Road to Recovery

by Ann, Natalie

  Brooke drew her eyebrows together, pursed her mouth, and then it hit her. “Ah, Dr. Lester,” she said with a smirk of her own. “I’m normally there right after work unless I have a late meeting, like yesterday.” Her shoulders lifted slightly. “Depending on how late, I might skip the gym all together and head home. But thanks for the warning, I appreciate it.”

  “So—” The sound of the beeper going off interrupted Cori. She looked down, then back up quickly. “Crap, sorry, need to run. So much for my break. See you at the gym today?”

  “Yes, I should be there a little after five,” Brooke answered.

  “See you then.” Just like that, Cori was up and out of the office, shoes rapidly squeaking down the hallway.

  Smiling, Brooke leaned over to turn her iPod back on. Cori was so different from the other people she normally associated with. Thinking back, Brooke couldn’t remember any of her friends being that hyper or lively. And she, herself, would never act that way. It wasn’t done.

  Cori seemed to bounce everywhere she went. Almost like nervous energy ready to burst through. She talked fast, was quick to smile, and even quicker to laugh and joke. It didn’t seem to bother her at all to stop in for a quick chat, even though they only just met.

  Personally, Brooke couldn’t remember ever being that forward with someone. She liked to get a feel for a person before she put herself out there.

  For whatever reason, Cori seemed to find her interesting, or maybe she was overthinking it. Cori was obviously an overly friendly type of person, the opposite of Brooke, who had been accused of being cool or frigid more often than not. There was some truth to it, she knew. But she had expectations to live up to.

  Too many people saw a pretty face and nothing else. Or worse yet, saw her name, realized who her family was, and had certain preconceived notions of her. Thanks to her mother, perfection was demanded at all times.

  She was expected to look and act a certain way. The way a perfect wife would be, in her mother’s eyes. She should never have a hair out of place, always be dressed in the most current but classic fashions. And most importantly, be able to throw a dinner party worthy of royalty on short notice. Those were the important things in Paula Malone’s world.

  Even though Brooke didn’t agree with any of her mother’s opinions, she wasn’t going to spite herself by rebelling and looking the opposite of what her mother wanted. She refused to dress frumpy and unattractive. She liked being a girl. She liked looking like a girl. But that came with a price.

  That price meant that she most likely had to be more rigid in order to be taken seriously, in order to dispel the opinions of those who felt her mother was grooming her a certain way. After years of training herself, or rather being taught what to do and when, Brooke wasn’t sure she even knew how to let go and have fun. After her accident she realized she missed that in life.

  Her life had been carefully mapped out by lists and goals in order to achieve everything she set out to do. She liked those lists. They kept her life in control. And there was nothing wrong with being in control. At least she had never thought so before.

  But then again, all that control in her life couldn’t have prepared her for the last year either. Thinking there was nothing more she could do about it, she decided to stop overanalyzing everything and get back to work.

  ***

  “Hey there, now that’s the person I remembered from Friday.” Brooke looked over between reps on the leg press at the sound of Cori’s voice. Then she looked down at herself in black knee length bike shorts and a gray baggy T-shirt. “Do I really look that different? I mean it’s only a change of clothes.”

  Cori laughed out loud, causing several eyes to turn their way. “Are you serious? You went from Glam Girl to Gym Rat in less than thirty seconds. Your hair is piled on top of your head in a messy bun, and your shirt is two sizes too big. How can you be the same person I saw hours ago?”

  Brooke frowned. “I never really thought of it. I guess it has to do with looking the part. When I’m doing my job I’m a professional, so I dress to be professional. When I’m in the gym, I’m going to get sweaty and dirty so I dress for that.”

  Hopping on the machine next to Brooke and starting her own butterfly reps, Cori conceded. “OK, makes sense in a logical kind of way. I guess that’s you, logical? Bet everything has its own place in your house? Really organized closet, color-coded too, right?” She stole a glance over, causing Brooke look away.

  Cori inhaled sharply, pressed her elbows together, and then continued talking as Brooke’s face turned a light shade of pink. “But what’s with your hair? Why not throw it in a ponytail? And you washed your makeup off. There isn’t a bit left on your face. Who does that? Washes their face before a workout?”

  Feeling self-conscious, Brooke defended herself. “My hair is really heavy and long. Even in a ponytail it’s in my way, plus it clings to my neck when I start sweating. And speaking of sweat, once I start sweating, all my makeup starts to run. Better to wash it off now, so when I wipe my face mid workout I’m not smearing it everywhere.”

  Cori grinned back at her. “Practical and logical, cool.”

  Brooke shrugged, lifted her legs out in front of her, held the pose for two seconds, and released them back down. No reason to get defensive. She was who she was. And she worked hard to get that way.

  She started to lift her legs up again, saw the muscle knot in her thigh, and almost dropped the weights back down. Exhaling slowly, she cautiously lowered the weights and sat there taking deep breaths.

