I was able to get off early on Friday. Which was a good thing, because deciding what to wear on my first official date with Andrew proved a difficult task. I could drain an abscess with my eyes closed, but my mind stumbled over the clothing options in my closet.
Andrew and I had talked on the phone during lunch every day since he’d come to see me at the clinic. It was really nice that he could talk while on the tractor, because he didn’t stop work for long.
He told me all about spraying weeds in the cornfield, and about his horse that limped because it’d had gotten a rock in its shoe. I’d asked question after question. I mean, I knew horses wore shoes, but I didn’t know things could get caught in there. And I had no idea what kind of damage could happen to such a large animal. Their feet were surprisingly tender.
One of the things I liked so much about Andrew was that he let me pepper him with questions about his world on the farm. It was just so different from anything I’d experienced, and even the small details were fascinating. Not to mention they all added to the painting of Andrew that filled my mind.
He never belittled me or made me feel silly when I didn’t understand the context of one of his statements. That was huge for me, because I had a naturally curious mind and a desire to learn.
Another stroke of the brush was that he could turn lemons into lemonade better than anyone. When something didn’t go according to plan, he didn’t get upset. As I was learning, the average day for a farmer didn’t ever go according to plan. Equipment broke down, animals misbehaved, and even the weather didn’t cooperate. Despite all that, Andrew was a happy person who seemed to find the good in everything.
It was refreshing. In school, things had always been so competitive, and the fact that I was a bit of a perfectionist had put a target on my back.
That perfectionistic trait was killing me as I tossed two outfits aside. So far, Andrew had seen me in scrubs, softball clothes, and after trudging through stinky swamp water. Never at my best.
But what kind of best was I going for here?
The problem was, I didn’t have enough information about our date to make an informed decision. Andrew wanted the evening to be a surprise. Didn’t guys have any idea what that did to a girl? It was sweet and wonderfully romantic—but a wardrobe hint would have been greatly appreciated.
Should I play it cool and be the girl next door in jeans and a nicer shirt? Should I run to the store and get something more … country? Or should I dress it up and go for the wow factor?
I covered my eyes and counted to ten.
In the end, I decided on a simple white country dress that fell to my knees, and a pair of dark brown cowboy boots I’d bought shortly after arriving in Keokuk. I stood in front of the mirror. “Simple, with a touch of class.”
I hoped my boots weren’t too fancy. They were new and nice, and I definitely wouldn’t want to wear them in a barn … or in the mud. I added a thick turquoise necklace and matching set of earrings to give it all a pop of color and show the happiness I felt on the inside. I left my hair down in soft curls and added minimal makeup.
My phone rang, and I hurried to pick it up—wondering if Andrew was going to be late. The name on the screen made me smile. Alexander Mitchell and I might not have been the hottest couple, but we were the best of friends. I hit the green button and said, “What’s the matter, Alex? City life wearing on you?”
“Ha! I was calling to see if you’d gotten tired of that podunk assignment yet.”
I laughed. “Hardly. Things are just getting interesting.” I reached for a blush-pink lipstick and swiped it on. “Thanks for calling.”
“Of course. Your email was … cryptic. What’s going on?”
I sat on the edge of my bed and immediately stood up again, not wanting to wrinkle my dress and too full of nerves over what I was about to discuss with Alex. “Well, I’ve been thinking over some things—” Thanks to Andrew’s great advice to think around the problem. “—and I was wondering … about trying to specialize in sports medicine.”
“Didn’t you just finish your family practice residency?”
I lifted my arm in the air and dropped it to my side. “Do you think I could do it? With my heart and all?” Alex had been the only person I’d confided my diagnosis in when it happened. I’d not wanted the other students to see my weakness, to use it against me in any way. Of course they all knew I changed specialties, but they didn’t know why. The why had given me power over my choices—choices I now questioned.
“You know the bones, joints, and ligaments as well as anyone. I can’t see any reason why you couldn’t specialize in sports med. What about family practice, though? Do you hate it?” Alex asked.
