The Surgeon's Cinderella

Seconds later the background noise quieted.

“I only have a few seconds. What can I do for you?”

She understood about being busy but he was the one requesting her help. “I have compiled a list of possible matches for you. I’d like to get together and discuss them. Start setting up some socials.”

“Socials? I’m not interested in, neither do I have time for, tea parties.”

That’s why he didn’t have anyone. He wouldn’t put in the effort it took to develop a relationship. “Socials are when you have your first meeting with a potential mate. Before I can set those up we need to talk and sort out who you’d like to consider first.”

“Can’t you just take care of that?” He already sounded distracted. Maybe he was the same self-centered guy she’d known in college.

“Tanner, are you sure you want to do this?” Her voice took on a hard note. “You have to put some time and effort into finding the right person. Maybe you aren’t ready yet.”

There was a pause then a sigh of resignation. “What do you want me to do?”

“Can you meet me at Café Lombard at six this evening?”

“I’ll be there.” There was a click on the line as he ended the call.

Had she made him mad? Her time was valuable too. Tanner had come to her for help. He was going to have to meet her halfway, do his part to help find the perfect match for him. That required energy. If their conversation at the café didn’t go well, she’d just tell him that he needed to go elsewhere for assistance.

* * *

Café Lombard was a small establishment at the bottom of Lombard Street, which was famous for being the curviest street in the world. Flowers bloomed between each of the curves, making it a fun street to look at but not to drive along. Tanner wasn’t a fan of quaintness and this was one of the most picturesque places in San Francisco. When he arrived right at six, he spotted Whitney sitting at a table for two in the patio area.

Again her shoulder-length hair was primly pulled back into a controlled mass at the nape of her neck. She wore a simple blouse that gave little hint of her body shape and with that were a pair of black pants and flat shoes. There was nothing flamboyant about her. She looked as if she wanted to blend in, go unnoticed.

He started across the street toward her. She glanced up. A smile came to her lips as she waved at him. Now that expression stood out. It encouraged him to return it and he did.

Tanner joined her at the table.

“You’re not going to grab me, are you?” She put a chair between them.

“Not unless you want me to. Look, I’m sorry about that. I just didn’t want my colleagues asking a lot of questions. It was easier to pretend you were my girlfriend.”

“I guess I can understand that.”

He dropped into the chair across from her.

“Would you like something to drink or eat? It’s on me, of course,” Whitney offered.

She seemed to have already forgotten his invasion of her personal space. She was a good sport. “Thank you. I’m starved. But I can get my own.”

The waiter came to their table.

“I’ll have a cob salad and a water,” Whitney said.

“And I’ll have a steak sandwich with fries with a large lemonade.”

The waiter left. Whitney quirked a corner of her mouth up as if perplexed by something.

“What?” Tanner asked.

“Lemonade? You seem more like a beer guy.”

“I am, but I’m on call.”

“Ah, that makes sense.” She appeared to approve.

He leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table. “I’m sorry I was so abrupt with you on the phone. I’ve just been super busy this month. Under a lot of pressure.”

She smiled. “I understand. I’ll try to keep this short and sweet.”

“So what did you need to see me about?”

“I’ve found some potential dates I think you might be interested in. I’d like you to review their files and see what you think. Then I’ll set up a social with the one you like best.” Whitney pushed a pink folder toward him.

Pink seemed an appropriate color for a matchmaker. At least her office supplies had some flair. Tanner opened the folder to find a printed page with the name of a woman at the top and information about her. He looked at Whitney. “No picture? I don’t get to see what they look like?”

“Not until you meet them. I think a lasting relationship should be based on something more than looks. I want my clients to see beyond the surface.”

“Interesting.” Was there something peculiar about that belief? She no doubt believed in true love and happily-ever-after. He’d learned long ago not to believe in fairy tales. He flipped through the other pages. The women seemed interesting but a couple of them owned their own businesses. He picked up their sheets. “These don’t look like they would have time to devote to children, take on social obligations.”

“They both assure me that they would be willing to change their lifestyle for the right person. We can put them at the bottom of the list, if you wish, however.”

