Vickie: Doctor by day. Zombie Hunter by night: Chapter 7

With less than an hour before I had to open the office for potential walk-in patients, I decided to make a quick run to the grocery store for a few incidentals that I was about to run out of. I was debating about buying Folgers coffee or a new organic Hawaiian blend when the handsome Dr. Thomason came up behind me.

“I’d go for the Folgers,” he said in the most intimate fashion imaginable into my left ear.

I could feel his breath on the back of my head as my body tingled from head to toe. “I’ve always liked Folgers, but it’s not organic.”

“I’d be careful with organic if I were you,” he offered. “That one’s fine because it comes from the United States and we have strict regulations, but a lot of the organic food comes from countries without laws to protect you. Organic to them isn’t always organic as we see it. You’re safer with American grown, even if it’s not organic.”

“Wow. Coming from a doctor who patronizes third worlds.”

“Only for their health.”

“What about your health? It sounds like you put it at risk eating there.’

“I could have if I hadn’t educated myself right away on their policies and the additives they used to grow and process.”

I put the Hawaiian coffee back on the shelf and the Folgers into my cart. “You just don’t realize all that’s involved in traveling and living abroad.”

He shrugged. “As with anywhere, you have to pay attention to the natives.”

At the mention of natives, I checked my watch. “I spent far too much time debating about coffee. I have to get back to the office.”

“Night hours?”

“I run a night time walk-in one night a week,” I explained.

“Do you get much business?” he asked in earnest.

“It depends upon the night. Sometimes I’m swamped and other times I sit and read a book.”

“Would it be too much for me to ask to join you?”

I was a little taken aback, although I don’t know why. Medicine and helping people with medicine was clearly this man’s calling. “If you don’t mind taking the chance that you might see only me the entire time, then, you’re more than welcome.”

“Will you be serving Folgers?” he teased. When I nodded he said, “Then, I’m in.”

I playfully slapped his chest and rolled

my eyes in mock dismay before scooting to the checkout counter to pay for the few things in my cart. The woman checking me out was a patient of mine.

“How’s the foot, Evelyn?” I asked.

“It hurts like a son-of-a-bitch,” she complained. “I think I need more of that salve from you.”

“I told you that if the salve didn’t heal that wound then you’d have to get an antibiotic in you. That was our deal, remember?”

“It ain’t that bad,” she said as she shoved my coffee into the bag with the other things I’d purchased. “I like Folgers too.’

“Don’t change the subject. You need to come in and let me look at that foot again.”

“I can’t take the time off work,” she complained.

“I happen to know that the store closes at eight tonight. I’ll keep my office open for you. Just come over as soon as the store closes and let me take a look.”

“But…” she began.

I raised my hand to indicate for her to

stop talking. “I know you aren’t eager to take an antibiotic and I promise that I’ll use that as a last resort. I just want to get another look at your foot. Okay?” After a heavy sigh and a moment of silence she nodded. “Good. Now, I’ve got a big night ahead of me after I close the office so, please don’t dally. Come right over as soon as you get out of work.”

I grabbed my grocery bag and left the store before any more could be said.

“That was impressive,” Peter said as he caught up with me. “So, it looks like you’ll have at least one patient tonight.”

“Yea, after hours,” I said with a sigh. “The night’s just looking longer and longer.”

“What’s going on after you close the

office?” he asked. “Or, isn’t that my business.”

“I just took on my first case as medical examiner today and I played hooky at the café with you and Angela instead of doing my job. So, I have to do it tonight.”

“It can’t wait until tomorrow?”

“Full day with patients tomorrow, I’m afraid.”

“So, you’re building a nice little practice for yourself, eh?”

“It’s got a way to go before I can sit back and say I’m established, but I’m pleased with the direction it’s taking.”

“What about dinner?” he asked.

“Excuse me?”

“Dinner. If you plan on working through the night, what do you intend to do for dinner? You had a late lunch, so I doubt you’ve already had dinner.”

“I hadn’t even thought about dinner,” I admitted. “I probably won’t eat.”

“Well, I intend to eat and, since I also intend to hang around while you do that autopsy, I’m ordering pizza and wings. I’m also catching a ride back to your place with you, since I’m on foot.”

“Not too hot, please,” I said as I turned the key to unlock the car.

“Me? Or the wings?” he chuckled.

His little joke made me blush from head to toe. Once again in the matter of twenty-four hours I was reminded of how inexperienced I was with men.