The Doctor's Sleigh Bell Proposal

Her head bounced again. The picture of Dr. Freeman’s displeased look when she’d frozen came to mind. Her lips formed a wry smile. Later she had seen a small measure of respect in his eyes.

The wheels squealed to a painful halt. Ellen looked out the end of the truck to see a gorgeously groomed area. Where were they? The others filed off the vehicle and she brought up the rear. With her feet on the ground, she looked around. It appeared as if they were in the back parking lot of a resort.

A couple of Honduran helpers pulled her bag, along with Pete’s and Karen’s, down from the truck. She hadn’t met her fellow staff members until the time had come to board the flight to Honduras. Pete was a nice guy who was looking for a change after a bad marriage and Karen was a middle-aged woman who thought working with the clinic would be a nice way to see a new country. Ellen had liked them both immediately.

Their group was joined by the two doctors. She’d enjoyed working with Michael Lange. He seemed fun and laid back. The same couldn’t be said about Dr. Freeman. From what she could tell, he was an excellent doctor. Everything she’d heard about him had been glowing. But on the Mr. Congeniality scale he was pretty low. He could work on his warm welcomes. He hadn’t even taken the time to offer his name.

After hearing him speak Ellen had expected him to have less of a crusty personality. He acted as if he’d seen too much and couldn’t leave it behind. He was as strikingly handsome as she remembered. With thick, dark, wavy hair with a touch of white at the temples that gave him an air of authority, he was someone who held her attention. Even when she hadn’t been working directly with him she had been conscious of where he’d been in the tent. She generally didn’t have this type of reaction to a man.

“I’ll show Ellen to her hut,” Michael said.

“No, she’s next to me,” Chance said. “You see to, uh, Pete and...” He looked at the other nurse. “It’s Karen, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct.” Karen picked up her bag.

“Okay. Dinner is at seven in the private dining room behind the main one.” Dr. Freeman headed toward a dirt path between two low palmetto plants. There was a small wooden sign there giving arrowed directions to different areas of the resort. “Coming, Dr. Cox? I’ve got a call to make to the States before it gets too late.”

He’d not offered to carry her luggage. If he thought she couldn’t or wouldn’t carry her own bag, he had another thought coming. Grabbing her duffel, she pulled the strap over her shoulder and hurried after him. The man really was egotistical.

She followed him along a curving path through groomed vegetation beneath trees filled with blue and yellow chattering macaws. She lagged behind when she became caught up in her surroundings. The place was jaw-dropping beautiful. Completely different from any place she’d ever seen.

“Dr. Cox.” The exasperation in the doctor’s voice reminded her of a father talking to a distracted child. She didn’t like it.

“It’s Ellen.”

“Come along, Ellen. I still have work to do tonight.” He took long strides forward.

From what she could tell, he had more than put in a day’s worth of work. What could he possibly need to do tonight? “Coming, sir.”

He stopped and glared down his nose at her. “The sir isn’t necessary.”

“I just thought that since you were acting like a general I should speak to you as such.”

“Ellen, you’ll find I’m not known for my sense of humor.” He continued on down the path as if he didn’t care if she followed him or not.

“I’m sure you’re not,” she murmured. Hefting her bag strap more securely over her shoulder, she focused on catching up. They moved farther into the landscape until they came out in a small grassy opening where two huts stood with only a huge banyan tree separating them. Each had a thatched roof and a dark-stained wooden porch with what looked like comfortable chairs with bright floral pillows.

The space was perfect as a romantic getaway. “This is amazing. I expected to live in a tent and have to use a bathhouse.”

“You have a top-of-the-line bath. We work hard and the board believes the least it can do is provide a nice place to stay. The resort gives us a deal.” Dr. Freeman pointed to the structure on the left. “That hut is yours. Follow the signs around to the dining room. If you need something, call zero on the phone.” With that he headed toward the other hut.

Well, she wouldn’t be counting on him to be the perfect neighbor.

Ellen climbed the three steps to the main door. There was a hammock hanging from one post to another. The living arrangements weren’t what she’d expected but she wasn’t going to complain.

