Momentous Kisses: Love in Sandy Beach (7 page)

Russell grew worried about Allison. They had just finished a movie that should have left her smiling, but instead she looked pensive. “Penny for your thoughts.”

“That won’t buy you a single word,” she said.

“What’s wrong?”

Allison looked at him. “Would you believe I’m homesick?”

Russell hugged her close. “Yeah, I’d believe that. Missing the beach?”

“How did you know?” she asked, snuggling against his chest and closing her eyes.

“I love that place as well. And Chicago is a far cry from Sandy Beach.”

They fell asleep like that, and early the next morning, Russell slipped out of bed and called his receptionist. “I need your help.”

She laughed and then asked, “More grocery shopping?”

“No. I want to make a picnic lunch.”

“Oh, that’s easy.” She gave him the number of a nearby deli that not only provided the food, but the basket, the blanket, and the utensils needed for a beautiful picnic lunch.

“Thanks. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He headed down to the deli, picked up the basket of food, and returned to the apartment. When he got back, Allison was gone. She’d left a pink Post-it on the table saying, “Will be back soon. Getting croissants for breakfast. Kisses – Ally.”

She’d smacked a lipstick kiss onto the Post-it, and he fought a grin. That was so like her.

He took advantage of her absence, grabbed swimwear for them both and some towels. He also tossed a bottle of sunscreen in the bag and then carried it down to his car and tucked it away in the trunk.

Allison was just opening the door when he went back upstairs. He snuck up on her and grabbed her around the waist. “I have a surprise for you.”

She giggled, “What is it?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you now, would it?”

She wrinkled her nose.

He spun her around and then put her down. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

He drove them out of town, heading north along the lake. About thirty minutes up he knew a cute little beach. It wasn’t Sandy Beach, but it was a close second in his mind. She continued to quiz him about their destination, but he only winked at her and refused to say anything. He loved to tease her, and her curiosity was an easy target.

When they arrived, she dashed the length of the tiny beach back and forth, before she jumped at him and hugged him tight. “It’s wonderful, Russ. This place is just what I needed.”

Russell grinned, having a hard time taking his thoughts of her curvy body plastered against his. “Sunshine. Let’s get set up and then go for a swim.”

They swam, they ate, and they sauntered along the lakeshore. It was such a romantic outing, and Russell realized how much he’d enjoyed spending the week with Allison by his side despite his best efforts not to.

As they walked, hand-in-hand, he understood he was falling in love with her, and that each day spent with her made that love grow a little stronger and burn a bit brighter.

She had brought such joy and happiness to his life. She truly was his sunshine, and for the first time in over a decade, he was unequivocally happy. Almost too happy. In the back of his mind, a fear had begun to take hold, and he only hoped and prayed this time it wouldn’t happen.

As they packed up the picnic basket in the evening, Allison said, “I miss Sandy Beach a lot. I can’t imagine ever moving away from there, let alone back to Chicago.”

Russell didn’t interrupt her monologue. By now he knew she had to get it off her chest. And talking was her preferred way to release tension.

“This week has shown me how much I hate the hustle and bustle of the city. The anonymity.

“I guess I’m a small town girl at heart. I like walking into a place and knowing everyone’s name and being greeted by name on the street.”

When she finally stopped talking, he answered, “I fully understand you. I was only there for two days, but I’ve never felt so relaxed and at peace.”

He pulled her around so that she was leaning against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. They sat that way for a while and then she suddenly asked, “What makes you so unhappy?”

Russell was puzzled by the question, and his first impulse was to hide behind his shell like a tortoise, but it wouldn’t be fair to her. He made an effort and started talking about his unhappiness with his life.

“I’m surrounded by people, women mostly, who are so unhappy with themselves they are willing to undergo painful and dangerous surgeries to try and find gratification in how they look on the outside.

“I’m beginning to hate what I do. I’ve always wanted to help people. I became a plastic surgeon to give my patients the means to recover their self-esteem after a disfiguring accident or illness.”

