by Cahoon, Lynn
Table of Contents
Playing Doctor
A Central West End Story
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Shawnee Holiday, A Bull Rider novella
To my own hot, sexy hero who shaved his head when I was going
through chemo. For that one action, I adore you. For all the rest,
I love you.
Playing Doctor
A Central West End Story
Lynn Cahoon
Chapter One
Annie Baxter didn’t believe luck or love came from a slip of paper stuck in a fortune cookie, especially one baked in Cleveland. Her friend Pam, on the other hand, not only was a true believer, but also kept a notebook with the slips glued on their own page. The date, time, and place she’d received the fortune written in neat block letters, along with notes about how they had all come true, in their own fashion. When the slip from last month’s cookie told of an impending love, Pam had gone out and bought a rat terrier. Annie had to admit, Pam did love that dog.
Her hands stuck to the table, sticky from the last customer. The small Chinese restaurant wasn’t known for stellar service or even atmosphere. However, the place had the best Orange Chicken in town. Since it was just down from the hospital and her new apartment, it was an easy choice for dinner. Removing a small packet from her purse, Annie took out a sanitizing wipe. She cleaned the table with the wet paper cloth, barely noticing the sharp antiseptic smell. Besides, after finishing her ten-hour shift, she smelled like that piece of thin cloth.
When she finished wiping the table down, she put the used cloth and wrapper to the side, next to the wall. Looking up, she caught Pam staring at her.
“What?” Annie asked.
“I’m sure they cleaned the table in between customers.” Pam shot a pointed look at the pile of trash.
“It felt sticky.” Annie folded her hands in front of her, hoping the explanation would be enough. Pam had been born and raised in a wealthy suburb of St. Louis, an area nothing like the small southern Missouri town where Annie had grown up. Despite the commonalities between the two women, Annie felt like a country bumpkin sometimes compared to her friend.
“And you just happened to have wipes in your purse. What’d you do, swipe them from the nurses station?” Pam set her cell on the table.
“From the supply cabinet after I stocked the station.” Annie smiled. “They’re always telling us to take precautions to stay healthy.”
“I think they expect people to wash their hands more, not swipe supplies. We get sick days for a reason. You don’t have to be all paranoid about germs.” Pam looked up as the waiter approached their table with two steaming plates from the kitchen. “I’m so hungry. Lunch was a packet of crackers.”
“That you took from a patient’s food tray,” Annie challenged.
“Mr. Martin wasn’t going to be eating them and the kitchen just throws all of that wasted food away.” Pam’s voice was tight, until she saw Annie’s smile. “You’re messing with me. I can’t believe you got me.”
“That’s payback because you’re always picking on me.” Annie took a bite of the chicken, the warm orange zest filling her mouth. She dumped her bowl of rice onto the plate mixing it with the sauce. She loaded up her fork with another mouthful. “This is great.”
“Even with the sticky table?” Pam didn’t lift her bent head as she focused on taking a bite of her beef and vegetable dish.
“In spite of the sticky table,” Annie corrected.
The two women ate in silence, enjoying their meal.
“How is Mr. Martin?” For the last month, Pam had worked on the cancer floor. Annie could see the weight of working with the terminally ill on her friend.
“Good today. He’s tolerating the chemo better.” Pam took a sip of her soda. “Which is a good thing since they are switching up his mixture next week.”
“And then?” Being new to the hospital and nursing, Annie didn’t have her permanent placement yet. The hospital had put her in a special program until they determined where she’d fit in best. Annie figured it was an easier way to keep an eye on the new hires and get rid of those that wouldn’t make the program. She loved working in the Pediatric ward. It was foolish to hope that she’d win the lottery and get assigned the fun unit forever. But the longer she stayed away from oncology the better.
“He’ll probably go through the same crap as last week. Not being able to keep anything down. Sweats. Then chills.” Pam took another bite of her food, twirling the fork on the plate, her mind clearly back at the hospital and on her patient.
“I’m sorry.” Annie reached for her friend’s hand. “I’m sure he’ll pull through.”
“That’s just it Annie, he probably won’t. And he will have gone through all this hell for nothing. No good reason at all.” Tears filled Pam’s eyes as she stood up and headed to the restroom.
Being a nurse, you learn lesson number one, never talk work when you’re in social settings. Not only was it a privacy violation, Annie had learned the other down side the hard way when she’d seen a nurse from the geriatric ward on the street after shift. When she’d asked how her day had been the woman burst into tears and almost ran from Annie.
“What’d I say?” Annie asked Pam as she watched the woman flee. They had been heading to or from dinner, Annie couldn’t remember the specifics.
Pam took her arm and gently led her away. “Rumor is that geriatrics lost more than half their patients today.”
“So?” Annie wasn’t getting it.
“Tasha has been on that floor for years and they have never had more than a ten percent mortality rate, never fifty percent.”
“The deaths aren’t her fault.”
“You know that and I know that, and someday, Tasha will know that as well. Today’s not that day.” She and Pam had continued their walk, silently down the street.
