Chapter 1 #3
Several minutes later, both men stood at the glass window of the office looking out over the gym. Gabe could have sworn he saw Dr. Stoker point in his direction before he lowered his hand.
"Gabe, will you come here for a minute, please?
" Dr. Stoker summoned Gabe into the small office after he finished with Travis.
He made introductions. "This is Dr. James Young from Providence Medical Center.
And James, I'd like you to meet Dr. Gabriel Rivera.
He worked here for three years as an assistant before going to PT school.
Then he returned after completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree two years ago.
He's a skilled therapist and the perfect man to take on your project. "
Gabe's chest swelled with pride at Dr. Stoker's words. He gave Dr. Young a questioning look. "Project?"
"Have a seat, Gabe," Dr. Stoker said. "Dr. Young has an interesting proposition. He wants us to open a…satellite office, if you will, in Providence."
"A PT office in Providence?" Gabe gave Dr. Young a sharp look as he settled into a chair.
"I know you often send patients our way, but is there that big of need for a full-fledged office in your small town?
" Gabe couldn't recall ever stepping foot in the town that was little more than a dot on the map.
"Not full time, no. That's why I feel it would be best to make it an extension of this facility."
And Dr. Stoker wants me to take on the project?
Gabe's heart raced in anticipation. The prospect of an hour-long commute was not appealing, but he'd have his own office. He'd been ready to branch out on his own for some time now, but office space and equipment were expensive, and he was still paying off student loans.
He looked at Dr. Young again. "What kind of space and resources are available?"
"A few years ago, Providence's medical center received a generous donation. We used the funds to add onto the hospital and have been working to bring in specialty clinics like optometry, orthodontia, chiropractic, and counseling, so our citizens don't have to travel so far for their medical needs."
Gabe found himself nodding. Those were all important services but not necessarily on a full-time basis. Was there a big enough need for physical therapy in Providence to make even a part-time clinic sustainable?
Dr. Young went on. "We have a thousand-square-foot space intended for a PT office.
I've got personnel and a legal team standing by to complete the necessary paperwork regarding insurance contracts and such.
All I need is a list of equipment and supplies from you.
" The older man's posture exuded confidence, and even though Gabe had just met the man, he read a hint of challenge in Dr. Young's intense blue eyes.
Another surge of excitement filled Gabe, but he tamped it down. Did he want an office that only saw three to five patients a day? He struggled to see the value in the deal for him professionally and financially.
He narrowed his gaze on Dr. Young and shook his head. "Other than having a vacant space you want to fill, why are you so keen on opening a PT office?"
Dr. Young exchanged a look with Dr. Stoker, who shrugged and nodded. "Your call, James."
Dr. Young stared out the window behind Gabe for a long moment before speaking again. "My daughter was nearly killed in an auto-pedestrian accident two months ago. She suffered multiple fractures to her pelvis, femur, and shoulder.”
Gabe couldn't help wincing as the doctor listed his daughter's injuries.
"She's been in a rehabilitation center for eight weeks, but she'll be coming home soon and will need extensive physical therapy. Making the trip to Pasco three times a week will be more than she's capable of for some time."
So, this is personal to the doctor.
Extensive therapy meant Gabe would have job security for a time, but then what? Would he end up having to close the office, because they didn't have enough clients to warrant keeping it open? That wouldn't look good on his resume.
Dr. Young must have sensed his concerns. "Providence is growing. Initially, we'd only require you to have the office open three days a week with extended hours to accommodate patients' work schedules, but if the need grows great enough, we'd welcome a full-time PT office."
Extended hours would mean long days for him, but it’d be worth it for his own space. He knew better than to get his hopes up for a full-time office though.
"You'd finally have your own office," Dr. Stoker said, reading Gabe’s thoughts. "And of course, I can always use you here on the other two days of the week. Your leaving will put me in a bind, but I think you should take advantage of this opportunity."
Gabe let out a deep breath and studied the industrial carpet in front of him. The whole thing sounded almost too good to be true.
It's not like he had a social life that would suffer. He'd hardly dated since Harper left him standing at the altar six years ago. And he'd still be able to spend time with his mom and sister on the weekends.
Mom.
All he'd ever wanted was to make her proud. Opening his own PT office would do that.
Dr. Young cleared his throat. "I'm prepared to offer a 'sign-on bonus.'"
Gabe lifted his head to find the older man making air quotes.
"As an incentive, or whatever you want to call it, to sweeten the deal."
"I'm listening."
Dr. Young threw out a figure that was more than Gabe made in a year. He could pay off his student loans and his car.
Dr. Stoker let out a long, low whistle. "If Gabe doesn't want the position in Providence, I'll take it." He chuckled and gave Gabe a look that said he’d be crazy to turn this down. And he was right.
"I’ll do it.” Gabe locked gazes with Dr. Young's intense blue ones, hoping he didn’t end up regretting this down the road.