“No.” I was surprised at how fast and honest the answer came. The short two weeks I’d spent in the clinic had flown by. I met new people each day but felt invested in them, probably because they invested in me—asking where I was from and if I liked cherry Life Savers. Okay, that was one little boy who offered me one off a roll in his pocket. I’d declined, but it was sweet of him to offer.
“I think your best bet would be to find a fellowship program. That way you wouldn’t have to do a whole new residency. Duke University is in North Carolina, so it is about 14.5 hours from Keokuk—but it’s Duke, one of the best medical schools in the country.”
I chewed on my thumbnail. “How long would it take?”
“I think those fellowships are about a year.”
I straightened. That felt … possible. A year was a blink. I looked down and caught sight of the tips of my boots. My heart sank. What about Andrew?
“I’m sensing hesitation.”
I bit my nail again. “Maybe.”
“Why?”
I took in a breath and held it, blowing out and making my lips rumble. “There’s this guy …”
“Harper.” He said my name in censure. “You’ve been there two weeks. How serious could it be?”
I forced my hand away from my mouth and went to find a nail file to repair the damage I’d done. “It’s not. This is our one-point-five date.”
“One-point-five?”
“That’s what I’m calling it, because we had a half a date the other day and tonight is our first date, so …” I didn’t know where our relationship was headed, but I at least wanted to give it a chance. He made me feel things that I hadn’t before, like there was a deeper level of attraction connecting us. Not just the I-want-to-kiss-you kind—though there was that—but the sense that meeting him wasn’t by chance. That if I passed up the opportunity—or gave it away—I’d regret it.
“I get it.” I could just see him waving his hand for me to get on with the explanation.
“This feels different, Alex. It’s bigger.”
“It’s a second date. Apply for the programs. If things get serious, you can turn it down.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. The file was in my bathroom drawer. Was it weird that I organized them like the ones in the patient rooms with dividers and stuff?
It wasn’t like I had a ring on my finger or owed Andrew an explanation about anything. There was still so much about his way of life that I didn’t know. Would I even fit in there in the long run? Would he want me there for the long run?
That thought made my insides panic. Was I ready for long-term, long-run settling down? My life plan didn’t include any of that. I’d decided to be married to my job, but it wasn’t like the clinic could hold me at night, nor did it kiss me with just the right amount of sweetness.
Someone called to Alex on the other end of the line. “That’s my cue. I’m on call.”
I finished smoothing out my nail. “Thanks again for calling. Don’t be such a stranger, okay?”
“Right. You too.”
We said goodbye, and I hung up. Astrid had followed me into the bathroom and lay down in front of the door. She hung her head and whined.
“You know I’m going out.” I leaned down and scratched her ears. “But I’m not taking you with me, y
ou little sneak,” I said in a singsong voice.
There was a knock at the front door that set Astrid’s tail wagging. She barked once in welcome and then took off. I followed her, taking one last glance in the bedroom mirror as I passed by.
Astrid trotted back to me and barked again, telling me that Andrew was at the front door, just in case I hadn’t heard his knock. I took a deep breath to calm the butterflies in my stomach and opened the door.
My breath hitched at the sight of the cowboy on my porch. Andrew was always attractive, even covered in grease. But apparently the times I’d seen him before were his everyday hotness. Tonight, he looked like he’d come right out of a Western magazine, all rugged. The results were almost intimidating.
Gone was any sign of grease from Tuesday. The sunburn that had reddened his cheeks had faded to a tan with a slight pink hue accentuating his chiseled cheekbones and freshly shaved jawline, making his blue eyes pop. His hair was all trimmed up, but still long enough to see those natural loose curls that clung together with fresh hair gel. His shirt was a smartly pressed short-sleeved turquoise Western shirt, with a new pair of pants and shined black boots.