Today Annie felt like she had crossed that line again. She ate quietly waiting for Pam to return.
“Sorry about that.” Pam slipped into the bench seat across from her. “Working on that floor just keeps getting harder.”
“I’m the one who should be sorry. I brought it up. I should know never to talk about work by now.”
“You want to talk about your day because you have the fun assignment. The rest of us aren’t as lucky as you are.” Pam forked her food around her plate, her mind clearly elsewhere.
“Peds isn’t always fun. Some of those kids are really sick,” Annie defended her unit.
“Yeah and you get to spend time making balloon animals while I’m…” Pam stopped. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”
The two women ate without speaking for a few minutes. Then Pam’s voice exploded across the table, “I almost forgot to tell you.”
“What?” This couldn’t be good.
“We have a new resident. And boy, is he gorgeous. Dr. McDreamy move over. This guy is something else. Tall, dark, and all that. My mom would call him a cool glass of water.”
Annie smiled at her friend. “So he’s cute. Don’t tell me you’re dumping Eric?”
“No, silly. Eric’s my man, that is if he ever gets off these crazy hours.” Pam’s eyes glinted with mischief. “I was thinking this guy is more your type anyway.”
“I have a type? I haven’t dated since the whole thing with Craig.” Annie shuffled in her seat. She didn’t like talking about her near marriage experience.
&n
bsp; “His loss. I think you’d like this guy.”
“Why? Does my type include tall, dark, and whatever?” Annie finished her orange chicken, scraping the rest of the sauce up with her finger and popping it into her mouth.
“All that, not whatever. And yeah, I can see the two of you hitting it off. He’s got the same terrible sense of humor. You should have heard the stupid joke he told after Dr. Dixon introduced him. Something about floods and hats and lawn mowing.”
“My sense of humor’s fine thanks.” Annie knew the joke. The punch line was gramps is mowing the lawn today come hell or high water. She loved that joke.
“Says someone who can’t get enough of I Love Lucy reruns.” Pam leaned back as the waiter took their empty plates, leaving the bill and two fortune cookies on a small white dish. She held it out to Annie. “Pick one.”
Annie grabbed the cookie on the left, not really thinking about her choice. On the days Pam chose first, it took—Well let’s just say, Pam liked to explore her options. With two cookies.
Pam sighed. “You know you have to let the fortune choose you. You should take more time.”
“And you know I think this is all a bunch of crap.” Annie cracked open the cookie, pulling the paper closer to read the tiny writing.
“Pam leaned closer. What’s it say?”
“Make a note of three months from this date. Good things are coming into your life.” Annie put the slip on the table. “So March, April, May…I guess I’ll be running in the park no later than May third.”
“I doubt that where you run is the good thing that is being foretold. Maybe you’ll be a May bride?”
“Pam, I’m not even dating. How am I going to get married in three months?” She pulled out cash to cover her part of the bill.
“Ancient Chinese fortune telling never lies.” Pam left her money on top of the check and stood.
“Wait, you didn’t open yours.” Annie watched her friend. This was insane. Pam lived for Chinese food nights, just for the fortune cookie at the end.
Pam tucked the cookie she’d wrapped in a napkin into her coat pocket. “I’m taking it home to open it there. I don’t want to mess with the energy flow for your fortune. See you tomorrow.”
Annie leaned back and watched her crazy friend leave the restaurant. Three months and her life would change. It had taken four years of hard work when she left home to study nursing and finally get a job at the hospital. There was no way her life would change in three months. Besides, she had everything she had ever wanted. A great apartment, a great job, friends. What more could she ask for?
She glanced at her watch. Time to meet Robert at the apartment building to sign the lease and get her keys. She’d scored the last apartment within walking distance of the hospital. Even though the rent was a tad bit expensive, without the commuting costs and maintaining a car, she’d be fine.
Her luck was changing, even without the fortune cookie’s blessing.
*
Troy Saunders stood outside the high-rise apartment building. He ran his hand over his jaw and felt the stubble. He expected he looked ragged. Earlier while leaning against the building exhausted by his day, a couple had come out and after one look at him, quickened their pace to their car. Sara told him to meet her here at six but his day had lasted longer than expected. It was pushing seven and his sister was nowhere to be seen. He pulled out his cell from his parka and was just dialing her number again, when the phone flashed an incoming call.
“So where are you,” he said, his voice taut. The St. Louis weather was cold and the streets turned to ice once the rain stopped. No one would guess that it was a few weeks until the start of spring, at least by the calendar. He pulled the collar of his parka closer.
“In the lobby, watching you freeze. Come inside.” He heard the chuckle in her voice.
Troy looked through the building windows and saw his kid sister waving at him. Disconnecting, he pocketed the cell and pushed the glass door open. Sara stood by an older woman dressed in a skirted suit, definitely, the leasing agent. Her smile was full and plastic as she made her way across the thick carpet of the lobby to greet him.
“Doctor Saunders, so nice to meet you.” The agent held out her hand. “I’m Gretchen Shrew. Sara and I’ve been looking at a unit that I believe fits your needs nicely. You’re lucky you came in this week. We’re almost fully leased.”
