MISSING
by
BEVERLEY BATEMAN
This book is dedicated to my daughter, Kristina, a wonderful, special, positive person who I love very much. Thanks for being in my life.
Beverley Bateman lives in the beautiful Okanagan valley in the southern part of British Columbia with her husband and two Shiba Inu dogs. To contact her you can email her at beverley1@shaw.ca. Check out her website at www.beverleybateman.com or her blog at http://beverleybateman.blogspot.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
PROLOGUE
“For god’s sake, someone help me. I’m dying in here.” His knees bent up to his chest, hands clenched over his abdomen, he rolled back and forth on the narrow cot.
“What’s your problem?” A burly guard peered through the steel bars. “You’re upsetting the rest of the inmates.”
“I don’t give a damn. My gut’s on fire. Get me the doc, now.”
“Hey, who are you giving orders too?”
“Aw, come on, I really need the doc.” Bobby whined.
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll call him. Stifle it ‘til I get back.” The guard shuffled down the hall.
Bobby writhed on the bed, moaning loudly until the guard returned.
“The doctor’s in conference with administration.”
Bobby already knew that. He’d been keeping track of the doc’s schedule for months.
“Then get me something for the damn pain. I can’t stand it. I’m going to die.”
“Shut up and die or I’ll help you with it,” a voice from a cell farther down the row bellowed.
“See what you’re doing, keep it down. I’ll check with the medical center.” The guard disappeared again, returning a few minutes later. “Can you walk?”
“No way man, I can’t even stand up. The pain’s killing me.” Booby screamed as he rolled onto his side clutching his stomach. “I can’t take it anymore.”
“Yeah, yeah, they’re bringing a stretcher. We’ll take you to the medical room, but you better not be faking.”
“Does this look like faking to you? I’m dying.”
“Whatever.” The guard shook his head. “A big tough guy like you whining with a little gut ache.”
Bobby wanted to punch out the stupid guard, but it wasn’t part of the plan. Rolling his hands into tight balls he gripped the sides of his uniform pants.
“It’s worse than getting shot in the gut. I don’t know what it is.” He moaned.
He could hear the clatter of the stretcher wheels over the concrete floor. The key clicked in the lock and the door squealed when they pushed it open. He swallowed a smile.
“Get me something for the pain,” he yelled at the guards.
They picked him and dumped him onto the mattress.”
“You’re killing me,” he hugged his stomach.
“Quit whining. You’re upsetting the other inmates.” The guards handcuffed him to the stretcher and rolled him down the hall into the small medical center.
“Glad you’re taking him out of here. Don’t bring him back. One of the inmates hollered through the bars as he rolled by.
Bobby gave him the finger behind the guards’ back.
The skinny male nurse met them inside the reception area. “What have we got here?”
“He says his stomach is burning up, can’t even stand. The doctor’s not around right now,” one of the guards replied.
“Yeah, he’s in meetings for the rest of the afternoon. He doesn’t like to be disturbed. Let’s take a look. Wheel him into the first cubicle and put him on the bed.”
The guards unlocked the handcuffs and dropped him onto the bed.
“I think I felt something burst.”
“I’m sure nothing burst. Hang on, I’ll check it in a minute, buddy.” The middle-aged nurse patted his shoulder.
The guards handcuffed one hand to the bed post. “You need us to stay?”
“No, I can handle him. He’s one of our volunteers,” the nurse replied. “Let’s take a look at that abdomen.”
The guards left and the nurse pulled up Bobby’s shirt and ran his hands over his stomach. “It’s definitely hard, maybe a burst appendix. You still got your appendix?”
He nodded.
“I think we should transfer you to the Medical Clinic. The doctor’s not going to want to be disturbed and I don’t want any patient dying on my watch. I need to make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”
When the nurse stepped out of the room Bobby rolled over and wiggled his free hand under the mattress until he found the slit he’d made a few days earlier. He pulled out a shiv, a pick and an envelope and tucked them in the back of his pants. Volunteering in the clinic, even with that stupid nurse and doctor, had paid off.
The nurse sauntered back into the room, busy scribbling in a file folder. “The ambulance is on its way. Let me check your vitals.”
“Can’t you give me something for the pain?”
“No. They’ll give you something at the Clinic once they figure out what you’ve got.”
“Then get me there quick. I can’t stand the damn pain any longer.”
“Try to relax. If you fight the pain, it’ll only be worse.”
Brilliant, you stupid jerk. What school would give an idiot like you a nursing diploma?
“Thanks, I’ll try,” he moaned.
“They said they could be here in fifteen minutes or less.” The nurse went to the desk and made notes on the chart.
Bobby watched the nurse, listening for another stretcher to come rolling down the hall, groaning periodically.
The minutes ticked by. He moaned loudly and wondered how the rest of his plan would work.
The banging of wheels rolling down the hall finally announced the arrival of the paramedics.
“They’re here. You’ll be at the hospital in about ten minutes. Hang in there.” The nurse tucked a chart under the stretcher pillow and unlocked the handcuffs.
