Chapter 5
With so many workers—Caleb, Gemma, Harlan, Pax and Steph herself, the furniture was de-boxed and arranged in all the rooms. Harlan and Caleb then went back to stock the exam rooms with the medical supplies. Everybody finished by noon.
Steph noticed that Pax was still upbeat. He came out of the back with his phone in hand. “I’m taking orders for sandwiches at Kingston’s. I’ve sent you all a menu to pick something for lunch.”
Harlan chose his food first and sent it to Pax’s phone, then asked, “What’s going on this afternoon?”
“We’re planning to distribute flyers on the few blocks around the clinic. There’s houses and stores down here.”
“That sounds like fun,” Gemma said after sending her order.
“We can go in groups. You three—” he indicated the Shepherds and Harlan “—can cover the intersecting streets. Steph and I will go on the horizontal streets closest to the clinic.”
When the food arrived, they sat at a round table in the corner and chowed down. Steph sat next to Pax. “How’s your corn beef on rye?” he asked.
“Want a taste?”
“Sure? Want some meatball?”
“No thanks.” She cut off a portion of her sandwich and fed him. It seemed so natural to do, but she caught the expressions of the others. Uh-oh. Too intimate a gesture.
He held her gaze as he bit. “Hmm. Very tasty.”
She transferred her attention to the others.
“So, you’re an artist?” Pax said to the boy.
“I’m trying to be.”
“Harlan, you should get your sketch book from the car. I’m sure Pax and Steph would like to see it.”
“We would,” they said simultaneously.
He finished before them and by the time he returned Steph was done eating. Steph wiped her hands on a napkin and took the book. He’d marked off a page to begin.
Her jaw literally dropped when she saw the set of portraits. “Harlan. These are publishable.”
Gemma said, “We know.”
“The one of you, Gemma, is so realistic.”
Harlan, blushing, said, “I did it for Caleb.”
“Aw.”
Steph was hit by a sense of longing. She wanted a family like theirs, though she knew they hadn’t had an easy time of it. The feeling was similar to when she saw Katie Donovan pregnant.
She glanced surreptitiously at Pax. Huh! The same expression as hers. Now that was something to think about.
* * *
As they left the clinic, Pax was excited to let the community know about the opening. The sun was still bright and the weather required only a sweater or light jacket. He took Steph’s hand as they crossed the street and pulled open the door of a small grocery store.
The man behind the counter looked up. His eyes were weary. “What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Dr. Pax Barry and I’m opening the free clinic across the street.”
“Huh! Heard you had a break in.”
“I did, but we have security now.” He held up the flyer. “Can we display this on your storefront window for our opening date?”
The guy took the flyer and scanned it. “I guess. So long as you’re not attractin’ the riff raff.”
The riff raff would be coming to him. “I made sure each flyer emphasizes our security. In other words, the drugs are locked up so tight, nobody without a code can get in.”
“Okay, put it up. By the way, I’m Josh Collins. I own this place.”
“Nice to meet you, Josh. This is Steph Giordano. She’ll be working with me.”
They left smiling, but ten minutes later, they wore frowns. At Smoke Shop, a grumpy lady with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth shook her head. “Don’t want those things in my window. You guys are gonna attract all kinds of bums and gangs to steal your shit. I don’t want you here because you’ll attract them. And I don’t wanna take any grief for your clinic.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Pax said kindly. “Maybe you’ll change your mind once we’re up and running and have discouraged any theft.”
“Doubt it. Now get out.”
Once on the street again, Steph said, “There’s bound to be some people like that in this neighborhood.”
“Yeah, I guess. Think we can put signs on the empty storefronts?”
“We can try. But since they won’t be on the inside of the glass, they’ll probably be torn down by the haters.”
“Let’s do it anyway.”
They got to the end of the street and walked into the Arcade. A loud crash accompanied by screams echoed from inside. Pax and Steph rushed to find the victim. A young girl was on the floor beneath a pinball game whose front two legs had collapsed. Two huge men rushed over.
Pax said, “Steph, run and get the medical bag I filled last night. It’s in my office.”
“Of course.” She took off like a shot.
Pax addressed the men, both with shaved heads and deep brown eyes that were filled with concern. He knelt down next to girl. “I bet you hurt.”
“Ye-ah.” The base of the game lay across her thighs.
