Page 9 of Keeping Denver

"What are you talking about, Kelly?" the other woman hedges. "Spill the dirt."

My nerves kick in, and my stomach starts to knot as Kelly continues. "I've been catching her stealing food." At Kelly's admission, my heart rate picks up and my body begins to shake.

"What! Stealing food?"

"Yep. Denver has been stealing food from the office. I've seen her do it. At the end of the day, when she thinks everyone is gone, she slithers in here like a snake and takes stuff."

The two are quiet for a second before the nameless woman speaks again. "I don't know, Kelly. Maybe you have it all wrong. It's only food. It's not like it's a big deal anyway."

"Not a big deal? She's probably stealing more than just food, Kara. Who knows what else her sticky fingers have gotten hold of. I'm going to be taking my concerns with Denver to Mr. Hawk. I'm sure he doesn't want a thief working for him."

Oh, God. I knew Kelly would be gunning for me. This is just the ammunition she needs to get me out the door. I have to get out of here.

With the whooshing sound of my heart pounding in my ears, I move on autopilot. When I reach my desk, my hands shake as I fumble with the drawer to the filing cabinet, where I snatch my bag up. Turning away from my desk, I come face to face with Mr. Hawk—his brow furrowed. For a moment, I get lost in his mossy green orbs. I cock my head to the side to study him because, for some reason, his mouth is moving, but I don't hear his words. I only hear the rapid beat of my own heart. Then suddenly, I stumble backward. Tiny flashes of light begin flickering around me, and my vision blurs. The last thing I remember before everything goes black is the feel of Mr. Hawk's strong arms cradling my body.

I wake sometime later to the sound of Frances's voice. "Do you know what happened?"

I crack my eyes open to the sight of Mr. Hawk, pacing back and forth in front of me, becoming momentarily confused. Why am I in his office? And what the heck am I doing lying on his sofa?

I'm only confused for a moment before remembering Mr. Hawk was asking for coffee and overhearing Kelly talking to someone about me stealing food. Then Kelly said she was going to tell Mr. Hawk what I had done.

"I don't know what the hell happened," Mr. Hawk growls. "I called my doctor. He's on his way."

Doctor? Oh, hell, no. I let out a groan as I go to sit up. "I don't need to see a doctor."

Frances rushes to my side. "Denver. Good lord child. Are you okay?"

I don't get a chance to answer Frances because, like always, my boss cuts me off. "No, she's not okay. And you will be seeing a doctor."

Having enough of his bossy attitude, I shoot daggers at him. "I don't see how that is your decision."

"Seeing as you passed out and I had to catch you before you busted your head open on the floor, it most certainly makes it my decision," he snarls.

There is a knock on the door interrupting our standoff, and an older gentleman with a warm smile and wearing glasses strolls in. I cut my eyes to Frances, who has yet to make another peep. I squint my eyes at the goofy look she's sporting as her eyes dart back and forth between my boss and me.

"Thank you for arriving so quickly, Dr. Morgan," Mr. Hawk greets the older man.

"It was no problem, Callan. Now, can you tell me what the emergency is?"

Mr. Hawk points to me. "My assistant, Miss Hollis, passed out about twenty minutes ago. She's been awake for five."

Dr. Morgan turns his attention to me. "Hello, young lady. If it's alright with you, I'd like to check you over."

I peer over Dr. Morgan's shoulder to my boss, who is giving me a look that says he dares me to say no. "Sure. But I'd rather not have an audience."

"I'm staying," Mr. Hawk grinds out.

Dr. Morgan peers at my boss over the rim of his wire glasses. "If my patient wants you to leave, I have to abide by her wishes. You may have called me here, Callan, but I still have to uphold doctor-patient confidentiality."

"That's no problem, dear. Callan and I will wait out in the hall." Frances gives Mr. Hawk a pointed look while trying to usher him out of the office. Finally, he relents and steps out of the room. I don't miss the way he grinds his jaw or the fact he was seconds away from breathing fire from his mouth. The man is confusing. One minute he acts as if he can't stand the fact that I am working here, and the next, he's worried about my wellbeing and demanding he is allowed to stay in the room while a doctor looks me over. I'm convinced Mr. Hawk has multiple personalities. I'm also confident I have the same disorder because one minute, I hate the man, and the next, I get butterflies in my belly from the way he looks at me.

Once Dr. Morgan finishes assessing me by listening to my heart and shining his penlight in my eyes, blinding me, he gives me a look and I already know what's coming. "When was the last time you ate, Miss Hollis?"

"Did you mean what you said about confidentiality?"

"Absolutely. Whatever goes on in this room stays between the two of us," Dr. Morgan assures.

Too mentally and physically drained to lie and make excuses, I tell the truth. "Yesterday morning."