Northern Rebel Daring in the Dark - By Jennifer Labrecque Page 0,13
large log building with a sign proclaiming it the community center. The newer business additions were in the opposite direction, at the other end of town.
A few minutes later, she finally arrived at the Health Center. Through the large plate-glass window, the waiting room was jam-packed. How in the world could this many people be sick in such a small place? Skye had told her that sometimes she only saw three people in a day. But now, it looked as if half the town’s population was crammed into the office.
Was there an epidemic unfolding? An outbreak of sorts? She opened the door and stepped inside, a bell jangling overhead.
As if someone had pressed a mute button, the room instantly quieted. All eyes trained on Delphi. A man, his long black hair pulled back in a queue, stepped forward. This had to be Nelson, the guy starting med school. A serene smile tilted his mouth and lit his dark eyes. “Hi, I’m Nelson Sisnuket, and you must be Delphi.”
“I am.” They shook hands while the waiting room looked on like theatergoers enthralled in a stage production. “I’m so pleased to meet you.”
“Not nearly as pleased as I am to see you. It was getting down to the wire.”
A murmur rippled through the patients and then they resumed their conversations.
Delphi and Nelson walked in unison toward the desk situated next to the short hallway. It was the first medical office she’d ever been in where there was no door that closed off the hallway leading to the exam rooms and the doctor’s office.
“Bull’s installing a door next week,” he said.
“Oh, okay.” Either she was incredibly transparent or Nelson was a little psychic. It was kind of freaky.
“I saw you looking at the hallway,” he said with a smile. “Skye’s been waiting for you, but she just couldn’t get away.”
Delphi glanced around the crowded waiting room. “No kidding. I take it this isn’t typical.”
“It’s because I’m only here until next week. Change, even good change, throws people off. How about the quick tour while Skye finishes up with Norris?”
“Sure. Sounds good to me.”
Two exam rooms, a supply closet, a bathroom and Skye’s office comprised the back. The equipment and furniture were obviously dated. Delphi heard the murmur of Skye’s voice from behind the closed exam room door.
“Want to wait in here or would you rather go back up front? I need to get back to it.”
“How about I wait in here and then I’ll join you up front after I see Skye.”
“That works.”
The room looked as if it had been furnished with military salvage furniture from World War II. She sat in a barrel-backed wooden chair and waited. It was rather nice to be back in a medical office, even one that had taken a step back in time. Back in a familiar environment, her mind drifted.
Lars. The smoky look in his eyes, his taste, his touch. The thought of him climbing into that claw-foot tub naked, her scrubbing his back, him pulling her in with him, clothes and all...
She tried redirecting her thoughts, but he kept inserting himself in them. He was handsome and sexy in a worn, rugged way. The kind of guy her dad would call a man’s man, which fit with his marine background.
Mercifully Skye opened the door and entered the office, dispelling all fantasies of Lars. Other than sporadic email updates, they hadn’t seen each other in several years. They exchanged a quick hug.
“You look fantastic!” Delphi said, stepping back and taking a good look at her friend. And Skye did. Her long red curly hair, which had almost always been straightened and subdued into a fairly severe chignon, was now pulled back into a simple ponytail at the nape of her neck, allowing tendrils to curl around her face. But her sparkling eyes were the most telling. Obviously Good Riddance and/or being married agreed with her.
“Thanks. I like it here. Actually, I love it here. I’m happy doing what I’m doing and my husband is beyond wonderful, so no complaints.” That answered that—it was a combination of man and place.
Skye studied Delphi. “Your hair looks great. When did you cut it?”
“When I accepted your offer.”
“It looks good. You look good.” Voices sounded in the hall outside. Nelson was obviously bringing back another patient. “How was the trip?”
“Long but uneventful.” Well, that wasn’t exactly true. Lars was an event. “No problems.” Even if he was a bit of a problem to her peace of mind.