Allie swallowed several times, to loosen up her vocal chords.
“You’re welcome. Heidi did a good job. She’s a quick learner. I sent her home and told her to come back in the morning. I hope that’s okay.”
Luke nodded. “Good decision, thanks, but what about you?”
“What about me?” A shiver of anticipation wrap around her like a silky shawl. She looked up at the man who sent her heart racing and heat flooding through her body.
“I should probably get a little information on you, sort of a hiring interview, although you already have the job. You do have a license to practice in Montana, right?”
“Yes. With help from an agency I hired, I managed to get it in six weeks.”
“Good, how about malpractice insurance?”
“I extended mine with the company that already carried my professional liability insurance in New York.”
“You’ve been doing a residency in family practice in New York City and just completed it. So, you`ve had no experience working on your own?”
“No. I was looking at options when Dr. Angus called and I’ve spent the last two months preparing to move here.”
“Good old George. I met him when I was doing a residency. I gotta remember to send him a thank you and a good bottle of scotch. So it was because of him you chose to move to Duster, even if it’s only temporary?”
“That’s right.”
Luke stared at her.
“You had no other reason for taking such a leap from big city to the very small town of Duster, even if it is only temporary?”
“No, I didn’t.” She had no plans to share her life history with him. Being treated like a child, double checked on everything she did and being put down continuously by her father had dissipated her confidence in her abilities. Until she’d studied family practice. She had never been able to please her father and when he took the side of her two-timing, unfaithful fiancé...
“When George mentioned he’d pressured some poor suck--soul into helping until we found a permanent replacement for Doc Edwards, I didn’t expect that person to be a female family practice resident.”
“I sent you my resume. It said Alexandra on it.”
“I was so damned happy to finally get a response from anyone I guess I didn’t read it closely. Plus, I was probably exhausted. You were a qualified doctor, licensed in New York and finishing a residency in family practice. It was an answer to my prayers. Even if you only came here temporarily, and under George’s urging and pleading, I was ecstatic.”
“I hope you pay more attention when you read patient’s charts.”
“I deserve that. I talked to George and I swear he called you Alexander.”
“George is one of the few people who call me Alexandra, besides my family. You might have thought he said Alexander.”
“That could be it.”
“Also, on my resume it said I placed second in my residency, even if it was in New York, not a small community.”
“I saw that and it added to my excitement about you coming here. Sorry about missing the name, but when you go sleep deprived for so long, you miss stuff. I know that’s no excuse for not reading it correctly. Believe me; I’m thrilled to have you here.”
“Is there anything else you may have missed and need to know?”
“I don’t think so. You did good work today, both as a doctor and a receptionist, even without a lot of experience.” He flashed a smile at her. “And the people liked you. I heard them talking and some told me directly. Welcome to Duster. Thank you for coming and I hope you like it here.”
“I hope so, too. I’ll be going now, if that’s all right?” She reached for her jacket. If she stayed much longer she’d probably break into tears and confess how she really felt about his town.
“That depends on where you’re going. You said you hadn’t found accommodations yet?” Stepping behind her, he took her jacket.
She felt his body heat as he moved closer to her.
Damn, he was one sexy man.
“No. Not yet. I’m hoping to check into a hotel for tonight and start looking for an apartment tomorrow. Can you recommend one? There is a hotel in this town, isn’t there?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid The Inn is not quite up to New York standards. You’ll spend the night with me.” Luke held out her jacket.
What was he suggesting?
The ending line got me. What was he suggesting?