  A quick look to her side showed Cori staring at her in concern. “Everything OK?”

  After one more deep breath, Brooke climbed off the machine and took a tentative step, realized her leg would support her and took another step. “Yes, just a cramp, that’s all. I think I’ll go ride the stationary bike a bit and loosen it up.”

  Cori looked as if she didn’t believe her. “I’ll join you in a minute, once I finish up a few more reps here.”

  Legs pumping at a steady rhythm, Brooke noticed Cori sitting down next to her to start to her own workout. “So what’s up with your leg?” Cori inquired.

  Brooke skirted her eyes around the room, then quickly answered, “Just a cramp. It happens from time to time.”

  “Really? Because it seems to me you favor your right leg a lot. I noticed it last Friday, too. You try not to show you’re in pain, but I see people in pain every day and I know the signs. So what gives? You have an injury? So what, lots of people do. Only makes them human.”

  In the short time Brooke had known Cori, she had a feeling she was going to keep pestering her until she had an answer. And Cori was right. What was the big deal? So what, it was just an injury. Lots of people had them, Brooke mentally convinced herself.

  “It’s really not a big deal. I was in a car accident this past year that resulted in a few surgeries.” Four was considered a few. “I’m settling in here, new job and new home. I need to find a new doctor and get back to therapy and rehab. I haven’t found the time. Anyway”—Brooke waved her hand dismissively, embarrassed by the amount of explanation she just gave—“I’ve been doing pretty well on my own, but I tend to overdo it from time to time.”

  Cori smiled brightly, nodded her head, and offered helpfully, “Well, guess you’re in the right place then if you need a new doctor. Just make an appointment with one of the Orthopedists here. You should be able to get right in, being an employee and all.”

  “The problem is I’m a bit picky. I want to find the right doctor. I haven’t had the time to research yet.”

  “Well, now is your chance. I’ve worked here for five years. What are you looking for? Give me your list. I know you have one, right?” Cori grinned sheepishly.

  “Of course, but I don’t have it with me right now. Would it be possible for me to get it to you tomorrow?”

  Cori continued to shake her head, grinning. “I really have never met anyone like you. Not that it’s a bad thing, but are you
always so responsible and organized? Do you always do everything by the book?”

  With a frown, Brooke replied, “You make me sound dull.”

  “Not dull, just, um, adult, I guess. That is what you are, more adult than me. That sounds better than dull at least,” she said, and then continued with a chuckle. “You have it on your computer, I bet? I know you do, because that would be practical.” She smothered a laugh. “Email it to me. I’ll give you my email when we’re done.”

  Brooke was thankful for the offer. “Sure, I appreciate it, too. It will get my mother off my back at the very least.”

  They continued their conversation on and off during their workout until they were finished. Nodding toward the door, Cori grabbed her water, and jumped up fast. “Perfect timing.”

  Brooke peeked up slightly, caught sight of the group of doctors wandering in. Being led, of course, by Dr. Wonderful. Pain or not, Brooke grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder quickly to leave before the newcomers had a chance to change and return to the gym.

  ***

  In the corner minding his own business, Lucas had been quietly watching the two girls for the last ten minutes and wished he could have gotten to the gym sooner. Looks like she made a friend here already, he thought.

  He had seen the perky redhead in the gym before, always running from one machine to the next, never without a partner while she worked out. Hands always waving around, full of laughter and smiles.

  He’d missed the gym yesterday and was hoping today he would have a chance to see Brooke again.

  Ever since he realized the woman in the elevator and the woman in the gym were one in the same, he was intrigued. Both times she was calm and cool, reserved was probably the best description. But yesterday morning she was stunning, even behind the mask that he felt she was wearing.

  She took his breath away. When her eyes met his, he felt heat. Heat he hadn’t felt from a woman in a long time. And it made him want to feel more of it. He wanted to make her feel it, too.

  He wondered if she ran as hot as she did cool. And he knew he was just the one to find out. But something told him he would have to tread carefully. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something seemed off about her, skittish almost. Not that he had any idea, but he felt it. Felt there was more to her than met the eye.

  She seemed like a damsel in distress. His mother told him time and again he was a throwback from knighthood. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn’t. But one thing he knew for sure—he wanted her. He always got what he wanted. Always.

  Bad Girl

  Lucas woke up early. He hated to admit it was anticipation, but deep down he knew that to be true. He sent an email to Brooke last night requesting a meeting at nine this morning and wasn’t surprised to receive her confirmation email a few minutes later.

  And now he was sitting in his office staring at the clock. It was eight forty-five, still too early to make his way down the hall. Not wanting to seem overly eager, he cursed the fact he was acting like a love-struck teenager wanting to get a glance at his latest crush. What was wrong with him? This was ridiculous.

  Mentally shaking his head, he grabbed his phone and keys off the desk and decided to head to her office. She was most likely waiting for him anyway.

