Chapter 5 #3
Dr. Darling crossed his arms. No way did he believe her.
After all, she’d told him a tall tale once before.
Victoria was about to shove her pad into her tote and walk out when he sucked in a breath that expanded his chest. Her eyes were riveted to that broad expanse.
In one fleeting moment, she pictured her head resting right there.
Pivoting, he started toward his office with a lilting walk that made his shoes squeak on the linoleum. “Okay. Ten minutes.”
Relief left her limp. Somehow she made it into his office, which was as sparse as the area outside.
Franz would go crazy with this place. His chair creaked when Dr. Darling leaned back, twiddling his thumbs on those flat abs.
She couldn’t help but notice the word Trash scrawled on the side of his desk in black marker.
“So you’re a dumpster diver?” She started writing, her confidence growing when the pen worked.
“Huh?” He glanced around until she motioned to the desk. “Oh, that. This place is put together on a shoe string. You might want to take that down.” He jabbed a finger toward her pad where she’d scrawled Dr. Hot Stuff.
Okey doke. She began to take notes. Dumpster diver. But immediately she felt ashamed. Put together on a shoe string. “What do you mean by that?”
His shoulders seemed to grow broader with each shrug. Why did he hide all this hot maleness under that white lab coat? “Look, the town of Amblebury let me have this space. The folks in this area need medical care, even if they can’t pay.”
Victoria tried to get her mind around that. “So you see these patients and give them what...how does the hospital part work?”
“There are limits to what I can do. For the rest, I’m dependent on donations.”
“From who. I mean, from whom?” She kept writing, determined to knock this out of the park.
“From the other docs. I’ve made the rounds, and most have been supportive. So far I have thirty doctors who donate their time, usually in the late afternoon, after their office hours are over. When I’m at the urgent care center.”
Was there a smile anywhere in that comment? She glanced up through her eyelashes. Nope, not a twitch of those full lips.
“So you donate your time too.”
“Of course. But most of our clients have other needs. Like food.” He nodded out the door to the people eating and visiting. “The grocery stores give us bread and eggs, produce...any food that’s out of date.”
“That’s pretty awesome.”
Here he gave her a pleased grin. “Folks have been kind.”
That cute dimple in his right cheek spiraled right into her stomach.
“But we could use some big donors.” The dimple had disappeared. “You’ve stopped writing. You got that part?”
“Yes, sure. “ She kept scribbling. Big bucks needed. Who knew if the Gazette would take this story. But Daddy had strings he could pull. The information was really good. Maybe she’d been hiding under a rock but she had no idea this clinic existed.
The sound of children laughing filtered from the room outside. “And you see children as well as adults?”
“Yep. Everybody.”
She kept writing. “Everyone likes to read about sick kids.”
“What?” He looked horrified. “The illnesses aren’t meant to be entertaining.”
Maybe she should just listen and not talk. “Of course not.”
“Pregnant women come twice a week when an OB/GYN is here.”
She couldn’t write fast enough. But Victoria wanted a different kind of information and here was her opportunity. She crossed her long legs. “And what about you?”
He blinked. “What about me. Sorry, but my back’s killing me.” And with that he swung his long legs up and rested his feet on the edge of his desk. “I think I pulled a muscle yesterday playing basketball with the kids out back.”
“Sounds painful.” Her first response was to offer a massage. Strictly therapeutic. But that would interrupt this whole process and she was on a roll.
And he’d probably say no. There was that too.
Did he play basketball in shorts? Those lean legs suggested muscles. She gulped. “So, are you married. Do you have kids?” Pretty sly how she slipped that in there.
“Nope. No time for that.” He gave a dismissive shake of his head.
Scribbling on her pad, she wrote Hallelujah.
Where should she go from here? Hard to pull from that journalism class when she’d missed so many sessions. “What, ah, made you do this? I mean, why are you donating your time and effort?”
“Because someone had to do it.” His soulful gray eyes pulled her in. This felt like a mystical moment.
“Someone has to care.” The words came so easily.
He nodded, as if she’d just said something profound. “I’m not that noble. But don’t write that down.” When he peeked over, trying to see her notes, she thought she’d faint.
Flipping her notepad closed, Victoria stood up. “Guess we’re good. Thank you for your hotness...time. I meant time.” Her cheeks burned.
Swinging his legs down, he stood up. Dr. Darling was taller than she’d realized. “You’re going to take some pictures right?”
Hadn’t even thought of it.
“Absolutely.” Thank goodness she had a great camera on her phone.
Trying to hide a yawn, he stretched. Victoria used the moment to reflect, pressing the pen to her lips as if she were studying her notes instead of his biceps.
“Out here.” Derek Darling was the energizer bunny, leading her back into the main room.
“Let’s take one of Phyllis serving our clients.” He waved to some of the men. “Hey guys, leave that checker game for a minute and get over here. Grab a plate.”
“We already ate, Dr. D.” One of the men looked up.
“This is for the newspaper. Could help with donations.”
Well, that got them up. “Whatever you say, Dr. D.” Running their hands over their hair and straightening their shirts, four of them left the game to walk over.
Dr. Darling introduced them. She recognized Big Mac as the man who’d opened the door for her.
A dog that was missing an ear followed at the old man’s heels.
Phyllis seemed to be the woman in charge. Although she protested, Dr. Darling talked her into posing. Taking out her phone, Victoria started to snap. But the person she wanted in the picture was giving the directions. “Dr. D. why don’t you get in the picture?”
“Yeah, Doctor D.” Big Mac waved him over. “Get your ugly mug over here.”
Coming closer, Dr. Darling swung one arm around the older man. Then he smiled. Victoria took the shot. Thank goodness Dr. Darling had suggested this. She’d probably have a better chance of placing her story if it had pictures.
“Anything else?” Dr. Darling glanced at his watch.
She swallowed hard. “Yes, um, I wondered if you need any volunteers?” Had she really said that?
“Why? Do you have a passel of people you can spare?” Okay, now he was all ears.
Feeling hurt, she shook her head. Why hadn’t it occurred to him that she might want to help?
Pointing a finger to her chest, she said, “Me. Can I spend some time here volunteering?” She pictured Maisy slapping a hand to her head. But Victoria’s assistant had the Pantry well in hand.
“You?” The amazed look on his face was insulting.
And she wasn’t having it. She’d show him.