The two paramedics lifted him onto the stretch.
Minutes later, he was in the ambulance racing down the highway. And they’d forgotten to handcuff him.
He couldn’t believe his luck. He’d practiced for weeks picking the lock on the damn handcuffs and the idiots hadn’t even put them on.
e'd practiced for weeks picking the damn lock on those handcuffs t so he could get them off in under ten minutes
He smiled and pulled out the shiv.
***
Bobby stared out into dusk as the truck raced down the highway. He couldn’t believe his luck. First, there had been the idiot paramedics. Then some old lady had driven him to Missoula, his first destination. She’d even shared her sandwich with him. The next day a truck driver had bought his hard luck story about a broken down car and a pregnant girlfriend. He’d taken him to Anaconda.
Everything and everyone he planned to visit in this huge state was within a couple of hours of each other.
Under his jacket he played with his new knife.
He’d bought it with the money he’d taken from the paramedics. It already had blood on it.
The first day after his escape he’d found Amanda’s parents, Horace and Mabel Sykes, now in their early seventies. They had been more than happy to answer all his questions, practically tripping over each other in an attempt to tell him everything they knew.
Of course being tied up and the knife might have had some influence on how quick they were to share their information. They told him about his daughter, Molly. That Child Welfare removed her immediately after Amanda gave birth. Child Welfare had said the Nelson’s would be the perfect family to raise Molly. So the Sykes had let her go, thinking the new family would be younger and Molly would have a better life.
Horace and Mabel had explained that after about nine months Child Welfare came back to them and asked if they would take their granddaughter and care for her.
That was when they found out that the Nelson’s were actually the same age as the Sykes. They were also told the adoptive parents had very short tempers. When Molly cried, they yelled and hit her. Eventually the social worker, Emma Simms, had removed her from the Nelson’s.
The Sykes had cared for Molly for almost two years. They loved her and wanted to keep her, but when they developed some health concerns and couldn’t afford her on their small pensions they’d asked a doctor they knew to find another adoptive family. They wouldn’t go back to Child Welfare.
Hopefully someone had found them and untied them by now. At their age, without food and water, they might not last long. And they probably had lots of medications they should be taking.
The farmhouses and ranches whizzed by as the dusk begin to darken into night.
With the information he’d gotten from the Sykes he’d headed to Anaconda the next day and met the Nelson’s.
Bobby made sure the Nelson’s understood the reason he was there. He told them he was Molly’s father and how he had a problem with the way they treated children. They’d begged and pleaded and given a bunch of excuses before he used his new, very sharp knife. He remembered their expressions when they realized he was really going to use that knife. They’d also donated a chunk of cash and a few things he could pawn. Of course they didn’t know about that. He held back that urge to laugh.
It would be hard to explain to the truck driver.
He had no idea how long it would take to find their bodies, but no one should be able to tie their death to him. He hadn’t been seen and he’d worn those latex gloves.
It would be weird to see Molly. Until a few weeks ago he hadn’t even known he had a daughter.
When the inmates were talking about their kids and asked if he had any, he’d said ‘yeah’, he thought he had one. When pushed he’d admitted he didn’t know if it was a boy or girl. They’d been showing pictures and he suddenly thought he’d like a picture to show people, too.
He saw a sign saying ‘Welcome to Waterberg.’
The truck stopped at the edge of town.
“This is as far as I’m going.”
“No problem. Thanks.” Bobby opened the door. He climbed down and slammed it shut as he stepped to the curb.
Across the street a flickering sign with most of the lights burned out said T-m-’s -----ve-n.
He stared at the dive. A beer would go down good right now.
It looked like the kind of place where no one would pay any attention to him. As he crossed the street he figured out the sign actually said Tommy’s Tavern.
When he pushed open the door smoke enveloped him distorting the shapes inside the tavern. He found a seat at the end of the bar, near the door.
“What’ll it be?” A tall, skinny man with long, stringy hair and tattoos up both arms glanced over at him
“A draft of whatever’s on tap.”
When the mug was slapped down in front of him the foam sloshed onto the bar. Bobby counted out the change and shoved it across the counter.
“You’re not from around here,” the man on his right commented.
“Nope, I’m passing through.”
The man nodded. “You look like you’re down to your last dollar.”
Bobby shrugged.
“If you’re interested in making a few bucks, maybe we could work something out. I’m looking for a partner.”
“Doing what?”
“You know, a little of this and that. I’ve been scouting out a liquor store a few blocks away.” Hollis lowered his voice.
“You mean robbery?”
“Maybe, why, does that bother you?”
Bobby turned to look at the man. He was a stocky guy, at least thirty pounds overweight with a scraggly gray beard. He looked like he was down to his last dollar, too. The man obviously didn’t believe in checking out the people he asked to rob a liquor store with him. Then again, ex-cons often recognized each other.
“Not particularly, but I’m not sure it’s worth the risk. Good luck.”
“So what would be worth the risk?”