  Five minutes later he was standing in the doorway to the small conference room, her back to him completely at ease. He realized that the sound of the coffee machine brewing must have canceled out the sound of his approach. So he took advantage of that to get a good look at her without her knowledge.

  He liked what he saw from the back as much as the front. Maybe even more. Her long wavy hair flowed over a light pink shirt that was tucked into the waistband of her straight black skirt, ending right above her knees. It curved around her backside perfectly, just as perfectly as his hands would. The table was blocking his view of her feet, but he would bet anything she had a pair of killer heels on right now.

  Everything about her was perfect. She managed to look soft, sexy and professional all at the same time. Starting to feel like a pervert for staring at her once again, he made a bit more noise than necessary when he set down his keys and phone.

  ***

  Brooke had felt his eyes on her the minute he walked into the room. Rather than turn around and acknowledge that she knew he was there, she continued to fix her coffee, waiting to see if he would make her aware of his presence. A few seconds later she heard him place his things on the table, so she turned around.

  Switching her coffee to her left hand, she walked a few steps toward him, extending her right hand. “Good morning, I’m Brooke Malone.” She fought not to gasp at the touch of his hand in hers. The heat of it. She didn’t think it had anything to do with the coffee she had been holding either.

  “Lucas Mathews,” he replied, gesturing toward the table. “Have a seat, let me grab myself a coffee.”

  “I can have some food sent up. I wasn’t sure how long we would be,” she said as she settled into her seat to patiently wait across from where he had set down his keys.

  “I’m good, thanks. We won’t be too long. I only want to touch base, get an idea of where you are and what you are working on, what we are looking for. That type of thing.”

  ***

  Lucas appreciated how she calmly waited for him to finish preparing his coffee. No nerves there, all calm, cool and relaxed.

  He knew enough women in his life to know when someone felt the same spark he did. And he knew she did. Wasn’t that fascinating and encouraging? She might be able to hide it better than him, but it was there just the same.

  He hadn’t mistaken her jolt of recognition when she saw him or the slight intake of her breath when her palm held his. But she was quick to recover and put herself back in professional mode. Though to be honest, he wasn’t sure she had another mode yet. He was willing to put in the effort to find out.

  “So,” he started, as he took a seat across from her, “a little background on your position and our need for it. I’m sure you’ve figured out I’m the Head of the Legal Department.” He continued at her nod. “My staff, which consists of two other attorneys, a few clerks and secretaries, handles everything from malpractice lawsuits, all the way down to staff grievances. Grievances that make it past the Human Resource Manager, that is. We obviously have a chain of command and most of the issues regarding grievances get resolved before they end up in my department. But when they do make it to us, we have a committee that reviews all the facts and conducts interviews. That will be one of your responsibilities, a liaison of sorts between Legal and HR.”

  He paused, took a sip of his coffee and waited to see if she would speak, but she sat there and patiently waited for him. “The laws are constantly changing, and we’ve realized a lot of our policies for staff, such as Corporate Compliance, HIPAA, not to mention Safety Regulations, need to be updated rather quickly. It’s a full time job to stay on top of the changes and assure those laws and regulations are being followed. Not only for the patients but for our employees as well. Which brings us to the second part of this job and where your expertise will come into play.”

  He watched the slight questioning rise of her eyebrow, but she still remained silent. “You have a lot of experience dealing with OSHA and safety regulations, not to mention working around and with the unions from your previous job. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that most people don’t like to be the middle man dealing with unions and their members?”

  She waited for his pause and then took that opportunity to smile. “No, you’re right.”

  Realizing she wasn’t going to say any more than that, he decided to change the conversation a bit, hoping she would be more forthcoming. “You’ve been here a few weeks now?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  Hmm, direct question, direct answer. Another approach, he thought. “How are you settling in? Finding it different than your previous job?”

  She placed her hands in front of her on the desk. “I’m getting there. Settled, t
hat is. In some ways I’ve found this job extremely different than my last, and in other ways the same. The work itself is pretty much the same, or will be, only a different environment.”

  She paused, smiled briefly. “There are more employees for one, not to mention the facility itself. That is definitely bigger than I’m used to. But I’m easily adaptable. When it comes down to it, even though it’s a hospital, it’s still a business like anything else. There are definitely some pros to working for a big company.”

  He tilted his head a bit, grinned. “Like the gym?” When he saw her eyebrows rise, he explained. “I’ve seen you there a time or two, but have to say it took me a bit to put it together. You look different there than you do right now.”

  Brooke blushed. “So I’ve been told,” she muttered.

  Not wanting to push it, sensing her change, he asked, “How about filling me in on what you’ve found so far? Any questions or concerns or how you see your position as it relates to my department?”

  She skimmed the tablet that she had set up in front of her. “Actually I’ve been looking over and organizing all the policies you mentioned. Plus others, of course, putting them in a time line. I’ve arranged many of the ones you’ve listed at the top. I realize that the legal portion of the policies will be worded and approved by your office once I’ve completed them. Then will I distribute them to each department?” she asked.