Page 3 of Mountain Bean Dream
After slipping on a thick spring jacket in my favourite hue of army green, I unclasped my reddish-brown hair, letting it fall behind my shoulders. “It would mocha me so happy to be here for the weekend rus.”
I didn’t miss the side-to-side head shake from Jeremy, who was eyeing me and the flowers.
Elliot chuckled. “Glad Puns 101 is finally paying off for you.”
“I’m a slow learner.” I winked and lifted—with a slight grunt—the box of flowers, hoisting it to my hips like I was carrying a small child. “Have a good day, Elliot.” I moved toward the front of the store. “And you too Jeremy. Do some research on Idris.The Officeis fabrewlous.”
* * *
In my knee-high suede boots with barely any tread left on the soles, I strutted down the snow-edged street, feeling the hem of my pretty floral dress brush across my knees while also watching for any residual icy patches. Although spring was on the approach, and the air was fresh and crisp, we’d just had a fresh blanket of wet, heavy snow two nights ago but the daytime warmth was melting the snow off the sidewalks. Longer, warmer days were coming, and spring was one of my favourite seasons with the whole rebirth and renewal thing going for it. As I continued toward the hospital, deep in my soul, I could sense my own rebirth.
Mostly revolving around Derek and taking our relationship to the next level. Our first major public event was a fundraiser for the hospital. Although I was playing in the jazz band that evening, it would be only a small part of that evening’s entertainment. The plan—our plan—was to walk around arm-in-arm, like a couple truly in love, showing each other off, even if there weren’t many people for me to show him off to. I’d kept a low profile so far.
Although it wasn’t a long walk from the Coffee Loft to the hospital, it was enough that a painful cramp had built in my arms by time I’d entered the main doors of the hospital. With a thud, I set the box with the heavy vase on the security desk and shook out my aching limb.
“Can I help you?” The security guard peered over a set of glasses bridged precariously on his thick nose.
I dismissed his question with a wave. “I’m here to see Dr. Davidson.”
“You have an appointment?”
“No. I’m his girlfriend.” Which was met with a condescending glance. Yes, there was a bit of an age gap, but ten years wasn’t much when you’re nearing the end of your twenties. “I’m here to bring him these flowers.”
He turned and pointed a finger at the sign behind him stating no scents allowed. It’s not that I missed seeing it, I just didn’t think I had to follow it. I wasn’t wearing perfume, since I knew that was against the code, but honestly… no flowers?
“But the flowers are wrapped.” I tugged at the plastic covering to further my point.
His gaze fell to the computer screen. “You can leave them here, and Dr. Davidson can move them out to his vehicle.”
Well, so much for my big romantic gesture.
“Fine.” I slid the package to the far end of his desk. “Please make sure no one takes them.”
“You have my word.”
Taking a sweeping glance down the hall and out toward the parking lot, I figured they were safe. It’s not like the area was overrun with patients and visitors. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Squaring my shoulders after another quick shake of my arm, I left the reception area and headed down the short hall, taking a right turn toward the patient’s rooms.
The nurses’ desk lay beyond a couple of offices and one on call room. Typically that’s where Derek hung out, reading charts and chatting up the other doctors and nurses.
An unfamiliar doctor walking toward me popped into the first office after a quick assessing nod in my direction.
As I neared the nurses’ station, the steady hum of fluorescent lights and the faint beeping of monitors filled the corridor. I stopped mid-step, my pulse freezing when Derek’s unmistakable accented voice drifted out of the office door, clear and sharp, like a shard of glass slicing through the sterile air.
“—Just put in the offer.”
The offer? On a house? My mind spun. Was he planning something for us? A surprise, maybe? My chest tightened in anticipation as I remembered his casual mention of an important conversation over dinner tonight. My fingers brushed my lips, the subtle stickiness of my grape-flavored lip balm grounding me. I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe he wanted us to move in together, a fresh start just outside of town.
But then, another voice broke through the fantasy, low and unfamiliar. “When are you leaving?”
Leaving? My breath hitched, the word echoing in my head like a ricocheting bullet. I leaned closer, the coolness of the wall pressing against my back.
“If my conditions are met, June first. Why waste time?” Derek’s tone was so matter-of-fact, it didn’t match the hopeful,dreamy man I thought I knew.
A sharp pang lanced through my chest, quick and unrelenting. June first—only a couple of weeks away. What conditions? Where was he going?
“What about your house? Are you going to rent it out?” The other voice sounded eager, almost too eager.