“Have you spoken to them about me?” He didn’t relish the idea of being discussed like a piece of merchandise. Yet he was doing the same thing in regards to those women.

She took the women’s profiles from him and placed the open file on the table between them both. “I didn’t disclose your name or picture but, yes, they have reviewed your profile as well.”

“So this is how it works.”

“Yes.”

The waiter returned with their meals. Neither of them said anything until he left.

Whitney leaned forward with a reassuring smile on her lips. “It’s not as painful as you might think. All my clients are interested in finding the same thing. Happiness with someone.”

She made it sound like this was about a love match. A ride off into a beautiful sunset. “I’m more interested in someone who’s compatible and interested in the same things as I am.”

“I think if you spend some time reading this information—” she tapped the folder with her well-manicured, unpolished index finger “—you’ll find these are all women worth meeting. They’re all very lovely people.”

Tanner took a bite out of his sandwich as he flipped the pages back and forth. He continued to eat and review the women’s information. A couple of them sounded like they might work. He glanced at Whitney. She was sitting straight with one hand in her lap, eating her salad. Her manners were excellent.

He pushed two sheets toward her. “I think I would like to start with these.”

She put her fork down and looked at the papers then nodded. “These are good choices. I’ll see about setting up socials. I’ll let you know when and where to meet.”

“How will I know them?”

There was that reassuring lift of the lips again. “I’ll be there to introduce you. It’s very uncomfortable to wait for a person you don’t know so I’ll make the introductions and then leave you to get to know each other.”

“So that’s all there is to it?” He closed the folder and nudged it back toward her.

She moved her half-eaten salad away and took the folder. “That’s it, except for the bill.”

He raised a brow and grinned. “I thought you were getting the meal.”

“I am, but there’s the charge for my services so far.” Whitney reached into her purse, removed an envelope and handed it to him.

“Did you add extra for meeting me at the airport and the hug and kiss?”

Whitney pushed the chair back. She looked dead serious when she said, “No. That came for free—once. Next time it will cost you.”

“I hope it isn’t necessary again. I’ll have this in the mail tomorrow.” He stuffed the envelope into his pants pocket.

Again she dug into her purse, came out with a couple of green bills and placed them on the table. “Thank you for that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get started on setting up those socials. I’ll be in touch soon.”

Tanner watched her leave the patio and cross the street. Interesting person. Combination of quiet firmness and solid businesswoman. He grinned. She’d become a little flustered when he’d mentioned that hug and kiss again. There was a softness under that businesswoman tough exterior. His gaze moved to the swing of her shapely hips. That wasn’t bad either.

CHAPTER TWO

IT HAD BEEN two days since Whitney had spoken briefly to Tanner about the social she had set up for him today. He’d assured her he would be there but he’d yet to show. She’d always had one of her clients meet her early so that they were waiting for the other one when he or she arrived.

Whitney looked around the coffee shop again. Still no Tanner. Picking up her phone, she texted him.

“Were you worried that I wouldn’t show?” a deep voice asked from behind her.

She looked around and into Tanner’s dark, twinkling eyes. He had nice eyes. Eyes she suspected saw more than he let on. “I was more worried about your tardiness hurting your chances with Michelle Watkins. After all, we’re doing this for you.”

“And I appreciate that. It’s the reason I am here. So I’m going to be meeting Michelle. Five-six, brown hair, educated at UCLA and likes the outdoors.” He came around the table and took the chair across from her.

“I see you remember your facts.”

“So what happens now?” He leaned toward her as if what she was going to say was super important. She’d bet he had a great bedside manner.

“When Michelle arrives, I’ll introduce you to each other, then I’ll leave you to charm her.”

His focus didn’t waver. “How do you know I can do that?”

Tanner’s intense attention made her nerves jump. She’d said more than she’d intended. Would he see the weakness and insecurity she worked to keep at bay? Since he hadn’t remembered her she hadn’t planned on bringing up their college years. Now she either lied to him or admitted she’d recognized him. She wasn’t a liar. With her ex, Steve, she’d lived a lie and wouldn’t ever treat anyone that way. “You and I had a few classes together at Berkeley.”

