I was right in that doctors made the worse patients. All I could think of was how I wanted to get out of there and back to normal life. Or as normal as I could get to it.
Chapter 5
Ah, crutches. So we meet again. The last time I had ever needed crutches was when I was a kid and I had broken my leg falling off the monkey bars. This time my leg wasn’t broken, per se, but I did get myself a pretty nasty fracture. I suppose I should be grateful the leg wasn’t completely broken but I wasn’t happy about the fracture. This would certainly slow down my mobility for quite some time. Perhaps doctors did make the worst patients. We had work to do and didn’t like being held down or behind by it.
I suppose that the other part of it was I was raised to be independent and rely on myself so I imagine that was the other part.
I couldn’t understand why it was hard for me to ask for help. I was always the one giving it so asking for it was hard for me. It always had been and I imagined it might always will be. Sure, I could change and adapt, but it didn’t feel like I would anytime soon.
Wanting to present myself as strong and independent could have been another factor whether I wanted to admit to it or not. Some part of me didn’t want help because some part of me feared it would make me less of an independent woman. I didn’t want people here to think I was fleeing my past because a bad thing happened.
If I wasn’t running then what was I doing?
I really didn’t know. What I did know was I was stubborn which was both beneficial and a hardship.
Even in a place this small there still was a pharmacy inside the drug store. I had been so used to the big ones it was quite the change to an old fashioned one. On the outside the store looked like any other here, simple and old fashioned. Even the inside was old fashioned looking. If it hadn’t been for the modern cash registers, a few displays, and the people behind the counter wearing modern clothes, no one could be blamed for thinking that this store had been untouched by modern hands.
Most clerks inside of the drug stores wore basic uniforms. Here everyone wore some form of scrubs which surprised me. I had honestly expected something different. I would have to learn to keep my old prejudices at the door as I would be learning new things each day.
I had been told my prescription of pain pills would still be a few minutes but I could have a seat.
The clerk didn’t need to ask me twice as my leg was starting to throb again. My head wasn’t entirely hurting that much so I had gotten quite lucky there. If I had landed nearly any other way I could be saying goodbye to most of my motor function. I didn’t like the thought of that.
As I sat there I heard a noise and saw a pair of denim pants stop by me. Craning my head upwards I would soon see the face of Parker the Younger staring down at me. Once our eyes made contact he smiled at me. “How’re you feeling?”
“Sore, but I’ll live,” I said.
“Mia,” the woman behind the counter said.
I immediately sought to get up and forgot about having to navigate around differently. I didn’t fall, though I did feel a quick head rush when I stood. I was able to grab hold of my crutches and make my way over to the counter.
“Do you need help?” Parker the Younger asked.
“No, I’m fine, thanks,” I replied.
“What about a ride to your office? You aren’t walking, are you?”
“Charlotte is waiting for me in the car.”
“She works for you now? Oh, good. I was hoping that she would be able to find work when she came back.”
The small talk was quick and easy which I was grateful for. Sometimes I liked small talk but today wasn’t one of them.
I liked manners but as I wanted to be my independent self I didn’t want someone to do everything for me. Some of it was simply pure stubbornness. I was used to doing things on my own and my parents raised me to be independent. If I wasn’t acting independently then there was a chance I could be letting them and even myself down.
The other part of my refusing help was something that maybe even I could not yet admit to myself.
I didn’t want to get hurt. There was nothing wrong with that by itself but if it came at the price of shutting everyone else out then the price was too steep. On some level, most likely a subconscious one, I had associated all men with Tyrese and his behavior. It became an “I have to reject them before they can reject me” even if I did not outwardly think it. It felt like the concept of the “id”, the reptilian part of the brain that said “can I eat it? Can it eat me?” Maybe I should have majored in psychology instead of general medicine.
The clerk in printed blue scrubs smiled politely at me and handed me a bag with my medicine in it.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” the clerk said and then asked if she could help Parker the Younger.
He raised his hand and politely shook his head, “I just wanted to see how everyone was doing.”
They made brief small talk about Parker the Elder as I made my way down the hall and almost to the door before needing to readjust myself.
It was almost ironic that I was going to work when I would have told any patient of mine to take it easy for a while. Bones took time to heal and if you did something to make it worse that required an even longer healing time.
I also broke my record of having never broken a bone before. For quite a while I thought I would be a member of that club. Yet there were also other things that I had never thought would happen either. It’s like we have our lives all planned out and then real life comes and throws a wrench into our plans.
With the aid of the crutches I was able to make it out the automatic door without trouble.
Charlotte immediately got out of her car and hurried to open the passenger side so I could get in.
To our surprise Parker the Younger had followed us out and was even offering to help. I hadn’t even noticed him and thought he was still talking to the clerk. While I was annoyed by this change of events Charlotte was more than happy to accept his help. I did suspect she may have had a crush on him which did not bother me. She was welcome to have him.