She swung the door open and entered. Her eyes widened. She sucked in a breath of pleasure. Talk about going from one extreme to another. As rough as the working conditions were, the living quarters were luxurious. She’d lived well in New York but even by those standards this was a nice living space.

The floor plan consisted of an open room with a sitting area on one side and the bed on the other. The ceiling was high with a slow-moving fan that encouraged a breeze through the slated windows. A gleaming wood floor stretched the length of the room. The only area of it that was covered was in the sitting area, where two chairs and a settee created a cozy group. A large bright rug of red, greens and yellows punctuated the space.

But it was the bedroom side that made the biggest impression. A large square canopy bed made of mahogany with identical twists carved into each of the four posts sat there. If she was going to spend a honeymoon somewhere, this would be her choice.

She’d come close to a wedding a couple of times but it seemed like her father stepped in and changed her mind just as she was getting serious. It was as if he couldn’t trust her to know who and what she wanted. That was one of the reasons she’d come to Honduras. At least here she could make her own decisions.

The open-air shower, shielded from any onlookers by plank walls, was a new experience. At first she found it intimidating but as the warm water hit her shoulders Ellen eased into the enjoyment of the birds in the trees chirping at her. She was officially enchanted.

Half an hour later, Ellen headed down the plant-lined walk in the direction of what she hoped was the dining area. She turned a curve and a crystal-blue swimming pool that resembled a fern-encircled grotto came into view. The resort was truly amazing.

Beside it Dr. Freeman sat on a lounger, talking on the phone. He wore a T-shirt, cargo shorts and leather thong shoes. His legs were crossed at the ankles. He appeared relaxed but the tone of his voice said that was far from the case. She wasn’t surprised. Her impression had been that he didn’t unwind often.

“Look, we need those supplies. We have to raise the money.” He paused. “I can’t be in two places at once. You’ll have to handle it. And about the staff you’re sending me, I’ve got to have people who’ll stay longer than six weeks. No more short term. The people of rural Honduras need a standing clinic.” He glanced in her direction.

Ellen continued toward a tall open-air building, hoping it was where she should go. Footfalls followed her.

“Eavesdropping, Dr. Cox?”

She looked back at him. “I wasn’t. I was just on my way to dinner. And I told you I prefer Ellen. When you say Dr. Cox it sounds so condescending.”

“I’m sorry. Ellen.”

She now wished she hadn’t insisted he call her by her first name. His slight accent gave it an exotic note that sent a shiver up her spine. Not wanting to give that reaction any more analysis, she said, “I’m hungry.”

“The dining room is this way.” He started up the steps to the building and she joined him.

They entered a large open space with a thatched roof supported by huge poles. A wooden desk with a local man standing behind it was located off to one side. He waved in their direction as they crossed the gleaming wooden floor. Ellen followed him around one of three groupings of wicker furniture toward a shuttered doorway that stood open. Inside were tables with white cloths over them and low lighting. Dr. Freeman kept moving then stopped at a single door and opened it.

“Close the door behind you,” he instructed.

Ellen did as he asked. They were now in a small room where a long table was set in the middle and a buffet area along one wall. The other members of their group were already there, talking among themselves. They grew quiet as she and Dr. Freeman joined them.

“I thought you guys would already be eating.”

“Not without you, boss,” Michael said with a grin.

“You know better than that. Well, if no one else is going to start, I am.” Dr. Freeman picked up a plate off the stack on the buffet table. Everyone else followed his lead and lined up. Unsure of the protocol or the seating arrangement, Ellen moved to the back of the line. A minute or two later, with her plate full of chicken and tropical fruit, she considered which chair to take.

“Come and sit beside me,” Michael offered.

With a smile Ellen took the open seat. She glanced at Chance. His eyes narrowed as he looked in their direction.

She and Michael discussed where she was from and what she thought of her hut then he asked, “So, Ellen, what brings you to our little slice of the world?”

She shrugged. “I wanted to work where I could make a difference.”

“You weren’t doing that where you were?” Dr. Freeman asked.

