The Doctor's Dating Bargain

by Teresa Southwick

  She pulled away from him. “It’s been almost three months and things here at the lodge are worse than ever. In my experience, people either don’t like me or they pretend to be my friend in order to get something from me.”

  “Betrayal leaves a mark.”

  She wasn’t going to confirm or deny. “What do I owe your sister?”

  “Nothing. She took it to the shop and put air in the tire then brought it back.”

  “A house call?”

  He shrugged. “Call it public relations. If anyone here at the lodge needs a good mechanic, put in a good word.”

  “Okay. Please give her my thanks and tell her that I appreciate what she did very much.” She started toward the stairs. “My break is over.”

  She didn’t want it to be over because being with Ben felt like a sanctuary.

  “I’ll see you around,” he said.

  Not really a good idea. He was right about betrayal. The mark it left on her was about not being able to trust anyone. Ever. That wasn’t much of a problem here, since everyone fell in the hating her camp. So that made her wonder why the hometown hero was the only one in town being nice to her.

  Chapter Four

  “I put a patient in exam room one. And I use the term patient loosely, if you know what I mean.”

  Ben looked at the disgusted expression on nurse Ginny’s face and was afraid he did know what she meant. It was another single woman faking a sprained ankle or wrist or something else as an excuse to put the moves on him.

  “Does she have a casserole?”

  Ginny grinned, a sign she was enjoying this way too much. “Yes.”

  “Okay. Is there a chart?”

  “Uh-huh.” She handed it over. “The home phone number is highlighted and underlined and asterisked.”

  He looked at the paperwork inside the manila folder. Cherri Lyn Hoffman. Twenty-five. Worked in accounting at the Blackwater Lake power company. Single. Discomfort in right ankle. “Well, I guess we should see what’s wrong with her.”

  “Or not.” Ginny headed down the hall to the break room.

  “Aren’t you coming with me?”

  “You’re a big boy. I think you can handle this.” She kept walking, then turned into the last room and disappeared.

  Ben sighed as he knocked once on the exam room door. “Miss Hoffman?”

  “Come in.”

  He did. In this Victorian house donated to the town and turned into a clinic, the rooms were bigger. There was a sink in the corner and walls filled with charts and posters. One for nutrition, with portions of fruit and vegetables dominating. Another was a skeleton with bones labeled.

  The patient was sitting on the paper-covered exam table with her legs dangling. Brown hair fell to her shoulders and teased the tight white T-shirt. Some shiny stuff sparkled on the front of it. A denim skirt the size of a postage stamp hit her just below the curve of her thigh and barely covered her...assets.

  He left the door open, then went to the sink to wash his hands. “Hi, Miss Hoffman. I’m Dr. McKnight.”

  “Please, call me Cherri.”

  And you can call me Dr. McKnight, he thought, but couldn’t say it. “What seems to be the problem?”

  “I think I twisted my ankle.”

  “Let me take a look.” He sat on the rolling stool and moved toward her, and the very high heels she was wearing. That was the first clue she was faking. He looked at both legs. “Which one hurts?”

  “The left.”

  He looked in the chart where Ginny had noted that, per the patient, the injury was to the right ankle. “I don’t see any swelling or trauma.”

  Cherri stuck her leg out. “Maybe you can feel something.”

  He could feel it was a sham without touching her or looking at an X-ray. “Why don’t you walk across the room for me?”

  “All right.”

  She slid to the step at the end of the table, then stepped to the floor with an exaggerated wince as her right leg took her weight. Turning toward the doorway, she limped on the right leg. After a pivot she came back and favored the opposite side before stopping at the exam table next to him.

  She blinked her big blue eyes. “What do you think, Doctor?”

  God, he hated this. Several times a week this happened. He wanted to tell her not to waste his time. This wasn’t a game and he wouldn’t order needless diagnostic tests or prescribe medication for a nonexistent condition. But he was a professional and couldn’t say any of that.

  “I don’t think it’s serious.” He kept his tone neutral with an effort. “When it bothers you, take over-the-counter medication for pain. Elevate it and alternate cold and heat.”

  “Thank you. I’m so relieved it’s nothing serious.”

  It was serious, but not in a way she would understand. He stood and headed for the door. “All right, then. Have a good day.”

  “Wait.” She moved quickly to stop him. “Don’t I need to see you again? Another appointment? Or something?”

  “No. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

  She lifted a covered casserole dish from the chair next to the door beside her purse. “This is for you. I thought you being a bachelor and a busy doctor that you might like something home-cooked.”

  “Thank you.” He took it but couldn’t manage a smile. “Goodbye.”

  “Are you going to call me? To see how I’m doing?”

  “I’m sure you’re fine.”

  Before she could stop him again, he walked out, down the hall to the break room. Once safely inside, he shut the door. There was a refrigerator on the wall beside it and he opened the freezer, then shoved the food in with the five or six others there. The fridge was running out of room.

  Ginny was sitting at the oak table having a cup of coffee. “We usually leave that door open.”

  “I know.” If only it had a lock.

  “Are you hiding?”

  “Damn straight,” he said.

