Chapter 8
Waking up the next morning, Colton found it hard to believe he was in a foreign country, working in the medical field.
Well, not quite what he expected when he entered the nursing program, but as close as he would get until he finished his education.
Colton heard Slate in the small kitchen of their apartment banging cupboard doors and clinking dishes.
When the scent of fresh brewed coffee reached his nose, he jumped out of bed, heading toward the aroma.
The kitchen was open to the living and dining room in the apartment giving it a spacious feel. Plopping himself down on a stool at the island, Colton asked, “Need any help?”
Slate whirled around. “Shit man, don’t sneak up on me. My brother already called me this morning to make sure you were safe. If he keeps this up, we’ll be here forever, with all his interruptions.”
“It’s not your brother, it’s Jackson. Steel is only doing what any good mate would do for their pregnant partner…eliminate stress.”
“I know. But it’s hell on me when I have to listen to a fifteen minute lecture on protecting you. I reminded him I’m a Dire Wolf…like that mattered. He thinks he’s the only one who can do it right.”
“Don’t feel bad. I’m telling you, it’s Jackson who’s driving the bus here.
I’m sure he’ll calm down in a few days. I’ll tell you what…
I’ll send Jackson a long email every night about what I did so he feels in control.
Hell, I should’ve done that last night. But never mind.
I’ll start tonight and I bet Steel will get off your ass in a couple of days. ”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Yeah, it’ll be good for my brothers too. Well, what’s on the agenda today? Will I meet Dr. Luna? But first, I need a cup of coffee, if you don’t mind.”
Slate poured a cup of coffee for Colton. “Here. I can’t start without my lifeblood, either.”
While they sipped their coffees, Slate asked, “How come you don’t have a scent? If I didn’t know you were a wolf, I’d think you were human.”
“After the massacre, Jackson took us to see Jimmy who’s a lone wolf…owns a gas station and 10,000 acres behind it. He’s mated to Mystia, who’s a witch. She cast a protection spell over each of us…an anti-scent one. Didn’t Steel tell you?”
“No, does Jackson have one?”
“No…well to be accurate, he did have one, but Mystia removed it before he and Steel mated.”
“Why do you still have yours? The kill-on-sight order has been rescinded.”
“It goes back to your phone call this morning. Jackson wants us to have as much protection as possible in case our uncle is lying.”
“Ahh. Got it. Okay. How about we shower and then I’ll take you to see the facilities and meet Dr. Luna.”
“Sure, but are we going to eat breakfast?”
Laughing, Slate got up. “I haven’t forgotten. Let’s grab something quick. We’ll be meeting the good doctor for lunch and I promise you, it’ll make up for a small breakfast.”
After some scrambled eggs, bacon and toast, Slate and Colton headed to the site of the new hospital and clinic.
It was within walking distance and conveniently located near a cluster of homes and apartments where the pack of Mexican Wolf shifters lived.
Colton looked around and saw new adobe houses and low apartment buildings interspersed with small green areas where young pups were playing.
Walking past one of the parks, he heard sounds of growling and yapping as the kids playfully charged each other.
He was surprised at how new the structures were.
“Dire Enterprises built them a couple of years ago,” Slate said, after seeing Colton’s puzzled look.
“Oh, is that when you learned how to cook Mexican dishes?”
“Yeah, Juan…Dr. Luna…asked for our help because so many of the old structures were dilapidated and falling down. We put this shifter pack on our ten year plan. In another two years we were planning to build a new hospital and clinic along with a new school. But when the attacks started, Dr. Luna asked if the timetable could be moved up for the hospital and clinic.”
Slate stopped in front of an adobe building and, pulling keys out of his pocket, unlocked the front door.
“This building has been totally gutted down to the exterior walls and rebuilt. It has the latest fire suppression and alarm systems, along with all new mechanicals, and we used ecologically safe building materials for doors, windows, and so on.”
“How do you provide power to this remote area?”
“Mainly solar and wind turbines. But we have a generator as a back-up in case those fail.”