Bobby continued to stare at the man. He considered some options. The man didn’t appear to care how illegal a job might be, as long as he got some money from it. He’d have no trouble manipulating him. The guy wanted a partner. Maybe Bobby should have a partner, too. It might make his plan easier. He could always change his mind later.
“Kidnapping might be worth it.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Hey, if you come up with something, let me know. I’m in. The name’s Hollis. Right now, you want in on the liquor store?”
“Sure, Hollis. Why not? I’m Bobby.” He extended his hand.
Hollis grabbed it and pumped it up and down. “It’ll be easier with two. I figure to hit it right at closing time. Usually empty by then except for the clerk and he’s not going to put up any kind of fight.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.” Bobby fingered the knife clipped to his belt under his jacket.
“That’s when there should be the most money in the till, too.”
Bobby nodded. “You got masks?”
“Masks, what kind of masks are you talkin’ about?”
“You know something to cover your face, so the clerk can’t recognize us and describe us to the cops.”
Bobby continued to watch the man. Hollis wasn’t the brightest bulb in the pack. Bobby hadn’t decided what he wanted to do yet. He’d started out with the idea of getting a few pictures of his daughter, but now it looked like he might be able to make some money, too. Doctors made big money.
Hollis frowned. “I hadn’t thought of that. I got some old ski masks at home. They’d work.”
“Yeah, they would.”
“Good.” Hollis took a mouthful of beer. “So tell me what you’re looking at?”
“I have to check it out. I’m thinking, kidnapping for a big ransom might be worth the risk.”
The man nodded. “What are we talking here?”
“It could be fifty thousand.” Bobby hadn’t figured out any amount yet. He was waiting until he saw Molly and assessed the possibilities.
Once he found her he’d decide exactly what he wanted and come up with a plan. “I have a particular person in mind, but they’re a little south of here, in Duster.”
“That’s about an hour from here.”
“I know. If it works out we’ll have the ransom delivered to you up here.”
“Smart.” Hollis slapped Bobby on the back.
“After we pick up some extra money tonight I’m going to need to find a place to stay. Some place cheap that I can rent by the week. I want to be able to get down to Duster and watch my target for awhile. I figure that’s the best way to plan this thing.”
“So you don’t want to stay there?” Hollis asked.
“In Duster, no, if I rent a room there it’s more likely I’d be noticed. It increases the risk someone could describe me. And I may need to pick up a little cash to get by on, occasionally.”
“Yeah, that makes sense. There’s a room across from mine for rent. The guy moved out a couple of days ago.”
“He’s not coming back?”
“Nah, actually, he was arrested. You could rent that room. It ain’t much, a room with a bed and a little kitchen. It’s cheap.”
“That sounds like it might work.”
“You could check it out when we go to pick up the ski masks.”
“Good idea. You live close to here?”
“Just a few blocks away, about a block past the liquor store.”
“After I pick up that extra money tonight I’ll rent the place for two weeks. That should give me time to figure out all the details of my plan. Once we get that in place and decide the amount I’ll snatch her and have the ransom delivered up here, to you.”
“Smart.”
“Thanks. So now I need to find me a cell phone.”
Hollis opened his jacket, revealing three of them on inside pockets. “Pick one.”
Bobby picked a small one and pocketed it. Taking a swig of his beer, he enjoyed the taste. “Write down your cell number.”
This could work out. Besides, if he changed his mind, Hollis had no information and no way of finding him. So far everything had gone as smooth as good whiskey.
He’d had no trouble getting the information. The Sykes couldn’t tell him where she was quick enough.
Who knew the stupid government would first give her to a couple that would abuse her? No daughter of his should be abused. Not like he had been. Well, the Nelson’s sure as hell weren’t going to abuse any other kid.
“Hollis, buddy, I’d say let’s have one more beer and then head to your place. It should be close to closing time by then.”
They picked up their glasses and drained them. Bobby waved at the bartender and signaled one more round. He’d head down to Duster tomorrow and check on how they were taking care of his little girl, and then he’d decide on a plan.
He fingered the handle of his new knife.
You didn’t hurt Bobby Tanner’s kid. They’d found that out.
CHAPTER ONE
“Why did I agree to this, even temporarily?” Before arriving in Duster, Montana Dr. Alexandra Parsons had driven for miles without seeing anything but cows.
When her friend and mentor from med school had asked for her help, he’d neglected to mention the remoteness of Duster compared to the civilization Allie was used to.
Following the directions on her GPS she pulled her vehicle up to the curb and switched off the ignition. There it was. The gray brick building across the street, situated between a pharmacy and a small, Montana State bank.
The square wooden sign across the front of the building read “Duster Medical Clinic” in neat, black letters. Blinds, tilted half open across the windows on each side of the door, allowed a partial view of several patients sitting in the waiting room.
Allie laid her arms across the steering wheel and stared at the clinic and the occupants.
How did a small town medical clinic function?
The New York clinic hadn’t looked anything like this one. Nothing in New York looked like this place.
On her way down the street, she’d passed a gas station, a small beauty salon, a general store and a real estate office. She’d seen the local sheriff’s office and two banks. No large grocery store or box store anywhere in sight.
