Then He Kissed Me (Whispering Bay Romance 2)

“You heard me. And believe it or not, it’s working. The people in this town must be pretty desperate.” She lifted the print out. “Almost a third of these patients are yours now. Congratulations, it looks like we’re going to be stuck with you.” She looked up to the ceiling as if addressing the heavens and shook her head. “God help us all.”

*~*~*

Nate picked up his laptop and paused at the exam room door to read Bianca’s nursing assessment. Vital signs were all normal. Next to the line for chief complaint was the word PRIVATE in all caps. Private? He didn’t know Lauren’s mother well, but what little he did know about her told him he was probably going to wish he hadn’t come in to work today.

For one crazy moment, he thought about going back to his office and calling Lauren. Not to discuss her mother. No. That would be a HIPPA violation. But the last two days had been the longest in the past couple of months that he’d gone without either seeing her or hearing her voice. And the truth was, he’d never been more miserable. His appetite was sluggish. Whenever his cell went off his pulse skyrocketed, only to plummet down radically when he realized that it wasn’t Lauren on the other end of the phone. This morning’s run had been the worst time of his adult life and he could barely concentrate on the crossword puzzle. For the first time since he’d incorporated it into his daily routine, he hadn’t been able to solve it.

If things didn’t get back t

o normal soon he didn’t know what would happen next. He only knew…he needed her in his life. She’d come along when he’d least expected it and somehow, he’d fallen in love with her. Not because they were compatible (although they were), and not because the sex was good (to call it good would almost be an insult. It was the best he’d ever had in his life), and not because she was beautiful or smart or kind (although, again, she was all those things).

But because with her, for the first time in his life he could truly be himself. He didn’t have to think about what he said, or how it would come across. She accepted him exactly as he was. She didn’t want to change him or make him into something that he wasn’t.

The idea that she could possibly be in love with him as well, nearly brought him to his knees. He couldn’t think straight. Not until he told her how he felt and knew how she felt in return.

He took a moment to compose himself, then knocked on the door, waited a few seconds, then entered. “Mrs. Handy, it’s a pleasure to see you.”

She sat on the exam table, but instead of a patient gown, she wore grey slacks and a rose colored silk top. She was an attractive woman, in her early sixties. Lauren had inherited her coloring and her bone structure. He found himself wondering briefly if this is what she would look like in thirty years. He hoped (prayed) he’d be around to find out.

“Hello, Dr. Miller. How are you?” her soft southern drawl spoke of refinement and elegance.

“I’m well, thank-you. What can I do for you today?”

She lowered her eyes and began fidgeting with the pearls around her neck. “I want to thank you for seeing me. Normally, I see Doc, of course, but…I have a situation that I didn’t want to talk to him about.”

Nate sat on his stool and waited.

“First off, can I just tell you how wonderful I think it is that you and Lauren are dating? And your sister. Well, I don’t know your mother at all, but that Melanie! What a lovely girl. She has such a natural way with animals. It’s a shame that she isn’t dating anyone! I’m making it my personal mission to find her someone by the end of the year.”

Nate felt a trickle of sweat roll down his back. Was the air conditioner on the fritz? “Mrs. Handy, I’m not sure you’re aware, but, my sister is a lesbian.”

She blinked. “Yes, I know that. What? Did you think I was going to set her up with a man?” She chuckled. “Oh, no. I don’t think that would work at all. No, I’m keeping my eye out for her. She’s counting on me, you know.”

Nate took a moment to recover, then he went through her chart on his computer. No allergies. No major medical problems. Blood levels all normal. He studied her history. “You had some GYN surgery done in the early eighties?”

“Oh, yes, back in eighty-one and eighty-two. Fertility problems. Dan and I tried for almost ten years before I conceived with Lauren. She really is my miracle baby. She was the sweetest thing. Never…cried. Never fussed. Always such a Daddy’s girl! That’s why Dan calls her his Sweet Tea, you know.”

He turned back to look at her. Tears ran down her cheeks.

“Are you all right?” he asked, startled. He handed her a box of tissues.

“Oh, I’m just being silly.” She took a tissue and dabbed under her eyes. “I was cleaning out closets yesterday. I’m heading a new committee at the country club where we recycle suits and dresses to give to people who’ve been out of work. It’s so difficult to make the right impression in an interview if you aren’t dressed smartly, you know.” She gave him a shaky smile. “Not that you would have that problem. You always look so sharp!”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Neither of them said anything for a few moments. He sat there, waiting for her to start up again. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Dan was a smart dresser, too. He was an accountant, you know. A certified CPA. We met at the University of Florida. I’m not from here originally. My people are all from the St. Augustine area. I was a freshman and he was a senior, and he was so handsome. We were engaged by the time he graduated. Back then, girls didn’t always finish school, not if they’d already gotten a fellow. It was a joke. Getting your MRS degree. Dan was from old Whispering Bay money, so naturally, we moved here. His daddy was loaded and he set him up with this nice little firm in Panama City. Not that he didn’t work hard for his success. Dan was always a hard worker.”

She glanced down at the tissue. “It seems foolish to keep all those lovely suits of his when there’s someone who could benefit from them, don’t you agree? It’s not like he’ll need them anymore. I did keep a few, though, for special occasions. Like our fortieth wedding anniversary. That’s coming up in December.”

Nate nodded, unsure what else to do. She seemed on the verge of telling him something, but he was hesitant to interrupt her. He’d taken Lauren’s five minute suggestion. And in most cases, it seemed to work with the patients. They were opening up to him. At least, some of them were. But he couldn’t help Maureen if he didn’t know what was wrong.

On an impulse, he leaned forward and took her hand. He was surprised that she didn’t snatch it from his grasp. Instead, she squeezed his hand in return. It felt small and cool against his own. “I…you aren’t going to tell Lauren about this, are you? And I certainly don’t want Doc to know. He and Dan are old friends and it would feel so wrong…”

“Whatever you say to me is completely private. It’s the law. I could lose my license if I told anyone.”