Page 64 of Dr. Alaska
With his back to her, he wandered across the great room near the windows, gesturing with one hand. His untucked flannel shirt covered dark utility pants.
Before she could hear what he was saying, her phone that had been tossed on the bedside table rang. She dove for it, not wanting to disturb him or a snoring Kenai.
“Hello?”
“Dr. Tipton?” A woman’s warm voice reached her.
“Yes.”
“Hi, this is Kayla from TempHealth, hoping to touch base with you on my text and email regarding that Utah assignment. Did you get a chance to look things over?”
The pertinent parts, like how much she would make there. She glanced toward the door as a knot formed in her stomach. “I, um, need to give it a little more thought. Isn’t that a mean thing to do to the folks here? Removing me from this assignment?”
“It’s not ideal, but it happens on occasion.”
“Couldn’t I pick up the new job after finishing up here?”
“No, they’re interviewing multiple candidates and will make a decision in the next week.”
“Week?” Sweat cooled on her forehead. Her grip on the phone became slippery.
“Thisisone of the most lucrative contracts I’ve seen in my ten years of family medicine locums recruiting. Never say never, but I don’t believe you’ll see another offer close to this anytime soon.”
Lee stalled by asking questions. “I’d still be doing the full scope family medicine and obstetrics I’m practicing now?”
“Yes. Including low-volume ER work.”
“In a warmer climate closer to amenities like shopping?” Stupid question. Until she had a financial buffer, Lee was done shopping for anything other than groceries and necessary items.
“Yes. Much warmer than where you are.”
“And they want to pay me double the amount?”
“Exactly.”
Her body shook. How could she make this decision?
How could she not?
“More money? Are you sure?”
“Twice as much.”
Damn it. She knew what the balance was in her bank account. She knew her debt load. She knew what double her current income meant.
She also knew… other things that weren’t financial.
“When do you need my answer?”
“By next Monday at the very latest. Sooner is better.”
“All right, you’ll have it by then.” With shaking hands, she ended the call.
And looked toward the doorway.
Where a tall, handsome, unhappy Alaskan guy stood.
“How much did you hear?” she asked.