Surely the people didn’t shop in these little stores?
A few people wandered in and out of the bank and the general store. Several trucks and a few cars rumbled along the street.
A man; medium height, skinny, wearing a dark baseball cap, worn jeans and a faded green t-shirt, caught her eye. He lurked in the shadows outside the clinic, trying to peer inside. If he anyone approached he’d turn his back and pretended to walk away. A few minutes later he’d be back.
She watched him for several minutes trying to figure out whether he was a nervous patient or spying on someone in the clinic. She expected him to finally go inside, but he disappeared between the buildings.
No sense sitting here any longer. She should go meet the doctor she’d be working with for the next month or two. With any luck he’d find a permanent replacement quickly. If only she hadn’t signed that contract...
She wondered what he’d be like. If he’d met her mentor, Dr. Angus, in med school he’d probably be older, maybe with white hair and a slight paunch. He might even be thinking of his own retirement in the near future.
“Damn.” She should have asked for more information, about everything, including the population of the town. From what she could see, more people probably inhabited her apartment building back in New York than lived in Duster.
Why had she been so eager to get away from New York? The image of jumping off the edge of the mountain into a volcano sprang to mind.
She reached into her designer bag, pulled out a lipstick, touched up her lips, smoothed her hair back behind her ears, and opened the door of her new, metallic blue Explorer. Compared to the other vehicles on the street, mostly older trucks, it stood out like a neon sign in the middle of the desert. She shouldn’t have splurged.
Back in New York it had seemed like a good idea. A four-wheel drive in ranch country made sense. A four-wheel drive might have been okay--but not a brand new, bright blue one.
She opened the SUV door and slid down until her low heels touched the ground. The late summer heat blasted her, but it was a dry heat, different from the east coast. She adjusted the skirt of her conservative navy suit. This morning it had felt casual, but professional. Now she felt overdressed. Like her vehicle, she stood out like a neon sign. She might as well been wearing a mini-skirt, see-through blouse and fishnet stockings.
Number one on her list after introducing herself to her new boss--go shopping and buy comfortable slacks and casual tops.
She pulled herself to her full five feet four inches before she walked across to the door of the clinic. With the first step, her foot hit a rock. Her ankle rolled and her shoe turned on its side. Grabbing at the vehicle hood, she managed to prevent herself from falling on her butt. As she straightened up, her leg brushed against the fender causing a snag in her nylon.
“Damn.” Heels, even low heels, and nylons, were certainly out from today on. Flat shoes went to the top of her shopping list.
She trudged carefully across the street. The snag turned into a run and raced up the side of her leg with each step.
Terrific.
What was the doctor’s name? She’d made a note of it this morning. She searched her memory, but drew a blank.
Great, the day was going downhill and fast.
***
Bobby drove the older sedan he’d stolen into Duster. The tires were bald and it stalled periodically, but it would do for a couple of days. He’d also picked up a Raven Arms MP 25 caliber semi-automatic and some duct tape. Duct tape always came in handy.
He drove slowly past a bright blue SUV parked across from the clinic.
A woman sat inside staring out the window. Maybe a tourist who got lost? The truck was certainly out of place in this tiny ranch town. Nice though, maybe he could boost it.
He passed the clinic, slowed the vehicle and turned at the next corner. He parked a few blocks off the main drag and walked back. The blue elephant was still there and so was the occupant. Was she afraid to get out?
He crossed the street and glanced through the clinic window. His goal was to get an idea of the doc. He wanted to know if he was he good dad. Did the guy deserve to keep his daughter? If he abused her or mistreated her in any way, Bobby might have to take care of him.
Right now, though, he needed to find out where the doc and his daughter lived. And why wasn’t there a Mrs. Hawkins? Why would a single man adopt a little girl?
Bobby had first planned on taking pictures of his daughter and leaving. Over the course of the last week he’d decided to kidnap her for money. He’d changed his mind again and considered keeping her, even after the ransom was paid. There were so many options. He’d have to choose one soon.
Hollis didn’t need to know all the details. Bobby hadn’t even figured them all out yet.
***
Allie pushed open the door to the clinic and stepped into the small, crowded waiting room. The slight scent of antiseptic tickled her nose. She stopped.
Silence crept across the room. One by one, heads turned toward the door.
It might be the novelty of a stranger, but more likely it was the novelty of a stranger in fancy city clothes with a run in her stocking. She threaded her way through the patients to the reception counter. Patients watched her. A few of them put down the magazines they were thumbing through.
She’d bet a month’s salary those magazines were three or four years old. The furniture in the waiting room had seen better days, but it was serviceable.
The men and women stared at her, probably wondering who the heck she was. Several patients smiled at her. She managed to return the smiles. At least no one laughed.
A man stood behind the counter, tall, broad-shouldered, and maybe thirtyish He had curly dark hair, a strong, square chin and he caught her attention right away. His cobalt blue eyes, under long dark lashes, latched on to her as she walked toward him. Even partially covered by his lab coat, his muscled chest strained against the white t-shirt.
