Page 2 of Pining for Pierce

“I’ve left plenty of food in the refrigerator.”

“I know. You told me twice already.”

“And if you have any problems, you can always ask Pierce what to do. I know he’ll be busy minding the store for us, but he’ll help you.”

“I’m sure he will.”

She smiles, and I wonder how she can have forgotten I spent four years at college, miles away from her, or Pierce, fending for myself, without anyone needing to stock up my refrigerator, or remind me to set the alarm… not that I had one.

I mean… what does she think is going to happen in the next four weeks?

Nothing I can’t cope with, that’s for sure.

Dad sets off down the driveway, both of them waving out the windows, and I heave a sigh of relief as I wave back, before going inside the house. I’ve got another thirty minutes before I have to leave for work, and as it’s Friday, I know it’ll be busy. Fridays always are, but today will be worse than usual because Doctor Singleton won’t be in. There are some people in the town who might say that’s a good thing. He’s a lot less popular than Doctor Dodds – especially with the younger generation of patients – and I can see why. Doctor Singleton is very set in his ways, and speaks his mind too freely sometimes, regardless of who he insults. However, his absence means we’re boundto be rushed off our feet, and Doctor Dodds will probably be impatient. He’s normally even-tempered, but when he gets busy and stressed, he can snap, just a little… and although he usually apologizes afterwards, I’m not sure I’m in the mood. I’ve had too much stress to deal with over the last few days, with my parents getting ready to go away.

What I need is some peace and quiet, although I know I won’t get that today, and I sit up at the island unit in the kitchen and finish my coffee, before loading my cup into the dishwasher. Mom insisted on clearing everything else away before she left, even as I was still trying to finish my toast, while protesting that I was perfectly capable of putting the breakfast things into the dishwasher. That thought makes me smile, and I stand for a moment, just enjoying the silence, and then let out a giggle as I head for the refrigerator and open the door. As predicted, it’s loaded with food, and I quickly study what’s inside and decide I’ll make myself a stir-fry tonight. It’ll be quick, and after a day like today looks set to be, I think I’ll need that.

The drive from Willmont Vale to Hart’s Creek only takes around ten minutes, and I park my red Honda outside the doctor’s office, which overlooks Hart’s Green. To get there, I have to turn down Beech Road, going behind the sheriff’s office and the public library to get to the small parking lot. Fortunately, it’s deserted, although I know Doctor Dodds will be here. He walks from his home in Cedar Street, but I know he’s here because the door is open, and as I step inside, I can hear him humming.

“Good morning,” I call out, stashing my purse in the bottom drawer of my desk, and quickly scanning the reception area to make sure everything is as it should be.

“Morning, Harley. How are you?”

“I’m fine,” I say, going into his office, and smiling across at him. He’s sitting at his desk, studying his computer, although he looks up at me, his dark eyes twinkling slightly as he returns my smile. I’ve never known his exact age, but I imagine him to be in his early-thirties, dressed in his usual attire of a button down shirt, over gray pants. He hasn’t yet put on his white coat, but I know he’ll do that soon, and he pushes his fingers back through his almost-black hair and tilts his head to one side.

“I don’t suppose you’re making coffee, are you?” he says, raising his eyebrows, hopefully.

“I might be.”

“In that case, I’d love one.”

I roll my eyes. “I suppose… just this once.”

He chuckles, because he knows just as well as I do, that making the coffee falls to me more than anyone in this place… and that I don’t mind in the slightest.

The lunch room is at the end of a corridor, off of which are the restrooms, and once in there, it takes no more than a few minutes to fix us two coffees, which I bring back with me, depositing mine on my desk, and taking his in to him.

“Thanks,” he says as I put it down. “You’re a lifesaver. I have a feeling today is gonna be hell.”

“Me too.”

He sips his coffee. “Have you got any plans for the weekend?” he asks, making conversation.

“My parents have just gone away, so I’m gonna make the most of having the house to myself tomorrow, and then on Sunday, I’m meeting Pierce.”

“Is that your boyfriend?”

I feel a pang of regret as I shake my head. “No. He works for my parents, and he’s an old friend of my brother’s.”

Doctor Dodds smiles and says, “So he’s holding the fort at the antiques store?”

“For the next four weeks, yes.”

“And you’re seeing him on Sunday to check up on him?”

“No. We often go out together… as friends.”

He nods his head. “I see,” he says, like he can tell I’d like there to be more to it than that.

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