She rubbed her nose before she answered, “Why don’t you stop doing cosmetic surgery? You could change the focus of your practice to accident victims – if that is what you wanted to do in the first place?”

“I have thought about it, but cosmetic surgery pays almost quadruple what insurance does.”

Allison gave him an empathetic look over her shoulder. “And you need to eat.”

Russell laughed. “I could eat even if I never worked another day I my life.”

She turned around so that she was kneeling between his thighs, and perused him with eyes wide as saucers. Her voice was very serious when she said,  “Then you should do what makes you happy.”

There was that word again.
Happy.

“And what if I don’t deserve to be happy?” he asked.

“Everyone deserves to be happy. Sometimes bad things happen. That’s life. But it doesn’t have to define the entirety of it.”

She laid a tender hand along his jawline. “Is work the only reason you’re so unhappy?”

She’d hit the nail on the head, but Russell wouldn’t go down the road she was leading him to. No way in hell would he open Pandora’s box and talk about his parents. The grief. The desolation.

He pursed his lips into a thin line and turned his head. Thankfully she didn’t inquire further, but turned back around and leaned against him.

They sat together in silence until the sun dropped low in the sky, her words and their conversation playing over in his mind. He had more money than he could probably ever spend. And she was right; it was stupid to waste his life chasing more money when it wasn’t making him happy.

She started shivering after the sunset, and they quickly gathered their stuff and drove back to his place, arriving well after dark. His mind was still in turmoil, and he realized he needed to make some decisions. Soon.

“Do you mind if I go for a run? I have some thinking to do. You’re welcome to join me, but let me warn you, I won’t be a good conversation partner.”

Allison yawned and shook her head. “No, you go. I’m tired. I’ll find something for us to watch on television for when you get back.”

He kissed her on the forehead and then hurried to change into his running clothes and shoes. During the exercise he used the quiet time to think about his life, and took the firm decision to induce some major changes.

When he returned an hour later, he found a sleeping Allison on the couch. He turned the television off and carried her to his bed. After a quick shower, he cuddled up next to her and quickly fell asleep. She had touched him deep down, and he knew he would never be the same again.

The next morning, Allison awoke to a very queasy stomach. She managed to drink some water and brush her teeth, but the mere thought of food had her stomach revolting and threatening to empty itself.

“Want some breakfast?” Russell asked from the bathroom doorway.

Allison shook her head. “No. My stomach’s not feeling very good this morning. It was probably something I ate on the picnic yesterday.”

“Are you sure? I could make you some toast,” he offered.

“No, thanks. I’ll eat something later.”

Russell tilted his brow, looking at her uncertainly. “I’ll be home early. Call me if you need something. Promise?”

“Promise.” She walked him to the door with wobbly legs, turning her head so he could kiss her cheek. “Just in case whatever I have is contagious.”

He smoothed a hand down her hair. “Get some more sleep, Ally. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

“Hopefully.”

She headed back to bed, but couldn’t sleep – especially when her phone started ringing with the distinctive ring tone she’d assigned for her family. She glanced at the caller ID. It was her sister Reese. “Hey, Ree.”

“Where are you? I tried calling you at home all weekend and you never answered.”

“I’m in Chicago with Russell.”

“I should have known it; you went through with that test theory of yours.”

“Yes.”

Reese laughed out loud and then said, “Hey, don’t mind me. If it works, why not?”

After a few minutes of catching up, Allison promised to call her sister later. As the morning progressed, she felt more like herself and decided to get some fresh air.

She walked to Millennium Park, taking her painting stuff with her. Chicago wasn’t so bad if you knew the right places to go, and she found a secluded and peaceful spot to sit and paint.

She painted for several hours and then packed her stuff up and returned home. By the time she arrived, she was exhausted and reclined on the couch with her Kindle, waiting for Russell to come home.

“Hey, Sunshine. Do you feel better?”

Allison nodded. “My stomach feels better, but I’m awfully tired.”

“Feel like going out for dinner?” he asked.

“Not really. Are you hungry?”

“Always. How about I order in and we watch a movie?” he suggested.