He carried a straw cowboy hat in one hand, like he’d had it on until he knocked on the door and took it off out of respect, which made my stomach flip. The other hand was tucked behind his back.
As amazing as it was to just stand there and look at him, it was the warmth in his eyes as he took me in that had me feeling all gooey inside. His mouth hung slightly open, and he just stared for a moment. I started to blush under the appreciation.
He shook his head to regain his composure. “You look amazing tonight.” He screwed up his face in self-recrimination and then tried again. “Don’t get me wrong, you always look amazing, but tonight … it’s extra.”
“Thank you,” I simply answered. I had no desire to tease him, because he was so sincere—almost sensitive in a way that made me feel protective of his efforts. And really, he made some pretty good efforts. “You look amazing too.”
“I brought these for you.” Andrew pulled out a bouquet of lilies and daisies from behind his back. The grouping was simple but elegant, and I instantly loved it. Roses would have been too much—like he was trying too hard. These were perfect. Simple, but happy flowers, they’d remind me of him every time I looked at them.
“They are beautiful,” I exclaimed. “I’ve never had anyone bring me flowers before.”
“Never?” he asked in shock.
“I … well …” I’d never expected a man to, really. The guys I’d dated were practical and usually as busy as I was in med school. Who had time for sweet gestures like this? Instead of explaining my lackluster romantic life, and probably embarrassing myself to no end, I said, “Let me just go put them in some water before we go. Come on in.”
He shut the door behind him while I went to the kitchen. I didn’t have a vase, having never needed one before, but I grinned when I saw the mason jar on the drying rack. Filling it with water, I set the bouquet inside. It was perfect.
I returned to the living room to find Astrid sitting next to Andrew on the couch, her chin on his leg and her paw on his knee. That was her I’m-not-letting-you-go posture. The one she used when we settled in to watch a chick flick together.
“I think she thinks she is coming.” Andrew gave her a good head rub, grinning. “Maybe I should have bought her a bouquet of doggie bones.”
I grinned at the image. “It’s okay. She has plenty of treats and toys here.”
“Do you want to take her with us?” he asked.
“No,” I quickly answered. Too quickly.
Andrew looked up at me, curious.
Astrid almost looked insulted.
I had to think fast. It wasn’t like I could blurt out, Well, I don’t want her getting in my way when you try to kiss me like she did the other night after the fireworks. That would sound too … expectant … presumptive … desperate. All things that I didn’t want to be in front of Andrew. “I got off work early and gave her some exercise. She’ll be alright for the night.”
“Okay, girl,” Andrew said to Astrid. “Your mom says you have to stay home.” He leaned over her and mock whispered, “Don’t be mad at me about it. I said you could come.”
I put my hands on my hips and let my jaw drop. “All right, Mr. Softy. Quit making me the bad guy.”
Andrew winked. He then stood up, his tall frame making the action all grace and masculinity, shoved his hat on his head, and opened the door for me. I made sure to lock it behind us in case my dog decided to become proficient at doorknobs while we were gone.
Andrew’s old blue truck had been washed and shined. The rust spots over the back bumper were there, but it was free of dust and mud. When he opened the door for me, the smell of Febreze hit my nose.
I grinned, thinking of Amy going through the exam room with a bottle of air freshener after Andrew left. She’d said something about volunteering to be the spokesperson for the product.
“Okay, Mr. Secretive,” I said as Andrew climbed into the truck. “Where are we going tonight?”
Andrew grinned and started up the engine. “I’m going to grant one of your wishes.”
“What wish?” I asked in surprise. I couldn’t remember any wishes I’d made in front of Andrew. Shoot. Had I said something when we kissed? My head was full of cotton at the moment. Hopefully I hadn’t said something stupid like wanting to take another ride on his tractor.
“I’m going to show you my new place,” he answered.
“Oh.” The word came out with surprise and a tad bit of disappointment. I’d thought maybe we’d have a nice dinner; he might even cook. It could have been a pancake dinner and I’d have been happy. But he wanted to be outdoors.