If he was the doctor he was definitely not the old geezer she’d expected.
A few feet from the counter, she stopped. His electric blue eyes locked on her. She couldn’t look away. Sensuality oozed across the space between them. Her breath hitched into an irregular rhythm, kicking her pulse up a notch.
“Good, you finally got here. I thought Jean would send someone a little faster.” His rich, smooth voice rolled over her. “Look, we’re backed up. Patients’ files are over there and the appointment book is on the desk. Check them in, pull their file, and put the file in the slot by the examining room door.”
“Excuse me?” She stared up at the man snapping orders at her. She’d run away from one tyrant and had no intention of putting up with another overbearing one, even if he was knock-down gorgeous. His firm abs, linebacker-type shoulders and muscular body did not compensate for his attitude.
Who did this jerk think he was?
Her back stiffened. She assumed he was the doctor, but his manners confused her. If staff and working partners were expected to put up with this, no wonder they hadn’t been able to find another doctor.
“You’re not going to make me repeat all that are you? I have a room full of patients. When I asked Jean to send a temp over from the hospital, I thought she’d send someone with training and at least a vague idea of what they were doing.” A sigh slipped through his lips and he rolled his eyes. The look he gave her placed her one step above an idiot.
He pointed to a huge pile of folders. “The patients’ files are...”
Allie pulled her shoulders back, raised her chin and tightened her lips together. “Excuse me. I believe you’ve made a mistake. First of all, I’m not stupid. Second, I’m not your damn temp. I’m a doctor, Alexandra Parsons, M.D. I understood you were expecting me.”
“You’re the new doc? Shoot. I didn’t expect you today.” The heart-stopping man stared down at her. His full lips drooped in apparent disappointment.
The disappointment could be her or the fact he still didn’t have a temp. She couldn’t tell.
“I arrived early, so I could acquaint myself with the town and find a place to live. I dropped by to introduce myself.”
He focused on her, drawing his eyebrows into a frown. “You’re the new physician? I should have known by that fancy outfit, it screams big city.”
“Sorry. I’ve just arrived and haven’t had time to get my jeans and plaid shirt yet. I’ll move that to the top of my list, so I’ll fit in.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he controlled it, as he ran his fingers through the tangle of dark curls. “Look, I’m sorry. I mean...my mistake. Donna, my receptionist, quit this morning with no notice. She ran off with some truck driver. I’ve got a room full of patients and a long list of messages to return. The phone keeps ringing, and yes, I desperately need another doctor. However, right this minute, I need a receptionist to sort this mess out.”
“I see.”
“I also desperately need another doctor. My day is not going well, as you can see. I’m Luke Hawkins by the way.” He stuck out his hand.
She wiped her hand on her skirt before extending it. He immediately encased it in strong fingers.
“And I suppose the receptionist is expected to be a female?”
“Wha...?” He dropped her hand.
She shook her head. “Forget it.”
Allie stepped behind the desk and opened a bottom drawer. She dropped her purse inside, before glancing at the appointment book. “Mrs. Douglas?”
A woman in her late forties and about twenty pounds overweight nodded and stood up. In her shapeless cotton dress, graying hair pulled back in a bun, she reminded Allie of a loving mother. Not her own, of course.
“Mrs. Douglas, let me take you back.” Allie picked the file off the top of the pile of folders on the desk and continued down the hall.
Stopping at the first exam room, she stepped back to let the older woman enter first. “What are you seeing the doctor about today, Mrs. Douglas?”
“It’s my heart. I’ve been getting palpitations. Sometimes it seems to go too fast to even count. My father died of heart trouble, you know. And this--it scares me.”
Allie nodded. “Of course, it would. How’s your energy level?”
“I don’t have any. I can’t get up off the couch to do anything around the house.”
“Hmm,” Allie picked up the woman’s wrist, counting her pulse. “It is a little fast. Do you have any history of thyroid problems in your family?”
“Why, yes. Come to think of it. I believe my aunt had a thyroid condition. She had to take medication for it. Do you think that’s what I might have? Maybe it’s not heart trouble at all?”
“I’m sure the doctor will run some tests and let you know. He’ll be in shortly. Try not to worry too much until the tests results come back.”
Allie closed the door, made a note on the front of the chart and popped the file into the slot on the wall before she walked back to the front desk.
She picked up the next chart. “Mr. Almeara?”
“Yah.” A man, probably in his late seventies, stood up and limped forward. He might have been over six feet in his younger days, but now, with a stooped back, he looked about five feet eight or nine inches. He had a fuzzy gray fringe with a receding hairline and a long gray beard.
She saw a definite twinkle in his brown eyes.
“Follow me, please.” Allie led the way down the corridor.
“Yah, I follow you anywhere, you sweet thing.”
“Ouch.” She jumped, turning around to stare at the man who had just pinched her backside.
Winking, he nodded. “You got a nice patootie there. You got a fellar that appreciates it?”
The initial anger dissipated. A smile crawled up from the inside. She tried to look forbidding. “Mr. Almeara, please don’t do that again.”
