“You’ve already thanked me,” Dr. Adams said, crossing one leg over the other as he concentrated on his bowl, moving the vegetables around to create the perfect bite.
“You eat any meat?” Landon asked. When Dr. Adams looked up, he pointed to the meatless salad before taking another hearty bite of his own food.
“Not usually. I’m not a hundred percent plant-based but close. Heart disease runs in my family.”
Landon gave the doctor a small nod before he took another bite, chewing it as the remnants of his bad mood dissipated.
“I thought I was flying under the radar here. You burst my bubble when you knew who I was.”
Yeah, right. The idea of Robert Adams not being recognized tickled Landon, and he rolled his eyes for good measure, again reaching for his glass of water. “I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I suspect every person in this hospital knows who you are.”
Dr. Adams looked up from the salad, confused, stopping with a bite midway to his mouth and shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“They absolutely know who you are.” Landon left no room for argument, stopping just short of telling the sexy doctor how all the single women and even a few of the men had tried to catch the guy’s attention. The doctor seemed truly unaware of all the subtle flirting going on around him. In fact, he acted somewhat dejected as he continued eating. “Why’s it a bad thing they know you?”
“It’s not,” Dr. Adams answered, running a paper napkin over his mouth.
“Not convincing. Everybody’s trying to figure out why you’re here. Rumor has it you’re running for office and want military credentials under your belt,” Landon explained before again filling his mouth just about as full as he could. He couldn’t seem to get enough of the food or the conversation. It was hard to balance the two without talking with a mouth full of food.
“What? I’m not running for public office. That’s my sister’s deal, not mine at all,” Dr. Adams stated, seeming somewhat annoyed when he stabbed a small tomato with his fork and brought it to his mouth.
“Why’s it not yours?”
“I’m too single-minded. Things have always been cut and dry with me,” Dr. Adams replied, taking another bite.
“Then if what you say is true—being here based on a sign—it must be really treading on some seriously new ground for you.”
Dr. Adams stopped chewing and lifted a single brow at him. In some circles, the pointed stare might be considered intimidating, but not for Landon. His Italian father was a red hot, fire-breathing dragon about eighty-five percent of the time. Dr. Adams’s look only made Landon chuckle while reaching for his napkin.
“Didn’t mean to tread into territory you didn’t want to discuss. Sorry if I stepped over whatever line you have, but you have to admit, leaving everything behind to come here is kind of drastic.”
“What’s your story then?” Dr. Adams asked, maybe a little defensive if Landon read his tone correctly. He couldn’t help the laugh that innocently bubbled up from his chest again. Like Landon had any of those funky lines that shouldn’t be crossed or secrets that wouldn’t be told. His whole life was an open book—literally in the public record.
“I grew up on the south side of Houston, Texas. My dad’s full-blooded Italian, born in Italy. My mom’s from Texas. We were raised middle class. I have an older sister who’s a badass with two badass kids. I was a badass; it’s why I joined the military. And before you say anything, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time which is kind of the story of my whole life.” He pointed to his bandaged arm as if to prove his theory before he continued, “But I didn’t have anything to do with what went down.” Landon tossed out his own indignant attitude over his troubled teen years. He’d been leaving Kelly’s, a local restaurant, walking out to his car when he spotted a couple of buddies. The police blazed into the parking lot, lights flashing, sirens blaring. Landon had gotten himself in just enough trouble in the past that no one really believed the truth of his lack of involvement in the drug deal going down. “I’ve been enlisted since I graduated high school.”
“Hmm. So a career man.” Dr. Adams nodded, not saying one word about Landon’s admission. He dug back into his salad again, eating with gusto, taking several bites. Landon couldn’t detect any judgment or condemnation about what he’d confessed, which was weird. Most people thought it was their responsibility to police others. The holier than thou do-gooders always looked down on men like Landon. “Why did you choose the Air Force?”
Landon had respected Dr. Adams, but now he was beginning to really like who he was as a man.