She hadn’t realized he’d been listening to their conversation.

“Yes, but these people really need someone here. I was seeing young mothers and babies. I found my job necessary and rewarding but there was a tug to do something more. Others were there to help those girls but not enough here to help these. I wanted to come here.”

“How did you find out about us?” Michael asked.

“I heard Dr. Freeman speak. I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

“Well, Chance, you made a convert.”

Dr. Freeman shrugged and went back to eating.

“So, what did you think about the work today?” Michael asked.

“It was different, I have to give you that. But I loved it.” She glanced toward the end of the table where Dr. Freeman was sitting.

“You might feel differently after a few days of hot, unending work,” Dr. Freeman drawled.

“Aw, come on, Chance, don’t scare her.” Michael smiled at her. “Don’t worry about him. The great Chance Freeman has seen so many people come and go here he’s a little cynical about all the new ones. Many don’t stay the full six weeks. Some have only lasted days. It’s made him a little jaded.”

“That’s enough, Michael.”

The doctor’s snap didn’t seem to faze Michael. He just grinned. Ellen looked at Dr. Freeman. “I don’t plan to be leaving anytime soon, Dr. Freeman.”

“Dr. Freeman?” Michael chuckled. “We’re a casual bunch around here. First names work just fine. Especially after hours. Isn’t that right, Chance?”

He leaned back in his chair. “Sure.”

After that Michael turned his attention to Pete and Karen, asking them about themselves.

Ellen concentrated on her dinner and was glad to have Dr. Freeman...uh, Chance’s attention off her. When everyone had finished laughing at a story Michael told, Chance tapped on the table with the back of his fork to gain their attention.

“Okay, we need to talk about tomorrow. We’ll be in the Tooca area. Near the river. This is our first time there so let’s be on our toes. We’ll need to be at the trucks at four a.m., ready to roll. Get some sleep and be ready for a really long day.”

Ellen shuffled out of the dining room with the rest of the group. It turned out that Karen was housed not far from her so they walked back toward their huts together. After leaving Karen, Ellen continued along the path lit only by lights in the vegetation. Thankfully the porch lights were on at her and Chance’s huts. One of the staff at the resort must have come by while she’d been at dinner.

Ellen had just crawled under the covers when the light flicked on inside Chance’s hut. His silhouette crossed in front of the window. His passion for what he did was a major factor in why she’d come to Honduras. It was obvious he needed nurses and doctors to help him. So what was his problem with welcoming her?

CHAPTER TWO

THE SUN WAS SLOWLY topping the nearest palm tree when the caravan of three vehicles pulled into a clearing near the River Sico. Chance climbed out of the Jeep that had been leading the caravan and walked over to speak to the local village leader, who was there to greet him. Returning to his staff, who were already beginning to set up the tent, he searched for Ellen. To his surprise she was all smiles and asking what she could do to help. The early hour didn’t seem to bother her. Did nothing faze the woman?

She’d traveled for over ten hours the day before, put in five hours of work, and had had to wake up at four a.m. and ride in the back of an uncomfortable truck, and she was still chipper. He was afraid her fall would be hard. No one could keep up that positive attitude for long.

Still, he was having a hard time not liking her. And she was certainly nice to look at. Too much so.

Marco and his crew had the tent erected in no time and were working on setting up tables as Chance directed the van driver into place.

Ellen came to stand beside him. “Good morning. Michael said I should see you about my duties.”

“Did you sleep well?”

Her brows drew together as if she was unsure of his motive for asking. “Actually, I did. Thanks for asking.”

“You’re going to need that rest because we have a long, full day ahead of us. We all kind of do what’s needed when needed. The lines are blurred between the doctors and nurses here. So you’ll know what supplies we have and where they are stored. Why don’t you supply each station with bandages, suture kits, saline bottles and antiseptic? Any basic working supplies you are familiar with.”

“Will do.”

“Under no circumstances do you open the locked box behind the seat of the van without permission. There’s a prevalent drug problem here and we have to be careful drugs are not stolen. There’s only one key and I have it. If you need something you must see me.”

