Jenkins,” Jean said.
“Please, make it Payton.” He looked at everyone.
“Payton it is,” Jean said with a smile. “This is Luke.” She indicated the guy beside China. “He’s one of the nurses that rotates in when either China or Robin have a day off.”
Luke extended his hand and Payton took it. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Luke said. “We’re glad to have you around here.”
The front door opened and a patient entered, ending their conversation. Over the next few hours Payton saw a steady stream of people, the highlights of which were a stomachache, severe sunburn and a twisted ankle. He loved it. This was nothing like the high-pressure, impersonal work he was used to. This was the kind of medicalcare work he wanted to do. At least when a patient returned to see him he would recognize a face, maybe remember a name. Everything his parents couldn’t understand. He no longer wanted to be one of the doctors in Chicago.
It was late afternoon when China handed him a chart. “The patient is complaining of vomiting, running a low-grade fever and weight gain.”
Payton’s chest constricted. It sounded so much like his symptoms. The ones he’d put off addressing, along with the swelling in his neck, until it had been almost too late. Deep in his gut he’d known it was cancer, but fear hadn’t let him admit it. That was behind him now. He had a new lease on life, and he planned to make the most of it.
“Dr. Jenkins? Are you okay?” Concern underscored her words.
China’s hand resting on his arm brought him back to reality. “I thought we agreed it was Payton.”
She looked at him far too closely. Could she read his apprehension?
He moved his arm and her fingers fell away. He’d had his fill of concern months ago. “I’m fine,” he said, far too sharply. “What room is the patient in?”
China stepped back and her eyes flickered with a look of what struck him strangely as fear before she said in a businesslike tone, “Exam three.”
Why would she be scared of him? He’d spoken more harshly than he should have but not enough to bring that type of look to her eyes.
Thankfully the patient had nothing more serious than an infection. Was he always going to overreact when someone came in with the same symptoms he’d had? For a second there he’d slipped and the all-too-perceptive nurse China had noticed. That couldn’t happen again.
TWO DAYS LATER, China came in on the one to seven shift. Evening shifts were her favorite. Busy, with often interesting patients but it allowed her to get some gardening done in the morning. Her plants were where she put all her energy outside of nursing. It had been her way of escaping the unhappiness in her house when she’d been growing up and it had become her way of coping. She was a member of a couple of garden clubs in town and made the most of what she learned.
“Hi, there,” she said to Robin and Doris as she approached the front desk.
“Hey,” they chorused absently.
“So what’s been going on today?” China asked, as she put her purse away.
Jean leaned toward her. “Nothing special. Robin’s been mooning over Payton. She thinks all doctors are good looking, especially if they drive a nice car.”
China sputtered in an effort to contain her humor. Evaluating a man’s looks wasn’t China’s usual thing and particularly if it was based on a car, but she had to admit Payton was attractive beyond the average male. Something about him intrigued her. She’d dated but had never let a guy get really close. When a guy started making demands she backed off. She’d had enough of that in her life. Could a man ever understand her need to be a partner, feel secure? It certainly wouldn’t be someone like the sports-cardriving, silver-tongued, charismatic Dr. Jenkins. Her mother had warned her about becoming involved with men like her father. More than once her mother had said she wished for her daughters an easier life than the one they would have with a man like their father.
Robin’s shoulders squared and she gave Jean her indignant look. “That might be so, but it doesn’t change the obvious. He’s got the hottest car in town.”
The sound of a throat clearing came from behind them. “I’m not sure that’s a compliment as it sounds like I have a four-wheel personality,” Payton said from the doorway of his office, before he stepped into it.
Robin and Doris giggled.
“We really do need to quit talking about him. He seems to always catch us,” Doris hissed.
China had learned her lesson way before now.
Payton strolled up to the desk. “Robin, how would you like to go for a ride some time since you seem to like my car better than me? I’ll even let you drive.”
The young woman’s face lit up. “Really? You mean that?”
“Sure.”
“If anyone else wants to come along …” he looked at Doris and then China “… you’re welcome too.”
Robin said with a huge grin, “You have a date. I’m off now but will be back at seven when you close up here.”
China and Doris laughed as Robin almost skipped down the hallway with pleasure.
“I wish I could make all the women I know happy that easily,” Payton said, as he picked up a chart.
Was he talking about a girlfriend? It didn’t matter. It wasn’t her business.
At present there was only one patient at the clinic, a preteen with a possible broken arm. As China walked down the hall to check on the boy, the low rumble of male voices caught her attention. Larry Kiser, the doctor Payton was relieving for the day, was in the office with him. Why was she able to distinguish Payton’s voice so clearly from Larry’s, which she knew much better?
She entered the exam room and spoke to the mom, reassuring her. As she exited Payton stepped out of the office.
“I understand that the patient needs to go to the E.R. for a cast,” he said.
“Yes. I’ll take care of the paperwork right away and let the E.R. know they’re on their way.”
“Thank you, China.”
“You’re welcome, sir.”
“You don’t have to speak to me like I’m a drill sergeant. Yes, is fine.”
“I was taught to say ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘No, sir.’ My parents told me it was a sign of respect.”
He nodded. “I appreciate that. But it makes me sound old and rigid.”
“I’m sorry. It’s sort of ingrained in me. I’ll make an effort not to, but I can’t promise it won’t slip out.”
“Where
