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Her crystal gaze floods with additional anxiousness as she tugs at her fitted black uniform dress. “Did you…Do you…um…want…”
“You to finish the question?” The lifted eyebrow she’s given is far from kind. “Quickly would be preferable.”
“Beverage services,” Clark swiftly steps in to assist the relatively new employee, “are meant to be extended to the guests of Mr. Wilcox-”
“Wes.”
“Wes,” he unhappily huffs his correction, “first. Second, comes the senior consulting staff,” an open palm is gestured toward the man on the bench, “such as Dr. Hamilton.”
“Would you like anything to drink, Dr. Hamilton?” She promptly questions, regaining a bit of confidence. “I understand the kitchen in the hospital suite has stricter policies and procedures, but I promise you I’m aware of them and will not do anything to disrupt or disturb you or Lauren.”
His decline is overly polite, “No, thank you, Penny.”
“Dr. Hamilton is currently the only consulting staff on hand at this time. Therefore…” Clark kindly waves his hand for her to take over the conversation.
Or perhaps end it.
I would like that.
“Senior staff with administrative roles!” Penny gleefully squeaks. “Clark, would you care for an afternoon beverage?”
“No, thank you.”
“Cassandra has the day off, and Lucky is drinking straight from the wine bottle he swears is for cooking…” she mutters to herself while counting on her fingers. “And then there’s…” more mumbles occur under her breath until she eventually squeaks a second time. “Lauren! Am I allowed to check on Lauren, now? See if she would like her afternoon tea?”
My eyes instantly cut back to Hamilton. “Can she continue to have tea?”
“I’d rather she not.”
It’s impossible not to spot the sadness in Clark’s stare. “Of any kind?”
“No.”
“What about hot, lemon water?” Penny eagerly tries again. “Can she have that? It’s been known to aid in immune system boosting.”
“It does possess that capability,” Hamilton reluctantly agrees which inevitably leads to him nodding. “Fine. She can have hot, lemon water. That’s just two basic ingredients. Two basic nonharmful ingredients. However, I’m still marking it in her chart. For all we know, she might suddenly become allergic to lemons.”
Despite my eyes rolling over his dramatic tactics, Penny happily croaks, “I’ll go make that for her. And you?” This time her tone is more of a caring coo as she creeps just a centimeter close. “Can I get you anything, Wes? Anything at all?”
Her subtext is far from subtle.
Much like my interest.
“No.”
Whether it’s the curtness she verbally receives or the irritation she’s nonverbally dealt that has her quickly scurrying away, I’m unsure.
I also don’t care.
Redirecting my full attention back to Hamilton is preceded by him announcing, “Look, I’m gonna run a couple samples to the private lab we use offsite. Get them tested. Check for a couple more complex possibilities. See what else I can rule out or rule in.” He rises to his feet prompting Clark to step back, yet I remain unmoved. “Do what you will about this situation, Wes, but I’m actively asking you – as not her doctor but her friend – give my suggestion about allowing her daughter a chance to visit some actual consideration. And I don’t mean the dead eyed stare thing you do while nodding to give the illusion you are considering an alternative to what you’ve already decided.” His dark gaze burrows further into mine. “I mean actually mull it over. Lauren’s devoted the last ten years of her life to this estate. To you. Doesn’t she deserve something more than a possible death sentence and extra loaded paycheck for that?”
His callous comment constricts my throat.
Causes my jaw to clamp tight.
He shoulders himself past me; however, I don’t object.
Or continue the conversation.
