Page 81 of A Doctor for Daisy

“Because love does tend to cloud us. Or maybe our insecurities do. We’ve all been there. Every single one of us, so don’t think any differently.”

“Thanks, Lily. I appreciate the pep talk.”

“Any time. Now I’ll let you go talk to Rose and figure out what you need to do for Luke.”

Lily went upstairs to get to work and Daisy booted up her laptop and printed out orders that came in. It wasn’t as if she was going to make them today. She had other orders to do first. The pieces ordered online were up to ten days to complete and ship out. They normally got them done in a few days, but with Rose out, it was taking longer. She was going to be busy today and when she saw all the orders from yesterday she wanted to groan.

It was great for business but going to kick her butt. And she knew darn well Rose would ask her when she called her too.

Oh well, the overtime would be great and it was only for a few months. She was positive Theo would understand the situation. He’d told her more than once that he struggled to balance his job and a relationship and he was trying his hardest to do it now. That he wanted her to tell him if it was not working or if he wasn’t around enough.

She was just going to have to make sure he knew the same about her job too. Even if her career wasn’t as glamorous as his.

28

Nice Reminder

“I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you tonight,” Theo said.

“It’s not a problem,” Daisy said.

He knew she was bummed. Heather was having a birthday party for Luke. A surprise party and everyone was invited. But he was on call and he’d just gotten called in. Based on the call he knew he was going in for surgery and would be there for hours. The party was starting in two hours. No way he’d make it in time, as it was just really dinner.

“I feel like shit,” he said.

“Just like I have with all the work I’ve been doing. But you said you understood and so do I.”

He’d been trying hard to give Daisy time when he could so that she knew he was putting the effort in.

He didn’t need his father to tell him that months ago, but it was a nice reminder that he’d said to himself often.

The fact that their relationship was out in the open now did make it much easier and Daisy had spent the night a few times during the week. She’d get out of work at seven; he’d be coming in around the same time. They’d eat a late dinner then go to bed.

Just having her next to him, by his side, waking up and seeing her head on the pillow was enough for now.

Not to mention he knew she was crazy busy making Heather’s engagement ring that she finished and handed over to Luke two days ago.

He was stunned at how fast she’d gotten it done, but the diamond had been shipped overnight, she’d drawn up several designs the day Luke told her, got his approval along with Rose’s assurance the stone was secure enough and then got to work making a mold and going from there.

She’d tried to explain her process, but for as smart as he was, it went over his head. The details she had to think of from making sure nothing caught on the ring, like clothing, or that a band would fit against it.

“I do understand. I worry that you will grow tired of this,” he said. “The last minute cancellations that I can’t control.”

He was gathering his stuff and getting ready to leave. Not the best time to have this conversation, but he knew the patient was having tests run right now too. The two patients from the accident. With any luck he’d only be operating on one, but he’d heard multiple broken bones so he’d find out more when he got there.

“And I worry you will grow tired of me during busy seasons. Rose will be back in about a week and a half. Well, not back in the office, but doing some things from home that I’ll be bringing or gathering for her that Thomas will pick up. Any little bit will help.”

He leaned in and kissed her. “We’ll get through it. I just want to make sure we are on the same page. That we understand and will tell the other if there are issues.”

“We are,” she said. “And you’re fine with me coming back here after the party? I can go home.”

“No,” he said. “You’ve got a garage door opener. You can get in. I’ll be home at some point and just knowing you’re here is enough for me.”

“Me too,” she said. “I’ll see you later tonight.”

He left after that and drove to the hospital.

When he got there he was told they were still getting an OR ready, but they’d sent him scans and X-rays.

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