Charlotte held the door open while he waited until I was settled and then handed me my crutches.
“I’m always around if you ladies need me,” he said helpfully.
“I’ll be sure to call on you if we do!” Charlotte said cheerfully.
She walked over to the driver’s side and got in. She grinned at me before asking, “He’s nice, isn’t he?”
“Nice enough, yes,” I said. “Do you like him?”
Charlotte looked surprised by my question, “Do I like Parker? I love him as a brother. Anything else would be too weird.”
I was glad that she couldn’t see me blush. I certainly misjudged that situation!
Charlotte continued, “His father worked part time as the local math teacher. He’d always tutor any kids that were having trouble.”
As the weeks of healing went on I began to become gradually less guarded around Parker the Younger. He was always eager to help by opening doors and even making the occasional delivery. He preferred to deliver food for some reason unknown to me. I couldn’t complain as food was good!
I think part of me was even beginning to like him and his kindness. He seemed to even go out of his way to help me even if he was needed elsewhere miles away. His behavior was more than just a typical “I like it that he was brought up with manners” type of attitude. I began to feel like I was really starting to like as in like like him.
Despite my liking him I began to wonder if he felt the same way about me. After seeing him interact with other women I began to imagine that I wasn’t the only special person in his life. Perhaps he wasn’t singling me out for a romance like I had thought like he had been. Did that make me narcissistic?
This was certainly quite the mess I had gotten myself into!
Chapter 6
Once my leg had healed once again began that long process of getting used to
not having a cast on my leg. There had to be some sort of cruel irony there that was escaping me at the moment. I had lived with the cast and limited mobility for six weeks and now I had mobility but had to work on getting my leg strong again. There’s something they never tell you when getting a cast, that your muscles will be incredibly weak when that cast comes off.
Being a doctor I knew the muscles would be weak but I did not know just how weak they’d be.
When the doctor breaks out that saw to take the cast off you also have odd thoughts going through your head. I, myself, had removed plenty of casts in my time, but when it’s you yourself going through it...
When watching the saw would you believe the only thing I thought of was “that looks like the saws we used in medical school to cut skulls open.” Comforting, huh?
I think any man whom I married had better get used to having someone with a morbid sense of humor. You never look at things the same way again after learning things in medical school.
Parker the Younger was still frequently around. I must admit that it did surprise me, especially after I had rebuked him multiple times. I couldn’t quite tell if I was in a modern version of one of Jane Austen’s novels or if something else was going on that I was unaware of.
Later that day, and when I was able to return to the office, on the front door was a sign about a big fair party like event. The eye searing neon pink the printer used would be enough to catch the sight of a person a mile away. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was their intentions. At least the text was in black so it would be far easier to read.
Written in bold lettering was talk of horse riding, fair games, drinks, a cooking contest, and other odds and ends.
“We have it each year,” Charlotte announced when she saw me looking at the sign. “I do believe this is the eighth year that the fair has happened.”
“At least it’s on a day that the office is closed,” I remarked. “How late at night does it go on for?”
“Until about ten or eleven.”
“That late?”
“The fairgrounds look so different at night. You should see it!”
I really didn’t have any plans on going but as I had been invited perhaps it would be fun for a change of scenery. Besides, I had never been to a country type of fair before. Maybe it would be fun.
What happened of my original fair plans had gone astray when Parker the Younger had invited me for a horse ride.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “Do you remember what happened last time?”
“That’s why you go with someone!” He countered.
Despite this I still made excuses or tried to find ways to get out of it. “What about the mosquitoes?”
“I’ve got repellent! Besides, they aren’t that big! At least not yet. In summer they get big enough to carry away small children.”
It certainly didn’t help that I immediately had a mental image of the princess stuck in a tower with a dragon guarding it. Instead of the princess it was a small child and the dragon was a giant mosquito. A big can of bug spray would have solved that problem petty quickly.
“So, how about it?” Parker the Younger asked.
I really didn’t have much to lose so I agreed to his request.
“Great! I’ll pick you up tomorrow!”
By “picking up” I had expected to see a truck and was not disappointed. It was an older looking model which surprised me. I’m not sure why it did as a bright and shiny new truck would not last very long in the ranching business.
Parker the Younger smiled when he saw me, “It’s my Dad’s. It’s coming close to being an antique but damned if it doesn’t still run like new.”
He blushed lightly when he realized he had said the word “damn” in front of me. He also quickly muttered an apology.
“I’ve heard and said it all before,” I reassured him.
I began to wonder about getting in his truck. The childhood memories of being told to never get into a stranger’s car went back into my mind. Parker the Younger wasn’t a stranger and I even knew his father, mostly. Either way it was taking a chance and I decided to take it.
The truck itself sat high, higher than what I was expecting it to be. Cars did sit higher back then so I shouldn’t have been that surprised.