“Ahhh, you could make an old man very unhappy if he couldn’t appreciate a good lookin’ woman.”
“You may look, but, please, don’t touch.” Allie tried to hide the laughter busting to get out. She opened the next door and stepped to one side so he couldn’t touch her as he went past.
“In here, please. What are you seeing the doctor about today?”
“I...I got problems with the water works.”
“I see. That’s common with men in your age bracket. The doctor will talk to you about it. Don’t worry.”
“Really, are you sure?”
“Not for sure. The doctor will have to run a few tests first to find out what the problem is. Have a seat. He should be right in.”
Her lips still tugged at the corners as Allie closed the door behind her.
Dr. Hawkins entered the hall. “Are you smiling at a private joke?”
“Sort of,” she had no intention of sharing that pinch with him. He might think she couldn’t handle the patients if this sort of thing happened in the first few hours after she started work. She had no idea of his ideas on harassment. Besides, she found it more funny than upsetting.
“Your next patient’s ready.”
“Thanks. You’re doing a great job. I really appreciate you doing this.”
She nodded and went back to reception to pull the next patient file and answer the ringing phone. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a compliment on her work. And this one was for her work as a receptionist.
Every time she passed him in the corridor, his closeness, his masculine musky scent and those hypnotizing eyes had a startling affect on her.
Duster didn’t appear to be so depressing any longer. However, he could make working together a challenge.
They needed to keep things strictly professional. He might be sexy, but she had no desire to get involved with any man right now.
Why would he have chosen to practice medicine in this godforsaken place?
An hour later, a young woman, maybe twenty-one, with brilliant orange-red, spiky hair, black lipstick and a nose ring, leaned across the desk. “You the one who wants some office help?”
“Sorry?” Glancing up at the young woman, the first thing Allie noticed was the nose ring. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here to help you. Heidi Knowles. You called for a receptionist?”
“You’re the temp. I am glad to see you. The files are over here, the appointment book...” Allie indicated the large open book on the desk. “Have you done this before?”
“Yeah, sure, I’m good at what I do.” The girl joined Allie behind the counter.
Allie forced her face to remain expressionless at the short black leather skirt, the large clunky black shoes with huge silver buckles, and torn black fishnet stockings. She looked as out of place as Allie did.
Maybe there was hope for Duster after all.
“Great. Let me show you around.” Hiding another smile, Allie hurried down the hall. “Have you made up examining rooms before?”
“No. I haven’t done that, but it doesn’t sound too hard.” The girl clunked along behind Allie.
“It’s not. Depending on what the patient is complaining about, you may need to ask them to slip some of their clothes off and put on a gown. If you’re not sure about whether they need a gown, ask me. Clean gowns are in that drawer under the examining room counter. You tear off the paper covering the exam table after each patient and pull down new paper.”
“Cool. I can handle that.”
“Good, then let’s get to work. I’ll get you a lab coat to wear over your clothes.”
Heidi looked quizzically at Allie. “So who are you, another secretary?”
“No, actually I’m the other doctor.”
“Oops, sorry, I guess you should never trust first impressions, especially if it’s, like, labeling according to stereotype.” Heidi grinned at her.
Allie grinned back and extended her hand. “Dr. Allie Parsons and you’re quite right about first impressions. It’s also my first day.”
“Cool. Well, let’s get this place rockin’ and take care of all these people.” Heidi grabbed the next file and stepped out into the waiting room. “Howard Warkenton?”
In the staff lounge, Allie located a couple of oversized lab coats, obviously meant for the male doctor. She pulled one on and rolled up the sleeves, taking the second one out to Heidi.
With Heidi settled Allie glanced around the room before seeing the next patient. She noticed someone, probably a man, in the far back corner, with a newspaper in front of his face. Was he the same man she’d seen outside hovering around the clinic window? She couldn’t tell. He wasn’t wearing the baseball cap, but he did have on worn jeans and what she could see around the paper looked like a green t-shirt. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but he didn’t look like a patient. She’d check and see who he was if Heidi brought him to the examining rooms.
Allie headed back to check and see which room had a chart outside the door. She picked up the first chart and skimmed over it before she opened the door.
“Amanda? I’m Doctor Parsons. I’m assisting Dr. Hawkins. You’re here for your prenatal check up?”
“Uh huh.”
The thin waif with a cloud of dark hair glanced up, not making eye contact.
“How far along are you?”
“Dr. Hawkins says almost seven months. I’m glad you’re the new doctor and a woman.”
“Doctor Hawkins is a good doctor. Now let’s talk about you. How old are you, Amanda?”
“I’m almost seventeen. Why? I’m old enough to have a baby.”
“Yes, you’re definitely old enough to have a baby, but are you old enough to be a parent? Are you sure you know what it’s going to be like to care for a baby, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?”
“I can do it.” The tiny, pointed chin stuck out defiantly. “I’ll make it work. I can keep going to school until the baby is born.”
Allie wrapped the blood pressure cuff around the emaciated arm.
