Page 49 of Matteo

“She’s sleeping, sir. I only answered because I saw it was you and didn’t want you to worry or anything. Both Layla and Amy are taking naps.”

Relief hits me so strongly I’m glad I’m sitting at my desk. “How did they do today? Was Layla teething? Did Amy work too hard?”

“Layla did love the frozen baby washcloth, which is a very good trick. She didn’t seem to be in real pain or anything. We did some walking, with me holding her hands. Amy was cleaning a bedroom, I believe. I gave Layla a bottle when she got a little cranky, and I could tell she needed a nap. She sucked it down. After a burp session, she was out like a light. I put her down in her crib. I’m not sure if Amy worked too hard, but she clearly needed a nap as well. I urged her to take one after we ate a late lunch.” Nancy summarizes.

“Good, thank you. I’m still planning on leaving at three. The dealership delivered my vehicle already. I was able to make an appointment online for the tax office. Hopefully, it will all go smoothly, and we’ll be home no later than five.”

“No worries, sir. I’m in no rush to get home.”

A brief knock on my open office door brings my eyes up to find Cleo in the doorway. “Thank you. I need to go.”

The issue is a delay of delivery for the antibiotics that still haven’t arrived. We’re now running low on the penicillin shot. Damn it.

Matteo

After placing a new order with a competitor of the antibiotic supplier, we’ll receive the shipment in two days—in a bid to become our new supplier. I give the okay for our team to write for a different antibiotic that’s stronger than what we’re running low on since we have a good stock of it in our pharmacy.

I stuff the remaining time-sensitive paperwork into my briefcase to work on at home. I scan the remaining paperwork and calculate it will take another two or three days at least. All this paperwork means I can’t see patients. I need more staff.

It doesn’t matter how well-paid my people are. I was the one who was content to work fifty hours a week—not them. Even with hiring someone on call, after me being out of the office for less than a week, everyone is nearing their stress point. As the person running this, it is unacceptable for me to let them get stressed out.

With that thought in mind, the last thing I do before leaving is hire another doctor to ease the workload. Bonita Gutierrez is new to Dallas from Houston after a divorce and is looking for a more balanced day than joining a practice. She needs a few days to establish care for her children and can start Monday.

Before I leave for the day, I send an email to let the other staff know. Cleo, I inform in person.

“Do me a favor and close my door. Have a seat.”

Her eyebrows go up as she does. “What’s up?”

“I hired another doctor who will take my place seeing patients. She starts on Monday. I’m going to be a backup only. The on-call I hired will need to be scheduled until then.”

Cleo’s smile is knowing. “Thank goodness. You had me worried about you. The miracles a good woman can perform. Who is she? Did your mother finally get her way?”

I shake my head. It still bothers me that I met her because she was a patient.

Head tilting to the side, she studies me. “It’s the pretty woman with the baby.”

My chest twists, wondering if she’ll report my ass to the board—the way she should.

“Hey, I’m not going to say a word. You are one of the straightest arrows I’ve ever met. We can’t control love. It’s going to happen—or not—and we either deal with it or hurt ourselves trying to fight it.”

The words flow out of me. “I didn’t intend for it to happen. I’m aware it’s wrong. But I couldn’t….” I shake my head. “There are some issues, though. So, I’m taking it slow. For now, Amy is my housekeeper. Once she’s stronger, I will let her know how I feel.”

“Well, I’m happy for you both. It wasn’t healthy the way you were working. You have done amazing things with this clinic. The community is grateful as hell. There’s nothing wrong with leaving the patients to others and focusing on the running of the place. It’s just as important as seeing patients.” She assures me.

Hearing her say it allows me to exhale. Even though I told myself that there was nothing wrong with stepping back on seeing patients, a small part of me wondered if it was just me rationalizing things to allow me not to feel guilty. Cleo is a straight shooter who says exactly what she thinks without pulling punches.

I stand. “Thanks, and on that note, I need to leave to get home.”

“You have a good night.”

Opening the door, I find Amy and Layla on the floor, playing on the blanket spread out. Nancy is making a cup of tea.

Layla cries out happily, “Dada.”

The same way it did this morning—it absolutely wrecks me in the best fucking way possible. I don’t miss the way Amy’s beautiful face lights up when she sees me, then falls when Layla says it and reaches for me.

“Hi, how are you feeling?” I swing Layla into my arms. She’s happy and hugs me tight.

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