My companion laughed, “Yeah, it does take some getting used to. It seems these days trucks ride very low to the ground or so high up you practically need a ladder to get into them!”
I nodded and some bottles caught my eyes, “What’s this?”
“Moonshine,” Parker the Younger replied rather matter-of-factly.
“Homemade alcohol?” I asked.
“That’s what moonshine is. Just about everyone here makes their own versions and we share them. It’s better than the cheap booze you can get at the store.”
“Don’t get high on your own supply,” I mused. “Wait, isn’t making moonshine illegal?”
“It’s only illegal if you get caught. Besides, most of the police here largely look the other way as long as you’re not violent. I wouldn’t be surprised if they drink it themselves.”
I had to remind myself that I had entered and was living in a different world. The rules were played differently here.
Finally I asked, “How strong is this stuff?”
“Better than store bought beer. Maybe I’m spoiled but I am so used to the moonshine store bought beer feels weak.”
I shrugged, “At least I know what to do if we get alcohol poisoning.”
He laughed, “I won’t let it get that far!”
“I certainly hope not!”
Still laughing Parker turned the car keys and the truck quickly hummed to life. He drove us to a small and private area. Far in the distance I could hear the sound of shouting and voices.
“The fair,” I remarked.
“We can go visit later if you’re up to it. Let’s get to riding before it’s too late!”
Parker the Younger helped me up onto my horse and away we went. I never knew I could like riding when it was getting dark. I had always imagined the time where I would venture out would be during the day.
But then, I was in a different area and perhaps even a safer one to live in so I did occasionally go out at night. I still wanted to be aware of my surroundings in case something could happen. I hoped it wouldn’t but you never know.
“We’ll sleep under the stars tonight,” Parker the Younger said as he placed the bottles of moonshine in a bag that he had near the saddle.
“Did you bring sleeping bags?” I asked. I certainly hoped that he had brought blankets or something else with him. I didn’t ask but I also wondered, and even feared, the possibility of predators.
“We’ll be fine,” he promised. “I’ve lived here all my life. Let’s go.”
When we reached our camping spot the moonshine did start flowing and tongues started to loosen.
“I never thought I’d be a doctor…” I droned on. “When I was a kid I wanted to be Wednesday Addams.” I began to gesture wildly, “And live in that big mansion!”
Parker the Younger laughed and was probably as inebriated as I was. “Nah, I always thought I’d be a cowboy and rancher. Always wanted to be, I think. You know, I don’t really remember.”
I took another swallow from the bottle as Parker the Younger leaned in close. Before I knew it we were kissing. I enjoyed his kiss and even leaned against him as we kissed.
“I like you, Mia,” Parker the Younger said. “I mean really like! Or love! Or both!”
I laughed at his words before we kissed again.
We spent the rest of the night in each other’s arms and enjoying the night.
Chapter 7
Parker the Younger had returned me to my home early in the morning and it allowed me to sleep off the left of the buzz from the moonshine. I at least liked to think that I could hold my alcohol like anybody well but that moonshine certainly knocked me on my backside. I imagine Parker the Younger was experiencing the same thi
ng that I was. At least he had sobered up enough to drive.
My head began to hurt from the hang over I had. I felt like my head was as big as a house and made myself a bacon sandwich to replace what my body needed. I had never had to try a hangover cure before and hoped it would work. I knew coffee or anything with caffeine in it would not help me but would instead dehydrate me further.
Hangovers: the other great equalizer.
I sat at the kitchen table chewing down on a sandwich that I really didn’t want to eat I began to think about what had happened last night. It made me remember a joke my father once said of “Dignity? Dignity is for the weak!” Truth be told, it could have been worse!
I began to think about the other things that had happened last night. Did Parker the Younger and I really sleep together last night? I felt dumb for asking that question as I clearly knew the answer.
I liked Parker the younger, I really did, but this also created a complicated situation. I didn’t think that he would babble about what we did to everyone but word could still get out.
I certainly wasn’t a prude and Parker the Younger wasn’t my first but it still stuck in the back of my mind. Why was I suddenly so worried about this? I suppose the only reason that I was was because I now lived in such a small area and people could talk.
What are you doing with yourself Mia? Don’t be so foolish! I told myself.
I had to stop and dissect the entire situation. I hated the answer and even tried avoiding it but the truth would not be silenced.
I liked Parker the Younger. I mean I really liked him. I could even love him.
Had Parker the Younger and I actually entered a relationship? I knew everyone defined the word “relationship” differently which only served to help complicate things. By my standards had we entered a relationship? Had we entered a relationship by his standards?
We both had grown up in different worlds. Mine was more city life where things worked differently. Society in the city sometimes had more loose definitions of what it meant after one person slept with another. The view was probably looser and even kinder there because there were so many people and the city could be a rather diverse area of races, religions, and beliefs.
The Alpha Billionaire's Unexpected Baby: A Billionaire BWWM Pregnancy Romance Page 84
