Page 36 of Raymond's Forever

“No,” he said quickly and held up his hand to ward of anything she might have said. “My heart is fine, it’s all in my medical records, because I questioned my doctor. He said he only told me that to scare me enough to slow down. I swear, it was a scare tactic on his part.”

“Why would he have had to resort to such measures?”

Raymond looked at his empty wine glass, then sighed heavily as he placed it on the side table, then turned to face her fully. He raised a hand like he was taking an oath. “I swear, I have never had a heart attack, and that my heart is good. I even went to a cardiologist to ease my own mind. Again, it’s all in my medicalrecords. Back then, I was working over eighty hours a week. I had no life outside of work. I took the hard cases, and did most of my own research.”

“Do you know why?”

“I was lonely. No one to go home to, my marriage to Melissa was over, she and her daughter were in jail, no way to get out for decades. Opal, my own daughter was here at Broken Wheel living her best life. I’m not crying in my beer, I’m not, but as I just said, I was lonely, and I sure as hell didn’t want to start over dating anyone new.” He shrugged, and sighed heavily. “That’s when I threw myself into my work. I felt satisfaction in those cases, and not to toot my own horn or anything, but I’m damn good at my job.”

“I believe you, I was just thinking logically. Thank you for being honest about your medical records.”

“I’ve never lied in my life, and if I want to start something with you, I’m not going to lie to you.” He chuckled and smirked at her. “Besides, you’ll find out everything if I ever see you as a doctor.”

“Why wouldn’t you see me as a doctor?” She was offended in her question and expression.

“Can doctors work with family members or lovers?”

“Oh, well, when you word it like that, then no, it’s not wrong, but highly frowned upon.”

“That’s what I thought.” He grinned when she snorted a laugh. “What about you? When was the last time you had a full blood work up?”

“Oh, god, I can’t remember.”

“This might be a stupid question, but where do doctors go when they need a doctor?”

“If this was in a hospital situation, I would go see one of my colleagues there. But since I’m far away, and working in my own clinic, alone, I guess I would have to reach out to someone inFool’s Gold.” She shook her head, then sighed deeply. “I sure as hell won’t be going back to the clinic or the hospital I just left in Colorado Springs.”

“Do you know anyone in Fool’s Gold?”

“I do. I’ve had a couple of referrals from them in the past. I can reach out to them tomorrow, set something up for next week.”

“Okay, any other questions?”

“Do you have condoms?” She grinned at his offended look, but she laughed and held up her hand. “Remember, Mom was forty-five when she got pregnant with me. I’m forty-four.”

“Oh, shit,” he said with a hearty laugh. “I never thought of something like that. Then my answer is no, I do not have condoms with me. I can pick some up when we go to your doctor’s appointment together.”

“Excuse me?”

“Wouldn’t it make sense that I go with you, and I can get my own bloodwork done? Get double checked that there’s nothing wrong with my ticker. Give us both peace of mind.”

She nodded, and agreed. “I can get my head around that, I know this isn’t very romantic, but we can go out to lunch or dinner, depending on the time of the appointment.” She grinned again. “Then to the grocery store.”

“See, that’s why I like you, Amelia, not only are you beautiful, but you’re smart and practical also.”

“Thank you,” she said and felt herself blush. They sat there in silence, then he took both her hands in his.

“As much as I want to take you to bed right now, I don’t have any protection, and I’m assuming you’re not on any birth control?”

“No, I’m not, and the practical side of my brain is saying to not chance it. If you can wait until we get the results back, then I would like to start something then.”

“I can wait, and isn’t the saying that all good things come to those who wait?” He laughed and gathered her into his arms, and they both sighed as how good it felt. They sat locked in the embrace for a long time, before he gently set her aside, and slowly stood, taking both of their wine glasses to the kitchen.

“Thank you for cooking dinner, I really enjoyed it.”

“I know.” He grinned when she snorted a laugh. “I’ll leave the leftovers here for you.”

“When we get our blood test results, I’ll have to cook for you.”