Dalton
Two Weeks Later
“Something is different about you lately.”
“What do you mean?” I questioned, glancing at Connie, the head RN of the hospital.
I glanced down at my watch to see I was running late to meet Amelia for lunch. We’d started having lunch together over at The Cooling Rack. Even though many doctors and nurses ate there, we’d found a booth in the back that was away from prying eyes. We’d only started doing this since we’d slept together a couple of weeks ago. Until that time, we’d eaten in the cafeteria separately. We’d promised each other that we’d keep work life separate from our personal life, but we wanted to spend our time together when we were off the clock, so this was the best way.
“I don’t know, you seem….less cranky. Almost as if you’ve…dare I say it...”
“Connie…don’t start that,” I grumbled, not in the mood to put out rumors.
Connie was Eastport’s gossip column. You wanted to know something about anyone, all you needed to do was ask her. She also had a tendency to make up whatever she wanted about people, which often led to some very nasty rumors being spread around. That was last thing I needed or wanted was rumors to be spread around about my new relationship with Amelia, true or not.
“I’ve noticed you haven’t been eating in the cafeteria…” she continued, as if I hadn’t said a word.
“What are you, my keeper? I’ve been taking lunch at odd hours the past couple of weeks.” I shrugged. “Patient load has been heavier than normal.”
Connie gave me with curious look. It was a completely viable answer, and one that someone couldn’t dispute.
“Is that okay with you?” I questioned, my tone taking on more of its usual sound. Connie said nothing. She turned her head and stared straight ahead. “That’s what I thought,” I murmured just as the elevator doors opened.
The moment she’d stepped out of the elevator, I hit the close button and pressed the button for the main floor.
Amelia was sitting in our usual spot when I arrived. She glanced up from the article she was reading in the paper and smiled.
“I didn’t think you were coming.”
“And miss lunch with you? Never,” I said, sitting across from her. “Did you order?”
“Yep, I got you the burger. Is that okay?”
“Sounds great,” I said, letting out a breath as I slid into the seat across from her.
She studied me with a curious look. “What’s going on?”
“What?” I asked. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t tell me not to worry about it. You look angry.”
I reached out and took her hand in mine. I didn’t want to spend our time together talking about Connie and her questions. I wanted to spend it with Amelia, laughing and talking about our plans for the upcoming weekend.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Now, I was thinking about this weekend, the family holiday party…what time should we pick you up?”
Amelia looked at me with worry in her eyes.
“You are planning on joining the kids and I, aren’t you?”
She swallowed hard and gently shook her head no. “I don’t think so, . I’m worried that people will talk if we arrive together.”
“The kids will be crushed,” I said, my voice low enough, so no one overheard.
She looked at me with concern. “, I gave it some thought. We promised not to mix work with our personal life. I feel that if we attend together, that is what we will be doing.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. I know what we said, but the kids are looking forward to it. Claire was so excited when I told her you were joining us.”
“I know, and to be honest, I probably should have given it more thought when you asked, instead of just agreeing to go. We both agreed to keep our situation under wraps at work.”
I studied her. I could tell there was something she wasn’t telling me. I suddenly wondered if perhaps Connie had questioned her as well yesterday when she’d picked up the extra shift in the emergency.
“We did, but there is nothing saying you didn’t need a lift. Besides, what would be wrong with us inviting you to join us for the day? You do work for me, after all.”
Amelia let out a sigh, but I could still see something was bothering her, but I didn’t want to press her into telling me. I wanted her to talk to me when she was comfortable.
“I’ll come by the house around four,” she said, just as our lunch arrived.
I stood outside Santa’s Workshop with Amelia, waiting for Claire and Tommy to visit Santa. We’d shared a wonderful afternoon together, laughing, doing crafts with the kids, and singing songs. I could tell both the kids loved Amelia. They’d started coming around more once they caught us kissing one night in the kitchen before dinner. That had taken some explaining, but thankfully, I’d handled it well.
I was afraid of their questions. There was no doubt about it. They’d never seen me with another woman; they’d barely seen me with their mother. However, I remained calm and answered them. It seemed easier when I followed my heart for the answers instead of my head.
“I’m going to use the washroom,” Amelia whispered.
“No problem. I’m sure we will be here.” I winked.
I wanted to lean over and kiss her before she left my side, but I stopped myself, remembering where we were.
I took pictures of both the kids when it was their turn to speak with Santa and waited while they were both given their special present from Santa himself. They both came running over to me with their wrapped gifts, begging me to open them.
“Well, I think we should wait for Amelia, don’t you think?” I questioned, glancing down at my watch, wondering where she could be. She’d been gone for over a half hour. “Perhaps we will save them for home.”
“I guess,” Claire said.
“What about you, Tommy?” I questioned, looking around the room for a sign of her.
“Fine,” he whined.
It was then I spotted Amelia. She came into the room, her eyes red, and immediately made her way over to us.
“What is it?” I questioned, concern filling me.
“Can we just go? Like right now,” she said, turning and making her way toward the door.
I glanced down at Claire and Tommy and ushered them both to the coat check, where I grabbed all our jackets and the three of us made our way toward the car.
Amelia was silent the entire drive back to my place. Almost the minute we were inside, I sent the kids upstairs to get ready for dinner and turned to find Amelia still standing at the door, her coat still on.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to head home. I’m not feeling very well.”
I studied her, knowing full well there was something wrong. I’d worked with her far too long and knew when she was sick. This wasn’t sick, she was upset. Hell, I was normally the cause of her anger, so I knew the difference.
“Amelia, if this is going to work between us, we have to be honest with one another.”
“, it’s nothing, really.”
She met my eyes. She was trying to be strong, but I could see the worry filling hers. Something had happened while she’d been in that bathroom. I studied her, almost not wanting to ask what I already knew.
“Did Connie…”
That was the only word she had to hear. She turned away from me to hide her eyes. Anger filled me. It was fine she’d tried getting to me, but I knew Amelia wouldn’t be able to fight her. It wasn’t in her nature.
“She confronted you?”
“I’ve got to go.” She sniffled, and without another word, she took off out the front door.