Truths Unveiled - By Kimberly Alan Page 0,26

words, Pam felt a warm glow flow through her. Before she could respond, he added, “And the offer isn’t strictly contingent on you taking the job. I’m willing to try the long-distance thing if you decide to go to Chicago or stay in Boston. It could get tough sometimes, trying to coordinate schedules, but it wouldn’t be impossible. And I think it’s worth a try.”

Caught off guard, Pam took a quick breath. In her fantasies she had considered that possibility but then always quickly discarded it. Relationships were hard enough, even without that type of added complication. But looking into Tom’s blue eyes, she found herself hopelessly losing herself in this man.

Pam thought about her previous relationships. She’d dated several men since Tom over the years. A few she had considered semi-serious, but none ever gave her the same feeling she experienced when she’d been with him. The kind where you can’t eat, you’re too excited to sleep, the sun rises and sets over him and you can’t wait until you see him again—that sort of feeling. Eventually, she reached the conclusion that those feelings were restricted to young puppy love. Now, to her chagrin, she realized they had returned in full force, even stronger than before.

But fourteen years is a long time, her logical side warned. We hardly knew each other back then. And so many things have happened since. Today and yesterday don’t even add up to a full twenty-four hours. What if I moved here, started dating, and then we broke up? Where would I be then? Stuck here? It would be impossible to avoid each other. I’ll work in the ED. He’ll bring in patients. Could I handle that?

But this may be my second chance, her emotional side countered. It wasn’t right, back then. Now, maybe it is. I’ve been praying for the perfect job in an ED. I’ve also been praying for the opportunity to make full use of your medical skills and abilities. In life, there are no coincidences. Something brought me back here. Something powerful and purposeful. If I reject this opportunity, I might wonder “what if...?” for the rest of my life?

“And,” Tom said, bringing her back to the present. “I know I have some issues I’ve got to work on.”

“Everybody does,” Pam concurred, thinking of her own. Then she looked to him. Susan and their two sons. Considering that, she recalled a phrase Aunt Carolyn often quoted. She grinned. “Some people enter relationships carrying a suitcase. Others drag along a truckload.”

Half wincing, Tom rolled his eyes. “Let’s just say mine is equivalent to a tandem tractor trailer.”

“Oh, my. Care to elaborate?”

“No. Not now, anyway. I’ll handle it.”

Pam pondered his words, trying to ignore the warning bells ringing in the distance of her mind. Common sense told her to inquire further, but she felt too happy to press. For now, she decided to go along with what Tom said. He’d handle his stuff. And she’d handle hers.

Watching her intently, he whispered, “So what do you say?”

Pam opened her mouth to speak, just as Tom’s cell phone ring pierced the air.

He released a loud exhale and read the caller ID. “It’s the station. I told them not to bother me unless it was an emergency.”

“Saved by the bell,” Pam giggled.

Five minutes later, they sat in Tom’s Avalanche, heading toward her hotel. “I’m really sorry about this,” Tom repeated, maneuvering the dark roads. “Something’s gone wrong with the rescue station’s telephone lines. No emergency calls are getting through.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Pam assured him. “This is what we do.”

His cell phone rang again. She touched his arm while he spoke into the phone.

“A virus?” Tom’s tone sharpened. “What kind of virus? Fine. Yes. I agree. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. Call me if anything changes.”

Disconnecting the line, he said, “The technician working on the problem believes the malfunction is somehow related to the computers. The entire system went down and the auxiliary power provides only half the capacity.”

“That’s not good.”

“My thoughts exactly. Hopefully the experts can fix it fast.” Then without warning, Tom switched subjects. “How about I drive you to the airport tomorrow? I’ll pick you up at around eight. We can get some breakfast along the way.”

Pleased, yet surprised, Pam nodded. “Sure. I’d like that.”

Moments later, he drove up to the hotel entrance.

“Don’t get out,” she told him. “I know you’ve got to go.”

“Not without a kiss.” When he leaned over, she met him halfway. As their lips met, her eyes