“That sounds about what I’m up for.”

Russell ordered their food and they settled down to watch a romantic comedy. Allison hated the fact she wasn’t her usual energetic self, but she loved to cuddle with him on the couch.

She’d enjoyed their week together and was amazed at how quickly they’d grown accustomed to each other. The thought of having to leave him to go back to Sandy Beach sent cold shivers down her spine, but then she couldn’t imagine moving to Chicago either.

In contrast to her older brothers, she had always loved the small-town life of Sandy Beach, and the day her parents had moved there permanently had been the luckiest day in her life. Her siblings longed for the excitement of the city, while Allison avoided it at all costs.

Maybe her test hadn’t been such a good idea after all?

Since those thoughts headed down a road that didn’t seem to have a happy ending, she pushed them aside and relaxed to watch the movie with Russell. As the movie loaded, he told her, “The patients at the clinic absolutely love your paintings. One woman even asked if she could be one of them. You should go talk to Mr. Wallace tomorrow.”

Allison’s heart sang with delight. “Russ, that’s fantastic
.
Maybe I’ll be able to make a living from my painting after all.”

The movie started up, but Allison never even made it halfway through it before she was sound asleep, cuddled up against Russell.

The next morning Allison still felt sick. She’d fallen asleep during the movie the night before and he’d carried her to bed, but after sleeping soundly all night, she’d awakened weak, nauseous, and pale in the face.

His stomach twisted with concern and worry about her.

“Ally, don’t you think you should go see a doctor?” he asked, his worry for her showing in his voice and on his face.

She shrugged it off. “I’m sure it’s just a bug. I’m not horribly sick; my stomach is a little queasy. Perhaps I picked up a summer flu?”

“Perhaps. Take it easy today, okay?”

“I will. Have a good day at work.”

Russell left with a kiss to her cheek and headed for the clinic, his own stomach slightly queasy in anticipation of the conversation about to happen. He carefully rehearsed his words until he arrived at the clinic, where he searched for his partner Dex and found him in his office, sipping on coffee and looking over patient files.

“Dex? You got a few minutes?” he asked from the doorway.

“Sure. Come in.” Dex invited him to have a seat.

Russell took the chair in front of his partner’s desk and then steepled his hands under his chin, resting his elbows on the corner of the desk. “I’d like to make some changes to the focus of the clinic.”

Dex sat back in his chair, his eyebrows flickering skeptically. “What kind of changes?”

Russell steeled himself for his partner’s reaction. He knew Dex wouldn’t embrace his ideas with open arms, but he despised continuing with the status quo any longer. “I want to see the clinic get away from cosmetic surgery for vanity purposes.”

“What?! Are you crazy? That’s our bread and butter!”

“It has been, but that’s not what either of us wanted to do when we left medical school,” Russell reminded him.

“No, but paying off my student loans for the next fifty years wasn’t what we wanted either. Cosmetic surgery is where the money is.”

“I’m tired of chasing the money!” Russell said, exasperated ,and stood up to pace in front of the desk.

Dex stood up as well and pushed his hands deep into his pockets. “Russell, we’ve been over this before. There is no way I’m on board with this. I love having you for a partner, but I love my luxurious lifestyle even more.”

“We’d still earn enough money.”

“We’d barely scrape by.”

Russell could feel his jaw tense and abruptly stopped in front of Dex. “Is this all you care about? Money?”

Dex stared back at him, opening and closing his fists a few times, before he said, “Look, Russ, you need to think this through some more.”

“I have thought this through.”

“Then think on it some more, before making any rash decisions. I won’t hold you back, if you wish to leave.”

Russell shook his head and stormed out of Dex’s office. He was angry Dex wouldn’t even consider his request, and frustrated he hadn’t handled their conversation better.

He headed for his office, grabbing his white coat and stalking to the exam room, where his first patient of the day was waiting for him: Mrs. Mitchell.

He took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside. “Good morning, Mrs. Mitchell.”

“Dr. Barkin. I’m so glad you had time to see me.”

