shared the info with Julie. She glanced at the computer screen and saw that Donald’s last A1C test was under 7 percent, which was a good thing.
“You know your kidney function has been borderline for a while now, and if you don’t keep your blood sugar under control, getting a tattoo can be dangerous.”
Donald hung his head, as if he was sick of hearing the diabetes story whenever he wanted to do or try something new. “I’ve been keeping it clean and there isn’t any sign of infection.”
“And that’s a good thing. But would you do me a favor, and next time you decide to get a tattoo, or body piercing or anything invasive, would you let me run some lab tests first? The last thing you need is to put your life in danger. If your blood sugar is high, a tattoo can be a playground for bacteria. That bacteria can invade your body and cause all kinds of trouble. Which is exactly what you don’t need.”
“I’ve been doing pretty good with the blood sugars.”
“I can see that. I’m just playing the devil’s advocate.”
From Julie’s assessment, Donald kept his weight under control and looked healthy. But the outside package didn’t always reflect the microscopic goings-on inside the body.
“I understand. You’re just looking out for me.”
“As long as we understand each other.”
“Okay. I promise. But, really, isn’t she a beaut?” Donald nodded at the tropical-inspired tattoo. “Whenever it’s colder than the North Pole up here, I’m going to look at this picture and dream about being in Hawaii.”
Trevor smiled. “That’s another place you’d have to work extra hard to keep your sugars balanced. Hot sticky weather is a playground—”
“—for bacteria. I get it, Doc.”
They exchanged a strained smile, and Julie fought to keep hers to herself.
“Well, the prescription I’m writing for the sinus infection should help, in case this tattoo springs an infection.” He wrote it out, tore it off, and handed it to the younger man. “If you notice any pain, swelling, redness, warmth, streaks or pus on or near that tattoo you let me know immediately.”
“I will, Dr. Montgomery, I promise,” Donald said as he buttoned up his shirt.
“And I gave you seven days of antibiotics for your sinuses. Take all of them. After that, if you aren’t completely cleared up, give me a call.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and this is Julie Sterling, our new nurse practitioner.”
They gave a friendly greeting, and within seconds Julie nodded goodbye and followed Trevor out the door. Essentially, she agreed with his assessment and plan for Donald. But before she could say a word, Trevor was heading to the next patient’s exam room. He’d been adding all the pertinent data about Donald Richardson into the computer as he went along in the appointment. She wondered how long it would take her to become as proficient with the program.
He entered the next room and immediately washed his hands, as he’d done with the first patient, and made a friendly greeting while doing so. Julie would give Trevor an A for bedside manner—oh, wait, she’d already learned about his bedside manner … a long, long time ago. Man, she needed to erase that picture from her mind. And quick.
By lunchtime they’d hardly spoken ten non-medical-related words to each other, concentrating solely on the patient load and treatments. Their bodies being cramped together in small patient-exam rooms kept an unwanted heat simmering beneath Julie’s cool and calculated surface. Try as she might, she couldn’t ignore her reaction to being near Trevor.
At noon sharp, Lotte came waltzing into Trevor’s office, while he was explaining the required codes for specific ailments and treatments and labs. Julie’s head was spinning with intellectual overload and she was grateful when he handed her a printout of the codes. Until their fingers touched and some crazy tingly reaction nearly made her already-spinning head take flight.
“Come with me, Ms. Sterling,” Lotte said. “May I call you Julie?”
“Of course.” Thank heavens the woman was oblivious to anything beyond the clinic, because Julie was quite sure her cheeks had gone pink. She mentally crossed her fingers that Trevor hadn’t noticed.
“Let me show you the lunch room. Did you bring your lunch?”
“Oh.” Julie had been so nervous about facing Trevor again after the bombshell she’d laid on him yesterday that preparing her lunch had been the last thing on her mind. “I didn’t bring one.”
“Then let me give you a rundown of the local cafés.” Lotte pulled Julie by the arm out of Trevor’s office, and he barely glanced up, until Julie looked back and caught him taking a quick glance. Yipes, there went the head-spinning tingles again the instant their eyes connected. But just as quickly his interest shut down and he went back to the computer task at hand.
This all-business routine was wearing thin. Did it also mean he wouldn’t see her as a human being? “I’ll see you at one, then?”
He nodded, not bothering to look up again from his computer. “See you then.”
She detected he was angry with her, and couldn’t blame him, but also wondered if he was at all curious about James.
Lotte must not have realized that Julie had grown up in town and knew the main stretch like the back of her hand, so Julie let Lotte recommend her favorite spots. One of the cafés Lotte had named was new and Julie decided to give that one a try.
For a town like Cattleman Bluff, whose main claim to fame was the longest antler arch in the state of Wyoming—which she made a point to walk beside and then under while crossing the street, admiring the sheer number of antlers and the thick woven arch they created—the main street did seem to have a few new spots. An appealing dress boutique caught her eye, and a bookstore, actually a second bookstore since the first only specialized in used and unique books, went on her list of places to check out in the future.
The old-style café had a counter and she slipped onto the last available red vinyl stool to make her order.
Halfway through her ham sandwich and cup of homemade vegetable soup she heard the young waitress tell a customer his lunch was ready and waiting with a much cheerier note than when she’d taken Julie’s order.
“Thanks.”
Surprised by the voice, Julie turned to see Trevor accept the sack of take-out food, along with the huge and hopeful smile from the young server.
“Just the way you like it, Dr. Montgomery.”
“You never let me down, Karen. Thanks. Put it on my tab.”
The shapely waitress followed him to the door, and Julie couldn’t help watching them talk briefly together before he left. Dating? Who knew? That was entirely his business, but, since Julie’s pulse had stepped up a beat or two just seeing Trevor relating to the attractive woman, she chided herself for caring.
When Julie finished her tea she asked for her bill.
“Oh.
