Page 4 of Playing Doctor

As the song played on, Beth tapped her fingers on the steering wheel in time with the music and stared out the windshield at the car in front of her. Could she lower her defenses long enough to indulge just once? Shrug off her insecurities and enjoy a man’s company, his touch, his body pressing into hers as he professed his need for her, for just one night?

The driver behind her blasted his horn, startling her out of her blue funk. She shot the car into gear, eased off the clutch, and turned into the early morning traffic. Thoughts of romance and one-night stands faded with the last notes of the song, and Beth channeled her thoughts to the day ahead, while a little voice taunted, what if…?

There’s a code in the bride’s chamber: what’s said there, stays there.

While the hairdresser worked on the bride’s hair, her entourage lounged in the sitting area of the spacious bedroom suite, sipping champagne and gossiping. The hot topic of the moment was one Dr. Gabriel North. Although she wasn’t actively listening to the conversation, a snippet here and a comment there managed to catch her ear as she moved about the room assisting Drew while he took pre-wedding shots. They certainly seemed to know quite a bit about the good doctor.

“…gave up a thriving practice as a pulmonologist after his wife died. Works in the ER now…”

“…blamed himself for Rita’s death.”

“What is a pulmonary embolus, anyway?”

“…no social life to speak of, except for his family and friends…”

“Isn’t he one of the groomsmen?”

“…so handsome, and did you see that gorgeous hair?” A collective sigh trailed this comment.

The hairdresser grinned at Beth as she wove a string of antique pearls through the bride’s upsweep. “I have to agree with them because between you and me, from the way the doc fills out his tux”—she made the oooo face—“I’m betting that gorgeous head of hair and cleft chin comes along with a rocking hot body. One I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on as well.”

Unsure of how to respond—she was feeling a touch of sympathy as well as a smidgen of curiosity about the doctor herself—Beth simply smiled and handed the hairdresser another pin.

After a final shot that captured the sister of the bride tenderly fingering the pearls in the bride’s hair, Drew motioned for Beth to follow him out of the room. As Beth headed to the door, one of the bridesmaids stood and smoothed out the skirt of her silver, curve-hugging gown.

“Well, the female population of Lexington is being sorely deprived of a prime example of the male species, and I think it’s high time someone set Gabe on the return path to the land of the living.” She made her way across the room, checked the fit of her gown in a trio of cheval mirrors, and then pouted at her reflection. “And if I wasn’t madly in love with my main man, I’d be tempted to hand him the map myself.”

Murmurs of agreement floated around the room, which incited another discussion on the best way to bring Dr. North to the dark side.

The redhead’s comments reminded Beth of Connie’s parting remarks at Cracker Barrel suggesting that she get on with her own personal life. Friends. What would we do without them?

“Mom?” Drew’s gentle prod turned Beth’s focus back to the present and with one last glance around the room to ensure no equipment was left behind, she followed him out of the suite.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of activity. More often than not, Beth had to jog to keep up with Drew as he dashed from one place to another in order to capture a unique shot. Her toes throbbed, a testament that a great-looking pair of shoes did not guarantee long-lasting comfort no matter the advertising on the box.

Now, with the wedding over and the reception in full swing, Beth’s current mission was to locate the bride and her maids and usher them to the next area for photos while Drew finished a long line of family shots. Several times now Beth had observed yet another wedding guest approach him, chat for a moment, and then take his business card. Her pride in him overrode the ache in her feet each time she watched him smile and shake hands with a prospective client.

---