Page 24 of Mountain Bean Dream
“I’ll talk to Nina and we’ll figure something out, but yes, you need to rest.”
I barely heard Elliot, too wrapped up in the conversation with Derek. His words were just noise. The reality was, I didn’t have time to rest. Not if I wanted to keep my independence. Not if I wanted to keep running away from the mess I had made of my life.
It felt like a sucker punch every time I said it. I had no choice, and yet, there it was. A little piece wanted Derek to fight for me—to tell me to stay home and let him take care of me. But I knew better.
“Did you take the pain meds Sherry gave you?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, wishing it could just all go away. I hated feeling weak in front of these people. I hatedthat Derek still thought he had a say in my life. I’d taken two last night which knocked me out, and another one this morning before I left.
“That explains part of your problem; they cause drowsiness. You shouldn’t take them if you’ll be working. Or driving. Didn’t she mention that?” He cocked an eyebrow and pushed himself up onto his feet.
I wanted to snap back at him—say something snarky. But the truth was, I knew better.
“She’s in your good hands, Derek?” The RCMP officer now asked him, sounding bored.
“Yes, of course.”
He stepped closer. “Alright. Consider this a warning.” What? No shaking finger? “No driving until you’re healed. Next time, you may get a ticket for careless driving.”
My swallow felt audible, did it sound that way too?
“Take it easy, Miss.” He gave me a quick wave before heading over to the counter to order from Annie.
One down, at least four more to go.
I inhaled sharply but released my breath slowly. Taking a long blink, I checked out Jeremy, who hadn’t said a word but remained hunched beside me, hand on mine. I was glad for his strong, silent presence.
Sage and Elliot both stepped away into Elliot’s office.
Two more down.
Annie appeared in my view and handed me a drink. “It’s a caffeine-free Never Bean Kissed Frappuccino. Would do you some good to have something in your system.”
“Thanks.” Although I made them daily, I had yet to have one. I put the straw to my lips and sucked. It tasted amazing. The spice in the chocolate was hitting all the right spots. “Never had a Never Bean Kissed.”
“Oh, you’ve been kissed.” A smug grin filled the doctor’sface.
Thanks, Derek. As true as that was, because Derek was a good kisser, it was inappropriate for him to have said that. Heat flooded from my core, splashed across my chest and face, and lapped right into my hairline.
Tipping my chin down, I then angled my head to see Jeremy. He was still perched on his feet, squatting beside me. Slowly, he linked his fingers through mine, all the while observing and studying me. Beyond that, his expression was unreadable, and it was frustrating as all get out. What was he thinking? Was he as uncomfortable as I was? Or was he trying to upset my ex-boyfriend again?
Jeremy lifted the Frappuccino straw to my lips. I swallowed another sip, and he set the disposable cup down.
“Thank you.” I inhaled slowly and did a quick personal assessment. Aside from the elbow pain, nothing hurt. I didn’t even have a headache. I was slightly dizzy still and felt a little weak, but other than that, I was okay.
Okay in the sense I wished I didn’t have two men surrounding me, waiting for something to happen. Derek needed to go so I could talk to Jeremy.
“Why are you here, by the way?” I asked Dr. Derek.
“I just finished my shift and wanted a maple latte to clear my head.” His tone changed from doctor to the nice guy role in a flash. He was good at playing his part.
“Oh?”
He tipped his chin down and his shoulders slumped. “Yeah. South Campus called early this morning and dropped some news on my lap.”
I held my breath, waiting for him to explain further. I assumed that was the place he was moving to at the end of the month.
After a few heartbeats, he spoke again and his gaze circledmy face. “They refused my conditions and offered the position to someone else.”