Page 89 of Huge Dynamite
She wasn’t able to finish what she was going to say as three little boys—triplets, of all things—run up and hug her around her waist.
“Hi, guys!”
Damn, she is so good with kids. I get that warm, eager feeling in my gut—the one I’ve been having lately every time I see her with kids. But I’m sure as hell not going to push her. We’ll talk about it when she’s ready.
Laughing, she turns back to Julius. “Julius, you can also add that we’re working as fast as we can.”
“A-right, Dr. Holls. You’re the boss.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Whoa!” Nick comes walking in the front door with a grin on his face. “Those kids out there took all the lollipops. Any more?”
“Sure, I think so,” Holly answers. “In storage on the second floor. But, Nick, if they eat any more sugar, I’m going to need to open a dental clinic, and I can’t afford that. We’re maxed out as is.”
“Holly?” Her father walks out of Exam Room Three. “We have another case of strep. Seems to be the thing today.”
“We’re running low on amoxicillin.” She presses her fingers to her temples and rubs. “I’ll see what we can get.”
Her father nods. “I have another donation coming in later this week. Some golf buddies lost to me and owe me big.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Dr. Boling?” Rebecca looks up. “Your wife is on line two.”
“Thank you. I’m going to take this upstairs. Please tell her I’ll call her on my cell.”
“Doc?” Nick nods to her. “The crowd outside?”
“Um.” Thinking, she chews the corner of her bottom lip. “The bikes! Your motorcycles. Can you drive them around front, Nick, and let the kids sit on them? The ones that feel well enough. The ones that don’t—please tell them they can have a turn next week. Julius can help you. I know it was the thrill of my life—I’m sure they’ll love it, too.”
Julius claps his hands together. “Help with the bikes? Hell, yeah.”
“Come on, son.” Nick smiles. “Let me teach you a thing or two about the bikes. I just have to grab my keys from the back.”
Julius waits for Nick, and I smile as the three little boys surrounding Holly pull on her white coat. She doesn’t even flinch. As great as she is with all her patients, she’s even better with kids. She’d be a great mom. Just the thought of Holly running around with our kids kicks my desire and possessiveness into overdrive. I don’t think I can live one more minute without making this woman mine—completely.
“Hey,” I say to Trevor, one of the kids who is hanging on Holly. She’s perfectly still, reading over a chart. “Trevor. Do me a favor. Would you please tell Dr. Holly that I want a permanent job here?”
“Dr. Holly?” Trevor looks up at Holly and wipes his nose with the back of his hand. “Seth says he wants to work here.”
“Well, Trevor, could you please tell Seth that there are no permanent positions here? Everyone is a volunteer.” She finishes reading over her chart and tucks it under her arm.
“Ah, she’s talking about the job as her accountant. I’m talking about a permanent position as the man in her life.”
“Dr. Holly?” Trevor pulls on her coat again.
“I heard, Trevor. Thanks.” Holly makes eye contact with me while she speaks to him. “Would you please tell Seth that we both live upstairs together—what could be more permanent?” As she eyes me, her chest races up and down in time with her hurried breath.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Nick and Julius huddled in the corner talking. Suddenly, Julius takes off into the back room.
Trevor coughs and then looks up at Holly. “Seth, she says—”
“I heard, buddy, thanks. Would you please tell Dr. Holly that I’m talking about something lasting? Irreversible. Something that’s legal and binding.”
“What?” Trevor picks his nose, and his eyes grow wide.
But not as wide as hers. As she steps away from the child, Julius comes back with Dr. Boling in tow. They stand next to Nick. Glancing about the waiting room, I see that everyone has gathered around, watching and listening. Dr. Boling holds his cell phone up—I’m assuming so his wife can hear. People come in from the street and crowd into the reception area, leaving the door open so the people on the street can see.
