Page 25 of Love Me Sweet

“I believe we can manage that order.” Cole smiled at his new employee. “Would you like to make them?”

The girl hesitated momentarily then nodded.

“Just remember.” Sensing Amber’s uncertainty, Sylvie spoke in an encouraging tone. “Practice really does make perfect.”

Amber stepped to the cappuccino machine, squared her shoulders and began to work the controls. She glanced back for a second and Sylvie shot her a wink.

When Sylvie refocused on the men she found Cole and Andrew talking sports with an ease that surprised her. “Do you know each other?”

“I wandered in here a couple of days ago.” Andrew glanced around the shop, his gaze lingering on the yellow stars plastered on the shop’s windows. “I asked Cole about the interesting decor.”

Sylvie had noticed the bright yellow cut-outs, but hadn’t really paid attention to them. She stepped close for a better look. Each star contained the name of a person and ‘Peoples Health Center.’

Obviously sensing her puzzlement, Cole moved to the window and plucked one of the stars. “This name represents an individual who contributed to the clinic that will serve the medically indigent in the area,” Cole explained.

“Is that the building out on the highway?” Sylvie drove by the square, one-story building with the stone façade often. The place had been under construction since she’d arrived in Jackson Hole. “I noticed it now has a big Grand Opening sign out front.”

“The Grand Opening is this Saturday. There will be tours and Hill of Beans will have a beverage cart in the parking lot offering free lattes and cappuccinos.” A satisfied smile lifted Cole’s lips. “A lot of people in Jackson Hole have worked long and hard to make this clinic a reality.”

“You said something the other day about a Dr. McGregor being instrumental,” Andrew prompted.

“Mitzi McGregor is an orthopedic surgeon here in Jackson. She and her husband have been pushing for this for a while now.” Cole glanced at Sylvie. “When one grows up in poverty, you understand the challenges kids and adults face in obtaining even the most basic health care.”

Before more could be said, Amber returned with two ‘go’ cups. “I hope you like them.”

“I’m sure we will.” Impulsively, Sylvie placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I’m going to have you make all my drinks in the future.”

Amber flushed but Sylvie saw the words had pleased the girl.

She picked up her drink.

“If you end up running short of doctors to staff the clinic, I can function as locum tenens while I’m here and see patients,” Andrew told Cole.

Though Cole appeared to understand what that meant, Sylvie didn’t have a clue. She waited until she and Andrew had stepped outside to ask him. “What does locum tenens mean?”

He took her arm. “Let’s go for a walk and I’ll tell you.”

As Hill of Beans was her final stop of the morning, there wasn’t anywhere Sylvie needed to be.

“I have a license to practice medicine in Massachusetts.” Andrew said as they strolled down the sidewalk. Because of the early hour, most of the businesses were still closed. “I won’t be here long enough to apply for and receive a Wyoming license. Locum tenens is a way for doctors to temporarily fill in for another doctor who is unavailable, usually because of illness or vacation.”

It sounded complicated to Sylvie. But as he continued to explain, she realized none of this got to the heart of what she really wanted to know. “You’re here on a type of vacation. Why do you want to work?”

When his footsteps slowed, she glanced around and realized they’d reached the downtown district edged into residential where here lawns were like carpets of green and brightly colored flowers bloomed in hanging planters from porches and around trees.

Andrew paused in front of a black fence with ornate scrollwork that led into a small neighborhood park. “This looks like a good place to rest.”

Sylvie had noticed the park before but had never been inside. There was a small play area for children boasting an old-fashioned merry-go-round, a metal slide and some rocking animals on springs.

There was also a swing set with u-shaped seats, wrought iron benches and bushes sculpted in the shapes of various animals.

Ignoring the benches, Sylvie headed for the swings and took a seat. After a momentary hesitation, Andrew commandeered the swing closest to hers.

Dropping her bag to the ground, she sipped her cappuccino. “You haven’t answered my question.”

“I enjoy the practice of medicine.” He took a sip from the red cup. She could tell he was pleasantly surprised by the taste when he put the cup back to his lips for a long drink. “It’s hard to keep these clinics fully staffed, especially at the beginning.”

“How would you know? You’ve never worked one before.” She may have said it as a statement, assuming he was a guy whose practice catered to the wealthy, but the truth was, she didn’t know if he had or not. Sylvie was beginning to realize there could be a lot about her former fiancé she didn’t know.

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