Chapter 7 #2
She hoped she would like Darcy. That would make this whole thing easier, since her futile attempt at fashionable clothes and makeup didn't seem to be making the difference Emily had hoped for. Malcolm deserved a good wife, even though the situation was difficult.
After a while Malcolm came up behind her, a stack of plates in hand. “That doesn't look comfortable, Josie. Why don't you go sit at one of the tables? Get off your feet and talk to people. You're so good at that.”
“I'm also good at washing dishes.” Josie was feeling cranky. This had been a long day, and her ankle was throbbing.
Malcolm wasn't having it. “My turn,” he said, tugging her apron ties in the back as if they did this every day.
A chill slid down her back as he slowly maneuvered the apron over her head.
This felt way too familiar… and wonderful.
But one glance at Malcolm told her that he wasn't feeling that way.
She had to stop dreaming. “Go on. I know you’re my boss, but right now, I'm asking you to listen to me.
You'll just make things worse standing around on that foot.” He gave her one of his no-nonsense looks.
The man had a point. And looking up into his eyes, she felt so flustered that she could hardly breathe.
Grabbing her crutches, she thumped back into the dining area where “Jingle Bell Rock” was playing.
Somehow she maneuvered herself into a seat at one of the long tables.
Taking out her phone, she checked with the library.
But everything was fine and that was no surprise.
The library ran like a clock, and Eileen was there today.
They'd be closed on Sunday. While she was checking her messages, Phyllis came to sit next to her. “I sure like your young man,” she said.
How could words feel wonderful and terrible at the same time? Pocketing her phone, Josie turned. “Oh he's not mine. He just works with me.” She sure hoped her cheeks weren't red.
“Is that so?” Drawing in her chin, Phyllis gave her a strange look. “Just friends? I don't think so. He's so sweet with you.”
“What do you mean?” The words sounded pathetic, as if Josie was fishing for compliments.
“The way he looks at you.” Phyllis shook her head. “The whole time he was scooping up that food, his eyes kept going to the kitchen door. He was worried about you. So darn cute.”
Really? Josie dropped her eyes to her locked hands.
“We're just friends.” Wanting to steer the conversation in another direction, she began talking to Phyllis about the center. But the manager’s words remained in her head and in her heart.
How was Malcolm looking at her? She peeked over at the kitchen door.
Although she couldn't see him, she could hear his voice.
Deep and gravelly, chuckling now and then.
That man could talk to a tree and it would answer.
After a while Derek arrived and disappeared into his office. The door remained open and pretty soon people who’d come for medical care lined up, waiting in the chairs along the wall.
Malcolm must have finished with the dishes because he soon appeared.
She wasn't surprised that he had no problem mingling with the group.
Maybe his comfort level was the result of being in the Peace Corps.
He moved through the room, scratching the ears of an old man's dog or asking a little boy if he could have some of his peanut butter sandwich.
The boy shook his head slowly but his dark eyes glowed.
Smiles followed Malcolm wherever he went.
One mother had five children. The two older kids were busy playing ping-pong in the corner. But the three younger ones were eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches under their mother’s watchful eyes. It was fascinating to watch Malcolm strike up a conversation with them.
He would make such a good dad. The thought brought an ache to her throat and she coughed. This wasn't the time to think about that, not when Christmas joy floated on the air. Peace and joy. She wanted only the best for him.
“Looks like you're Mr. Popularity today,” she told him when he finally broke away and circled back to sit next to her.
“I'm just getting a feel for these folks, especially Ana. Believe it or not, she's a single mother.” One of her children, a darling little girl with dark braids came running over and plopped a piece of paper in front of him. “For you,” she said.
“Why, thank you.” He gently tugged one of her braids. The girl giggled and dashed back to her mother.
“Can I see?” Josie asked. Malcolm shoved the paper her way. The man in the drawing was obviously Malcolm––very tall with the shock of brown hair. He was petting a dog.
“Did you eat some lunch, Malcolm?” Phyllis asked, coming over. She was always mothering people. He glanced over at the table where there were still some sandwiches and pasta salad left. “I'll get a plate. Josie, how about you?”
“Whatever you're having, I'll have the same.” Her stomach was growling. She’d hardly had anything for breakfast, and she'd been busy with her ankle when she got home from running. Once they got here, she’d thrown herself into her work.
Watching Malcolm walk away, Phyllis glanced over at her. Josie avoided her eyes. Clearly this woman was imagining things. Wasn't she?
Pushing up from the table, Josie grabbed her crutches and made her way to the tree. “I'm going to grab those Christmas wishes and get them back to Victoria's Pantry. The customers will want to get a jump on their shopping.”
“That'll be great. Thank you,” Phyllis called after her.
Lifting the construction paper ornaments from the tree, Josie quickly scanned them.
Some of the wishes were simple, like shaving equipment and soap.
But there was more than one bike printed on an ornament, along with the color and size.
The exact descriptions made her chuckle.
Thinking back on her own childhood, she’d always been very specific about what kind of Barbie doll she wanted, down to the clothes.
There were an amazing number of Christmas Wishes on this tree.
Sports equipment and clothes. Baby carseats and diapers.
A family name was jotted at the bottom of each ornament.
