“It’s last minute, I know, but we’re working on a bit of a tight schedule. We’ll plan another proper one later in a month or two. From past experience, those who come out next weekend are the ones that will be the worker bees. It sounds bad the way I said but it’s the easiest way to explain it. They’ll spread the word because they are excited about a night out and will want to be part of the event. These volunteers are the true heart of making a fundraiser a success.”
“Really?” Her father looked skeptical.
“People need to know me. I’m going to be here regularly for the next six months, asking people for favors and getting organized like I own the place.” She didn’t miss the spark in her father’s eye when she said that. “I need to introduce myself and make sure people will recognize me the next time we meet. If I can find a few people, a couple of connections, it’ll make a big difference.” She’d need to remember their faces as well.
Her father shrugged. “Consider it done.”
“I’ll take care of the food, drinks, everything. You just get a conference room reserved here and have the email sent out.”
“Sounds go—” He was interrupted by an announcement on the PA system paging him. “Shoot! I need to go.”
“No problem. I’m going to head down to the cafeteria and get the letter written up. It’ll be done before I have to head out to the airport.”
Her father was already at the door, slipping his white coat on. He disappeared down the hall.
“Bye, Dad,” she said to the empty room. She jumped up and threw her purse over her shoulder and roughly grabbed her things. Her phone vibrated, catching her attention. She sighed and forced herself to relax before checking the message.
I hear you’re here. Come see me! It’s me, your BFF in case you forgot about me, Juls
“Julie!” Charity slapped her forehead. Julie had been her first and only roommate in university. They had been great buds ever since and she worked at her dad’s hospital. She was a doctor and had married a doctor. Shoot, Charity had been in their wedding party. Julie would never forgive her if she didn’t stop by.
She checked her watch. It’d be tight, but it could be done. She jogged down the hall and dialed Julie’s number. She slowed to a walk and paused by the nurses’ station when she got Julie’s voicemail.
“Juls! I’m at the hospital now, about to head down to the cafeteria. Come meet me.” She hung up and started to pin Julie the same message. That would be quicker.
“Have you met Dr. Bennet?” One of the nurses spoke to another behind where Charity stood. Charity didn’t mean to eavesdrop but she couldn’t resist.
A young nurse giggled. “Mr. Hotness? Did you know he has a tattoo?”
The other nurse let out a silly, excited laugh. “The medical symbol? I’ve seen it.”
Another nurse walked by Charity, ignoring her and heading straight over to the other nurses. “Most of us have seen it, newbie.”
Charity rolled her eyes and walked to the elevator. She pressed the button. Dr. Elijah Bennet. Couldn’t say she was completely surprised.
Chapter 8
Stripes of bright light shone on Charity’s face. She tried leaning her head back and then dropping her chin down but the lines wouldn’t leave her be. Her eyes fluttered open and closed again as she rolled to her other side. Her apartment. She’d made it back late last night and only half closed the blinds before dropping onto her bed.
Rays of sunshine reminded her the day had already begun. She rolled onto her back, grabbed her phone off the nightstand and scrolled through her messages.
Julie had sent her a selfie shot of the two of them. Her dark brown curls, hazel eyes and tanned skin made Charity look like she lived in New York and Julie lived in Atlanta. Both of them were smiling and for a selfie, the picture had turned out really good.
She scrolled down the picture and read the message:
Great catching up yesterday. Let’s plan on going out at night next time you are here. So glad you took the job. It’ll be good for you… and for Dr. Thompson. See you next weekend. Simon’ll be there too.
Charity laughed at the last line. Simon would use every excuse in the book to avoid going. Julie would have to drag him there. Free beer might tempt him to stay a tad longer.
She checked her watch. Quick shower, breakfast on the way to her office and she’d have the whole day to work.
Forty minutes later she stepped off the elevator and headed to her office. This floor at Forever Hope had a number of doctors’ offices set on it. Malcolm’s office was further down the hall, hers right by the elevator. It was quiet for a Sunday morning.
She set the large box she carried on the floor and unlocked the door. The room had been completely transformed from the first time she’d seen it just a few days ago. The polished wood floor now gleamed, the one large wall had been painted with chalk paint, and she’d set up a shelf on the far side now stocked with chalk, erasers, pens, paper, and anything else brainstorming meetings might require. A large round table with comfy office chairs surrounded it. The mini food bar was stocked with little snacks to tempt anyone who looked at it. The place looked… perfect.
The box. She turned around to grab it and nearly collided with Malcolm. He stood at the doorway, holding the box she’d left outside. He looked every inch the doctor, dress pants and button up under a lab coat.
“Hi, stranger.” He smiled. “I stepped off the elevator and heard noise coming from this direction. The…” His eyes drifted past her to the room. “Wow! This looks awesome.”