Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,63
what are you going to do? You should get that application sent in if you’re going to go for it.”
“I’m going to submit it. If I talk to him later and he’s against it, I don’t know. It’s something I really want. Even if we don’t start a brewery here, I could still do something. Start small in town, maybe. But it feels right.”
“Go do it now. The others will be back soon and we’ll have dinner.”
Ben nodded and turned to go inside.
“Ben?”
“Yeah, Dad?” he asked, turning back.
“I’m proud of you. I think it’s the right decision, too.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter 21
THOM MADE his way slowly back to the waiting room. He was walking better, but still needed a cane. The radiologist was reviewing his x-rays now, and he hoped that Dr. Sterling would clear him for climbing stairs. He couldn’t wait to sleep in his own bed again.
Ben looked up from his tablet and paused the video he was watching. “Well?” he asked, taking off his headphones.
“Should know in a few minutes. What were you watching?” Thom lowered himself into the chair next to Ben’s with only a slight twinge in his hip and shoulder.
“A lecture on lab practices.”
“Lab practices?”
“Cleaning and sterilization of equipment.”
“Oh, of course. If you needed to study, I’m sure Mindy or Jon could have brought me for my appointment.” Even as Thom spoke the words, he realized he was selfishly glad to have Ben all to himself for the car rides to and from town.
“I can watch the video anytime or anywhere,” Ben took Thom’s hand in his own and squeezed it. “And this way we get to spend some time together.”
“It’s not exactly romantic, though.”
“Ooh, Mr. Caldwell. Are you feeling romantic?”
Thom blushed. “I mean, it’s not like it’s a date or anything. I remember thinking, after we got the harvest in, that I wanted to take you on a proper date. Then everything – happened – and I never got the chance.” He looked up to see Ben smiling, a soft look in his eyes.
“You wanted to take me on a date?”
“Well, yeah.”
“I wish I could hug you without it hurting.”
“My lips don’t hurt.”
Ben raised one eyebrow. “Really? Since when are you up for kissing in public?”
“It’s not public. There’s nobody here but us.”
“Okay, you asked for it.” Ben lowered his lips to Thom’s for a kiss that was almost, but not quite, chaste.
Thom pulled back, blushing, when he heard a throat being cleared.
“Excuse me, gentlemen.”
“Sorry, Dr. Sterling,” Ben said. “Guess I got carried away.”
“No problem. But I thought Mr. Caldwell would like his results ASAP.”
“Yes! Absolutely.” Thom started pushing himself out of the chair. “Do we need to go back to your office?”
“No, this will only take a minute, if you don’t mind Mr. Loomis being present?”
“No, it’s fine.” Thom reached out and Ben took his hand.
Dr. Sterling pulled over one of the other chairs and sat facing them.
“I’m very pleased with how everything is coming along. Being young and healthy has played a big role in that, as we’ve discussed before. Based on what I see on the x-rays, you may be able to come out of the sling in a week or so. I’d like to see you back the same time next week and we can decide then.”
“And my hip?”
“Has Alex had you walking without the cane yet?”
“A little, just in the last three or four days.”
“And how is the pain, on a scale of one to ten?”
“A two at first. A three if I go too fast or too far.”
“Keep using the cane unless you’re working with Alex, and we’ll talk again next week.”
“What about stairs? I really want to sleep in my own bed.”
“I’m going to okay that, as long as you keep it to the absolute minimum, and under no circumstances are you to try using the stairs alone. Make sure someone is with you and supporting you until I say otherwise. And Mr. Loomis will be under strict orders to rat you out if you overdo it.”
Ben nodded. “I will.”
“I promise. I don’t want to do anything to screw up my recovery.”
“As long as you stick to the plan, everything should be fine.”
“Any other limitations?” Ben asked.
“No lifting, no carrying. If something hurts, don’t do it.”
They wrapped up the appointment, and Ben and Thom headed for the exit.
“There’s a café in the next block,” Ben told Thom as they exited the hospital. “Want some lunch?”
“Sounds good. Close enough to walk?”
Ben thought about it for a few seconds. “Probably. We