He relaxed a bit. “I didn’t think much of it when I scheduled the appointment, but I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Would you like to sit here in the car until time, or I can take you in now if you’d prefer.”
“If you’ll just drop me at the door, you won’t need to accompany me inside. This appointment will take at least an hour, perhaps longer. I’ll text you when I’m done.”
“You have a cell phone?”
“Of course I have a cell phone.” His brows drew together. “I’m old, not feeble.”
“I didn’t mean to imply—”
“I have your phone number already programmed in my phone.” He pulled it from his shirt pocket. “Jesse gave me your number yesterday.”
“He’s good at his job, isn’t he?”
“Completely reliable.” Paul’s chin raised. “He would never let anyone down.”
She wondered how long they’d known each other. “That’s admirable. I got that impression in the short time we spoke.” She started the car and pulled to the front door of the medical tower.
“I’ll be here in the parking lot waiting,” she said.
“You should explore the town. Get some lunch or something. I’ll text before I check out and make my next appointment. That’ll give you a fifteen-minute head start, the way these folks work.” He rubbed his wrinkled hands together. “This generation has no sense of urgency.”
“Especially in the doctor’s office, am I right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I might take a look around town while you’re busy. Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll be watching for your text.”
He got out of the car and slung the door closed behind him. As he hobbled up the walkway, leaning on his cane, he raised his hand in a backward wave over his shoulder.
Or maybe he was waving her off, not appreciating her waiting to make sure he got inside okay.
Pride.
She never liked to steal pride from her patients, or client, in this case. She eased off the brake, still keeping an eye on him from a distance for her own satisfaction.
She cruised around the block, but there really wasn’t much of interest right here at the medical center, and she wanted to wait to eat lunch. Paul would need something to eat after his appointment.
A giant rooster that must have stood twelve feet tall in about every shade in a twenty-four-color box of crayons touted home cooking in front of a small diner. That looked like a great spot to take Paul.
She took a left at the light, hoping it would take her back to the edge of town where those antique shops were. One more left, and she was right in front of a cute shop with a myriad of milk cans and fun flags out front.
This looks promising.
She parked and went inside. The building was filled with antiques and lots of crafts too. Someone had made a cute flower arrangement in tiny pair of Western boots. Little silk daisies in yellow and white poked out from between the leaves of a silky green fern. A fun black-plaid bow wrapped around the boots tied it all together.
It would look charming on the front porch, giving it a little zing of color too. Natalie picked it up and carried it with her, afraid she’d never be able to find it again in the maze. She wanted to get through as much as possible before going back to pick up Paul.
An entire glass-front case was filled with pocket watches. Bigand small, some very ornate. Next to that, tons of old jewelry glistened under shiny lights.
A cameo ring caught her eye, but she resisted the purchase. The last thing she needed right now was jewelry. The loss had made her realize just how unnecessary so many things were. Even though all of hers had been stolen, she’d never worn most of them anyway. Thank goodness she’d taken the pieces most important to her with her on vacation.
She checked her phone to see what time it was.
Despite Paul’s instructions, she didn’t want to leave him waiting. She paid for the boot flower arrangement, then put it in the trunk before heading back to the medical center. She parked in the very back and rolled down the windows to get some fresh air.
The temperatures were getting noticeably cooler this week.
