That celibacy had probably been dumb. Abstinence had never worked well for him, and he could have slept with any number of ladies in town. Somehow he never had.
Maybe that was because no woman had really enticed him before. Not like Ginger seemed to. Heaven knew he could analyze her body for three, four hours and still want to analyze more. For one thing, she had significantly perky breasts. The breasts themselves werent all that significant, but the perky was. They were round, firm, pressed just right against the shirt. She had no waist to speak of. But the pantswell, the pants begged to be taken off. They were just cotton, or some other lightweight fabric, but he could see the outline of her fanny, her thighs, her calves. She might be on the skimpy side, weight wise, but she looked strong and healthy, making it extremely easy to imagine her legs wrapped around him, without those pants. Without that blouse.
Damn, but she was refreshing. Challengingly refreshing. Even the resentment in her flash of a smile was disarming. He was getting mighty sick of women smiling at him as if he were slab of meat. Being disliked was a lot more interesting.
I was hoping youd come by to talk. Want some coffee?
She nodded. Black. She motioned to Pansy. Does that dog ever move?
Rarely. About ninety percent of the day shes in a coma. But dont say the word d-i-n-n-e-r or therell be hell to pay. And Im talking relentless. He motioned her to a white Adirondack rocker while he stepped into the kitchen/lab, came back with a mug for her, and a fresh one for him. Hows Cashner doing today?
Happy as a clam. She locked her palms around the mug. But Im not. Being with him has made me scared to death.
He nodded. Im glad you came home.
I had no idea. I talked to him on the phone
All the time. I know. He told me. He thinks the sun rises and sets with you. And he holds it together in some conversations, especially in the early part of the day. Hes always in good humor. Never a complainer. He can talk a blue streak, telling jokes, spinning yarns, talking about the tea farm. Its not always apparent to other people whats been going on.
He told me She hesitated, and he guessed the apology was coming. Or the closest he was going to get to an apology. He told me his doctor was trying to take the land away from him. Force him to move. That his doctor was behind the conspiracy.
Yeah. That would be me. The evil doctor. Not about forcing him. Thats not my place. But especially in the last couple months, Ive been pushing him to believe he could live a lot easier in a place with more help.
He doesnt want help.
I know.
He doesnt believe he needs help.
I know.
Last night I found him sitting in the wet grass. Wearing a suit. Around one in the morning.
Ike winced in sympathy.
He calls me Ginger. And a minute later, hell call me Rachel. My grandmothers name. And sometimes Im Loretta. Do you have a clue who Loretta is?
Ike shook his head.
And then theres Cornelius. Cornelius was old before I was born. Half the afternoon yesterday, they played cards. Rummy. And canasta. Cornelius was as balmy-headed as my gramps. Nothings getting cleaned. Cornelius seems to make food sometimes. And forget other times At the sudden sound of voices coming from inside the house, she said immediately, Do you have a patient? I know I should have called first, before stopping by.
First patients at ten. Rubyll let me know when he gets here.
Okay. She took a breath. Listen, Doc
Ike, he corrected her gently. Im your grandfathers doctor, not yours.
She immediately launched into an emotional sputter. He was perfectly fine at Christmas and Easter both! Hes been fine every darned time I call! I was here in June for Petes sake. I dont understand how he could have changed so much, so fast!
Because thats how it hits people sometimes.
She launched into the next rocket round of nonstop sputter. Well, what exactly is wrong with himand dont tell me Alzheimers. Or that theres nothing you can do. I want to know what tests youve run. If youve sent him to specialists. I may not have a heap of money, but my grandfather can afford the best of any kind of treatment. And I can stay here. I mean I dont know how on earth I could find a job here. But for however long it takes, I can stay here, live with him. I could make sure he gets everything he needs, nutrition and medicine and exercise or whatever else you think he needs
Ginger. He said her name to calm her. He was watching her face. She was so upset. Naturally. Who wouldnt be, to suddenly find out someone you loved had a fragile health issue? But there was something more going on. Hed seen her take a sip of coffee, and then immediately put the mug down. Shed had peach-healthy color in her cheeks when she came in, but that color was fading, her face turning pale.