“As long as it’s close to the hospital and has a shower, I’ll be happy.” Troy gave Sara a hug. “Thanks for doing the legwork here. I’m not sure I’d have the strength to find a place after being at work all day.”
“I’ve been through everything within walking distance and I think this building is the best. There’s even a lap pool and a gym.” Sara bounced as she talked. She pulled her brother to the elevator.
Troy watched his sister. Sara was a bundle of energy. When they were kids, their folks had complained that she never slept. Troy, on the other hand, liked his sleep. Funny since he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since the fall he entered medical school. Now with the traditionally long days of a resident, he knew sleep wouldn’t be any easier to find.
“We’re within walking distance of ten restaurants ranging from coffee shops, Chinese, and Italian cuisine including several serving the famous St. Louis toasted ravioli. And several places deliver here.” Gretchen punched the button to call the elevator. “In addition, we have twenty-four hour maintenance and security. There’s someone at the front desk at all times. For added safety, after ten p.m., you have to use your keycard to get into the building.”
The three stepped into the elevator. Troy leaned against the back wall, closing his eyes for the ride. He didn’t care about the apartment. His one goal was to survive this residency. No fun, no flirting, no distractions. If he could sleep and shower at the hospital for the next four years, he’d be fine with that. Oncology wasn’t the easiest specialty but he knew in his heart, he was supposed to be there. After his first rotation in medical school, he’d felt the calling. The doors opened and Troy realized he hadn’t heard a single thing that had been said.
The woman hadn’t noticed Troy’s silence, but Sara had.
“Are you okay?” She put her hand on his arm, stopping him from following the leasing agent down the hall.
Grabbing her around her shoulders, he pulled her ahead. “Just tired. That’s why I needed you today. This building is great.”
“Appreciation, that’s much better than silence.” Sara squeezed his side. “You know Mom and Dad are proud of you. All I hear about now is their son, the doctor.”
“They’re proud of you too.”
“Yeah but saying your daughter’s a preschool teacher just doesn’t get the respect at the country club lunches like a doctor or even a bottom feeding lawyer does.” Sara stopped in front of the apartment door.
“Here it is,” Gretchen held the door open. “I’m going to make a quick call home and I’ll be right in. Have to see if the husband fed the rug rats yet.”
“I’m sorry we’re keeping you so late,” Troy said.
“No problem, I’ll come in a little later tomorrow. Gives me an excuse to sleep in.” Gretchen turned around, her cell phone already dialed and at her ear.
Lucky you. Troy ambled into the apartment, taken back by the large living room with hardwood floors. He relaxed as he let the atmosphere greet him, imagining filling the room with a large comfortable couch and of course, the mandatory flat screen. The kitchen had all stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Modern yet a hint of traditional somehow came through.
“Nice, huh?” Sara pulled him down the hall. “Wait until you see the bath. It’s heaven with a walk in shower, heated towel racks, and a jetted tub. Two bedrooms. One can be your office.”
The apartment was much more than he needed, but he loved it. Maybe a little too much. “What’s the damage?”
Sara looked confused. “Damage? Oh, you mean the rent?” Her voice dropped to a whisper, “Don’t let Gretc
hen know but it’s the best place I’ve found and the cheapest building around here, including the underground parking.” She recited off the monthly charge.
Troy did the math in his head. With his student loans and the money he’d saved from working during school breaks, he’d be able to make the rent and still have money left in savings to furnish the place. As long as Sara didn’t go crazy tomorrow when he sent her to buy furniture. He walked over to the window and looked out on the park across the street. “You did good, little sister. Real good.”
He watched a blonde walk down the street toward the building. Something about the way she walked reminded him of someone. He leaned closer to take a second look.
“How’d you like the apartment?” Gretchen’s voice jerked his attention away from the woman and back into the room.
“I believe we have a deal. Can you go over deposit requirements and utility costs?”
“It’s a great Central West End location, I’m sure you’ll love it here.” Gretchen beamed. Troy got the feeling that not all of her long days turned out as positive. “Let’s go down to my office. I have some information there.”
The three took the elevator to the bottom floor. When the doors opened, a woman stood in the lobby, obviously waiting for someone. When she turned toward the elevator, Troy realized it was the woman from the street. She was even more striking up close sans makeup. He’d always been a sucker for the natural look. No caked on foundation or black as coal eyeliner for this woman.
“Good evening, may I help you?” Gretchen greeted the woman.
“I’m here to meet with Robert. I’m signing a lease on 401 tonight.” The woman almost bounced with excitement.
401? Troy looked at Sara. Wasn’t that the apartment he’d just been shown?
Gretchen looked flustered. “I’m sorry, Robert didn’t say anything. When did you meet with him?”
“This morning? I had to go to work after he showed me but he said he could meet me here at seven.” The woman glanced at Gretchen and then to Troy and Sara, a frown crossing her face. “Is he not here? I went to dinner first because he said he couldn’t be here until seven.”