No kidding. I was so busy, I didnt realize Id missed lunch until a few hours ago. Crazy, but I loved it. She rolled her stethoscope and slipped it back into the pocket of her white coat. That was clever of Steve to run the staff meeting off the computer.
Praise the Lord for video chat. Its going to be interesting to see how long Steve can hold out and not come into the office. Susans amber eyes twinkled as she tugged warm gloves out of her coat pockets. Thanks for seeing my patient this morning. Word is that Lenore is home, icing and heating just like you ordered. The muscle relaxant seems to be helping.
Good to hear. Youre heading out?
While I can. Thats one thing youve got to learn straight off. When the coast is clear, run for it or the phone will ring, someone will knock on the door or something will happen and youll be stuck here for another hour. Susan offered a warm smile. Its a great profession, but it can take over everything if you arent careful. And since the coast is clear, Im heading out. Ill see you tomorrow, Chelsea.
Have a lovely evening. She headed down the hall toward her office, smiling. She wasnt alone in the clinic. Audra was still finishing up in front and a few doctors were finishing up their chart work. Michael was one of them, his office door firmly shut against intrusion.
She hadnt exchanged another word with him through the day. Shed been so focused on her work and so had he. It was just as well because thats where her attention needed to be. With a sigh, she waltzed into her office, small and impersonal, with just a desk, a computer and a phone. A small window looked out on the back lot where her car was covered by a foot of snow.
Her pocket chimed, the sound kick-starting a part of her brain that had gone dormant. Her sisters! Dinner. Yikes! What time was it? No clock in her office, so she hauled out her phone. Her eyes zeroed in at the time on the screen. Six-twelve. She was twelve minutes late!
Where R U? Megs text stared up at her accusingly. Were waiting.
Im coming! She tapped in, hit Send and fished a pen out of her coat pocket. She scribbled a note on Alicias chart, rushed down the hallway and slid the chart across the back counter in the receptionists direction. Thanks, I gotta go.
Have a nice evening. Audra shoved a lock of auburn hair out of her eyes. Careful. The last few patients said its really icy out there.
Thanks for the heads-up. She dashed into the break room, grabbed her uneaten lunch from the fridge, her bag from the shelf and shrugged into her coat. A few wraps of her scarf so it was snug around her neck and she was out the door.
One foot slid out from under her, but since she still had hold of the doorknob, she had something to hold on to. She managed to stay upright, but Audra hadnt been kidding!
Slow down, Chelsea, she told herself, something Mom used to say. As she picked her way across the dangerously slick parking lot, she could hear her mothers voice in memory. Chelsea McKaslin, slow down. Youll always get where youre meant to be. God will make sure of it, so stop rushing.
She missed Moms advice, even if she hadnt always agreed with it. She brushed falling snow off her cheek, wishing she could turn back time so she could see her mom again and hear those words in person.
A few more steps brought her to her buried car. Wait, correct that. Her seriously buried car. It would take time and effort to dig out the poor thing. This was a total disaster. She hated being late! Grumbling to herself, she dug her phone out of her pocket. Her thick winter gloves didnt make it easy to type out a message.
Car under tons of snow. Order without me. She hit Send and her phone chirped sadly. It wasnt able to get a strong enough signal to send in the thickly falling snow.
Great. She jammed her phone into her bag, studying the monstrous white lump her car had become. Where to start? And with what? The little ice scraper under the front seat wasnt up to this job.
Looks like you have a problem. A smoky baritone broke through the snowfall.
Michael. Impossible to see him through the storms thick white veil. Waitthere he was. A hint of muscled shoulders, a shadow in the downfall and she ordered her pulse to stay calm. Are you always one of the first here and the last to leave?
Depends on the day. He broke out of the storm, swathed in black and dotted with snow. Do you need help?
Nope, I can get it. Shed learned a long time ago to be wary of dudes offering help. Wasnt that how shed met Nick? Another total disaster. Im just figuring out my best strategy.
That would be getting four-wheel drive.
No kidding, but Im partial to my old Toyota. In more ways than one.