“Blood pressure is good. Now I want you to get a blood test and see me in two weeks. If you’re going to have a healthy baby, the first thing we’re going to do is make sure you’re healthy. This is a food guide. Make sure you follow the serving guide for pregnant women. Heidi will make an appointment for you after school gets out.”
“Okay. Thanks, Doctor. Look, I really want this baby. I’ll make sure she’s healthy. I don’t want anybody takin’ her away from me because they think I’m too young.”
“That will be up to you, and your parents.”
Allie moved to the next patient, relaxing as the afternoon progressed. Her family practice skills worked fine in a rural community.
Before she knew it, there were no more charts in the slots. She hadn’t seen the person from the corner of the waiting room. Maybe Dr. Hawkins had.
Heidi popped her head around the corner.
“That’s it. You guys have seen them all. Can I go now?”
Allie glanced at her watch. “Six-thirty, I had no idea. Thanks, Heidi. You did great. Go home.”
“I’ll come in early in the morning and straighten up the charts and get things organized, if you still need me.”
“I’m sure you’re going to be needed, so yes, we’ll see you in the morning.”
“Cool. I’ll let the hospital know I’ll be working here again tomorrow.” With a wave in Allie’s direction, Heidi clomped toward the door.
Allie rolled her shoulders back a few times. She could do with a full body massage right now.
Yeah right, like they would have massage therapists here.
The reception area was silent for the first since she`d walked through the door. The blinds allowed shards of evening sun to skitter across the empty room, over the chairs, and the tables piled with outdated magazines. She picked a couple up and checked the dates. Uh huh, like she thought, one was three years old and the other was from four years ago. She dropped them back onto the chair.
A lot had happened in the last few hours. She’d met a lot of people today, including Mr. Almeara and his pinch. That had been a first for her. She chuckled. It had been a good day.
She realized she didn’t have a place to stay yet. Maybe Dr. Hawkins could recommend a hotel. Hopefully, Duster had a decent one.
“Thanks for your help. What are you laughing at?”
She spun around.
Luke Hawkins leaned against the door jamb, watching her. His eyes strolled over her body. He appeared to see her for the first time.
“Nothing, I enjoyed the afternoon.” Her heart thumped loudly. She struggled to appear cool and professional.
“Good. I’m glad you’re here. I really do need a second doctor.” Luke flashed a brilliant smile in her direction.
Why did this man affect her like this? Carter never had. Nor had any of the other good-looking doctors she’d worked with. It must be working in a small town, and not having eaten since breakfast.
What other reason could there be?
CHAPTER TWO
Allie swallowed several times, to loosen up her vocal chords.
“You’re welcome. Heidi did a good job. She’s a quick learner. I sent her home and told her to come back in the morning. I hope that’s okay.”
Luke nodded. “Good decision, thanks, but what about you?”
“What about me?” A shiver of anticipation wrap around her like a silky shawl. She looked up at the man who sent her heart racing and heat flooding through her body.
“I should probably get a little information on you, sort of a hiring interview, although you already have the job. You do have a license to practice in Montana, right?”
“Yes. With help from an agency I hired, I managed to get it in six weeks.”
“Good, how about malpractice insurance?”
“I extended mine with the company that already carried my professional liability insurance in New York.”
“You’ve been doing a residency in family practice in New York City and just completed it. So, you`ve had no experience working on your own?”
“No. I was looking at options when Dr. Angus called and I’ve spent the last two months preparing to move here.”
“Good old George. I met him when I was doing a residency. I gotta remember to send him a thank you and a good bottle of scotch. So it was because of him you chose to move to Duster, even if it’s only temporary?”
“That’s right.”
Luke stared at her.
“You had no other reason for taking such a leap from big city to the very small town of Duster, even if it is only temporary?”
“No, I didn’t.” She had no plans to share her life history with him. Being treated like a child, double checked on everything she did and being put down continuously by her father had dissipated her confidence in her abilities. Until she’d studied family practice. She had never been able to please her father and when he took the side of her two-timing, unfaithful fiancé...
“When George mentioned he’d pressured some poor suck--soul into helping until we found a permanent replacement for Doc Edwards, I didn’t expect that person to be a female family practice resident.”
“I sent you my resume. It said Alexandra on it.”
“I was so damned happy to finally get a response from anyone I guess I didn’t read it closely. Plus, I was probably exhausted. You were a qualified doctor, licensed in New York and finishing a residency in family practice. It was an answer to my prayers. Even if you only came here temporarily, and under George’s urging and pleading, I was ecstatic.”
“I hope you pay more attention when you read patient’s charts.”
“I deserve that. I talked to George and I swear he called you Alexander.”
“George is one of the few people who call me Alexandra, besides my family. You might have thought he said Alexander.”
“That could be it.”
“Also, on my resume it said I placed second in my residency, even if it was in New York, not a small community.”
“I saw that and it added to my excitement about you coming here. Sorry about missing the name, but when you go sleep deprived for so long, you miss stuff. I know that’s no excuse for not reading it correctly. Believe me; I’m thrilled to have you here.”
