Page 18 of Doctor Frost

“What time is your shift over?” I questioned.

“Why?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking. If it’s the same time mine ends, how about I go with you home?”

I stood there, my stomach in knots, waiting for his answer. He was quiet for so long, I figured I’d hear about this later today before I left the office. He probably thought I was trying to come on to him or something and would probably ask me to clean out my desk and not to return.

“Why would you offer to do that?” he asked. “We aren’t friends.”

I thought for a moment, unsure how to answer him. He needed someone, that much I knew. I knew I could be that someone for him, if he’d let me. He’d opened up once before.

“Dalton, we don’t have to be friends for me to help you and your family, but I’d like us to be.”

The elevator stopped, and the door opened. Dalton looked at me, then took off without another word. I would not chase him. In fact, I wouldn’t say another word about this ever again. It was the only time I was offering. I pressed the button for the eighth floor and took off back to the office.

I just filedthe last of the medical files away and grabbed my coat from the hook, then bent down and pulled my purse from the bottom drawer of the desk.

I’d been on edge ever since I’d returned from talking with Dalton in the elevator. He hadn’t said a word to me when he returned. We just went about our day as if nothing had happened.

I let out a sigh and went to shut the light off when my hand collided with another hand, causing me to jump.

“Sorry I didn’t see you there,” I heard a deep voice say and looked up to see Dalton standing there in his coat, his laptop bag flung over his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” I said, swallowing hard. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” I gave him a small smile.

He didn’t move, so I stepped out from behind the desk and made my way to the clinic door and was about to push it open when I heard him clear his throat behind me.

“Amelia?”

I glanced over my shoulder at him, not saying a word, just waiting for him to speak.

“I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry about this afternoon.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“It’s just that your offer took me by surprise, and I didn’t really know what to say. If your offer is still on the table, I’d like it if you would join us for dinner tonight.”

I could tell from the look on his face that it took a lot for him to apologize and to ask me to join them.

“I don’t know how to be with my kids today,” he whispered.

I stoodin Dalton’s kitchen ripping up lettuce for the Caesar salad while he stirred the pot that contained the pasta before moving to the one that held the sauce.

“Do you have any croutons?” I questioned.

“Yep, in the pantry,” he said. “Second or third shelf.”

We’d been here almost an hour, had said goodbye to Mrs. Jenkins, and hadn’t seen the kids once. The house was eerily quiet, almost unsettling.

“Would you like a little music?” I questioned, looking at the small radio on the counter.

Dalton looked at me, then at the radio, and swallowed hard, but said nothing.

It was almost like the man was allergic to anyone having a good time.

“If not, that’s okay,” I said, grabbing the bag of croutons from the pantry. “Just thought it would add a little magic in the air. After all, Christmas is coming. Might make the kids come out of their rooms and join us.”

“Go ahead,” he said.

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