When she’d finished, Josie took the pile back to the table where her lunch was waiting.
Setting them aside, she smiled at Malcolm and maneuvered herself into a chair.
“Thank you. Looks like egg salad. I love that.”
“You always have. What have you got there?” He reached for one of the ornaments in her pile.
“Christmas Wishes.” And she explained how they worked. The egg salad sandwich that he’d brought back was on fresh rye bread and tasted oh, so good. As she ate, Josie enjoyed watching Malcolm read the Christmas Wishes with the excitement of a little boy.
“Fishing tackle. That's one that I could probably contribute.” But his smile turned serious when he reached the baby equipment.
“Wouldn’t it be terrible to have a baby and not even have a bed or one of those little buggies?” He stared off into space. “Of course, in the communities I worked in over the past year, mothers just strapped the babies to their bodies with a shawl and carried them around. It worked.”
“Those mothers probably didn't have to take their baby to the grocery store in a car,” she said. “All that safety equipment is expensive.”
Josie watched Malcolm turn that over in his mind. “Yes, I suppose so,” he said quietly.
“From the gifts we gave Bryn and Emily at their baby showers, equipment is pretty pricey. I was amazed. Strollers alone can cost hundreds of dollars. They’re called ‘stroller systems’ to make them seen more important. You know, worth all that money.”
“You're kidding.” Malcolm looked astonished. What did men know about babies and all the trappings that went with them? Well, he’d probably soon find out. Pushing her plate away, she couldn't finish eating the sandwich.
“We have our share of single mothers here too,” Phyllis told them. “But all the families we serve are in need.”
“What about books?”
“I'm sure the children would like some books,” Phyllis said. “But they might not be high on the list for these folks. Basic essentials take precedence.”
Throwing back his head, Malcolm laughed. “You mean, books might get the same reception as clothes on some kids’ list.”
Phyllis looked a little mystified. “Not sure what that means, but maybe.”
“What about having a library day? We get the kids over to our library or we bring the books over here?” Malcolm glanced over to Josie. “We have a woman on staff who loves to read to the kids. Eileen's really good at it. I could take a turn too.”
Malcolm was always full of ideas, which was why she enjoyed working with him. Josie loved his enthusiasm. He had used that same creative spirit on behalf of the library so many times in the past.
“That's a fabulous idea.” Phyllis definitely looked interested. “Do you think we could make that work?”
“We’ll tease it out at the library and I'll get back to you,” Josie told her.
Apparently Derek had finished seeing patients because he came to sit with them. His wavy dark hair was swept back from his forehead and his blue eyes lightened when he smiled. “Good seeing you here, Josie.” He glanced down at her foot. “Is that something I should look at?”
Josie said, “No,” at the same time that Malcolm said, “Yes.”
Derek's head pivoted between the two of them. “It would only take a minute.”
Well, from the stubborn tilt of Malcolm's chin, she wasn't going to win this argument.
“Oh okay. I guess so.” Pushing herself up, she walked to the open door, swinging her crutches before her with each step.
Malcolm came right behind her, as if they were a couple.
Okay, this felt weird. But these small moments with him? They filled her heart.
Derek helped her up onto the examining table and cautiously unwrapped her bandage.
What followed was basically what Malcolm had done after she'd fallen in the road.
“Icing in twenty-minute increments,” Derek said after rewrapping her ankle.
“Take ibuprofen or Tylenol for the inflammation. If the swelling or pain gets any worse, let me know.”
“Thank you, Doctor. Is the clinic in competition with the urgent care center?” she teased as he helped her from the table.
“Trust me, a lot of these folks don't have the the money or the transportation to go to the urgent care center. So no, we're not competing.”
“Well, thanks for your time,” Malcolm said as they left the room.
This had felt so strange having him stay with her during the brief exam.
His time in the must have taught him this casual concern.
But for those few stolen moments, she’d felt as if they were a couple.
Except they weren't. She couldn't wait to get out of there and glanced over at Malcolm. “I guess it's time to leave,”
But Malcolm hung back. “Can I catch up with you? I'd like to talk to Derek for a minute.”
Really? What was that about? “Sure. I'll be right outside.” But her footsteps lagged as she maneuvered back to a table close to the door. She spent more time with Phyllis than was necessary talking about what made a good macaroni and cheese. But her mind wasn't on food.
Josie’s eyes kept sliding to Dr. Darling’s door.
Malcolm has been so short of breath when they were jogging.
Was that what they were talking about? Finally Phyllis was called away and Josie drifted outside into the sunlight.
What was Malcolm doing in there all this time?
One of the men got up and offered her his rocking chair.
She had to admit it felt good to get off her feet.
Before too long Malcolm appeared. After saying good-bye to the group gathered on the porch, Malcolm pulled the jeep up and helped her inside.
On the way back to Sweetwater Creek, he didn't mention his meeting with Derek.
Although she was curious, Josie said nothing.
She wondered all the way back to town, while the conversation focused on the Christmas stories showcased at the front of the library.
How would their idea be received by the staff?
And which books would be best for the children?
They were both eager to get on with their project.
All the way back to town, Josie still had questions. And they had nothing to do with the children's Christmas books.