“Is there anything else you may have missed and need to know?”
“I don’t think so. You did good work today, both as a doctor and a receptionist, even without a lot of experience.” He flashed a smile at her. “And the people liked you. I heard them talking and some told me directly. Welcome to Duster. Thank you for coming and I hope you like it here.”
“I hope so, too. I’ll be going now, if that’s all right?” She reached for her jacket. If she stayed much longer she’d probably break into tears and confess how she really felt about his town.
“That depends on where you’re going. You said you hadn’t found accommodations yet?” Stepping behind her, he took her jacket.
She felt his body heat as he moved closer to her.
Damn, he was one sexy man.
“No. Not yet. I’m hoping to check into a hotel for tonight and start looking for an apartment tomorrow. Can you recommend one? There is a hotel in this town, isn’t there?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid The Inn is not quite up to New York standards. You’ll spend the night with me.” Luke held out her jacket.
What was he suggesting?
With her pulse pounding in her ears, she shrugged into her jacket. Her mind whirled and she turned to face him. “I don’t think so.”
She stepped back, putting space between them, shoving her hands in her pockets to resist the urge to touch that sexy little cleft in his chin.
His eyes crinkled at the corners, as if he could read her mind.
A burning sensation crawled up her neck and onto her cheeks. A dead give-away if he hadn’t already figured out her thoughts.
This was ridiculous. Even the man she almost married never affected her like this. Probably a good thing, since he’d cheated on her in their bedroom.
“Excuse me, Dr. Hawkins, but I’m not that kind of woman.”
His warm chuckle filled the room. “And I’m not that kind of man. This is strictly professional. You need a place to crash. I have one. And it’s Luke. Don’t argue. You were a trooper today. You stepped up and did double duty. You can stay at my place. I’ll drive.”
She opened and closed her mouth to protest, but she didn’t have any place else to go and exhaustion now seeped through her entire body.
Casually he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You need a hot bath, some food and a good night’s sleep.”
“That does sound wonderful, but...”
“No buts, it’s decided. I have a second bedroom.” He added as an afterthought, leading her toward the door.
“First we have a couple of house calls to make before we get home. It’ll give you a chance to meet a few more of our local residents. I assume you have an overnight bag in your vehicle?”
She nodded. The long day left her too tired to argue. “Did you see a skinny man in his late twenties or early thirties today?”
“No I didn’t. Why?”
“No reason. Someone was sitting in the corner of the waiting room, hiding behind a newspaper. He didn’t look like a patient. I didn’t see him so I wondered if you had. I guess he wasn’t a patient.”
Luke shrugged. “Maybe he was waiting for someone?”
“Yeah, maybe,” Allie had a feeling he had been on his own.
“Let’s grab your bag and head out. The sooner we get you home the better.”
“That sounds good.” Allie stepped toward the door.
Once again she wondered why anyone would want to do family practice with the long hours and the low pay. Why did Luke do it?
On the way out he bent down and picked up an envelope.
“It looks like someone may have dropped this. Interesting, there’s no name or address on it.”
“Maybe they slid it under the door after Heidi left. I’m sure she would have seen it on her way out.” Allie suggested.
“Good point.” He opened the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of paper. After reading it he read it he handed it to her. “What do you think?”
‘Are you taking good care of her? If not, you will pay.’
It was made of letters cut from newspapers.
“It looks a threat, but there’s not much information in it.”
“That was my first thought, too. No name or even what that the person expects to be paid. I’ll drop by the sheriff’s office and give it to Jack. It’s probably someone’s idea of a prank. Let’s go.”
For a second Allie flashed back to the man outside the clinic.
She debated saying anything more, but it was probably her overactive imagination. She’s already described him as medium height and skinny. That skimpy information would be a really big help to a sheriff.
“Maybe one of our patients confiscated it from their kids and they dropped it by mistake.” Luke locked the door behind her and led her to a fairly new, dark blue truck with dents and scrapes that showed a lot of use.
“I guess that’s possible.”
Luke opened the door and helped her climb up.
“What about my SUV? Is it safe here? I’ve got all my bags and boxes piled into the back.”
“Don’t worry. Everyone in town knows it belongs to the new doctor by now. They won’t let anything happen to it. Where’s your overnight bag?”
“It’s the blue one in the back seat.”
Waiting for him to come back Allie wondered about the note they’d found.
Was it possible it meant someone was in trouble?
When Luke returned he tossed her bag behind her seat and climbed into the truck. He started the engine and she pulled on her seat belt, settling back into the cushions. She was alone with a man she found sexy and dangerous, heading off to lord knows where. And exhaustion made her too tired to care.
***
Luke noticed a car driving behind him as they drove toward the edge of town. He didn’t recognize the vehicle, but he didn’t know everyone’s cars and trucks. Odd, but it appeared to be following him.
As they drove farther from town, he noticed the same car, still following from a safe distance.
Large balls of weeds blew across the road in the wind.
“What are those things?”
“They’re tumbleweeds,” Luke replied.
“I’ve heard of them, but never seen one. Do you have many around here?”