The Doctor Who Made Her Love Again

“Yes. I’ll take care of the paperwork right away and let the E.R. know they’re on their way.”

“Thank you, China.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

“You don’t have to speak to me like I’m a drill sergeant. Yes, is fine.”

“I was taught to say ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘No, sir.’ My parents told me it was a sign of respect.”

He nodded. “I appreciate that. But it makes me sound old and rigid.”

“I’m sorry. It’s sort of ingrained in me. I’ll make an effort not to, but I can’t promise it won’t slip out.”

“Where I come from, ‘Yes’ suffices.”

Maybe the reason he rubbed her up the wrong way was because they were from such different parts of the country. “I’ll try,” she said, heading down the hall and mumbling, “sir.”

“I heard that.”

She grinned. There was something about Payton that brought out the devil in her, as her father would have said. She so rarely let that happen but it felt good when she did.

Robin and Doris left for the day, with Robin once again promising she’d be back at closing time. Payton pulled his keys out of his pocket and jingled them. “They’re here, waiting for you.”

The patient flow increased then eased around dinnertime, which gave China a chance to catch up on some charting and clean out a supply cabinet that sorely needed it. At five Jean had to run out for a few minutes on an errand. As China worked she could hear the soft rumble of Payton’s voice as he dictated in the office.

She was standing on a small metal stool on tiptoe, stretching to reach a box of alcohol wipes that had been pushed to the back of the shelf, when Payton said, “China, do you—?”

China jerked back, her foot slipping off the stool, and she fell backwards. Strong arms caught her around the waist and set her safely on her feet.

Shaking, she quickly moved out of his hold. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t mean to. You aren’t hurt, are you?”

“No, I’m fine,” she muttered.

“Good.”

He sounded indifferent and she was still recovering from his touch. “Is there something you need?”

“Wanted to know if there’s more printer paper somewhere.”

“Yes. Jean keeps it stored in her office. I’ll get it.”

“Just tell me where it is and I can find it.”

“I don’t mind.” China headed into Jean’s office.

“Do you always have to be the one who helps?” His voice had a tone of exasperation. “I’ve noticed you’re the first to say you’ll do it.”

She turned and placed her hands on her hips. He really was far too critical. “You gained all that knowledge from just knowing me a few days?”

“Yes. It’s okay to let people manage for themselves.”

“I do. But it is also nice to help when people need it. And while we’re at it, do you feel the need to tell everyone how to live or am I just special?”

He raised a brow, which gave him a perplexed look. “What’re you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you complaining about my eating habits, my speech and now my behavior. Is that something that people from the North feel compelled to do?”

“I’m a Midwesterner.”

“Whatever you are, we’re here in the Deep South and we consider it poor manners to criticize others, at least to their faces.” She’d lived on an unraveling rope most of her life where disapproval was concerned and she didn’t want to come to work every day thinking it would be there also. She turned and stalked into Jean’s office. With a clap of the cabinet door closing, she returned and thrust a ream of paper into his chest.

Payton gave her a bemused look that upped her anger a notch.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be doing another thing for you outside what’s required as a nurse.” Having no place to go, she hurried down the hall and out the back door into the humid evening air.

What was wrong with her? The man made her mad enough to punch something. Of all the nerve!

Payton wasn’t sure what had just happened but he’d give China this—she had passion. He’d seen her aggravated at him at the donut shop, had recognized her being impressed with his skills with a patient, had seen her apologetic over her grocery cart contents but he’d never have guessed at the depth of passion that was bottled inside her.

He had just been teasing her when the conversation had started but she’d taken it and run. He’d hit a nerve somewhere and she’d exploded. That would be an understatement. He didn’t think TNT came in smaller or more combustible packages. Did that translate into any other areas of her life? The bedroom perhaps?

Payton huffed. He’d gone far too long without a woman to be thinking like that. Janice had left him and then he’d been so sick. China didn’t even like him. She’d more than made that clear.

He’d returned to his office when the door from the outside opened and closed. Seconds later the water ran in the small kitchen sink. After a while China passed his door, carrying a water can, and was headed for the front of the building. He’d noticed her the other day caring for the large, lush ferns on the front porch and the tropical plant in the waiting room. She even took care of the plants.

Being cared for was something he wanted nothing of. He was determined not to make dependency a crutch in his life, become a burden. That was part of the reason he’d moved to Golden Shores.

He and China finished the rest of the evening in the professional politeness of “Yes, sir” and “No, sir” on China’s part. Instead of the “sir” being an address of respect, it grated on Payton’s nerves. It didn’t have the ring of sincerity to it that it had once had.

He ushered his last patient out and found China talking and laughing with Jean and Robin.

“I’m ready when you are, Payton,” Robin cooed.

Payton almost groaned. He may have done the wrong thing by asking Robin out on a ride. He’d have to make it clear this was a friendly trip. China excused herself, saying she had to clean the exam room before she left.

Fifteen minutes later China was coming out of the back door as he and Robin drove away. She called China’s name and waved from his open convertible. He didn’t miss China’s weak smile and half-lifted hand in response.

For the next week they circled each other in polite indifference. It did help that they each had a different day off. On the day they both returned and were assigned the morning schedule together, China gave him a civil smile and went about her job with her usual competence.

Just about closing time Luke popped his head into Payton’s office. “Hey, Payton, we’re all going out to celebrate Jean’s birthday tonight. She wants to do karaoke at Ricky’s. Want to join us?”

If he had been in Chicago he wouldn’t have been caught dead in a karaoke bar. His mom and father, his sister even, would’ve been worried that his picture might show up in the society column of the paper. Somehow at this point in his life karaoke sounded like the perfect form of entertainment. Plus he needed something more to do with his time. The people he worked with seemed like a good place to start cultivating friendships.

“Thanks. That sounds … interesting.”

“Seven o’clock at Ricky’s. You know where it is?”