“I can well understand that,” she remarked.
He looked at her. “Huh?”
“I grew up not trusting doctors.” Her gaze met his as his mouth thinned.
“Why?”
She shrugged and took a cracker from its wrapper. “My father was injured in a motorcycle accident when I was in elementary school. He lost a leg almost at the hip and the other below the knee. He believes the doctors didn’t do enough to save his legs because he didn’t have adequate insurance. Even sued.” She almost held her breath while waiting for Rex’s reaction.
“He did, did he?” There was a bitter note in Rex’s question.
“Consequently, I saw doctors as people to question. That you couldn’t trust them. My father’s accident broke up my family. He convinced my mother his opinion was truth. He didn’t allow her to take my brother or sister or me to doctors. Thankfully we never had something serious happen. As the oldest I learned to be a pretty good home nurse. I had a lot of experience bandaging.”
“I guess you did. I can’t imagine getting through childhood without seeing a doctor, much less mistrusting them to the point you don’t take your children to one.”
When he said it out loud, it did sound rather awful. “I know it seems strange but when you know nothing different, you don’t think much about it.”
He picked up his drink and took a swallow. “So when you said you didn’t care for my profession, you weren’t kidding.”
“No.”
“It must’ve been really difficult for you to accept this job once you learned what you were going to have to do for the hospital. And worse you would have to work with the doctor with a black mark by his name.”
She fiddled with the cracker wrapper. “It wasn’t difficult. Let’s just say it was a concern. Especially since my father lost the malpractice suit.”
“Why did you take the job, then?” He crossed his arms on the table, watching her with unnerving intensity.
“Because, unfortunately, making you and the hospital look good gives me a chance at a promotion I really want.”
He clicked his tongue and set back. “Tough spot to be in.”
“Not anymore. After seeing you in action today, I feel better about telling the world you’re a great doctor.”
Rex nodded. “I take that as high praise after what you’ve just told me.” His hand grazed hers as he took the package from her and removed a cracker.
There was that tingle again she got every time he touched her. “Have you told your father what you’re doing?”
“I have.” She kept to herself the fact that she hadn’t stayed more than a few minutes after he’d announced she’d betrayed him. But had she really?
“How did that go?”
“About as well as you’d expect.” She tried to keep the sadness out of her voice.
“I’m sorry that hanging out with me has made things difficult between the two of you.” Rex took a long swallow of his drink.
“That’s not your fault. It’s my job and my choice.”
He pushed the chair back and stood. “Well, it seems we’ve both had wrong views of each other for the last few days.”
Tiffani couldn’t disagree with him about that.
Rex gathered up his half-full cracker wrapper and can, putting them in a garbage can. “I’d better get busy or you’ll be stuck here all day. There’s a small dictation room over there...” he indicated another cubicle “...where I’ll be. It’ll take me twenty or thirty minutes. We should be able to leave after that. Sorry you have to wait. You might find a magazine to read up front.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll see if Louise needs help with something after I finish my crackers and drink.”
“I’ll make this up to you, I promise.”
She sat up and gave him an eager look. “Like letting me take pictures?”
He twisted up his face as if to refuse, yet compromised with, “I’ll agree to one. Of my choice.”
She sank back into her chair. “You aren’t feeling too guilty, are you?”
“It’s more that I need to respect these people.” He headed off without another word.
After finishing her snack, Tiffani walked to the front of the clinic. Louise was busy filing papers.
She smiled at the older woman. “Can I help with something?”
“Put these in alphabetical order. Then file them here.” Louise touched the filing cabinet behind her. “What’s Rex doing?”
“He’s busy working on reports.”
“He’s pretty special, isn’t he?” the old woman asked.
Yes, he is. Too much so for Tiffani’s comfort.
CHAPTER FIVE
REX FOUND TIFFANI elbow deep in papers after he’d completed his dictation. “You didn’t have enough to do this morning so now you’re doing paperwork?”
She glanced at him. “I’ll be finished here in a sec.”
“We could use her around here all the time,” Louise said.
He doubted that would happen. Tiffani had only been there that day because she hadn’t known what she’d been getting into. He said to Louise, “I’m going to run Tiffani back to her car and get some lunch. You want me to bring you anything?”
“I’m good. I’ve eaten lunch.”
A few minutes later Tiffani said, “I’m ready. See you later, Louise.”
“Thanks for the help, honey,” the woman called as they went out the door.
“I’ll see you in an hour,” Rex said. “You sure made an impression on Louise.”
“I can usually get along with most people. You’re the only one who’s had a problem with me in some time.”
Rex stopped and she did too. He looked at her as they stood in the parking lot. “Is that so? What issue did the last one have?”
“One I don’t want to talk about. You know, I haven’t gotten that picture you promised. How about you under the clinic sign?” She pointed to the one on the wall above his head.
When he didn’t immediately agree she narrowed her eyes and said, “You promised.”
“Okay.” He turned his back to the wall and faced her.
“I need a smile.” She gave him an example.
“I am smiling.”
She grinned. “That’s more of a grimace.”
“Will this do?” He gave her his best pleasant smile.
“I guess so, but I would’ve much preferred one like you gave Johnny this morning after you checked his ears.”
She’d been watching that closely?
“I only
have one of those a day to give away.” He opened the truck door for her. As she was getting in she looked back at him, their faces almost at the same level.
“That’s a shame,” she said softly. “It’s such a nice one.”
A warmth he wasn’t familiar with filled his chest. What would she do if he kissed her? For some reason, that thought kept coming to mind. He wasn’t interested in teasing her anymore. He wanted to really kiss her. Hold her against him. Hear her sigh with pleasure. See if her lips tasted as soft and delicious as they looked.
Before he could act on that desire, she gave the door a tug to close it. He stepped out of the way. The moment was lost. He would regret that missed opportunity.
As he drove away he said, “I’m going to get a drive-through burger. You want one before I take you back to your car?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got to go home and cook a meal for my father so I’m good.”
Rex certainly wasn’t going to get an invite to that, knowing how her father felt about doctors. Why would he even be interested in going? He wasn’t a meet-the-parents type of guy. He’d just go to one of the clubs and catch some good jazz music. After all, he and Tiffani were in a business relationship. Nothing more.
On the way to the hospital they chatted about their morning. Soon he was pulling up behind her car. He hopped out and went around to open her door.
“You do know that I’m capable of doing that for myself, don’t you?”
“It’s not about you being capable but about me being polite.” Watching her closely, he held the door wide but stood so she couldn’t easily get around him.
“Is something wrong?” Her gaze met his.
“I was just wondering if I tried to kiss you, would you let me?”
He didn’t wait for an answer. His lips found hers. They were just as soft and inviting as he’d imagined. When she didn’t move he placed his hands on her waist and pulled her to him. Tiffani felt so good. She didn’t push away, she just accepted. But he wanted her to reciprocate. He moved his mouth over hers in hungry invitation. She returned his kiss. Rewarded him with that sigh he’d wished for.
Seconds later she pushed him away, her look having turned cold and distant. “Please, don’t do that again.”