And she would accept Doc’s offer.
The thought hadn’t fully formed when Coop’s phone rang. “Delaney. Yeah. Okay. I’ll let her know.” He slipped the phone back in his pocket. “Doc wants you to stop by his office when we’re done.”
“Why didn’t he call me?” Mouth open, she stared, unable to say more.
He laughed and patted the hand resting near his. “Told you, Doc. Small town.”
“I’m going to check in with the guys,” said Jason as the waitress cleared the table. “I’ll see y’all at home.”
“Would it be too much trouble for you to drop me off at home first so I can get my car?” asked Sam. “I need to see what Doc wants.”
“No need,” said Coop as he tossed bills on the table. “Keep mine. You can pick me up at five.”
Jason looked at her and winked. “I gotta know what you have on him.”
Two hours later, Sam floated on cloud nine as she and Jack left Doc’s office. It was official. They would begin working together next week. He’d get a letter out to his patients today letting them know of the impending change. He would stay through a transitional period while all the formalities were dealt with, then clinic would be hers. Hers.
Excited, but nervous, she glanced at her watch. Almost four. Coop would be off soon, so she decided to stroll around town. She parked in his spot at the courthouse, and crossed the street to the diner, a cup of coffee and a slice of pie on her mind.
Inside, the place could be a showroom for fifties-style diners. Black and white tiles covered the floor, and booths clad in red vinyl lined the left side. A few patrons occupied red Formica-topped tables scattered around the deep, narrow room, which also boasted barstool seating at a long counter. A juke box on the back wall cranked out an old Elvis tune, and she smiled. Gotta love a small town that didn’t change with the times.
“Just sit anywhere you like,” chirped the young waitress passing by with someone’s order, “I’ll be with you in a sec.”
Sam chose a booth where she could look outside and checked out the tunes on the table-top juke box as she waited.
“What can I get for you?”
Taken aback by the chilly tone in her voice, Sam studied the woman standing beside the booth. “Coffee, please. Black. And do you have any pies or sweet rolls?”
“Apple, Coconut and Pecan Pie.”
She glanced at the name tag on the white uniform shirt, “Ruby”. Well, if that’s the Ruby in Ruby’s Diner, she needs to work on her tableside manners. “Apple please. And could I get it warmed with a slice of cheese?”
The woman’s stare wasn’t malicious or even curious; it struck Sam as more sad in nature, and she couldn’t help but wonder about it as Ruby turned toward the back without a word.
A few minutes later, the young waitress, her tag read “Bethany”, brought her pie and coffee. “So, you’re gonna be the new doctor in town?”
Sam didn’t bother to correct her, having already decided it would do no good. “I’m going to be working with Dr. Harper.”
Bethany’s eyes darted toward the register where Ruby talked with a departing customer. “I saw you driving Coop’s Bronco.”
Sam couldn’t believe people made such a big deal about her driving his car, and once again, chose not to address it. “This pie is delicious. My compliments to the cook.”
She nodded toward the register. “Ruby’s the owner and does all the baking. I’ll tell her you said so.”
By the time she paid out, Ruby was nowhere around and Bethany manned the register. “Is Jason coming home this weekend?” she asked a little too casually.
“Actually, he came in today.”
Her pixie face brightened. “Great. Um, tell him Bethany at the diner said hello.”
“I will.”
Back at the SUV, she grabbed Jack’s leash. His tail wagged furiously as he waited for her to attach it before jumping to the ground.
No particular destination in mind, she started walking around the square, scoping out the store fronts and window shopping. Halfway around, Coop came walking down the sidewalk.
Jack pulled on the leash, dragging her forward in his haste to greet him.
“Hey, Jack,” he said as he squatted down to rub the hound’s head. “Good to see you, too.”
She glanced at the huge clock adorning the entrance to the courthouse. “It’s not five yet. You done for the day?”
“Yeah.” Jack licked at his face and Coop barely ducked out of the way in time. “No face-licking, dude.”
His gravelly voice made her girl parts quiver.
“I still don’t understand why he’s so taken with you.” She couldn’t decide if she were annoyed or pleased. “He’s never taken up with anyone other than my dad. Not even my brothers.”
“Jack knows I’m one of the good guys.” He patted the dog’s head, “Ain’t that right?”
Jack responded by laying down on the ground, belly up for a rub.
Thoughts of those big hands on her sent tingles to the pit of her stomach. Acutely conscience of his virile appeal, she admitted to herself alone, a friends-only arrangement would never work. Yet, the thought of not being around him was too unsettling to entertain. She gave herself a mental shake and moved to safer ground. “Thanks for the use of the Bronco today.”
“You’re welcome.” He stood and reached for Jack’s leash. “Are we engaged yet?” The laughter in his voice said he knew the talk around town.
