep soon followed, her stomach pleasantly full, the house warm and comfy although it was bitterly cold outside. She awoke hours later, her neck stiff, grabbed her phone, and stumbled to bed.
The next morning, she awoke to a world covered with snow and a message on her phone from Lewis. She was ridiculously happy to see that he’d called and decided to delay the gratification of listening to it until she’d had coffee. She made a full pot, then cup in hand, she went to the living room and called her voicemail.
Lewis had been called in to perform an emergency surgery, another aneurism that had turned ugly when he’d gotten into surgery. What should have been a simple procedure had become a major procedure, ending late the night before. He explained that he’d stayed at the hospital until the patient was out of danger then fallen into bed, calling her only as he was about to go to sleep.
The thought of Lewis in his bed brought an interesting picture to her mind, which she quickly pushed aside. He wanted her to call him when she got up in the morning so they could plan their date. Her heart was pounding as she pushed the call button, knowing that she was going to wake him up. It seemed much too intimate, but he’d insisted that she call so she did.
She could tell that he had been asleep when she called. “Hello,” he said, clearly groggy with sleep.
“Hi, Lewis. It’s Venetia. I feel bad calling you this early, I know you had a long night.”
“That’s okay,” he said, his voice coming out clearer. “I wanted you to. I’d really like to see you again. Just tell me when, my on calls are over, so I’m free any night.”
Venetia had known that he would be asking, so she’d checked her schedule for a night that she knew she’d be able to get out of the clinic early or at least on time. “How about Wednesday? I’ve got a light day that day.”
“Sounds perfect. Should we meet someplace or would you like me to pick you up?”
As much as she wanted the full date experience, she knew that it would be hard to make enough time to come home before the date so she said, “I’ll meet you. Name the time and place and I’ll be there.”
“I’m so glad,” he said, making her heart flutter.
Venetia jumped out of the cab she’d splurged on since she was late. Even with the light appointment schedule she always had on Wednesday, she’d still had a hard time getting away from the hospital. Luckily, Lewis had chosen a restaurant close to the hospital, but she knew that he’d probably still been sitting there alone for at least fifteen minutes.
She could have been on time if she hadn’t wanted to change her clothes, but she could hardly show up to a date wearing wrinkled scrubs, her hair pulled back in a functional bun. So she’d taken the time to make herself look presentable, a touch of makeup and a nice skirt and sweater, then her favorite boots to finish it off.
Either excitement or the cold had kissed her cheeks with a natural blush that made her chocolate eyes sparkle. It had been so long since she’d been on a date that she found herself really looking forward to the night. Lewis seemed different than the other men she’d dated and she was definitely attracted to him. But that attraction was making her nervous, an emotion she rarely felt.
Bernice hadn’t helped either. She’d hoped that she could get her nurse out of the clinic before she had to get ready for her date, but that hadn’t happened. When she’d suggested that Bernice go home early, her suggestion had been quickly rejected.
“No way am I going home early. You’re just trying to get rid of me before you get ready for your date,” Bernice said, as she locked the clinic door.
“I’m perfectly capable of getting ready by myself.”
“I know, but if I don’t stay you might let yourself get pulled upstairs. No way am I letting you mess up this date with Dr. Zeihr.”
“Okay, I get it. I know I’m not very good at taking time for myself, but I do want to go on this date,” Venetia said, taking off her lab coat.
“Good, because that man is quite a catch.”
“I really don’t know that much about him, which really puts me at a disadvantage since he knows all about me. What do you know about him?” she asked, knowing that Bernice would know all about him since she loved to gossip.
“Well, he’s rich and good looking. He’s a very good doctor who truly cares about his patients. There’s a rumor that he had a falling out with his parents, but no one seems to know any more than that.”
“That’s it? What about his love life, surely there are rumors about that?” she said, shocked that Bernice didn’t know more.
“As far as I know, he hasn’t dated anyone since he’s been here. There are rumors of a failed engagement years ago, but I don’t know any more than that.”
Venetia had gone off to get ready, not sure if that information had helped or hurt, but as she opened the restaurant door, she was glad that she had a little information about Lewis. She spotted him across the room as soon as she walked through the door. He was looking at his watch, an impatient look on his face.
But that look disappeared when he saw her coming across the room. He got to his feet and hugged her, sparking a little heat between them. When he kissed her on the cheek, desire leapt in her belly, shocking her into silence. He pulled out her chair and helped her get seated, a new experience for Venetia whose dates weren’t usually that gallant.
“I’m sorry I’m late. It’s a bad habit I can’t seem to change,” she said, embarrassed by her own bad manners.
“It’s okay, I’ve only been here a few minutes myself,” he said, gesturing for the waiter.
After he’d ordered their meal, another nice touch, they both settled back in their chairs. There was a long silence as they both gathered their thoughts. Finally, Lewis broke the silence. “I’m glad we could get together. I’ve been...”
His words were interrupted by Venetia’s phone buzzing in her pocket. She’d planned to put it on silent but had forgotten in her rush to get to the restaurant. Pulling it out of her pocket, she sent him an apologetic look and switched it off.
“Again I’m sorry, but I turned it off,” she said, stuffing the phone into her purse where she wouldn’t be tempted to look at it.
“That’s okay. I’m surprised you turned it off,” Lewis said, knowing that it was a big deal for her to cut off communication with her patients.
“I managed to call in a favor so another doctor would cover my patients for the night,” she said, a little embarrassed.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Now, you’re all mine,” he said, flashing her a smile that melted her bones.
&nb
sp; “Honestly, it wasn’t easy to do,” she said, shaking her head.
“It’s good that you take your job so seriously. If all doctors had your dedication, medicine would be a lot better off. But don’t forget that you need to have a life too.”
“Now you sound like my nurse. Lewis, you have to understand that these people need me. All I’ve ever wanted to do was help the ones who get missed by the system. If I can save just one child then it’s worth everything I’ve sacrificed.”
“Your dedication was one of the first things that struck me when I read about the clinic, but I still don’t know what motivates you,” he said, pouring the wine that had just been delivered with their appetizer.
“It’s not something I talk about that much, but when I was growing up, my brother was diagnosed with cancer. He survived, but barely, thanks to a lot of doctors who just didn’t want to bother with the extra effort of getting him the help he needed,” she said, the old anger surfacing again.
“What do you mean?” Lewis asked, shocked to think that any doctor would blow off a cancer diagnosis.
“Have you ever been to one of the free or low-cost clinics around town? Most of those places are run by people who are only looking to line their pockets by defrauding the government or doctors who have to work there for one reason or the other. Regardless of the reason they’re there, they usually don’t want to be.”
“I take it that this happened to you?” Lewis asked, truly interested in hearing her story.
“Not to me, but to my brother. We took him to several of those clinics. At the first one, they brushed away his constant exhaustion to laziness. At the second, they explained the bruises away as just a result of boy’s rough housing. No one was willing to do blood work or any other diagnostic testing, although I later discovered that they’d charged the state for testing.”
“But those are all classic signs of lymphoma. No one tested him?”
“No, they didn’t want to take the time or energy to find out what was really wrong with him. He just continued to get worse until my parents were so desperate that they went to the emergency room and demanded that they run the tests.”
Their Miracle Baby (BWWM Romance Book 1) Page 2
