2
Mia
I wasn’t surprised to see Nick at the hospital. I knew he worked there. Even if he didn’t, Goldrush Lake was a small enough town that I’d run into him somewhere, sometime.
Even though I knew I’d see him, having him standing there in the flesh, was a shock to my senses. Could he be even more handsome than before?
His blond hair was shorter on the sides while still longer on top. His youthful face was no longer clean shaven, but instead had the groomed stubble that was deliciously sexy. I clasped my hands behind my back to keep from reaching out to touch his cheek.
His green eyes flashed with surprise as if he didn’t expect me. In a small town, I’d have thought my arrival home would have made the rounds. Although I’d only made my decision a week ago, and arrived home yesterday to start my new job today.
He looked at me and then at Dick Waterson who’d been giving me a tour of the hospital before turning back to me. He smiled, but it looked as awkward as I felt.
“Mia,” he finally said. He stepped forward, opening his arms. I moved closer, accepting his hug. It didn’t feel like a hug from a former lover. It felt like the hug a man gave to his best friend’s little sister, which isn’t to say that my hormones didn’t go crazy at the feel of his strong chest under his doctor’s coat or the scent of him; a mixture of mountain air and Nick.
“You know each other,” Dick said. “Of course you do, I forgot, you grew up here, Ms. Parker. I’m always surprised at how everyone knows everyone.”
Dick wasn’t from Goldrush Lake. He’d told me he’d moved up a few years ago when he and his wife started thinking about retiring.
“How are you, Mia?” Nick asked. He’d always had a way of saying my name like it was chocolate on his tongue. It sent another shiver through my body.
“Good, Nick. And you? You look good.” Inwardly, I groaned. For one, I appeared to suck at small talk and two, he didn’t need to know I thought he looked good.
His eyes drifted down my body and back up again. “You do too. I didn’t know you were moving back.”
I nodded. “It was a quick decision. My dad is starting to have more difficulty.”
Nick gave a sad smile. “Yes.” And then as if catching himself said, “So I’ve heard.”
I studied him, wondering about his comment. In a small town, he’d know my dad had Parkinson’s but how would he know my father was getting worse? I knew he and Eli weren’t friends anymore, a fact I felt guilty about.
“I’m giving Ms. Parker a tour of the hospital. She’s going to make sure all our legal i’s are dotted and the t's are crossed,” Dick said.
“Dr. Foster,” a nurse from behind me called. “We’ve got a baby with one-hundred and two fever.”
“Excuse me,” Nick said. He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, he hurried past me and Dick toward the emergency area.
“He’s one of our best,” Dick said to me as we watched Nick round the next corner.
“Hmm.”
We finished the tour and Dick brought me back to my office. “I hate to throw you into the fire on your first day, but we have a few vendor contracts that we need you to look at.”
“Of course.” I went to the desk on which several files sat.
“The head of HR will be down as well. We had a termination two months ago for a relationship between a CNA and an administrator, but there is talk of a lawsuit for wrongful termination.”
I sat in the chair, getting a feel for my new space. “Were they both fired?” I asked.
“Just the administrator … our last lawyer.”
I quirked a brow. “There could be grounds then. I’ll review your no-fraternization rule.”
“It’s pretty basic. The rule applies to administrators. Because of the power structure, it was decided that administrators shouldn’t have romantic relationships with other staff.”
No fraternization rules were hard to police, but I could see where the hospital would want to protect itself from potential lawsuits if an admin was taking advantage of other staff. “I’ll review it and let you know. I’ll also see if perhaps it needs an update.”
He nodded and left. It occurred to me that I was an admin and Nick was staff. That meant he and I couldn’t … well … of course we wouldn’t. Our time had come and gone four years ago.