The men wore deep frowns. “This is our sister.”
“Lift this machine off her.”
The men raised up the machine and Pax gently pulled the girl to the side. She moaned but he had no choice in moving her. The men knelt down.
“What’s your name?” he asked her.
“Anika,” one man told him.
She said, “I hurt, Miles.”
The other gazed softly at her. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey, Enzo.”
“May I touch your legs?” Pax asked. She wore a skirt.
“Yes.”
Gently he felt her legs. The machine had dug into her so hard it caused two wounds.
“Can you move your feet?”
She did.
“Can you bend your knees?”
She did. “But it hurts.”
“I’m sure it does. Now take a deep breath and we’ll help you to sit up.”
Her brothers assisted her.
Again she moaned.
Steph arrived with his bag.
When he opened it, Enzo asked, “What’re you going to do?”
“Clean and treat the cuts. They’re superficial but we don’t want them to deepen or spread.”
He took out antiseptic and cleaned the wounds. Another moan from the patient. Each brother held one of her hands. Their dark brows crinkled with worry.
“This ointment will make it feel better.” He put on a salve.
Then he bandaged both legs.
She’d closed her eyes. “Are you dizzy, Anika?”
“No.”
“Do you think you can stand?”
“Yes.”
Enzo and Miles lumbered to their feet to assist her. Somebody dragged over a chair and they eased her onto it. “My recommendation is to go to the emergency room right away. You need X-rays and maybe more tests.”
“You said you’re the guy opening the clinic.” Miles said.
“I am.”
“Don’t you got an X-ray machine?”
“I do. But she’s a minor. I could provide immediate assistance because you were bleeding. But I can’t do X-rays without your parents there.”
“She only got us,” Enzo said. “And we don’t got insurance.”
Pax looked around. “Tell you what. Why don’t we get you to the clinic and see what we’re dealing with.”
* * *
Later, Pax and Steph walked into the YMCA and signed in—he as her guest. “You’re smiling,” he commented. “Why?”
“I guess I enjoy the clang of machines, the low buzz of conversation and the array of people here.” She sniffed and gestured to the pool off to the left. “And the scent of chlorine.”
“Hmm.”
“Let’s head upstairs to the machines and track.”
They took the steep flight easily. “You can’t be in too bad shape if you can climb the steps that fast without getting winded.”
“Yeah, I think I’m still worked up by what happened with Anika.” Who was safe at home now with her brothers.
They approached the treadmills. “Be sure to start slow and build up. Most guys don’t do that.”
“Well, I guess I’m not most guys.”
She liked this cocky remark and said to him. “I’m glad you’re not.”
Was she flirting with him? Huh. Well, she hadn’t been able to get their episode in the car out of her mind. She could still remember the taste and scent of him. Besides, he looked pretty good in navy sweats and a white T-shirt.
She’d tried to quell this attraction when they drove together in the car, but it was coming out now and she couldn’t stop it. So she jumped on the machine and tried to blank her mind as she escalated her speed.
Before their timer for fifteen minutes chimed, she said, “Now slow down easily.”
When they got off, she said, “Okay, Barry. You’re doing everything right. Where did you work out when you were in Syracuse?”
“A gym.”
“I bet it was exclusive.”
“Nothing was too good for Dr. Paxton Barry.” His tone was regretful.
“That woman you worked with called you Paxton.”
“Everyone did.”
“Are you going to hire her?”
“Maybe I’ll wait to see if we need her.”
“We will. You can’t work every day, all day.”
“I’ll think about it.” He checked out the other machines. “So where do you usually go from here?”
“To the E-gym.”
“What’s that?”
“A program they have here that sets you up with a workout—stretching, the weights and cardio.”
“Lead the way.”
By the time they finished with their workout, they were both sweating. “That felt great,” she said.
“Sure did. Thanks Steph.”
“You’re welcome.” She checked her watch. “It’s eight o’clock.”
“So,” he said, placing his hands on her sweaty biceps and capturing her gaze. “Where do we go from here?”
“Back to my place? I have some minestrone soup in the crockpot.”
“Mmm. You have a domestic side.” He slid his hands up and down her arms. “Are we going back to your place just to eat?”
“I don’t know.” A slow grin on her face. “What do you think?”
“Oh, baby, I know what I think.” He grabbed her hand and led her out to the car.