He looked truly surprised. Cocking his head to the side, he asked, “We did?”

“Yeah. They were lower-level classes.” From there she’d gone into business classes, he into sciences. She’d still seen him around campus, though.

He appeared to give that thought, as if searching back through his memories of those days. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.”

His tone led her to believe he was sincere. “There’s no reason that you would.”

Tanner leaned back in his chair and studied her. “So how does a woman with an education from Berkeley become a matchmaker?”

“Mostly by accident. I helped some people in college meet someone and then later did the same thing for my boss, and the rest is history.”

He nodded sagely. “Just that easily you started a business matching people up?”

“It wasn’t all that easy at first. But the word got around that I am discreet and, most of all, successful.” She glanced toward the front door then raised her hand, drawing Michelle Watkins’s attention.

Tanner looked over his shoulder then quickly stood. Whitney gave him points for being a gentleman. But she wasn’t the one he needed to impress. Michelle was. She was smiling, which was encouraging.

When the woman reached them Whitney introduced them. “Michelle, I’d like you to meet Tanner Locke.”

Tanner offered Michelle his hand, along with a warm smile that Whitney recognized from their college days when he’d been charming a crowd of women. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Michelle. Please, join us.”

Michelle couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off Tanner. Was she already bowled over by him? Whitney was tempted to roll her eyes. The man’s magic knew no bounds.

“Thank you,” Michelle cooed, and took the chair Tanner held for her.

“Why don’t I order us all something to drink?” Whitney suggested as a waitress came to the table.

“That would be nice,” Michelle agreed, not taking her gaze off Tanner.

Whitney placed the order and the waitress left.

Tanner looked at Michelle. “I understand you like the outdoors.”

“Yes,” Michelle simpered. “I love to hike when I have the time.”

Whitney sat back and listened as the two traded stories about their favorite hikes. They seemed to have forgotten she was there, something that had happened to her more than once in her life. She’d learned to live with it. This time it was part of her business.

The waitress brought their drinks, which swung Tanner’s attention back to her. “Thank you for the lemonade. I’ll get these this time,” he said to Whitney, then his attention returned to Michelle.

Whitney took a long swallow of the cool, tart liquid. Setting the glass on the table, she said, “I’ll leave you both to get to know each other better. I’ll be in touch.”

Tanner nodded.

Michelle said, “Thank you, Whitney,” before her attention went straight back to Tanner.

Whitney walked to the front door. She looked back at them. They made a nice-looking pair. Two dark-haired, well-groomed, professional people who looked as if they were enjoying each other’s company.

That was what her matchmaking was all about. So why couldn’t she do that for herself?

* * *

Two days later, Whitney answered the phone.

“We need to talk.”

Whitney didn’t have to question who she was speaking to. She knew that voice at the first roll of a vowel. This time it wasn’t warm and creamy. It was icy and sharp.

“Tanner, is something wrong?” She kept her voice low and even. She didn’t often have to talk a client down after a social or a date.

“Michelle won’t do. We need to meet again. Bring that file.”

Whitney stiffened. She wasn’t one of his OR nurses to be ordered around. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have time to talk about it now.”

And he thinks I do?

“Let me see. How about the coffeehouse on Market Street tomorrow morning around nine?”

“I have surgery then. Could you come to the hospital in about an hour?”

What? She wasn’t at his beck and call. She’d already gone out of her way for him once and now he wanted her to drop what she was doing and drive downtown. “I don’t know. That isn’t how I like to conduct business. I thought you didn’t want anyone to know you were using my services. Aren’t you afraid someone might ask you questions?”

“They might but I don’t have to answer. Whitney, it would really help me out if you could come here. I’m tied up with cases but I’d really like to get this other stuff rolling along.”

Other stuff rolling along.

Was that how he thought of the woman who would share the rest of his life? She was glad she didn’t fit his list.

Unfortunately, she didn’t really have a good excuse why she couldn’t help him out. “Okay, but I won’t be doing this again.”

“Great. Just give me a call when you get here.” He hung up.