Hey, it was a suggestion.
A good one if my school loans werent kicking in.
I hear you. He hit his remote and his door locks popped. He leaned in and started the engine, leaving it to idle. Hold on, theres no way youre getting out of this lot with that car. The snow is deeper than your bumper.
I was just pondering that particular dilemma. There are so many, Im not sure where to start. She rubbed snow from the drivers side window with her glove and peered inside. Her poor car. What are the chances the plow people are coming?
Not my area. Audra would know. Shes in charge of calling them, but it looks like they forgot the back lot. Again. He knocked snow off his back door and opened up. Remind Audra in the morning. Thats your best bet.
So, in other words, just leave my car here?
Its locked up and with this storm, itll be safe. Not too many car thieves out. He produced a long-handled ice scraper from the back of his four-wheel drive. I can give you a ride.
Maybe Ill walk. The diner was, what, a mile away? Okay, maybe not. Better yet, Ill give my sisters a call. One of them will pick me up.
So, are you still in denial about being stubborn? He tackled the side windows with his scraper. Snow rained to the ground.
Me? Nope, Ive never noticed. Denial was the best way to go.
Yeah, right. You and me, both. He opened the passenger door for her. Climb in while I clear.
Im not sure I feel comfortable with that.
Youre one of those difficult women, are you? A faint smile cracked the line of his mouth.
Difficult? No, but Im not sure about you, Dr. Kramer. She plopped her bag on the floor in front of the passenger seat. You hardly said a word to anyone all day. I didnt notice it, anyway.
I get whats going on here. He circled to the windshield and raked twelve inches of snow off the glass. Youve heard what everyone says.
No, but now I really want to know what everyone says.
Im focused at work. He tried to pretend none of what hed overheard mattered. Cold. Heart of stone. Glaciers had more personality. I dont hang out in the break room making friends with my colleagues.
You hung out in the break room with me, but Im not sure Id feel comfortable calling you a friend.
Me either. It wasnt easy ignoring the dazzle of her blue eyes, sparkling with a hint of humor. Theres nothing friendly going on here.
Glad you agree.
It would ruin my reputation. Ive worked hard for it. He pulverized a chunk of ice on the windshield with the edge of the scraper.
You hung out in the break room with me, but Im not sure Id feel comfortable calling you a friend.
Me either. It wasnt easy ignoring the dazzle of her blue eyes, sparkling with a hint of humor. Theres nothing friendly going on here.
Glad you agree.
It would ruin my reputation. Ive worked hard for it. He pulverized a chunk of ice on the windshield with the edge of the scraper.
So, in other words, dont friend you on Facebook?
At least dont tell anyone if you do. He freed the windshield wipers from the ice on the glass and strode to her side of the vehicle. Would you get in? Youre letting all the hot air out.
Do you know what I think? She squinted at him, her amused gaze roving over his face, really looking. I noticed everyone at work seems intimidated by you, but youre not so bad.
Im not so good. Not socially anyway, although it wasnt for a lack of trying. There was a time when hed once tried hard to fit in, to take down the walls that had always surrounded him. Where am I taking you? Home?
No, to Jeffs Diner. She hopped on the seat, reaching for the belt. Thanks for saving my sisters from having to come get me.
At least Im good for something, he quipped, closed her door and trudged through the deep accumulation. His boots squeaked, the ice beneath the snow threatened to send him sprawling and there went his vision again, strangely arrowing to the gorgeous brunette in his vehicle.
Dont let this get around. He dropped into his seat, kicking snow off his boots. My reputation at work will be ruined.
That might not be up to me. She gestured through the frosty windshield toward the faint shadow as the wind gusted, giving a smudged glimpse of the buildings back door. Audras waving. Looks like your reputation is doomed.
No way. He yanked off his gloves and buckled in. Heat zoomed out of the vents, clearing a tiny spot in the glass. Foggy windows. What are the chances she can see you?
Saved by a technicality.
Ill take what I can get. With all four wheels engaged, he gave it a little gas, spun the wheel and lumbered across the lot.