Read Online Lacy's End by Victoria Schwimley - Free Book Online

next lifetime. Well, I guess I’d better get going and let you get back to work.”
    “Do you have to? It’s going to take them awhile to get her paperwork going, and I could use a break. Do you have time for a cup of coffee? It’s not Starbucks by any means, but it will work.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah, come on.” He led the way to a room down the hall. He pushed open the door and stepped inside. She followed. She gazed around, noting the various items used by the staff when they needed a little downtime. In one corner was a refrigerator. Sitting on a counter next to a sink was a toaster, coffee pot, and a microwave. In the center of the room was a round table with six chairs. A couch stood off to the side with a coffee table in front of it, on which several magazines were displayed.
    “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing at the couch. He poured two mugs of coffee. “Do you take anything in it?”
    She shook her head.
    He brought the mugs to the table and set one in front of her, and one in front of the seat next to her, where he promptly sat. He pointed to the cookies. “Do you mind?”
    She blushed. “Oh, of course not, they’re for you.” She slid the plate over to him.
    He took the plate, tore off the protective plastic wrap, and bit into one. “Oh…my…God. These cookies are so delicious. I’m in love.” She blushed again as he realized the implication of his statement. “With the cookies, I mean.”
    She smiled and nodded. “Well, I don’t have much else to do with my day but cook and clean.” She fell silent, as a vision of her husband throwing his plate of eggs against the wall that very morning flashed through her mind. He had been angry because she set them on the table before he sat down.
    “Hey, where’d you go?”
    She smiled faintly and rubbed her hands nervously. “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t go out on me, or I might eat all these cookies.”
    She looked down at the plate, amazed to see he must have eaten half the plate already. She laughed. “I guess you like them.”
    He grinned, covered the plate and said, “I don’t usually eat this way. These are delicious. You must have studied culinary in college.”
    Her smile dropped, and she shook her head. “No. I didn’t go to college.” A sad expression crossed her face. She pushed it away, making an effort to regain the smile. “I got married instead. The cooking is self-taught.”
    “Bravo,” he said. “I’d love it if you would cook for me sometime, perhaps dinner?”
    She shook her head. “I couldn’t. I’m sorry. Peter definitely wouldn’t allow that.”
    She stood and grabbed her purse, slinging the strap over her shoulder. She looked down, played with the strap of her purse. “I have to go now,” she said. “Peter will be home soon.” She turned to walk away.
    He stood, grabbing hold of her arm and turning her back around. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It was forward of me. I understand that you’re married.” An awkward silence had followed before he said, “Okay. Thanks again for the cookies.”
    He walked her back to the nurses’ station. “Can you find your way out from here?”
    She nodded and extended her hand. “Thanks for the coffee.”
    He watched her walk away. One of the nurses, Wanda, tapped him on the shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing, Doctor?”
    He shrugged and said, “I’m hoping to save a life.” He began to whistle and strode off toward the emergency room.

Chapter Six
    Millie Watson dabbed at the cut on Lacy’s face. Lacy flinched. “You would think I’d be used to them by now.”
    Millie frowned at her, stepping back to look at her, face-to-face. “No one should have to get used to them.”
    “Don’t start, Millie.”
    Millie mimicked her, waving her shoulders and scrunching up her face. “Don’t start, Millie.”
    Lacy laughed at the ridiculous expression on Millie’s face. Millie soon joined her.
    Without warning, Lacy grew serious. “Do you believe in