Tanner hadn’t even said goodbye. It was time to have a heart-to-heart with him about whether or not he was really interested in doing the work needed to find a soul mate.

The traffic was light so she made good time going up and down the hills of San Francisco. The city could be difficult to drive in but the views of the bay made it worth it. She was just sorry a streetcar didn’t run close enough to the hospital for her to take one of those.

She found a parking spot in the high-rise lot next to the hospital. Crossing the street, she entered the towering hospital. In the lobby, she pulled out her phone and called Tanner’s number. Never in her wildest dreams would she ever have imagined having it at her fingertips. She and Tanner didn’t move in the same circles and never would.

He answered as he had before. There was an arrogance to how he responded but the crisp sound of his last name seemed to suit him.

“It’s Whitney.”

“Hey.” His tone changed as if he was glad to hear from her. She liked that idea too much. Obviously since he’d gotten his way he had calmed down. “From the main lobby door continue down the long hallway to the second bank of elevators on your right. They’ll be about halfway down the hall. Take one of them. Come up to the fifth floor. I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

Tanner didn’t wait for her to answer before closing the connection. That she wasn’t as accepting of. She’d rather be told goodbye.

Whitney found the bank of elevators and took the next available car. At the correct floor she stepped off. As good as his word, Tanner stood there, talking to another man also dressed in scrubs. When he saw her he left the man and strolled over to her.

He was the epitome of the tall, dark and handsome doctor. He still had the looks that drew women’s attention. What had happened between him and Michelle she couldn’t fathom.

Michelle had called yesterday morning all but glowing about the social and the date they’d had the night before. How she could have seen it as being so wonderful while Tanner was so unhappy was a mystery to Whitney.

“Thanks for coming.” Tanner ran his hand over his hair. “I know it wasn’t what you wanted to do. I had to come in last night to do an emergency surgery. I just couldn’t get away today. I have one more patient to see. Would you mind hanging out for a little bit?”

If he’d asked her that in college she might have fainted. Now Whitney only saw him as a man who needed her services. “Sure. I wouldn’t mind watching what you do. It might help me better understand you, which would assist me in matching you.”

“All business, all the time.”

“You’re one to be talking,” she quipped.

He grinned. “You’re not the first person to say that. After I see this patient we’ll go to my office to talk.”

They walked down a hall until they came to double doors. Tanner scanned a card and the doors opened from the middle out. They entered a hallway with patients’ rooms. He stopped at the third doorway along the passage. “This is Mr. Wilcox. Let me get permission for you to come in.”

“I don’t mind waiting out here.”

Tanner touched her arm when she started to move to the other side of the hall. A zing of awareness traveled up her arm. “He’s rather lonely. He’d like to have the company. See a face that has nothing to do with the hospital.”

That was a side of Tanner she hadn’t expected. Compassion beyond the medicine. “Then I’ll be glad to say hi.”

Tanner raised his hand to knock on the door but turned back to her. “He has a lot of pumps and drips hooked to him. That stuff doesn’t bother you, does it?”

She smiled. “No, I promise not to faint or stare.”

“Good.” Tanner appeared pleased with her answer. Had other women he’d known acted negatively to what he did for a living? He knocked on the door and stuck his head around it. There was a rumble of voices, then Tanner waved her toward him.

“We’ll need to wear masks.” He pulled a yellow paper one from a box on a table outside the door and handed it to her before entering the room. She followed.

Mr. Wilcox was about her father’s age, but his skin was an ash gray. Beside him was a bank of machines with lights. There was a whish of air coming from one. A clear rubber tube circled both the man’s ears and came around to fit under his nose.

“Mr. Wilcox, I brought you a visitor,” Tanner said.

The man’s dull eyes brightened for a second as he looked at her.

“Whitney Thomason, I’d like you to meet Jim Wilcox.”

“Nice to meet you, young lady,” Mr. Wilcox wheezed as he raised a hand weakly toward her.

“You too, Mr. Wilcox.” Whitney stepped closer to the bed.

“So how’re you feeling?” Tanner asked, leaning forward, concern written on his face.