* * *
Pax made himself slow down. He wanted to dive right into her bed but he couldn’t treat her like some quick fix. So he waited for her while she closed the door. When she turned, he eased her back to it. Cupped her face, held her gaze, then lowered his mouth to hers. He remembered the taste of her right away. Sweet. And so sexy he went hard.
Their mouths mated. Nipped and explored. Her hand went to his neck and pulled him closer. He kept up the kiss until he was in danger of losing his sanity and drew back.
“Where’s the bedroom?”
“No soup?” she said, her eyes full of desire.
“Later.”
She took his hand and they strode down a hall, passing a bathroom and a bedroom. Hers was off to the left.
“This is so you! Gorgeous and sexy. I like the taupe and—”
She went up on tiptoes and looked him square in the eyes. “I don’t want to talk about décor.”
“What do you want, Stephanie?” His voice came out a low grumble.
“You.”
He sat down on the mattress. “Okay, take your clothes off for me.”
Smiling, she discarded the light fleece jacket and eased
the T-shirt over her head. Her hair came out of its ponytail and fluttered past her now-bare shoulders. It was longer than he remembered.
The bra she wore was made of pretty peach lace. She held his gaze as she kicked off her shoes and pushed the green sweatpants down to the floor. More peach lace. Scraps of it. He wondered briefly if she wore that kind of lingerie all the time.
“You like this?”
“The underwear or you stripping for me?”
“Both.” Without waiting for an answer, she unclasped the bra and pushed down her panties. Then went to pull him up. “Your turn.”
“Not tonight, sweetheart. I’m too aroused.”
She pouted. “No fair.”
“Next time.” He stood and whipped off his clothes.
Steph was surprised when he sat back down and eased her onto his lap. She kissed him generously. Then she reached over and rummaged in her nightstand and came back with a condom. “I wanna put this on you.”
“Not that either.” He cleared his throat then whispered, “Take pity on me. It’s been two years since I’ve done this.”
“Pax.” She pulled his head close to her breasts and held it there. “You can take over.”
He looked up and smiled. “Thanks.” Without warning he flipped her on the bed and she stretched out. He donned the protection, laid down and he braced his arms over her. “How do you want to do this?”
She was so aroused herself, she said, “I don’t care. You pick.”
He laid back on his side, scissored her legs and plunged into her. She felt a small jolt of pain, then nothing but pleasure building within her. When she hit the peak in a fireworks of sensation, he came with her. Pleasure eclipsed everything else.
When he could move, he laid back, breathing like bellows. He glanced over at her. She was beautiful and mussed from his hands. He nestled her in the crook of his arm. She nuzzled into him.
She said, “Please don’t say this was a mistake.”
“Of course I won’t say that. I don’t feel that way.” He waited. “Steph, did someone do that to you?”
She only nodded and nuzzled even more.
“Who?”
She came up on her arms then. “You don’t want to talk about this now.”
“I want to know everything about you.”
She sighed and laid her head on his chest. His hand went to her hair. “I spent a year in the Secret Service. I don’t publicize that.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to be asked about it. But I’ll tell you. I fell in love with one of my colleagues. His name was Don. He’d been there longer. We both held off expressing our feelings, but one night after a particularly bad incident, we gave in. After we made love, he said it was a mistake. It crushed me. I tried to keep working with him, but I couldn’t so I quit.”
“Could you have put in for a transfer?”
“I would have had to give a reason. And I didn’t want him to suffer. I…cared about him. Later, I found out he was seeing other women. The whole incident made me realize I’d have to put everything else in my life on hold while I was there, so I quit. I’d known Will peripherally and he hired me right away. Which brings us to now.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry you were hurt. But I’m not Don.”
“I know.”
“Let’s stay like this for a while. I have to go home to let Mutt out and feed him, but not for a bit.”
“I want to. But I have one question. Why two years since you had sex?”
Pax blew out a heavy breath. “First off, I hit the skids drinking after that fateful day. When I sobered up, the AA program I went to recommended not getting involved with someone romantically. I didn’t because of that and because I didn’t want any attachments. I learned in AA that I was probably punishing myself.”
“I’m sorry for all of it. Very sorry.”
“Let’s leave the serious stuff now.”
“Okay. I want to stay like this, too.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad.”