“This is amazing. Is this what you and Steel do all over the world? Help wolf packs provide a better living for their shifters?”
“Yup, so ready for your tour?
“Absolutely!”
~/~/~/~/~
All morning, Colton worked at checking off each piece of equipment against his master list. Slate’s muscles came in handy for lifting and pushing things around.
By eleven thirty, he verified everything had been accounted for and had made a sizable dent in the job of arranging all the rooms. What had been just empty spaces were now filled with X-ray machines, exam tables, hospital beds and more.
“Hey Colt, I need a break. It’s been a long time since I was a mover.”
“Hmmm,” Colton looked up from the floorplan, “shit, Slate, sorry, sure. Do you want to go to lunch?”
“That sounds great. I’ll send the doc a text and see if he’s ready.”
Colton turned back to the to-do list he made.
The rooms were missing what he called the ‘warm and comforting’ items which could make all the difference to a recovering patient.
Maybe he’d bring that up at lunch. Or maybe he shouldn’t do it in front of Dr. Luna.
Crap. Just go with your gut. If the opportunity presented itself, he’d bring it up.
“Hey, Colt, let’s wash up. The doc is meeting us back at our apartment. Hustle, hustle. I gotta make our food.”
“Really, we aren’t going out to eat? Do you want to order something to pick up on the way back?”
“No, I’ve got this. Trust me, I’m a good cook.”
~/~/~/~/~
Colton was sitting at the island, copying his list so he could give one to Slate and Dr. Luna. In the background, his roommate was baking something causing his mouth to water. “What are you making? It smells fantastic.”
“Steak Tampiquena.”
“What’s that?”
“Mexican Steak. An old wolf taught me how to cook a number of Mexican dishes when I was here several years ago. This dish has steak, roasted green chili peppers, garlic, onion, and Monterey Jack pepper cheese in it. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Wow, my brother Dakota would love to make that. He’s the chef in the family.”
A knock at the front door brought an immediate change to Slate’s demeanor. “I’ll get it. You stay here.” Slate moved cautiously towards the front door, sniffing, then suddenly relaxing as he quickly strode toward it, unlocked it and yanked it open. “Hey Juan, good to see you. Come in.”
Colton stood up, nervously twisting his hands behind his back.
Here was the man who insisted Slate hire him for Frontline Doctors.
Shit, what if, after meeting him, Dr. Luna changed his mind.
Oh fuck. Crap. Shit. Colton remembered Jackson telling him he could do this.
Yeah, his big brother was always encouraging them to follow their dreams even when they were little kids.
He squared his shoulders, standing proud.
After all, this meeting did not make or break his dream.
He was good and he knew it, so now he just needed to showcase his abilities.
Colton studied Dr. Luna as he stood talking to Slate.
Tall, well-built with muscles but not as big as Slate’s.
Dark-blond, shoulder-length hair tied back with a leather string, almost black eyes and a short tight beard, no, maybe more of a scuff covering his square jaw and dimpled chin.
As Colton’s thoughts turned to getting in bed with him another sharp pain stabbed his chest. He put the wayward pain aside as Dr. Luna walked over with his arm extended.
Reaching out and shaking his hand, Colton said, “Hola, Dr. Luna, Buenas tardes.”
“Hola, Colton. Hablas espanol?”
“No, not yet. I just started my Spanish lessons.”
“Good. Knowing different languages will be very useful if you want to work with Frontline Doctors.”
“I recently came to the same conclusion.”
Dr. Luna turned to Slate. “What did I tell you? This one’s a keeper.”
Colton could feel his ears turning red at the compliment. Uncomfortable, he remained silent, hoping Slate would come to his rescue.
“Juan, lunch is ready so have a seat at the table with Colton. I’ll bring it in. Have you guessed what we are having?”
“Sí. My favorite. You are too good to me. Has Slate told you how he learned to cook this dish?”
“Yes, an old wolf taught him.”
“Bullshit. Old wolf indeed. My grandfather taught me and I taught him.”
“Technically what I said is true,” Slate chuckled, “I just left out the middleman,” Then he set steaming plates of delicious smelling steak in front of them, saying, “Buen provecho.”