  “How’d it go with Cherri Lyn?”

  “Same as always. Couldn’t keep the limp consistent.” He leaned back against the counter. “That’s actually a good thing, because otherwise it would have been tempting to order unnecessary X-rays just to be sure.”

  Ginny’s blue eyes sparked with mischief. “So, are you going to call her?”

  “Of course not. What she did is inherently dishonest. You can never trust someone like that.”

  Talking about trust made him think of Cam, who clearly had issues with it. As far as he could tell her checkered past was isolated in her rebellious youth. Anyone should get a pass on that. Now she seemed straightforward and sincere. He couldn’t picture her faking a medical problem. In fact, he’d seen her do a number on her foot and refuse to let him look it over. He wouldn’t mind seeing her any time, for any reason. Or no reason.

  He looked at Ginny. “I’m losing my patience.”

  “From where I’m sitting, patients of the female persuasion are on the rise here at Mercy Medical Clinic.”

  “You know what I mean.” He snapped out the words, then drew in a deep cleansing breath. “Sorry. But I’m really frustrated with this situation. This is a medical facility, not a speed-dating event. I have a professional reputation to maintain.”

  “You’ve got a reputation, and being a doctor is only part of it. The other part is bachelor.”

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” She grinned.

  “Well, that makes one of us. The thing is, it could be dangerous. What if I blow someone off who really has a medical issue because of all the women who are faking it?”

  “They shouldn’t have to fake it if you’re doing it right.”

  “Ginny—” he warned.

  “All right.” She held up her hands in surrender. “This is the thing. It’s your own fault.”

  “Mine?” That hit a nerve. “What did I do?”

  “How can I put this delicately?” She thought for several moments. “Tough love time. And I do love you. A doc
tor who isn’t married and doesn’t have a girlfriend is fair game for every marriage-minded woman or matchmaking mother within a five-hundred-mile radius of Blackwater Lake.”

  “God help me.” He shook his head. “And there’s no immunization?”

  “Nope.”

  “So, you’re saying I need a wife?”

  “Or steady girlfriend.”

  “That’s just wrong,” he said.

  “Are you gay?”

  “No.”

  “Confirmed bachelor?” she persisted.

  “Not exactly.”

  “Then, what exactly are you?”

  “Just a guy who wants this to stop.”

  “Then you need to hook up with someone so the women will leave you alone.”

  “I haven’t met anyone to go out with.” No one except Cam Halliday and she’d only be around another few months. She was leaving town.

  And just like that he realized she would be perfect. It wouldn’t exactly be faking it, not if she knew exactly what was going on.

  The best part was that no one would get hurt.

  * * *

  Try talking to her like a very nice person. Cam recalled Ben’s advice as she waited for the employee in question. When she heard the knock on her office door, she swiveled her chair away from the computer and called out, “Come in.”

  She hoped Ben was right about this, because so far nothing had worked. Her role model had taught her the scare-the-crap-out-of-employees style of management. Her father had managed family the same way.

  The door opened and Mary Jane Baxter took a hesitant step forward. She was a very attractive blonde in her early thirties, with blue eyes and square black glasses. “You wanted to see me, Ms. Halliday?”

  “Yes. Thanks for coming, Mary Jane.” She folded her hands on her desk. “There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  “All right.”

  “Please shut the door. And have a seat,” she added.

  The woman’s expression said she was terrified, but she did as instructed and they faced each other across the desk. But Mary Jane’s leg was moving nervously and she looked everywhere but at Cam.

  What would Ben do to put her at ease? Probably ask a personal question.

  “How long have you worked here at Blackwater Lake Lodge?”

  “Almost eight months.”

  “Are you married?”

  “Yes.”

  “Children?”

  “Yes.” Mary Jane almost smiled. “A girl and a boy.”

  “That’s really nice. Are they in school?”

  “When the youngest, my daughter, started first grade, I decided to go back to work.”

  The woman still looked tense enough to snap in two. What else could she try? Mary Jane was already scared, so maybe it would be effective to do the exact opposite of her father. Take down the barriers.

  Cam stood, rounded the desk and sat in the other chair beside her employee. And stop keeping her in suspense. “I might as well come to the point. We need to talk about your unscheduled breaks from the registration desk. Because that’s the first place our guests see, there really needs to be someone behind it at all times to greet and take care of the customer.”

  “I know.” Mary Jane twisted her fingers together in her lap. “My husband was laid off recently. I really need this job.”

  “You’re good at it. When you’re there, your performance is exemplary. Efficient. Friendly. And you have a fantastic way of calming down the most irate customer. My issue is with you disappearing.”

  “It won’t happen again. Really, Ms. Halliday—”

  Cam held up a hand. “The thing is, I was talking to Ben McKnight and he mentioned that you need to eat every two hours for health reasons.”

  “I can’t believe he remembers that.” Her leg stopped moving. “It’s true. I get lightheaded if I don’t have something regularly.”

  “Is there a reason you don’t keep snacks at the desk?”

  For just a second there was a wry look in her blue eyes. “There’s a company rule against it.”

