Page 6 of Deck the Fire Halls

He was my superior, but he loved me. He’d scowl at me, I’d grin at him, and he’d grumble but let me off. It was how we rolled.

“Just doing my civic duty and helping the good doctor.”

Chuck looked at what I was holding. “By nailing him?”

Doug told him to shut it, and I snorted as I went back across the street to the clinic. “Hello,” I called out as I opened the door. “It’s just me.”

He poked his head out of his office. “Oh, hey. You really... you really didn’t have to come back.”

“It’s no problem,” I said, grinning at him. “It’s a small-town thing. Helping out, it’s what we do.”

He opened his mouth and closed it again, blinking a few times. He had a flicker of emotions steal across his face that I wasn’t yet sure how to read. “Guess I need to get used to that.”

“If you plan on sticking around, then yeah.”

Was I fishing for information? Yep. Was I subtle? Absolutely not.

He nodded slowly. “I, uh... I’m not sure.” He looked around the clinic. “A year, maybe. Possibly two. I’m not sure if this is...” he trailed off with a shrug.

Damn. He looked so well put together, like a doctor should, I assumed. But he was... I wasn’t sure. Running from something?

“Not sure on Hartbridge?” I asked. “It’s a great little town if you give it a chance. People are real nice. It might take some getting used to if you’ve come from a big city and all.”

“It’s not the town,” he said quietly. He frowned, and taking in a deep breath, he shook off whatever thoughts he’d had and tried to smile. It was half-hearted, but maybe it was all he could afford right then. “And I’m actually looking forward to the slower pace. And the peace and quiet—” He smirked at me. “Actually, the peace and quiet would be great, except I have this new neighbor who has a really big motorcycle that he likes to start right by my bedroom window...”

I barked out a laugh. “So that was the reason you came out in your pride pajamas.” I grinned at him. “Were you gonna give me a piece of your mind?”

His cheeks went pink and he scoffed, his gaze looking anywhere but at me. “They’re not... those pajamas were...”

I grinned at him, making full eye contact. “Those pajamas were awesome. I already told you I liked them.”

Read into that what you will, doctor.

His eyes flashed with understanding, his cheeks flushing a darker pink.

Oh yeah. He read it right.

“So,” I hedged. “Did you move here alone?”

He balked at my bluntness.

I chuckled. “Sorry if that’s too straightforward. Well, too forward, I should say. Because straight isn’t something I am. If you get what I mean.”

He cleared his throat, that blush creeping down his neck. “I, uh... I understood the reference, thank you.”

He said nothing more.

Damn, he really was hot. In an older, silver fox kind of way. Not that he was silver... well, maybe there were a few flecks at his temples. His sandy colored hair hid it well.

Before it could get awkward, I held up the hammer. “Anyway. Where would you like the frame put?”

He swallowed hard and turned back to his office. “Uh, here, if that’s okay. You really don’t have to do this... I do appreciate it though.”

“It’s no bother, but I better not keep you. You’re about to have your first patients, and my boss is gonna be all out of the other kind if I’m not back soon.”

He looked a little confused.

“Patience,” I clarified. “He pretends to be grouchy but he’s really a big softie.”

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