Chapter 5 Allison(POV)

I remembered those eyes. I was so captivated. Those blue eyes remind me the deepest parts of the Mamanucas Islands in Fiji. I remember when my parents were alive, and we went there for their tenth wedding anniversary. Not to mention my father had a business meeting there with some associates. Kill two birds with one stone, right? I remember sitting on the beach and just daydreaming looking out at the water and the surrounding view. There were just a few people on the beach. Very calm.

I have been working non-stop since they passed away. I remember my grandmother coming to my side and telling me "We've got this girlie. We can do anything we put our minds to. You will learn to stand on your own. Stand tall. Stand strong. I had to learn at a young age myself when my parents passed away as well."

"You and I are a lot alike. We both love the country. Horses. Friesen's my loves. Especially Balto, you know him." I remember looking in my grandmothers' eyes and seeing myself. "We got this grammy. I will do my best in everything. I love you and trust you. I will help you with whatever I can." My parents used to think my grandmother was crazy for handling her horses herself, but they did not understand she can communicate silently with these wonderful creatures. I also think they just did not like 'fragrance of nature' so to speak. My parents rode a golf cart everywhere, in which my grandmother walked the property and still does. She is kind of funny and set in her ways. Eats a well-balanced breakfast, moderate lunch and dinner. Of course, she has her nightcap of tequila shot. She says, 'medicine of the devil.' She is hilarious and fun to be with. Her witty remarks make anyone blush. No filter but in a good way.

When Hutch entered my hospital room with the flowers, I knew it was him that helped me out last night. I wanted to give him the biggest hug and ask if I could keep him forever. But I noticed he did not want to make too much eye contact. So, I just watched him. As soon as I noticed he was moving quickly back out of the door, I knew it was him and followed him. I felt safe with him. And let us not forget to mention, walking behind him...damn what a body. The man knows how to keep himself in shape. My mind was wandering as I followed him to the elevators. He tanned, tall and built. Yummy. Like my nurses were murmuring as he walked by. He probably was in such a rush, he did not notice the giggles from the nurses' station as he passed. I glanced back at the nurses and said, "girls, girls let be nice and let him be."

Sandy, one of the other nurses, says, "Yeah I see you are following rather quickly doctor. Get it girl!" She makes me laugh. I love it when women turn the tables and do 'cat calls' to men as the men walk by. Making them blush and smile. Damn right. Call it out. 'Nice buns hun! Hey, where you going? Oh my goodness an Angel has fallen! Hey babbyyy!' or the kissing smooch sounds. Nurse Jessica is famous for that stuff. She tells me, "Doc, you have got to go for it. You just never know until your grab that golden ticket!"

Well, this one is for the girls! Hutch walked into the elevator quickly and I seen the doors close fast. But I was quicker at hitting the call button. The doors opened back up and it almost looked like Hutch stepped farther into the elevator and backed into the corner. I stood in the doorway and smiled saying, "At least tell me your name to go with the beautiful flowers you sent to me." I giggled not wanting to embarrass the man. My chest felt all warm and fuzzy.

"Did not want you to think I was some kind of stalker." He says quietly. I look into his eyes and tell him, "I remember your eyes." I cannot help but smile. I felt like I looked right into his soul and his soul was calling out to me. I extended my hand and introduced myself "Allison Stark." I did not add 'Doctor' to my introduction. Sometimes I think certain people add titles to their names as if they are above others. "Hutch Davidson." He shakes my hand. "Thank you for stopping and helping me last night." I tell him not wanting to let go of his hand. Strong and warm. Like I want them on my body. Okay weirdo! "Thank you again for stopping and helping me. I have no idea who that person was or why I was the peak of his interest. That had never happened to me. I've lived in New York all my life." I tell him. Not letting of of his hand and I motioned with my other hand to walk with me. I headed back to my hospital room, and he followed. Dang I was feeling giddy. Down girl down! I could see Jessica smiling at me and standing up from her chair with her hand on her hip. Please do not holler out, 'get it girl'. Oh please don't. I see Jessica start to open her mouth and I kept walking turning my heady and saying, "Jessica, please notify Dr Emily that I am ready to be released." She says, "Yes Dr Alli. Can I get you anything?" I reply, "No sweety, If I need anything I'll get it myself. I know exactly how busy we can get in a blink of any eye." Jessica smiles and nods. She shrugs her shoulders up and down like 'yipee.'

I make it back into my room and Hutch follows me in. I stand to the side and motion for him to take seat. My clothes are in the restroom, and I step in and leave the door slightly open. Thinking Hutch is going to make a run for it. Like some dork that I am. "Live in New York?" I asked him from the restroom. Hutch replied "yes for the past 10 years. I was in the military and after I left, I did not know where to go. I chose to stay here. I have a brownstone not too far away." I brushed my hair so quickly I almost forgot out the dang bandage on my forehead. I slip my sweats on and t-shirt. Wrap up my hair in a bun. You learn to dress quickly working as a doctor and eat on the run to the next patient. When we do get an actual break, I like to hit the salad bar downstairs in the cafeteria. The cafeteria ladies know how to set up a mean salad bar.

