Page 25 of Paging Dr. Breakup
“Will he have a limp or sensation issues?”
“Initially, probably. But physical therapy should help him recover. How much, we don’t know. It’ll take time to see how he does.”
“Well, at least he’s in good hands for the best chance of recovery.” Pocketing the keys, she turned to him. “Um. So.”
He tugged her away from the entrance and waved at no less than three neighbors peeking out their windows or front doors. In the twilight, silhouettes were clear with lamplight behind them. “Let’s do this right.” He drew her hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss over her knuckles.
Deirdre giggled.
What the heck? Giggled? She hadn’t giggled since…
A prick of pain to her chest came and went.
Far too long.
It was long past time for more giggling.
He held out his arm, and Deirdre looped her hand in the crook of his elbow. Such a simple act, but it came with a flood of emotions that she was not prepared to explore.
Dinner with a friend.
A little show for folks in town so they’d let up on the matchmaking efforts.
Curiosity appeased. Gossip fodder controlled and directed. Social pressure removed.
Everyone would win.
He handed her into the car, and they drove three minutes to the local diner, eventually sitting at a table by the window. Not Deirdre’s choice of location.
“Maximum exposure,” Calvin explained.
“Because everyone craning their necks in here won’t give us exposure enough?”
Deirdre waved at Gordy Wright, who was having dinner with his parents. His big lopsided grin and jerky wave spoke to the developmental delays and physical challenges he’d had growing up. The whole town knew and loved Gordy. His younger sister, Louise, one of the town’s EMT’s, wasn’t with the family this evening.
“Hey, Gordy,” Calvin called out, and the young man gave a yelping laugh, extra loud in the diner. No one seemed to be bothered. “You staying out of trouble?”
Gordy shook his head and made a choppyno waysign. With smiles and murmurs, his parents drew him back to his dinner.
Calvin turned to Deirdre. “Good to know some things haven’t changed even after all these years.” He lowered his voice and leaned forward. “Although Mom was saying that he’s slowed down a bit.”
Deirdre nodded. “Still going like the Energizer bunny. Gordy’s an institution. Always has been. As soon as the weather gets better, he’ll have his safety jacket for his daily rounds walking around town, checking in at every store and stopping by the hospital for a lap or two inside. Seems like he conveniently ends up at the hospital right at lunch time. And just as conveniently, Chef Luka has a sandwich cut up into small pieces, ready to go.”
Calvin chuckled until the waitress arrived to take their orders. Leaning back in the seat, he crossed his arms and exhaled. “Mom’s cooking is great, and my frozen meals in the hospital’s rental are fine, but a meal out at the Yukon Diner is a treat.”
“I’ll say.”
“Do you get out much?”
Her face warmed. “Too busy with the hospital and the lodge. There’s always something going on, it seems.”
“You haven’t had another reason to go out for a nice meal?”
“Are you prying?”
“I mean, wearefake-dating. We should get to know each other better.”
“Seriously. We know each other too well.” Which might be the problem. Deirdre toyed with her water, her thumb encouraging a drop of water to slide down the side of the glass. “Things have been different since… Elijah passed away. You know?”