“I understand.”

“When you’re finished putting out supplies you’ll be needed to work triage. People are already lining up.”

* * *

A steady stream of patients entered the tent over the next four hours. Karen worked with him and she seemed comfortable with all he’d asked her to do. He’d had little time to check on Ellen. When he had, she’d been either leaning over, intently listening to a patient, or in a squatting position, speaking to the mother of a child.

At noon the patients dwindled to nothing. Chance stepped outside the tent, hoping for a breeze. Ellen walked toward him.

“Are we done here?”

Chance let out a dry chuckle and waved his hand to discourage a fly. “Not by a long shot. Everyone stops for lunch. We’ll start over with twice the number in an hour. Marco should have our food ready. Get something to eat and drink then take a moment to rest.”

With the back of her hand Ellen pushed away the strand of hair sticking to her forehead. Some of it remained and Chance was tempted to reach out and help her. He resisted the urge. Getting involved on a personal level even with something as benign as moving her hair wasn’t going to happen.

“You can wash up behind the tent. Remember what I said about not straying from the area.” He turned and walked off toward Michael, who had just exited the clinic. Watching out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ellen headed round the tent.

“The new crew is really working out,” Michael said when Chance reached him.

“Yeah.”

“Ellen seems especially capable.”

“She won’t last long.”

“Why? Because she’s blonde and beautiful?” Michael said drily.

“That has nothing to do with it.”

“Sure it does. They aren’t all Alissa. I have a feeling this one might surprise you.”

Chance huffed. “It won’t matter. She’ll do her six weeks and we’ll have to train someone else. Just see to it you don’t get too attached.”

Michael grinned and raised his brows. “Me? Get attached? But there’s nothing wrong with a little fun.”

“Just don’t let it affect the clinic work.” Michael was a good guy but Chance didn’t need any personal relationship getting in the way of work. He knew first-hand how emotional upheaval could make the working situation difficult. It had been his own issue with his wife and the affair that she had been having with his colleague that had done it last time. He’d lost all the staff and had almost had to give up the clinic altogether. The only way he had survived had been to push forward and devote all his off time to finding new funding for the clinic.

“Have I ever?” Michael said, his grin growing to a smile.

They both knew it had. Michael was known for showing the young female members a good time while they were in Honduras. For some reason Chance didn’t like the idea of him doing so with Ellen. “Let’s get some lunch before patients start lining up again. I noticed they are coming in by the canoe load now. In the future we need to think about setting up near rivers so that more people will have access.”

Michael’s look sobered. “We need to think about where we’re going to get some major support so that we can build a permanent building to work out of.”

“I know. I’m going to have to go to the States soon and start doing some fund-raising.” Chance didn’t like the dog and pony show he seemed to have to put on for all the wealthy potential donors to get money but understood the necessity. Give them a good time and they would give was the motto. Still, it was so little in the face of so much need.

Sympathy filled Michael’s voice. “But you hate the idea.”

“I’m more about the work and less about begging for money.”

“Maybe it’s time to find someone who’ll handle fundraising full time.”

Chance had tried before but nothing had worked out. “I need to check on a couple of things and I’ll get lunch.” Michael headed round the tent and Chance entered the clinic to find Ellen replenishing supplies. “What’re you doing? I thought I told you to get some lunch and rest.”

“Marco didn’t have everything set out yet so I came to check on the supplies and get things ready for this afternoon.”

“I appreciate what you’re doing but I’ve seen people burn out pretty quickly here.”

She looked at him. “Doctor, I can assure you that I am nowhere near being burned out.”

“It sneaks up on you.”

For a moment she gave him a speculative look. “Is that what has happened to you?”

The statement seared him. “What do you mean?”

“You seem to care about these people but at the same time don’t welcome the people who come to help you. You’ve been trying to run me off from the minute I got here.”

Anger rose in him. Was he letting the past boil over that much? “I have not. There’s not enough help as it is. Why would I discourage anyone?”

“I’m wondering the same thing.”

“I want you to know the facts. And you don’t seem the type cut out for this kind of work.”

