Page 20 of A Cowboy's Claim
“Speed dating?” Sydney arched her brow. “Are you interested?”
Lexie shook her head firmly. “Right now I’d like to find out more about the clinic and what your priorities are. Your grandpa mentioned briefly that you do outreach in the community and that’s where you truly shine. If it’s true, I’m more than willing to focus on keeping the office moving smoothly.”
Which was good news.
While Sydney hadn’t liked the way her grandfather had simply up and hired someone new for the clinic, the longer she spoke with Lexie, the more she realized what a relief it would be to have extra help.
It wasn’t simply the time Sydney spent out of the office. The community of Heart Falls was growing, and a rising population meant a higher percentage of accidents, illnesses, and straight-up need for healthcare.
By the time Jenny arrived to organize her desk and set up for the first patients, Sydney felt good about Lexie being a part of the team.
Before they opened the doors, Sydney tugged Lexie aside. “Do you want to sit in with me as a physician, or would you prefer to be the physician with me as your shadow?”
“Let’s jump in with both feet,” Lexie said. “I’m comfortable, but it would be a good idea for you to stick around for the first few visits until the town knows I’m here and the patients aren’t wild with curiosity.”
“Word-of-mouth will get around pretty quickly, so we’ll have you on your own in no time,” Sydney promised.
True to her word, Lexie was more than competent. She was one of those doctors who was excellent at sensing when she needed to be a little bit of a kidder, and when she needed to be absolutely serious. Before noon, Sydney was introducing the patients to Lexie then leaving the room and letting her get on with the job.
It meant Sydney had time to catch up on backlogged paperwork and prescription refills.
Edison danced in out of the exam rooms as needed like usual, pausing during a break to lean in over Sydney’s shoulders as she entered the complicated coding into the Provincial data bank.
“I have no idea why your grandfather thought that woman needed any kind of practice.” Edison spoke quietly but with great enthusiasm. “I think we should admit we won the lottery and tell Lexie that she’s a full-time Heart Falls resident. No take-backs.”
“I had the same feeling,” Sydney admitted. Once again it appeared her grandfather couldn’t do anything the easy way. What on earth was he up to?
Although she wouldn’t devote too much energy to worrying about it when the results were so strongly tilted in her favor.
By the time the day was done, Sydney had done the equivalent of three days’ work, gotten compliments from some of the patients, and Lexie wore a bright, beaming smile.
The less positive sign of a great workday meant Sydney’s brain had time to refocus on the problems on the personal side of her life.
Declan wanted to date her.
She’d been around the man for a full year, enjoying his thoroughness in bed. She’d also appreciated the dreams he’d shared regarding High Water and his worries at times for his brothers. He didn’t up and spill all the beans like a tipped-over paint can, but he said enough that she very clearly knew what to expect.
Declan wasn’t about to give up on the idea, not yet. So if she wanted to have some relief from the temptation hanging in front of her, she’d have to take matters into her own hands and do something about his single status.
Phoning him was a smarter idea than texting. No time to consider his answers.
He picked up on the second ring, which was slightly shocking. “Hey, Syd. Everything okay?”
“Everything’s great. Just wanted to know if you had any plans for tonight.”
He hesitated. “Not really.”
“Because I was thinking about you and how you said you were ready to get back into the dating scene. They’ve organized speed dating at Rough Cut tonight. I thought it’d be a great opportunity for you to test the water.”
Dead silence on the other end of the line.
“Declan?”
“Sorry. Got distracted there for a minute. One of our new guests has obviously never been anywhere outside of a city before. He’s carrying a saddle on his head.”
Now Sydney was the one distracted, trying to picture it. “Wouldn’t that hurt?”
“Probably. I’d better go rescue him, but sure. I’ll join you tonight at the speed dating. Do you want me to pick you up so we can go and register at the same time? That’s probably the best for me. I know you’re done at the clinic by five, so what time does the dating start?”
