Chapter Twenty
L ee rolled over in the hospital call room Sunday morning and stretched her sore muscles with a groan. Yesterday’s hiking with dogs—or rather, dogs pulling hiker—and taking care of Nick with his accident had worn her out. After casting Nick’s leg and discharging him, Lee spent more than an hour carefully reviewing her chart note.
That one document could make or break several people’s futures.
At least her extra work last night meant she could add some billable hours for her locums timesheet. For Lee, every dollar mattered these days.
Sighing, she sat up and squinted at her cell phone, bright in the dark call room. A red dot popped up, indicating a message. Her heart sped up, then dropped.
It wasn’t Maverick. Nothing from him.
It gave her emotional whiplash, how they had gone from mutual heavy petting that was likely leading to something even sexier, to disaster then despair in a matter of hours. Lee wished she could give Maverick a big hug right now, even if he didn’t feel that he could reciprocate.
Man, Lee hated bullies.
She rubbed her face and tapped the screen. The message was from the locums company recruiter. Unusual to have a message come in—she checked the timestamp—an hour ago. Recruiters generally didn’t work on weekends unless there was an urgent reason.
She sat back on the pillows and read the message.
Emergency request for a three-month assignment in southern Utah. You would be the only doc covering the facility for half of that time. Hospital is willing to pay double your current assignment fees and will buy out the remainder of Alaska assignment if you will transfer before your assignment ends there. Details in email sent to you.
Lee quickly did some math and leaned back on the bed. Oh wow .
Hadn’t she worried about her bank account and the immediate need to clear multiple debts?
Hadn’t she complained about how bitterly cold it was here?
Hadn’t she deflected staff members’ gentle comments about her remaining in Yukon Valley?
The planned completion date of her assignment was the end of March. Right now, it was the first week of February.
Her thoughts whirled.
Yukon Valley needed her until Dr. Pitka returned from maternity leave.
Lee’s job as a locums doc was to help staff facilities so that patients would receive safe, high-quality care in situations where the local docs were overextended or services had to divert because there weren’t enough doctors.
Of course, that was the reason on paper.
But she chose locums work for the quick fix on her finances, too. Her goal had been to go to wherever paid the most. Get back on her feet as fast as possible.
Take the offer from the highest bidder and help a hospital in dire need. Everyone wins.
Right?
She glanced at the time. Eight a.m. Barely enough time to shower and meet Deirdre, who had offered to swing her by the lodge this morning so Lee could pick up her car.
While there, Lee would check on Nick. Maybe Maverick, too.
What would he say to her?
Southern Utah. She rolled the location around in her mind. Warmer. Rural but less isolated than Yukon Valley. More lucrative.
What would she tell Maverick?
If she moved forward with the assignment, it wouldn’t matter what she said to him. She pressed a palm to her aching chest, unable to make a decision.
She was not in a headspace to evaluate the offer right now. Best to give it a little time and think things through.
Rushing to get ready, she tried to ignore the recruiter’s message. She also ignored things like feelings and what-ifs and credit card bills. All of it could wait until tomorrow.
Twenty minutes later, she closed Deirdre’s Subaru door and buckled up. “Thanks for giving me a ride this morning.” Lee was back in her outdoor gear from yesterday’s rescue.
Deirdre pulled away from the hospital. “Not a problem. Phew, what a crazy night.”
True. Not only had Lee wrapped up Nick’s ER care, but then she had helped with the C-section and resuscitated the baby. When it was all done, everyone was healthy. Without keys to the rental house or transportation, it had been easier to stay in the hospital.
Biting her lip, Lee said, “Didn’t expect quite this much adventure when I signed up to work in Yukon Valley.”
“Sounds like adventure found you.”
“That’s a good way to put it.” She smiled, but it felt tight, like a grimace instead.
After a moment, Deirdre shifted, her coat material shushing in the close quarters. “Can I mention something?”
“Sure.”
“I’m really glad you’re here. Not only for the medical part—everyone appreciates your care. I know Dr. Moore and Dr. Burmeister and Dr. Pitka are so glad you’re part of the team. I’m sure someone has offered this, but we would love to have you continue working here at Yukon Valley. Indefinitely.”
Lee made a noncommittal, vaguely positive sound.
Planting her mittened hands on the wheel at ten and two to navigate the snowy ruts leading from this side street to the main highway, Deirdre continued, “But on a personal level, you’re a friend.”
“I agree.”
She paused for a few seconds. “I’m also glad for what you’ve done for Mav.”
Lee’s head whipped over. “What?” How did she know? Had she read the chart notes? Lee hadn’t told anyone about the extent of her notes and the reasons why she’d documented in that manner. Terrified of giving up protected patient information, she clamped her mouth shut.
Deirdre didn’t seem to notice Lee’s distress. “He might be my younger brother and a royal pain in the patoots, but I care about him and want him to be happy. He’s smiled more in the past month than in the past two years.”
“Oh. Mm-hmm.” She unclenched her hands. After a moment, she managed to say, “It’s easy for anyone to smile when you live in a beautiful lodge at the edge of gorgeous wilderness.”
Deirdre glanced over out the corner of her eye. “What about the dogs?”
“They’re adorable!”
“I know. I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with them.” She sighed. “After our parents died, Mav and I have struggled to keep the mortgage above water. That ship seems to be sinking.”
“Hmm.”
“He’s always wanted to develop Mom and Dad’s property into an all-season wilderness destination.”
“You both own it.”
“It’s important to me, but not like it is for Mav.” She flicked the turn signal to turn right onto the state highway. “He was worried about this weekend. Felt like a lot was riding on the exposure this trip might provide.”
This morning, Lee had seen the latest Yelp review for Maverick’s business, and it wasn’t complimentary. Of course, there was no mention about the role the review’s author, Randy, had in his own bad decision-making. The review had been cross-posted to several social media sites. How could someone fight slander when people were entitled to their opinion, no matter how ill-informed?
“Exposure.” Lee tapped her mittened fingers on the door’s armrest. “Posting.”
“Yes, reviews, referring friends.”
“Word of mouth. Rumors going across town and back,” she murmured. “‘More connections on social media than the national power grid has outlets.’” Like her colleague Kathy had said. Lee sat up straight. “Any chance we could stop at Three Bears?”
“Sure.” Deirdre flicked the turn signal the other way and made a left on the highway, then a right into the Three Bears parking lot.
“I won’t be but a minute. Thanks!” Lee ducked into the store, hoping that Tuli was working the Sunday morning shift. Weaving her way through the array of office supplies, children’s clothing, and food products, she followed her nose to the smoked meats in the back.
Empty.
“Shoot.”
A few seconds later, a head popped out from the back room. “Hi, Doc!” he said with a broad smile.
“Tuli, I’m glad you’re here.” Suddenly, nerves fluttered in her stomach. Would Maverick understand what she was doing and why? Would it make a difference?
“What can I get you? Sliced meat? Ground chuck?”
An impulse to retreat and quit this stupid plan made her leg muscles tense, but she planted her feet. “I need something that’s not found in the deli, but I believe is your area of expertise.”
He leaned on the counter, chin propped on his fists. “You have my attention.”