Whitney was impressed with the lower timbre of his voice, which sounded as if he truly wished to know. She could grow to admire this Tanner.

“Oh, about the same. This contraption—” Mr. Wilcox nodded toward the swishing machine beside him “—is keeping me alive but I’m still stuck in this bed.”

“Well, maybe there’ll be a heart soon.”

“That’s what you’ve been telling me for weeks now. I’m starting to think you’re holding out on me.” Mr. Wilcox offered a small smile and perked up when he looked at her. “At least you were kind enough today to bring me something pretty to look at.”

Whitney blushed. “Thanks but—”

“Aw, don’t start all that stuttering and blustering. I have a feeling your beauty goes more than skin deep.”

Whitney really did feel heat in her cheeks then. “I think that might be the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.”

Tanner’s eyes met hers and held. Did he agree with Mr. Wilcox? Did he see something that others didn’t?

The older man cleared his throat.

Tanner’s attention returned to him. “Okay, Romeo. I need to give you a listen.” He pulled his stethoscope from around his neck. “I might have done a bad thing by inviting Whitney in.”

“If I promise to be nice, will you bring her back again?” Mr. Wilcox asked with enthusiasm in every word.

Whitney touched the older man’s arm. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t have to invite me for me to come again.”

She felt more than saw Tanner glance at her.

“Then I’ll look forward to it. So tell me how you know this quack over here?” Mr. Wilcox indicated Tanner.

Her gaze met Tanner’s. There was panic in his gaze. He probably didn’t want the man to know she was helping him find a wife. “Oh, we were in college together.”

Tanner’s brows rose. He nodded as if he was pleased with her response.

“Where’d you go?” Mr. Wilcox rasped.

“Berkeley,” she told him.

“Then you got a fine education.”

Tanner interrupted them with, “So, are you having any chest pains?”

Mr. Wilcox paused. “No.”

“That’s good. You seem to be holding your own.” Tanner flipped through the chart he’d brought in with him and laid it on the bed tray. “You need to be eating more. You have to keep your energy up.”

“I’ll try but nothing tastes good.” Mr. Wilcox pushed at the bed table as if there was something offensive on it.

“Not even ice cream?” Tanner asked.

“I’ve eaten all those little cups I can stand. I’d like a good old-fashioned banana split that I could share with someone like your young lady.”

Tanner chuckled. “When you get your heart and are out of here I’ll see if I can get Whitney to come back and bring you a fat-free split.”

“Fat-free,” he spat.

“That’s it,” Tanner said with a grin.

“Well, if Whitney shares it with me maybe I can live with it. She has nice eyes. Windows to the soul, they say.” Mr. Wilcox smiled.

“That she does,” Tanner agreed.

Whitney looked at Tanner. Did he really mean that? She’d had no indication that he’d noticed anything about her.

“So is she your girlfriend?”

“Just friends,” she and Tanner said at the same time.

Whitney wasn’t sure that their professional association qualified as friendship. Tanner wanted his personal business kept private, so “friends” seemed the right thing to say. Could they be friends? She didn’t know. What she did recognize was that she liked the Tanner who was concerned enough about his patient’s loneliness to invite her to meet him just to cut the monotony of being in the hospital day after day. That was a Tanner she could find a match for. Sad that the other Tanner wouldn’t let this one show up more often.

“Even behind that mask I can tell she’s pretty enough to be your girlfriend. You can always tell a special woman by her eyes. My wife, Milly, had beautiful eyes.”

Tanner put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I think we’d better be going.”

Whitney touched Mr. Wilcox’s arm briefly. “I hope to see you again soon. It was nice to meet you.”

He lifted a hand and waved as she reached the door. “You too. You’re welcome to my abode anytime.”

Whitney smiled. She liked Mr. Wilcox. “Bye, now.”

Tanner joined her. “See you soon, Mr. Wilcox.”

“You too, Doc.”

Whitney stepped out into the hall and Tanner followed, pulling the door closed behind him.

As they removed their masks Tanner said, “I’m sorry if he made you feel uncomfortable in there or put you on the spot about being with me. Mr. Wilcox can be pretty cheeky.”