“And you have decided this by...” she cocked her head “...the clothes I wear, the color of my eyes, my shoes?”

“Your age. Your looks. You attitude. In my experience someone like you only comes to a place like this as a lark, running from something, looking for adventure or to prove something.” She flinched. So he had touched a nerve. What had brought her here?

“Why, Dr. Freeman, I do believe you’re a bigot. And it must be nice to be all-knowing. It doesn’t matter what you think. The real question is have you had any problems with the work I have done so far?”

She had a way of cutting to the point. He hadn’t. In fact, he’d been surprised at her knowledge and efficiency. He said nothing.

“That’s what I thought. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll get that lunch you think I need so badly.” She stalked out of the tent.

Wow, there might be more to the blonde bombshell than he’d given her credit for. Had he really been that tough on her? Unfair? She had certainly stood up to him. Been a capable doctor. Maybe he should cut her some slack.

By the time Chance had made it to the lunch table Ellen was finished with her meal and headed toward the front of the clinic. “Remember not to go out of sight of the clinic or one of us.”

“I’ll heed your warning, Doctor,” she said in a sarcastic tone as she kept moving, not giving him time to respond.

Despite what she said, it didn’t ease his concern. He felt responsible for all his staff but for some reason Ellen seemed so naive that she required more attention. A couple of times the new people hadn’t taken his warnings seriously and had almost gotten in trouble. He couldn’t let that happen to her.

He returned to the front and took a seat on a stool just inside the tent door. Ellen was sitting on a blanket she’d apparently taken from the supply van. Chance tried not to appear as if he was watching but she claimed his attention. As she sat, a few of the village girls approached. Ellen spoke to them in a soft voice, halting a couple of times as if searching for the correct word. One of the girls tentatively picked up Ellen’s hand and touched her fingernail.

“You like my polish?” Ellen smiled and held her fingers out wide.

The child nodded and the other girls stepped closer, each stroking a nail in wonder.

“Stay here and I’ll be right back.” Gracefully she rose and headed for the transport truck as if on a mission. She climbed onto the back bumper and reached in to pull out a backpack. Looking through a side pocket, she removed a small bottle. After dropping the bag back into the truck, she returned to the girls. Ellen sat and the children gathered around her again. She patted the blanket and invited them to join her, then opened the bottle. Taking one of the girls’ hands, Ellen placed it on her bent knee and applied polish to a nail. There was a unified sound of awe.

What the hell? The woman had brought fingernail polish into the jungle.

Bright smiles formed on dark faces. Small bodies shifted closer in an effort to have a turn. Ellen had their complete attention. Her blonde head contrasted against those around her. The girls giggled and admired their nails, showing them off to their friends before jumping up and running to display them for someone else. As one left another joined Ellen.

Her mirth mingled with the children’s. The sound was unusual in the rain forest yet seemed to belong. Like the sweet song of birds in the trees.

Chance walked toward her. It was time to get started again or patients would go unseen and he couldn’t let that happen. He stood over the little group. “You seem to have created a stir.”

Ellen looked at him with a grin on her face and moved to stand. “Every female likes to do a little something special for herself.”

She wobbled and Chance reached for her elbow, helping her to stand. A shot of awareness he’d not felt in years went through him. It was both exciting and disturbing. To cover his reaction he said, “Even if they can’t have it all the time.”

Ellen glared at him. “Especially then. A moment of pleasure is better than none.”

What would it be like to share pleasure with her? Whoa, had the noon sun gone to his head? That wasn’t something he should be thinking about in regard to any of his staff and certainly not about this too young, too idealistic newcomer. Life had taught him that picking women wasn’t his strong suit.

Chance released her arm as if it had turned into a hot coal. “I’ll see you in the clinic. You’ll be working with Michael this afternoon until I think you know the ropes well enough to handle cases on your own.”

Ellen didn’t know what had gotten into Chance but she was relieved that she didn’t have to assist him. Working with Michael was easy and fun so why did it seem anticlimactic next to helping Chance? There was an intriguing intensity about him that tugged at her.