Page 27 of Miss Fortune

I struggled to find another topic, recognizing she needed conversation to get through this. “Tell me what else you learned to do.”

She took a deep breath. “Um, I learned how to sew and make some clothes, tile a bathroom floor, make jewelry, do pottery. I also learned Spanish, French, sign language, and how to repair a tractor engine.”

Impressive and random. “Why a tractor engine?”

“My uncle was having some trouble with his the last time I was home, and I wanted to learn how to help him.”

“Did it work?”

“Absolutely.”

I don’t know why I’d questioned her. She’d worked for NASA and went to MIT. Of course she could learn how to fix a tractor engine. “And why learn to tile the bathroom floor?”

“My dad’s last project included tiling the bathroom floor. He’s an engineer too and enjoys coming up with new projects around the house.”

Lucas finished up and gave me a nod. “All done. Six stitches. Let me put a bandage on it.”

She let out a long sigh of relief and peered down to where our hands were joined.

I was reluctant to let go but finally did when it was clear I no longer had a reason to keep hold of her hand.

“All set.” Lucas tapped the bandage he’d put over the wound. “Just let me review your medical record so I know which antibiotic to prescribe.”

Daisy got up on unsteady feet. “Thank you, doctor. Let me get that for you.”

As soon as she went into the bedroom, Lucas turned to me. “She’s adorable. How long have you two been dating?”

“We’re not. She works for me.”

“Really?” His cocky grin was in full force. “She single?”

My molars ground together. “Yes, but she’s a relationship kind of girl.”

He frowned. “Aren’t all women, even when they tell you they aren’t. Don’t worry. You can stop clenching your fists. I’m not going to ask her out when you’re obviously into her.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Daisy was already walking back into the room. She was carrying a thick file. Exceedingly thick, considering she was what? Mid-twenties, at most.

Lucas went to work paging through it.

She appeared as though she was getting some of the color back in her face, and I handed her the glass of iced tea she’d been drinking.

“Good news,” Lucas announced. “You had a Tdap shot a little over two years ago, which means you’re up to date for tetanus. I see they’ve prescribed you amoxicillin as an antibiotic in the past. Did you have any issues with it?”

“No. No issues.”

“I’ll write you a prescription, or I can call it in somewhere.”

She went to the refrigerator and grabbed one of the magnets there. “Here’s my pharmacy if you don’t mind calling it in.”

Lucas gave her a soft smile. “I don’t mind. I’ll plan to come back in a few days to check for infection. In two weeks, I’ll come remove the stitches.”

She nodded, appearing suddenly tired. “Sounds good. Thanks for coming by. Um, how much do I owe you?”

“Consider this a favor for a friend.”

“No. Absolutely not. I took up your time on what I’m sure is a busy day.”

“How about I send you my bill, then?”