Still, he answered her questions. Yes, Cashners been prescribed some medications that help a lot of people. Theres no perfect medicine for this. I sent him to Greenville for tests, put him in the hands of two physicians I know personally. Hes been tested and evaluated and retested.
Dont you say it, she warned him.
He got it. She wasnt ready to hear the words Alzheimers or dementia. Ill give you the other answer, he said patiently. Old age.
Hes not that old!
Ike nodded. I think its possible he had some mini strokes a while back. Hes been on high blood pressure meds from long before I came here. But hes at a point where Im not certain if he remembers to take them. I set up a schedule for him, to help him remember, conveyed the same information to Cornelius. But sometimes
Ruby showed up in the doorway. Doc. Mr. Robards is here. Itll take me a few minutes to get him weighed in and BP done and then into a gown, but then hes ready.
Ike started to say, Ill be there in a minute, then noticed Ginger jump to her feet faster than a firecracker. Rubys interruption had given her the perfect excuse to take off. She either wanted to get away from him, a depressing thought, or she needed to absorb what hed told her about her grandfather. Alone.
Whatever her reasons, she stood up damned fast. The last pinch of color bleached from her face, and down she went. He barely had time to jerk forward, protect her head and help ease her to the ground. The porch only had matting for a rug.
Ruby rushed through the door, muttering, Well, Ill be and What the sam hill is this about? and then Pansy pushed through the door. Pansy invariably liked commotion. She jutted her jowly head under Ikes arm, trailing a small amount of drool on Gingers hair. Ruby hunkered down just as intrusively.
Ruby. Pansy. She needs air. And I need space.
Ruby took several creaking moments to get back to her feet. Ill get a damp washcloth. And a BP unit.
Good thinking. Thanks. He nudged Pansy out of the way, thinking that hed been hoping to get his hands on Gingerbut not in this context. She was already coming to. Her eyes opened, dazed, closed again. She frowned in confusionanother sign that she was regaining full consciousnessand then she raised a hand, as if her first instinct was to sit up.
Good thinking. Thanks. He nudged Pansy out of the way, thinking that hed been hoping to get his hands on Gingerbut not in this context. She was already coming to. Her eyes opened, dazed, closed again. She frowned in confusionanother sign that she was regaining full consciousnessand then she raised a hand, as if her first instinct was to sit up.
Youre fine, Ginger. Just stay where you are for a minute. Its just me. Ike.
No temp. He didnt need a thermometer to be certain. Normal color was flushing back into her face. He brushed his hands through her hair, feeling for bumps or lumps, any injury that might have caused the faint. He pressed two fingers on her carotid artery.
Accidentally, he noticed the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. The softness of her. The scent on her skinnot flowers, not for this one. Some sassy, citrusy perfume. It suited her.
Ruby hustled back with the BP unit. He took it, finding what he expected, that it was slightly on the low side. Again, he took her pulse as he studied her face. Her pulse rate was coming back to normal. And then, when her eyes suddenly met his, that pulse rate zoomed way out of the stratosphere.
Yeah. That was how he felt around her, too.
If you need me Ruby said from the doorway.
No. Shes fine. Or she will be in a minute. Just give Mr. Robards a magazine and tell him Ill just be a few minutes, not long. He never turned his head. Focused his gaze only on her, tight as glue.
He knew a ton of women but few with the fire of this one. Loyal. Passionate.
Interesting.
Her forehead crinkled in one last confused frown, and then she seemed to recover herself altogether. She muttered something akin to Good grief and pushed off the porch mattingor tried to.
He didnt forcibly hold her down, just put one hand on her shoulder. I know youre getting up, but lets keep it slow.
Im fine.
Uh-huh. Youre pregnant, arent you? It was the doctor asking the question, but the man listening for the answer. Most of the time Ike didnt have to separate the two, but for this question, for this woman, he definitely did.
Say what? Wow. Those soft, sensual blue eyes abruptly turned glacier blue. Color slammed into her face. What on earth made you ask that!
Hed like her to think he was naturally brilliant, but the truth was it had just been a gut call, a wild guess. It was her response that gave away the truth of it. He answered slowly, Just a short list of clues. Everything about you looks healthy and fit. You asked for coffee, but your hand shot to your stomach when you took a sip. Then you fainted out of the blue.
