Page 6 of Hard Hat Hottie

Still depressed at the lackluster coffee I brewed this morning, I decide to give myself a little incentive of my own. If I can manage to get my to-do list tackled quickly enough, maybe I can stop by the Gingerbread Man bakery and get a coffee and scone to take to work.

Now, that’s a man I can count on.

As I drive to Candy Cane Key Medical Center, I take a sip of hot coffee from the to-go cup decorated in gingerbread men and moan as the rich aroma wafts toward my face. This is a far cry from that bitter batch from this morning. I’m bringing the rest of that bag to work. Most of the folks in the ER aren’t picky about what the coffee tastes like, especially if they’re working the night shift. Any caffeine they can get their hands on is usually acceptable.

Placing the cup down, I decide to call Stewart before I park and make the grueling trek from the temporary staff parking. It’s so hot it’s almost difficult to carry on a conversation while walking. The very thought of dragging my overstuffed tote bag in this stifling heat, almost twice the distance it normally takes, has me sweating before I’ve left the car. I should start coming to work in a bikini and change once I’m inside. My clothes are practically drenched before I even clock in. I understand we need to be flexible, given the expansion going on at the hospital, but this is absurd.Is this honestly the best administration can do?

“Hello?”

“Hey, babe. I’m working the evening shift tonight. But the kids are with their dads. You want to get a late cocktail or meet at your place after I’m off?” He’s only met Sadie once before, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if he came along. Particularly if he’s buying.

“Aww man, Harlow, my sister just called. She’s in Florida for the week, but only in the Keys for the weekend. I’m letting her crash here tonight. Can we hook up tomorrow?”

I fling my heavy bag over my shoulder and lock my car before turning in the direction of the hospital, a wash of disappointment pulling me under like a riptide. It feels like weeks since we’ve had any quality time alone. And by quality time, I mean the horizontal tango, of course. “Sure. That might work. Just text me tomorrow whether you want to meet somewhere for a late drink or if I should just head to your place.”

“I will. See you then, beautiful.”

Tucking my phone into my back pocket, my frustration at Stew’s sister’s untimely visit quickly dissipates as I take two steps and come to an abrupt halt. I practically reach up to rub my eyes to verify what I’m seeing is real as a small white shuttle bus approaches.

Am I hallucinating?

Plus, there’s new signage posted at the front of the temporary lot that wasn’t here the last shift I worked.

Candy Cane Staff Parking Shuttle Stop

Runs every fifteen minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.,

every thirty minutes from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Wow. It’s a Christmas miracle.I giggle. Okay, everything good that happens in Candy Cane Key we refer to as a Christmas miracle. And this definitely qualifies. Several people ahead of me take the three steps up the shuttle bus to find their seats. Just as I reach the entrance, I notice a small sign to the left of the folding doors that reads:

Courtesy of Hightower Construction

Well, fa la la la la!

CHAPTER THREE

HARLOW

I plop down in an empty seat and look up to see Shay coming in my direction with a huge grin on her face. She’s worked with me at the hospital for years. While I’m permanently located in the emergency room, Shay floats to any department that needs her. So when she’s working with me in the ER, it’s a real treat.

“What a great surprise, huh? And it’s air conditioned.” She beams.

“I know. I still haven’t recovered from the shock,” I reply, settling in for the unexpected ride as if we’ve been given limo service instead of an old school bus touched up for the sole purpose of getting employees on the job quicker.

I tap my lip with my fingertip, reflecting on the sign at the entrance to the small bus.Courtesy of Hightower Construction. Figures. It wasn’t the hospital administration thinking about us at all. It was likely the construction company. Working all day under the harsh Floridian sun, I’m certain their crew appreciates this small bit of generosity better than anyone. They’ve probably set this up for their other clients too, as a selling feature to gain new building contracts in the area. Well, whatever their motivation, they’re to be commended. It’s nice to see the hospital doing business with a company that cares.

The bus feels as if it’s barely picked up speed before it’s slowing down to let us off. The distance from the shuttle stop to the ER doors seems much shorter when you’re cool and comfortable.

“I almost want to ask the bus driver if he’ll make another loop before we have to get off.” Shay laughs as she stands from her seat.

Everyone gathers their belongings and exits the bus single file like a row of kindergarteners on their way to their first day of school. There’s a low hum of appreciation at our good fortune as we all head to our final destination. Once I step down, I’m surprised to find the driver hasn’t let us off at the front entrance, but across the street. Heck, I’m not complaining, just disoriented for a second. There’s probably a rule against blocking the flow of traffic.

Shielding my eyes, I instinctively peer up into the overpowering rays of the sun to see the rugged, hard hat hottie positioned on a platform a floor above me. As expected, he’s staring down at me with a toothy grin, his bronze skin glistening in the summer heat.

“He’s so freakin’ hot.” Shay moans beside me.

“Yeah.” I’m practically drooling at the sight. “Do you think if we accidentally broke something inside, they’d let him come in and fix it?”

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