"What is your favorite food?" deciding to be bold, I ask as I tie my running shoes. He looks over at me with wide eyes "Relax I would like to take you to lunch or dinner." I say looking straight at him without blinking. Oh damn. He's going to bail on me. Dang it, just when I feel like a strong woman "Oh no need for that. I was trying to help out a lady in distress. My momma would have beat my ass if I didn't do anything." He replies. "I like your momma. But I am not taking 'no' for an answer" I say as I stand from the hospital bed. Feeling little desperate here. "Well ok. How about we meet at my favorite restaurant Lucciola's" he says..."Italian Restaurant." We say in unison. "I have been there, pretty good pasta. Their garlic bread is to die for" ...I tell him, not wanting to jump up and down doing the 'happy dance.' "Well Hutch, when shall we meet. I am off for the next 2 days per my doctors' instructions." I tell him. Okay girl, here we go! Just don't scare him off. He's gorgeous. He keeps smiling at me and I'm getting the giddy feeling again.

I would like to take him home and have my way with him. He'd probably think that I'm 'clingly' and never want to see or talk to me again. He stands and gives me another handshake and holds my hand a little longer than normal. Do not lick the back of his hand like some kitty cat. I look at him as he lets go of my hand and heads toward the doorway. He stops and turns around and says "Glad to see you up and doing very well. How about tomorrow night 7pm we meet at Lucciolas?"

"Great! See you there and I am buying you dinner. Get it?" I say sternly. "Yes, ma'am." He nods with his index finger to his eyebrow. I start to walk out of the room and stop in the doorway and watch him walk back towards the elevators. Yes, the nurses stand at attention and gawk. Damn, me too. He walks into the elevator and pushes the button. The doors close and I wait. We all waited. Looking up we see floor 2 , then floor 1. The nurses station erupts in hollering, "you go girl! Hell yeah! OMG did you see his ass? I'll take a slice of that!" "Ok calm down ladies, we have patients to take care of and I am being discharged now" I say as I see Dr Emma waling toward me. "What did I miss?" she asks. "My hero brought me flowers and he's a hunk! I mean yum-yum." I say and she gives me the biggest grin. She hugs me around one shoulder and says, "It's about time Alli." I think back to Robert 'West Point kid', it's been long time for a relationship. If that's what I should say. But in any case, a single coffee date or lunch date here and there never really led to a second date, I hope tomorrow changes everything. I could get used to see that body every day and of course every night. Dang I fell like I'm drooling at the thought.

Dr Emma gives me a prescription for pain pills, in which I do not fill. Do not like pain pills. Dr Emma gave me once earlier for the headache I had due to the concussion. But I really hate pills. Never like them. Grammy used to make herbal teas that I liked. Happy to drink a tea but no medication. Yeah, I know being a doctor, people question that I don't have a problem giving other people prescriptions. Yet won't take them myself. Oh well get over it!

I say my goodbyes as I'm wheeled out of the hospital. Protocol and policy for patients to be wheeled to the exit, hopefully to a waiting car to load them. But since I live a couple of blocks down, I decide the fresh air may help. I stand at the hospital entrance and see Manny and Jack smiling at me, standing in front of the paramedic truck. "No way guys. I am not riding in that thing to my loft" I said. Manny smiles and nods. He turns to the truck and hops in the back. Jack stands there just waiting, "Well sister, I guess I have the distinct honor of walking you home." He is always so sweet. He calls all woman 'sister.' He told me one day that we are all Gods children and it's only right to say brother and sister. Not being religious. It's just the way his family was raised. I like that. I grabbed his hand and told him up in his face "OK bro, let's go!" He smirked and half hugged me. He asks how I was feeling as we walked toward my loft. I felt like someone was watching me. Weird and eerie. I stopped halfway down the block and turned around scanning the area.

"You ok sister?" Jack asks. He had the look of a concerned big brother. He turned and looked around as well. Heavy sighing, I said "Just weird feeling I was being watched. Probably all in my head. Any way how is your family? Christine and the kids well?" His wife's name is Christine. She is a nursery schoolteacher. Just wonderful with kids. They have two little boys. Samuel and Jonathon. They are so sweet. They take after their father. Four-years-old calling woman 'sister', too cute! He tells me they are all doing fine. We reach my loft, and he waits at my door to make sure all good inside before he leaves. I thank him. I head into my kitchenette and put a pot of water on the stove to make some tea.

I check my messages. Yep, Grammy called twice. My cell phone went dead since I had not had a chance to charge it at the hospital. I call her and she answers quickly, "you lady what in the hell have I told you about checking in with me after your shift?" I explained to her what had happened and updated on my dinner plans. She was excited for me, since she knows my past with relationships or there lack of. She tells me, "You better call me after your dinner date." I bid her a good night. Had some tea. Picked out my clothes for the following evening. Got in bed and kept thinking of Hutch and the flowers he brought to me.

Next morning, I woke up in a great mood. Turned the radio on to my favorite country station and cleaned my loft. Since I had a couple of extra days. Did some laundry. I try and meal prep a bit to kept expenses down. Not that I had to, but I just cannot see going out to eat for lunch and dinner every day.

It's now 6pm, getting ready for my dinner date. Did my hair up in a high ponytail. I actually brushed it out and straightened it up as much as I could since I still have some bruising. Got dressed and headed out to the Italian restaurant. "Well good evening. You look rested." I hear a voice behind me as I am opening the door to the restaurant. I turn and Hutch is smiling with a rose in his hand. Oh my, I could get used to this. Is he for real?