Reynolds gave a loud humph. “I understand that most watch for the halftime show and the commercials.” He didn’t miss the death grip she had on the stirring wheel. She really took football seriously. It was time to move on to a new subject or ask to drive. “The general manager’s name is Hyde. Any relation?”
“My father.”
“Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”
She glanced at him again. “Normally, no. We’re so close to going to the playoffs that everyone on the team, including my father, is wound up tight. Anyway, most of my work is directly with the coach.”
Based on the way her father spoke to her, she’d agree with him if Dalton declared Rocket shouldn’t play. His being asked to consult seemed necessary just to make the team look as if they were truly interested in the player’s health. So far, all he could tell they were concerned about was winning the next game.
“What made you decide to be a team doctor?”
“With brothers playing in the NFL and a father who coached, it’s the family business. I always wanted to be a doctor and being a team doctor gave me a chance to be a part of football,” she said in a flat tone.
Was there more going on behind that statement?
The concept of family, much less a family business, was foreign to him. His family’s occupation had been selling drugs and he’d wanted to get as far away from it as he could. He’d been a loner and alone for as long as he could remember.
Thankfully she turned into a curving road lined with large trees and had to concentrate on her driving. A few minutes later, they approached a three-story split-cedar building. She pulled under a portico with small lights hanging from it. Two large trees dressed in the same lights with red bows flanked the double wood-framed doors.
“This is Poospatuck Lodge. I think you’ll be comfortable here. The team keeps a suite.”
“Poospatuck?” When had he become such an inquisitive person? Usually on these trips he did what was required without any interest in the area he was visiting.
“It’s an Indian tribe native to New York.”
As she opened the door Dalton said, “It’s not necessary for you to get out.”
“I don’t mind. I need to speak to the management and I can show you up to your suite.”
Dalton grabbed his two bags from the backseat and followed her through the door into the welcome heat of the lobby. Large beams supported the two-story ceiling. Glass filled the wall above the door. The twinkle of lights from outside filtered in through the high windows. Flames burned bright in a gray rock fireplace taking up half of one wall. Above it was a large wreath. Along the mantel lay greenery interspersed with red candles. A grand stairway with an iron handrail led to the second floor.
Christmas had never been a big holiday for him. As a small child, it had just been another day for his parents to shoot up and pass out. In fact, the last time he was taken from his mother had been the day before Christmas. It hadn’t been much fun spending Christmas Day at a stranger’s house. Being a foster child on that day just sent the signal more strongly that he wasn’t a real member of the family. Some of his foster parents had really tried to make him feel a part of the unit but it had never really worked. Now it was just another day and he spent it on the beach or with friends.
Dr. Hyde walked toward the registration desk located to the right of the front door.
The clerk wore a friendly smile. “Hello, Dr. Hyde. Nice to see you again.”
“Hi, Mark. It’s good to see you also. How’s your family doing?”
“Very well, thank you.”
“Good.” She glanced back. “This is Dr. Reynolds. He’ll be staying in our suite. I’ll show him up.”
“Very good. It’s all ready for you.”
She turned to Dalton. “The elevator is over this way but we’re only going to the second floor if you don’t mind carrying your bags.”
“I believe I can manage to go up the stairs.”
She gave him an apologetic look. “I didn’t mean to imply...”
“Please just show me my room.” Dalton picked up his bags off the floor where he’d placed them earlier. He didn’t miss her small sound of disgust as she turned and walked toward the stairs. He followed three or four steps behind as they climbed the stairs. He enjoyed the nice sway of her hips.
At the top of the stairs she turned left and continued down a wide, well lit hallway to the end.
A brass plaque on the door read Niagara Currents. She pulled a plastic door key out of her handbag. With a quick swipe through the slot, she opened the door. Entering, she held the door for him.
He stepped into the seating area. The space had a rustic feel to it that matched the rest of the building. The two sofas and couple of chairs looked comfortable and inviting.
“Your bedroom is through here.” She pushed two French windows wide to reveal a large bed. “This is my favorite part of the suite.”
He didn’t say anything. She turned and looked at him. Dalton raised a brow. A blush crept up her neck.
“Um, I like the view from here is what I meant to say. The falls are incredible.”
Dalton moved to stand in the doorway. A large window filled the entire wall. He could just make out the snow falling from the light coming from below.
“There’s an amazing view of the falls from here. Now you can say you saw the falls.”
“So do you stay here often?”
She glared at him. “What’re you implying, Dr. Reynolds?”
“I was implying nothing, Dr. Hyde. I just thought you must have stayed overnight if you were that well acquainted with the view.”
“This suite is sometimes used for meetings. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to be getting home. I’ll be here at eight-thirty in the morning to pick you up.”
“Why not earlier?”
“Because the X-rays won’t be ready until nine. So just enjoy your evening. If you need anything, ask for Mark.”
“I shouldn’t call you?” he said in a suggestive tone, just to see how she would react. Dr. Hyde pursed her lips. Was she on the verge of saying something?
After a moment, she looked through her handbag and pulled out a card. She handed it to him. “If you need me, you may. Good night.”
The door closed with a soft click behind her.
Why had he needled her? It was so unlike him. Maybe it was because she’d questioned his clothing decisions. She’d been polite about it but there was still an undercurrent of humor. Could he possibly want her to feel a little out of sorts too? He had to admit it had been interesting to make her uncomfortable.
