Page 6 of Doctor Frost

“Huh?”

“He was the one who told Sawyer to call you. Said he wanted to work with one of the best nurses in the hospital. I just thought it must be nice to be thought of that way. I’ll have to put that in your file.”

I could have fainted right on the spot. Dalton had spoken about me that way? There was no way in hell he actually said those words after the way I’d spoken to him.

“What’s your secret? It would be nice if some of the other nurses were looked upon that way with the other doctors.”

I swallowed hard and smiled, trying to come up with something other than to tell your boss off because that was what I’d done, and it had somehow earned me respect. It wasn’t an appropriate answer to tell your direct boss though.

I swallowed hard. “Ah, just tell them to be a good team player. It took a long while to get noticed,” I said, smiling. “I’mgonna grab some food. See you soon.” I needed to get out of there before I did faint.

Dalton

“Dalton, welcome home,”Mrs. Jenkins said as I walked through the door. Christmas music played, and the smell of dinner caused my stomach to grumble.

She began shoving the kids’ shoes into the closet, then made her way into the living room tidying up where Tommy had clearly been playing with some toys after school.

“Good evening, Betty. How are you and the kids?” I questioned, hanging my coat in the closet, then taking off my shoes.

“Oh, I’m good and, of course, they’re fine. Claire is doing her homework in the kitchen, and Tommy is upstairs working on his project. Neither of them wanted to eat their vegetables tonight. Apparently, Tommy no longer likes carrots and Claire no longer wants to eat corn, but that is how it goes.”

Mrs. Jenkins had worked for us since Claire was born. When Kenzie passed, she stepped up and began working for us full time, helping me raise the kids and allowing me to continue my practice. She was part of the family.

I smiled. “That figures, last week, that was all they wanted.” I chuckled as I placed my laptop bag down on the floor inside the doorway.

“How was your day at the hospital?”

“Hectic. Sorry I couldn’t make it back in time for dinner, which smells delicious, by the way.” I glanced at my watch, cringing. “Again, I’m sorry. I know you like to be home with your son by now.”

“Dalton, it’s nothing to worry about. After all these years, I know things get out of control at the hospital.”

She continued to run around, picking up the toys Tommy had left, and then was about to head on down the hall toward the kitchen when I stopped her.

“Betty, you’ve done enough for today,” I said.

“Nonsense. I was just going to plate your dinner, throw in a load of laundry, and do the dishes. Then I’ll be on my way.”

“No. I’ve kept you long enough today. You head on home. I can take care of those things. Plus, I know your son isn’t here all the time and that you want to spend some time with your own grandkids.”

“I know, but you and your children need me, too.”

“I know. In all seriousness, you go. I’ll drop the kids off at school in the morning and we will see you tomorrow night.” I smiled.

“You’re sure?” she asked, looking around at the mess that was still left to clean up. “There is still a lot to do.”

“I’m positive.” I smiled.

I waited at the door and helped her with her coat and then wished her a good night. Once I knew she was in her car and had backed out of the driveway, I made my way down to the kitchen, where I found Claire sitting at the table, agonizing over her homework.

“Hey there, sweetheart. How was school?” I questioned, plating up my dinner from the leftovers in the pan on the stove, popping it into the microwave to reheat it.

“Fine,” she muttered.

“Only fine?” I chuckled.

I watched as she stared at her notebook, chewing on the end of her pencil like she was working on the hardest question in the world.

“What is it?” I questioned, just as the microwave beeped. “Do you need some help?”

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