With a Little T.L.C. Read Online Free PDF Page B

for the books—Nurse Ratchett with overtones of Tinkerbell. Her good nature was infectious even while she was tossing verbal barbs his way. She’d lobbed him so many backhanded compliments, he felt like a tennis player. How could he defend himself against that?
    He took a bite of his sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “I suppose you could describe me as relationship challenged,” he said. “I prefer that to stupid.”
    â€œSo being relationship challenged has set in since Trish Hudson?”
    Joe remembered his short acquaintance with the nurse. Something about her had put him off and he’d ended things with her in a straightforward way. “What about her?”
    â€œDidn’t you date?”
    â€œWe went out a couple times,” he answered carefully.
    â€œWhat happened?” Liz seemed tense, as if she was ready to pounce on his response.
    He was no stranger to the need for diplomacy in employee relations. Liz and Trish worked in the same hospital. Just because he’d ended things on account of the negative vibes she’d given off, there was no need to spread that to her co-workers. “Things just didn’t work out,” he finally said.
    â€œSo that’s what you call it?” she asked, an edge to her voice.
    â€œWhat?” he asked, honestly at a loss.
    â€œNever mind.” She stared at the water for a few moments before asking, “Relationship challenged? Does that mean you don’t fool around?” she asked skeptically.
    â€œI used to. Not anymore.”
    â€œAnd you don’t flirt?”
    â€œFlirt is a relative term. I’m a people person. Friendly. It’s a management style. An asset for the Human Resources Director of Marchetti’s, Inc.”
    â€œThere are assets, and then there are assets. In yourposition, you get to scope out the territory right off the bat.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” he asked sharply.
    â€œYou can check out every new female employee.”
    â€œRed light,” he said, shaking his head. “No way. It’s my job to make sure that kind of thing doesn’t happen. We stop short of restricting employee fraternization. But it’s strongly discouraged.”
    â€œThat could explain why you’re a volunteer.”
    He wondered what she meant by that—nothing good probably. Watching her for a moment, he tried to figure out why he cared whether or not she thought badly of him.
    Tamping down his annoyance he said, “Does the phrase ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ mean anything to you?”
    â€œHave you ever heard ‘if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck’?” He stared at her for a few moments and she said, “What?”
    â€œI’m just trying to figure out when I quacked or waddled. What behavior have I exhibited to make you think so poorly of me?”
    â€œThe very first time I met you, you were trying to impress me with your charm.”
    â€œAnd you nearly ripped my ear off. Apparently my technique could use some fine tuning. Or I need a brush-up course.”
    She shook her head. “Don’t waste your time on my account. I’m immune.”
    No kidding, he thought. The question was why?
    He wiped his hands on a napkin. “Turnabout is fair play and I’ve been getting a grilling that would do the CIA proud. Let me ask you something.”
    â€œFair enough. Shoot,” she said, chewing contentedly.
    â€œHow long have you been divorced?”
    She almost choked. “What makes you think that?”
    â€œYou have a chip on your shoulder the size of Texas. You camouflage it pretty well with humor. But you’ve got some baggage, lady.”
    Her eyes widened, and he expected her to dispute his words. But she only said, “Thankfully it wasn’t a nasty divorce. One would have to be married first.” She fiddled with her sandwich wrapping.