best approach was to take the advice he so often gave his patients. Give it time. Unfortunately, he wasn’t patient.
Potter’s Ice Cream Parlor wasn’t busy on a weeknight now that the kids had returned to school from summer vacation. Jill was filling in for her friend Maggie and it was kind of a relief to be here as opposed to her own house where she couldn’t stop thinking about Adam Stone and the fact that only a ceiling separated them. Glancing at the display case, she made sure none of the ice cream flavors needed a refill. Beside it, all the sundae toppings, including nuts, crushed candy and fruit, were all full.
In front of the counter, all the cute little chairs with heart-shaped backs were tucked neatly under circular tables. The walls were filled with brightly colored prints of candy sprinkles, nuts and cherries. Right behind the cash register was a photo of Maggie Potter and her husband, Dan, in his Army National Guard uniform, hugging and happy on the day they’d opened this place a couple of years ago. Now her husband was dead and Maggie was dealing with everything by herself. Jill was going to help as best she could.
There wasn’t much to do, so she grabbed a damp rag and started to wipe down the stainless-steel counters. With her back to the front door she relied on the old-fashioned bell above it to alert her to a customer. When it rang she turned to see who was there.
“Hey, you two.” She smiled at Norm and Diane Schurr, friends of her mom. He was about six feet five and thin, with white hair. His blonde wife was about a foot shorter and always watching her weight. “What’ll you have?”
“Three scoops of vanilla in a cup with caramel and nuts,” Norm said.
Like the retired school teacher she was, Diane gave him a stern look. “You’re supposed to be watching your cholesterol.”
“Okay, then,” her husband said good-naturedly, “make it two scoops.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” His wife laughed and shook her head. “I’ll have the nonfat cookies ’n’ cream yogurt—a small.”
“Coming right up.” While Jill worked on filling their order she asked, “What’s new?”
“Not much with us, but Brewster Smith says you filled your vacancy. Mercy Medical Clinic’s new doctor.” Diane’s gaze was full of warning.
“It’s true.” Gosh darn it.
“The doctor is very good-looking,” the woman added.
“You’ve met him?” Jill handed over Norm’s sundae above the high glass of the display case.
“Had an appointment today for my checkup,” he answered.
“We both did,” his wife said. “The thing is, sweetheart, you shouldn’t let a pretty face tempt you into letting your guard down again.”
“Don’t worry.” She turned to the yogurt dispenser and depressed the handle to let the creamy stuff make a volcano-shaped mound in the cup. “Even if I weakened, I know I can count on good friends like you to pull me back from the edge.”
“Darn right,” Norm said.
“That’ll be seven dollars and three cents,” she said.
Norm put down his cup and reached for his wallet. “It’s too bad.”
“I know, but Maggie wouldn’t make any money if the order was free,” Jill teased.
“Not that,” he said, waving away her words with a twenty-dollar bill in his hand. “It’s a shame you can’t go after the doc. He seems like a real nice young man.”
So did the last doctor, until he left. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, Jill thought.
After handing over change, she said, “So, how did your appointment go? You guys doing okay?”
“Pretty good,” the man answered. “I’m not gettin’ any younger, but I got a strong body. Doc said it’s like a muscle car. If you put junk in the tank, you’re gonna get a junk performance.”
“So you have three scoops of ice cream,” his wife said wryly.
“Only two, dear.” His blue eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Dr. Stone told us we have the time to take care of ourselves because we’re retired. We want to enjoy it.”
“Of course you do.” Who wouldn’t? Jill thought. She just couldn’t imagine leisure time for herself. Ever.
There were bills to pay and a son to raise, plus a little bit to put away for the college fund he would need someday. She barely scraped by now and only had herself to depend on. The idea of not working was a luxury she couldn’t even think about. “But you guys are okay?”
Diane nodded. “The doctor says we’re both healthy, but to watch our cholesterol and blood pressure.”
“So Dr. Stone didn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know?” Jill asked.
“No. But he spent a lot of time doing it, not like the one who always rushed us in and out. Dr. Stone said our hearts are strong. Walking is a good exercise and he couldn’t think of a more beautiful place than Blackwater Lake to do it in. Clean air. Majestic mountains. Trees. Said a person could exercise body and soul at the same time.”
The bell over the door jangled and in walked the doctor/poet himself. Jill wondered if her own heart was strong enough to survive the pounding it took every time she saw him, and now was no exception. The Schurrs looked like twin deer caught in headlights. Or kids with their hands in the cookie jar.
“Dr. Stone,” Diane said. “Speaking of the devil. We didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Besides being the devil,” he said with a straight face and a gleam of amusement in his eyes, “I’m also the food police.”
“This is yogurt.” The older woman’s voice was only a little bit defensive. “Ask Jill.”
Apparently Adam hadn’t noticed her behind the tall glass case, because he looked surprised. “So you’re the witness for the defense?”
“Mrs. Schurr is telling the whole truth and nothing but.” She couldn’t stop a smile. “And as chief of the food police, you should deputize her. She cut Mr. Schurr back from three scoops to two.”
The doctor nodded. “Have you thought about coming out of retirement and taking on a new career in diplomatic negotiations? You’d be good at it.”
“I should be after all those years in the classroom. Girls and boys need a firm hand and the voice of reason.” She finished the last of her yogurt and looked at Jill. “Norm and I have to be going. It’s good to see you, sweetheart. Take good care.”
“Will do,” Jill answered, reading the real meaning between the lines. “Night, Mrs. Schurr. Mr. Schurr.”
The two waved, and then the bell above the door jangled before they walked out and she was alone with Adam. He was wearing worn jeans and a black T-shirt that snugly covered his broad chest like a second skin. The sleeves stretched over his biceps and drew her