“What can I do for you today?” he asked, flipping through her file. The woman had already undergone three facelifts, and the last time she’d had to endure some complications. It would be a huge risk to operate on her again.

“I wish to have another facelift.”

Russell raised his left eyebrow. “Another one? Why? You look wonderful.”

“My husband told me I’m looking old.” She leaned towards him and traced a line from her eyelid to her ear and down to the corner of her mouth. “Can you see all those wrinkles?”

For God’s sake, the woman was past sixty – how could anyone expect her to have a wrinkle-free face like a twenty-year-old girl? Russell grew impatient and asked with a harsh voice, “Are you happy, Mrs. Mitchell?”

“Happy?” Mrs. Mitchell asked, furrowing her brow.

“Yes! Happy!”

Mrs. Mitchell shook her head. “I’m not exactly sure how this has something to do with my wrinkles, but I guess not.”

Russell sighed. He wished Allison were by his side. “Were you happy after your last facelift?”

“God, no. It was awful. I was in acute pain for several months and subsisted on painkillers. I hate needles and operations. The only reason I had that last one was for Richard.”

She paled at the memories and Russell felt guilty to put her through this, but he wanted her to acknowledge that another facelift would be a huge mistake. A painful mistake.

“Richard is your husband?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Do you love him?”

Mrs. Mitchell raised an eyebrow at the inappropriate question, but slowly answered, “I guess.”

I guess? What kind of answer is that? You either love someone or you don’t.
Russell was tired of it. “Mrs. Mitchell, I’m going to do you a favor and refuse to perform another facelift on you. It’s too dangerous and I won’t risk your health. My suggestion is that you find a man who loves you just the way you are.”

He pushed himself to a standing position and rushed out of the exam room, leaving a stunned Mr. Mitchell staring after him.

I wouldn’t want to change even one tiny detail about Allison. I love her the way she is.
Not even fifty years from now when she’d be all wrinkly and have a flabby stomach and graying hair. He would still love her just as she was. Yes, even then. The burst of love was almost palpable, and he could have sworn he heard pieces of rock tumbling down when the protective wall around his heart collapsed.
I love her!

He heard a commotion in the hallway and stalked to the door to see Mrs. Mitchell crying to Dex about her meeting with his partner. Dex glared daggers at him and then assured the woman he’d be happy to perform the surgery for her. After his nurse escorted Mrs. Mitchell to the reception desk to get the procedure scheduled, he stomped into Russell’s office, slamming the door after entering it.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

Russell felt his rage rising. How could Dex countermand his decision? In front of the entire clinic? He clenched his fists and inhaled sharply. “Mrs. Mitchell does not need another facelift.”

“Who cares? She wants it and is willing to pay for it. We’re in business here.”

Russell folded his arms across his chest. “I told you this morning I want to get away from cosmetic surgery.”

Dex shook his head. “Then I suggest you find someplace else to do that.”

Silence filled the office for long moments before Russell nodded his head. “That would probably be for the best. I will of course stay on until you can find someone to buy me out. It shouldn’t be too hard.”

The tension started to diminish and Dex recovered from his shock. “Are you positive this is what you want?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’ll start asking around.”

Russell turned to leave the room, when Dex called him back, “Russ, I’m sad to let you go. We’ve had lots of fun together. But if this is what you want, I’ll do everything to find someone quickly.”

“Thanks.” Relief spread throughout his body. He had no idea what he was going to do next, but for the first time in a long time he felt free.
Ally is right, happiness is much more important than money.

The one thing he knew was that he loved Allison and wanted to be with her. They’d have to figure out the details, but for now, he was ready to take the plunge and tell her the “relationship test” had been a success and he was willing to take things to the next level.

His fingers itched to call her, but he decided to deliver the good news in person. He glanced at his schedule and noticed he still had several more patients to see before he could leave. He made reservations at one of the city’s most romantic restaurants and then headed back out to deal with the next patient.

Tonight, he would tell Allison he wanted to be with her, and he’d make sure the evening was memorable.