Oh shoot! He’d said his pond was stocked, and I’d told him that was neat. Were we going fishing? I glanced down at my white dress. His greased hands had done quite a number on my lab coat; I didn’t want the dress to have the same fate.
Andrew read my reluctance and let out his signature booming laugh, which I’d gotten to know over the phone that week. “Don’t judge so quickly. You’ll like it. Trust me, I’ve put a lot of effort into making a good impression tonight.” He reached across the seat and held my hand. “I’ve missed you the past few days … and I wanted to show you that I’m more than just a greasy farmer.”
I thought I’d done a pretty good job of showing him that I didn’t mind his greasy farmer look. “To be honest, I wanted you to see that I’m more than the swamp monster.” I waved my hand down my body.
He brushed his thumb across my knuckles warmly. “You’re the prettiest swamp monster I have ever seen.” One eyebrow cocked up playfully. “In fact, I would’ve been going into the swamp every day if I’d known that’s what swamp monsters looked like.”
I playfully slapped his arm.
“I’m just saying!” he said.
“Thanks.” I laughed.
He looked pointedly at the space between us, inviting me to scoot on over. I did, and he slipped his arm around me. It feels like coming home. My soul had never been more at peace. Which confused me, because I felt good about applying for fellowships too. How could two things that were mutually exclusive both feel right?
“Have you had much time to drive around town?” he asked as we made our way down Highway 136 to Main Street.
I shoved thoughts of fellowships and applications out of my head. Tonight was for me and Andrew. There would be enough time to focus on all that later. “A little bit. I know my way to the grocery store and have found the Walmart just north of town. I found the library the first day. I guess I’m a nerd at heart.”
“I’ve always liked the studious types.” Andrew grinned at me. It didn’t take us long to pass the red brick buildings on Main. There were a few smaller shops and a furniture store with a living room set in the window. “Have you had a chance to cross the Mississippi yet?”
“No, actually. The closest I’ve gotten was
my adventure at Victory Park with Astrid.”
“Well, let me introduce you to Ol’ Man River,” Andrew said as we passed small farmhouses painted in blues, buttery yellows, and greens. A few had been turned into businesses like a dental office and a quilt shop.
The trellis of the suspension bridge was just up ahead, and I leaned forward in my seat. The river was so beautiful from the shore. I could see the other side when I was standing here, but it was bigger than any river I had seen or crossed before.
Soon the ground disappeared around us and the blue expanse of the river opened up. I couldn’t believe how wide it was up close. This was nothing like the small rivers I knew in Colorado or Washington. It moved slowly, with soft ripples and a gentleness that surprised me. “It’s amazing,” I whispered.
“Yeah, it is pretty beautiful.” He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “The mayflies aren’t out today, which makes spending time outside a lot nicer.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Mayflies? What are mayflies? How does this place have so many bugs?”
“They’re part of the Mississippi River ecosystem,” Andrew said, laughing. “Grandpa used to tell us stories about there being so many mayflies that they had to use a snowplow to clear them off the bridge. Apparently the good ol’ days used to be that bad,” he joked. “They’re good fish food, so we have to keep a few of ’em around.” He explained that the local fishermen and women tied flies for fly fishing that looked like the little bugs.
The more he talked about fishing, the lower my heart sank. We were going fishing. So much for the romantic evening my heart had conjured up. I should have worn jeans and pulled my hair back.
As we bumped off the end of the bridge, Andrew spread his hand out and said, “Welcome to Hamilton, Illinois.”
A few moments later, he turned off the highway and again headed east. There were a lot of trees lining the road and making it hard to see the river beyond. The land felt raw, untamed, even wild. I could see why Andrew was attracted to it, because it also had potential.
“Is there a town here, or is it more of a rural bedroom community?” I asked.
Opposites Attract: His Country Doctor (The Journal of Medical Romances Book 1) Page 10