  “A stupid rule. Fortunately I can do something about that.” Cam tapped her lip thoughtfully. “Keep whatever you need in a drawer. Obviously if a customer is there, don’t grab a handful of cheese puffs, but you already know that. In a discreet way, do what you need to do to take care of yourself. I can’t afford to lose you.”

  “Really?”

  “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.” Cam figured she had nothing to lose by putting it all out there. Again, the opposite of Dean Halliday Senior. “This hotel is in financial trouble.”

  “There were rumors,” the other woman admitted.

  “I’m here to turn things around. Part of that hinges on employee retention. Training is expensive and time-consuming. If I can’t do what I’m supposed to, the property will be closed down or sold. A lot of jobs will be in jeopardy. Maybe I shouldn’t say anything, but the situation is serious.”

  Mary Jane nodded. “Not knowing what’s going on is the worst. Thanks for being honest. I appreciate it.”

  “So, we’re okay and on the same page? Just to make it clear, if you need to leave the desk, for any reason, just let me or someone else know to cover you.”

  “Of course. Thanks, Ms. Halliday—”

  “Please call me Cam.”

  “Okay. Cam. And I’m M.J.” She smiled, a genuinely warm look.

  It was the first friendly expression she’d seen in Blackwater Lake from anyone other than Ben. This talking like a nice person was working for her. And that made Cam wonder.

  “Can I ask you, M.J., why you didn’t just come and talk to me about this?”

  “I was intimidated. You’re the Halliday Hospitality heiress. Famous. And I’m just—me.” She pushed her black glasses up more firmly on her nose. “I didn’t want to ask for special treatment.”

  Cam smiled at the fact that Ben was right. “It’s not special treatment from my point of view. Frankly, I’d rather have you on your feet than passed out behind the desk. Just be healthy. That’s an order.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She saluted smartly.

  Cam laughed. Since a fragile connection had been established, this might be her only chance to find out a little about her McKnight in shining armor. “Ben said he knew you in high school.”

  M.J. nodded. “And we went to college together. He could have gone out of state anywhere because his grades were scary good. But he didn’t.”

  “Why?”

  “Didn’t want to leave his girlfriend. Judy Coulter.” There was a sharp edge in her voice when she said the name. “For a smart guy, he was really stupid over her.”

  “Oh?”

  “He’d been accepted to medical school in California and proposed to her so they could go together. She turned him down. Said she wasn’t ready yet. Six months later she met a ski bum. Arrogant jerk talked about the Olympic team as if he’d made it. Said he was going to be a star and make a fortune in endorsements. She married him.”

  “Ouch.” Poor Ben. What kind of idiot would turn her back on a man like him? “Did he take it hard?”

  “I heard he nearly flunked out of med school.” She shrugged. “But he didn’t. And he got the last laugh.”

  “How’s that?”

  “The bum didn’t make the Olympic team and Ben made a bundle on his medical practice in Las Vegas. He sold it before moving back here.” M.J. smiled. “He really dodged a bullet.”

  “Sounds like it.”

  Cam couldn’t help wondering if he felt that way. There was something about that first love. Not in her case, because no one had ever loved her for herself. It was the Halliday name and wealth that were the draw.

  But that was old news. The good thing was she was doing girl talk and employee bonding. It felt good, really good. And she had Ben to thank for it. And she would.

  “She moved back to Blackwater Lake a few months ago,” M.J. added.

  “His old girlfriend is here in to
wn, too?”

  The other woman nodded. “I haven’t heard that they’ve seen each other, but it makes you wonder.”

  Yes, it did. But Cam couldn’t afford to get sidetracked by stuff like that.

  “I’m really glad we cleared the air, M.J.” She stood and started for the door.

  “Me, too.”

  “There’s something I think you should know.”

  “What is it?” Cam met her gaze.

  “The guest that you checked in. Mr. Overton. He’s been asking the staff a lot of questions.”

  “Has he been inappropriate with them?” That’s the last thing she needed.

  M.J. shook her head. “Mostly he’s been curious about you and your family.”

  “Most people are,” Cam said. “But we’re just people who put their pants on one leg at a time. Like everyone else.”

  “I just thought you should know. I have to get back.”

  She smiled at her employee. “Keep up the good work.”

  “Thanks, Cam.”

  * * *

  After dinner in her suite, Cam was too excited to stay put and decided to get some air. She grabbed a sweater and went out in the hall, her gaze drawn to Ben’s door. It was tempting to knock, but he was a paying customer and disturbing a guest’s privacy was something a Halliday would never do.

  She left the lodge by a rear entrance and walked up the back steps to her serenity spot. It was the first time since coming to Blackwater Lake that she’d come here when she didn’t need to find her serenity. She was in the best mood and realized it was about possibilities. There were still mountains to climb and hurdles to get over, but those were for another day. This was a time to savor even minuscule progress.

  At the top of the stairs, she automatically looked around for Ben. The last two times she’d been up here it was to get her temper under control when she’d had a bad day and he’d helped her do that. Today was a good day and things continued to go her way when she saw him in the same place he’d been the night he startled her.