Colton took his first bite and nearly groaned out loud.
Oh, my gods, he had to give this recipe to Dakota.
Maybe he could find a Mexican cook book for him while he was here.
He dove into his meal as did the others, enjoying listening to the talk between the doctor and Slate.
Sitting back, he took a break while he thought about his experiences so far.
And the more he reflected, the surer he felt this life was meant for him.
Jarring him out of his post-meal contentment, he felt Slate nudging his foot.
What? Shit, he missed the doctor’s question.
Slate covered for him. “Colton, I’d also like to know if you have any questions or comments about the hospital and clinic.”
Oh fuck, he owed Slate one for saving his ass. “Actually, I made a list of points I wanted to cover with you, Slate. Do you want me to go over it now?”
“Sure, it’ll save time. Do you have the time, Juan?”
“Sí.”
“Okay,” Colton began. “The first thing is that the patients’ rooms are missing drapes, pictures, chairs…
like recliners…and they need to be painted in soothing colors.
It’s always tough for anyone to be sick enough to be hospitalized and it’s even worse for a shifter.
If every room could remind the patient of home, they would heal faster, and it would be less traumatic, especially to the family. ”
Slate looked at Juan and then slammed his fist on the table causing Colton to jump. “Why didn’t I see that?”
Juan chuckled. “Because you aren’t in the frontline of patient care as Colton is. Well done, what other ideas do you have?”
“Well, in remote locations like this, it’s hard to find nurses who want to relocate so I propose a training program for shifters…
male or female…located in isolated areas so they can get a two-year nursing certificate by working under a group of medical professionals such as yourself, Dr. Luna.
The program would ensure every pack has at least a nurse to provide medical care and keep track of issues that pop up.
” Colton paused, before adding his final point.
“And the program would fit in with Dire Enterprise’s mandate of providing steady jobs for shifters. ”
Slate stared at Colton, then, turning to Juan said, “You’re right. We need Colton. How did we miss the obvious? He’s a genius. Do you realize what this will mean for the more remote packs?”
Colton blushed, ducking his head. He didn’t expect this reaction.
A genius? Not at all—these ideas came from observations and thoughts about what would help a situation.
He knew from listening to Logan how good design could have a positive effect on a person and it followed if a hospital room was calm, soothing and home-like, the patient would feel better and heal faster.
“Colton,” said Slate, “I want to implement your ideas for the hospital. Please figure out what’s needed in each patient’s room and include the waiting areas also. As soon as I have the list, I can expedite the orders. I would like this done before the official opening if we can.”
“Great!” agreed Dr. Luna. “In the meantime, I’m going to figure out what kind of training program would work.
Having at least one medical professional in each pack would be excellent.
” A buzzing sound caused Dr. Luna to fish his phone from his pocket and scan a message.
“Slate, Colton, please excuse me. I have an emergency. Maybe I can meet you later at the site and see what has been done, sí?”
“We’ll get back to work,” Slate said, walking the doctor to the door.
Locking it after he left, Slate turned and saw Colton had cleared the table and was in the kitchen putting everything away.
Slate studied Colton, as he worked quietly and without fuss.
What an extraordinary find! Wait until Steel hears about his ideas.
He wanted to know more about what Colton wanted and, if he was really committed to joining Frontline Doctors, Slate would definitely offer him a job.
Whether Steel would agree was another matter.
Colton finished cleaning the kitchen and then turned to see Slate gazing at him intently.
What’s up with that? Nope, don’t want to open that door right now…
got to focus on the job at hand. “Thanks for the great meal. I definitely need that recipe for Dakota. The guys are going to love it,” Colton said before pausing, puzzled at the look on Slate’s face.
“Are you ready to head back to the hospital?”
“Yup, maybe you can tell me what I need to do so you can start on your list of items to be ordered.”
“Sure, that’ll work.”
After setting the security alarm and locking the door, Colton and Slate walked down the street toward the new hospital. Deeply engaged in discussion, neither saw the man slouched in the shadow of a building, watching them.