This time she pushed free and fast, got her legs under her, stood up. He watched for any other symptoms of lightheadedness, but saw nothing. If youre diabetic, better tell me now. And are you on prenatal vitamins? Have anything prescribed for nausea?
Okay. Hed pressed too far, judging from the sputter. The smoke coming from her ears. Her hands fisted on her hips. Lets get something straight right now, Doc.
Go for it. He eased to his feet.
Youre my grandfathers doctor. Not mine.
Got it.
My private life has nothing to do with you.
Got it, he repeated. But if you havent been on prenatal vitamins
What is it about small towns? People leap to conclusions over a breath of wind. No one said I was pregnant. No one has any reason in the universe to think that.
So theres no guy. He just wanted to slip that question in there, while she was still talking to him.
Exactly. Theres no guy.
I wondered, he admitted.
Ouch. She was shaking mad now. For the record She punctuated her comments with a royal finger shake. I wouldnt fall for a doctor if he were the last man in the country. On the continent. On the entire planet.
Got it, he said again. Im sure glad we had this conversation.
That was it. She spun around, stepped over the dog, yanked open the back porch screen door and charged down the hall. Ruby peeked her head out of exam room onethen snapped her head back, clearly alarmed at getting in Gingers way.
Ike followed her exitmostly by following the swing of her fanny and bounce of her hairall the way to the slamming of his front door.
Ruby popped her head out again. She didnt speak. Just raised her eyebrows.
Ike shook his head. Dont ask me what that was.
But Ginger lingered in his mind. He was so used to being treated like a catch.
So many single women in the area fawned over him. Played up to him. Theyd been spoiling him rotten, with food and attention and God knows all kinds of subtle and less-than-subtle offers.
It was a nice change of pace to meet a shrew. She was such a breath of fresh air.
He blew out a sigh, headed inside to wash his hands and start his doctor day.
He told himself she was in trouble. That she was trouble. That she had troubles.
His head got it.
But there was still hot blood zooming up and down his veins. And a stupid smile on his face when he ambled in to greet Rupert Robards.
Rupert had prostate problems. The next patient was an older lady with a lump on her rump, followed by a young mom with a yeast infection and, last for the morning, a sixteen-year-old kid with hot tears in his eyes and a fishing hook stuck deep in his wrist.
There was no room in the entire morning for a single romantic or sexy thought to surface.
Still. She lingered in his mind.
Ginger had parked the Civic right on Magnolia, but once she stormed out of Ikes office, she ignored the car and kept on walking. She needed the exercise. The fresh air. The chance to think.
Hed made her lose her temper twice now.
Usually she could keep her worst flaws under wraps until shed known a person awhile. Invariably her temperand other character flaws, such as impulsivenesscouldnt be kept in the closet forever. But somehow Ike had brought out the worst in her right up front.
It would help if he wasnt a doctor. A damn good-looking, sexually appealing doctor. Scruffy. But still adorable.
Steve hadnt been half that adorable, and shed still been blindsided. Any inkling of attraction for Ike just seemed to work like a trigger for her. Her stay-away button started blinking red and setting off alarm instincts.
She ambled down Magnolia, crossed Oak, aimed down Cypress. It wasnt as if she didnt know the town like the back of her hand. The big stores like Walmart and Target were located in the new section of town, but Sweet Valleys downtown was still vibrant, filled with shop after shop, restaurant after restaurant.
Shed shut down her life in Chicago and zoomed home so fast that she needed some things. Shampoo. Her favorite brand of toothpaste.
En route to the pharmacy, she accidentally spotted a shoe sale.
By the time shed tried on and bought a pair of sandals, shed put her mind off handsome, interfering doctors and had her head back where it belonged. On Gramps.
Nothing Ike told her had been reassuring. Hed only opened up more worries, more concerns. She needed to know the truth. She just didnt know what to do about the situation.
Perhaps by instinct, she found herself standing in front of the Butter Bakery. Shed forgottenor just hadnt had a reason to remember beforethat Gramps had an attorney. Ginger knew the name. Louella Meachams. Ginger must have met her sometimeSweet Valley was such a small town that everyone about met everyone else at some time or another. But Ginger couldnt recall anything about her, until she spotted the sign for Louella Meachams, Esq., just above the stairwell from the bakery.