stood and walked past her. Her arms were crossed, and her stance was cold. She wasn’t interested, and the rejection hurt. At her door, he turned to her. “I meant what I said. I’d like to get to know you.”
He opened her door and left. As he walked down her front pathway, he hoped she’d come out and call to him. Anything to give him hope she might be somewhat interested, but as he climbed in his truck, that didn’t happen.
She was full of pain—that was one thing he knew. He didn’t know what the pain was or who had caused it, but whatever it was, she was having a hard time moving away from it. Whoever had caused her that pain he’d like to find and lock away. All he wanted to do was take it away and make her feel better. He wanted to see happiness shine from those big brown eyes, not the sad eyes she always carried.
Picking up his phone, he dialed Leslie to check on Sammy. As usual, Sammy hadn’t wanted to go back to his mother’s, and that broke his heart. He didn’t know how much of it was his son playing him to see if he could stay with him longer or if he truly didn’t like living with his mother. Either way, something had to change.
* * *
“I’m really confused.” Sandy helped Molly stock the patient rooms for the day.
“You’re not the only one.” Molly stuffed some cotton balls in a glass container.
“If you agreed to go on a date with him, then he’d back out of his offer?”
She shrugged. “Something like that.”
“And you didn’t agree for the hell of it?”
She shook her head. “That wouldn’t have been right.”
“Who cares? It was his choice to lay out that offer.”
“I know. But he has a son and—”
“I think you’re just as crazy as he is for not taking him up on the offer. Did you ever stop to think about what he might feel for you? That’s a lot to give up just for a date. Maybe he likes you…a lot.”
Her friend had a point. She hadn’t stopped to think about that. Did he really like her? She’d done nothing but be mean to him. She’d shown no interest in him. Maybe he liked bitchy, bossy women?
“Can we talk about something else?” Molly sighed.
“No. Besides him giving you that offer, did he make a move?” Sandy leaned against the wall.
“Not really. He had this look in his face though. I haven’t seen anyone look at me that way since…since Steven and I were dating.”
“Maybe he really does like you.”
“But why?” That was what she couldn’t figure out. Love at first sight didn’t exist.
Sandy put her hands on her hips. “Have you ever looked in the mirror? First, you’re drop-dead gorgeous. I’m sure he took one look at you and wanted you. Next, you think you’re weak, but you don’t come across that way to others. You’re strong and passionate.”
“Whatever.” She walked out of the room. She didn’t want to hear anymore. Diane said she’d know something tomorrow. Then, hopefully, she’d never have to see or think about Luke again.
Date him. Yeah, right. Everyone around here needed to be in a madhouse. There was no way that he liked her. Most likely, what happened last night was just an attempt to convince her to withdraw her offer. Perhaps his fine self had expected her to be putty in his hands and be flattered by his offer. He probably expected that the lonely nurse would turn it around and withdraw her offer for the chance that the hunky sheriff might actually want to date her. Now that was a scenario she could believe.
The morning had been slow, which was usual for a Monday morning. They’d get busy later in the afternoon when the nine-to-five pediatricians got full. One of the early patients was a little girl who fell off the monkey bars at school and sprained one of her wrists. Molly had been proud of the girl. She’d been so brave as they did X-rays and bandaged her up. The little girl had gotten a bright purple cast and couldn’t wait to go to school the next day to have all her friends sign it. The mother hadn’t been as thrilled as the daughter.
Her cell phone vibrated in the front pocket of her scrubs. Pulling it out, she saw she had a new text message from Diane.
Call me on your lunch break.
She dropped the phone