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"Thank you, Stacy," the young lady said. "I'll follow your advice."
"If there's anything else that bothers you, just let me know," I said in reply.
"I will," she smiled and got up to leave.
"That's all of them for today," my father said as he walked into the room as the lady left.
"I'll wait. There might be more cases to take," I said and went through the records.
"You know? Sometimes I wish I could see the brighter side of everything just like the way you do, and the way your mother did," he said in a tone that revealed his disappointment. "When she was still alive, this place was brimming with life. I guess it's my fault that it isn’t."
"That might be true, but it isn't fair to give up on yourself just like that," I said.
"I also forgot that you're honest with your wording," he sighed.
"Oh come on," I said rolling my eyes. "We're doing a good job as owners of this hospital. But that's by our standards. We need to have a fresh new look at the way we do things here. That's why…"
"You need to work with a successful hospital owner so you'd understand how it is they make it successful. I know, I know," he groaned and stroked the salt streaks of hair peppering his chin. "You sound like a broken record."
"Because it feels like you aren't listening to me at all," I said.
"I am listening," he said. "It's just…this hospital was what your mother and I dreamt of. I don't want you sacrificing your own dreams for this. You can work at those hospitals you talk about and use it as an opportunity to improve yourself. That's all that matters."
"I understand your concern, Dad. But seeing this hospital improve, is my dream as well," I explained. "It is actually possible to make another person's dream yours."
"If you say so," he sighed. "I also have a dream besides this hospital, you know?"
"What is it?"
"To hear the pitter-patter of little feet running around the hospital or my house," he replied, "with you smiling and a handsome man…"
"Dad?" I frowned.
"Orwoman, I'd rather you choose a man but as long as I get my grandchildren, and you're happy, I don't mind," he continued.
"Dad, it's not the gender. I don't have time for love and the like," I said. "I just want to focus on this for now."
"Whatever you say, sweetie." He hung his head and let his shoulders drop in defeat as he left the room.
I felt bad for him. But what was I going to do? There weren't any good men in town and as I said, I wanted to focus on reviving the hospital. Romance could wait until that was accomplished. No exceptions.
A few months later, I heard that Ethan Sullivan's hospital needed a part-time gynecologist. He wasn't my personal first choice considering the rumors of how clumsy he could be. He was the only one seeking help among the brothers. My family's hospital wasn't going to wait long enough for an opportunity at the other Sullivan brothers' places, so I had no choice but to seize this one.
Needless to say, I was surprised to see that the rumors about Ethan Sullivan were true. Charcoal hair, six feet tall, playful eyes, and a body that had been toned perfectly. He radiated friendly bad-boy energy if that makes sense. Needless to say, I was drawn to him the moment we bumped heads against each other. But sometimes, he could be a massive pain in the neck.
****
"How could you have ordered more beds than we need?" I asked as I stared at the delivery receipts. "We needed sixteen."
"I thought we said sixty," Ethan said with a nervous chuckle. "Didn't know...sorry."
"That's not the problem," I sighed. "The company doesn't accept returns. I mean it's a bedding company. Hardly anyone buys beds, so I bet we've just made their pockets fatter by emptying ours!"
"You're yelling at me," he whimpered playfully.
"Why you…" I stopped and took in a deep breath, then exhaled. "Sorry for yelling."
"It was just a little mistake," he said, pouting.
