Cheryl Harper - Winner Takes All

“How do you know? We haven’t seen each other in years.” He didn’t like the idea that he couldn’t surprise her.

“You told me you hadn’t changed, D. You would never lie.” Her eyes weren’t quite as reserved this time when he managed to catch her attention.

The connection that stretched between them was sweet and made him uneasy at the same time. He needed her friendship. Anything else was dangerous. Besides, she was like a sister. They’d already survived acne, cafeteria pizza and countless fights over the remote. There was no way romance could outlast that.

“Listen, I’m happy to see you, but coming to Alto is a bad plan. The conditions aren’t what you’re used to and—”

“And you’re afraid I’ll tumble right on into love with you again. It’s okay. I’m smarter now than I was then. I realized you were right. We are good friends, but that doesn’t mean we should be anything more. Don’t worry.” She squeezed his hand. “Friends. That’s all. Now help me show your sister and Jen that they don’t know everything they think they do. Take me to Alto. I’ll stay until you’re coming back to Lima. I might even be able to help.”

“You aren’t a doctor. You’ll slow me down.” He closed his eyes against her wince. “I’ve got a group waiting, and I need to focus. We’ll be hiking and setting up clinics during the day and at night, I’ve got to work on this fund-raising report to keep the doors open. It’s a lot, Steph. Can’t you just...”

“Write a check? Make you happy? Get out of your way?” Stephanie reached for the backpack she’d set down next to her chair. She pulled out a digital camera and a nice leather-bound journal. “For my travel blog. The one I’m going to write. For me. I won the lottery. I’m going to travel and I’m going to document it all.” She tapped her finger on top of the journal and watched him while she waited for his brain to work everything out.

“You could help me. Instead of an annoying intern—”

“You could have an annoying donor with a large, healthy checkbook whose single wish is to see Alto and help you with your fund-raising. Just imagine...killing two birds with one trip. That has to please the always busy Dr. Lincoln even if Daniel is remembering my unfortunate habit of singing pop tunes at the top of my lungs.”

“They’re all in Spanish here,” he said, frowning. She had a point. She also had the equipment, and an English teacher should be able to craft something people would enjoy reading. HealthyAmericas would benefit from the trip. He could use the help.

“Once I hear them a few times, I’m sure I can mangle the Spanish cheerfully.” Stephanie raised the camera and snapped a quick photo of him.

“Intense concentration. Wonder how many shots it would take to get any other expression?” she asked as she flipped through the shots on her camera.

“Two weeks and you’ll write me a check for twenty-five thousand dollars. Plus, you’ll help me draft a compelling report to help HealthyAmericas with the upcoming donor event.” He offered her his hand.

Stephanie studied it closely. “How about a check for twice that and two more from some dear friends? And I’ll make sure I’m more help than hindrance on this trip.” Then she held out her hand.

“You’re really bad at negotiation. You went the wrong direction. Yes to the checks, but stick to the report, please. That’ll be a big weight off my shoulders.” He waved his hand impatiently.

She slipped her hand in his and the warm shock of soft skin and awareness surprised him. He squeezed her hand and then nodded.

“Come on. Don’t look so serious. We’re going to have fun. You’ll see.” When she straightened up, pulling her hand away, he had the impression that he missed her hand in his. After a second’s touch. Crazy.

Had to be the homesickness. That’s all.

“Two rules before we go.” He tightened his hand in a fist under the table and waited.

Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest with a gusty sigh. “How did I know there was more negotiation coming? Did you think I needed the practice?”

“I don’t want to talk about Holly Heights Hospital. At all.” He waited for her to agree, watched her open her mouth to argue and then reluctantly close it.

“Fine. But you need to talk to someone. It’s been four years. It’s only a big thing in your own mind, and your sister wants...” She shook her head. “What’s the second rule?”

He was glad she’d stopped. He and Rebecca had always been close and missing her made it harder to be happy doing this job that mattered so much. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if Rebecca asked him to come home to Texas.

Focus. She hasn’t asked and you have a job to do, visitors from home or not.

“You’re going to have to follow my orders. My trip means my rules.”

“Bossy. Just like old times.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I’ll try. That’s all I can promise. I never graduated from obedience training, Doc.”

This would be a disaster. One way or another, she’d interfere with his work. But he wanted the help and having a piece of home so close was hard to resist.

He turned his wrist over to check the time and then reviewed everything he still had to get done before they could leave Lima. “How much luggage do you have?”

Stephanie jerked in her seat as though she hadn’t quite believed he’d give in. He should have negotiated harder. He tried to remember how many times he’d ever won against Stephanie and decided he’d never stood a chance anyway. She pointed over her shoulder. “See the pile next to the desk? That’s all mine.”

From here he could count two big suitcases and three duffle bags. “More khaki?”

She tapped her lips with one finger. “Are you making a joke? It’s so hard to tell.”

“There’s no way we’re dragging all that with us. Go through and cull to one bag. Make good choices. Pants, shirts, things we can wash if we have to.” He checked under the table and nearly winced. “Unless you’ve worn those hiking boots for more than the plane ride down here, bring along your running shoes. And Band-Aids. Sunscreen. I’ll be back in two hours. I’ll tell Paulo to store the rest of your bags with mine so you can pick them up on your way home.” He scooted back from the table and stood, ready to execute his plan.

Until Stephanie held up one soft hand and said, “Wait a minute. I respectfully request a question-and-answer period with each sweeping order, sir.”

“Two rules. You can’t keep up with two?” He sighed. “I knew this was a terrible plan.”

Her lip twitched. “But you still want my money.”

“I do.” He tapped his left foot impatiently.

“And my help?” She batted her eyelashes at him and he could remember so many other times when she’d been able to tease him out of whatever cloud he’d been under.

“I do.” She wouldn’t back out now, would she?

“Fine. My backpack is okay, right? It’s got all my camera stuff.” She shoved her camera and journal in and stood while she waited for his answer.

“Yes. One bag and your backpack.” Some of the tension in his neck and shoulders that had been building into a low-level headache eased when she saluted and clicked the rubber soles of her boots.

“I’ll meet you right here. Should we synchronize our watches?” She held up her bare, slender wrist and tapped it as if she was trying to get a stopped watch working again.

He was shaking his head when he grabbed his bag and walked off, but there was something exciting about facing the trip he’d already made so many times with a new partner. Whether she disliked the journey or actively hated it, she’d be a lot of fun along the way. Stephanie Yates made sure everyone enjoyed life if it was possible. That was why the town of Holly Heights had loved her since she sprang into the world with a dimple and a bow taped to her head. He’d seen the pictures. She was adorable. And that was why the waitress hugged her neck on the way out.