Love's Taming(78)

Snatching up her purse, she locked the clinic and headed down the street, having written down the address from his employee file. Four blocks down the road, she saw him jogging toward her.

“Annie! I was just trying to get back into the clinic. I think I may have dropped my wallet.”

“I’ve got it. I found it under the desk and was trying to get it to your mom’s place before you left to meet up with your friends. I would hate for you to get carded and not have ID,” she laughed.

He looked concerned. “You were going to my mom’s apartment?”

“Well, yes. I thought that was where you lived.”

“It is, but I…well, I don’t think you should ever drop in on her,” he said looking embarrassed. Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked up at her and explained, “She’s…kind of…cantankerous.”

“Cantankerous?” Annie asked.

“I know she’s in pain so for the most part I just ignore it. But, well…she can sometimes not be very polite to people.”

“I see. Well, I’ll remember that. I’m just glad we caught up with each other,” she said handing him the wallet. “Have a good evening.”

Thanking her, Carl turned and headed back down the street. Annie turned back toward the clinic where her car was parked and began walking down the street again, this time noticing how much darker it was. Stopping under a street light, she realized that there were quite a few street lights out in the neighborhood, making the sidewalks eerie.

“Dr. Donavan,” a male voice sounded as a man materialized from the shadows. He was not as tall as Shane but was bulky, as though he spent a great deal of time in a weight room.

She instinctively took a step back, clutching her purse. Damn, I should have my mace in my hands!

The man noticed her defensive posture and stepped into the light so that she could easily see his face, while keeping his hands in plain view at the same time. “Doctor, my name is Jobe, from Alverez Security, and have been assigned to make sure you get home from the clinic each night. I saw you walking away from your car and meet with the other doctor, so I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

Annie stood still, wide-eyed, the adrenaline rush was still pounding through her.

“Doctor, may I show you my identification?”

She nodded and replied, “Yes, please.”

She noticed that he smiled just a little. “Why are you smiling?”

He handed her his Alverez Security photo identification giving her a chance to scan it and his face. “I’m smilin’ because you’re so polite even before knowing if I am who I say I am.”

“Why haven’t I seen you before?”

“Ma’am…I’m sorry…Dr. Donavan. It’s my job to go unnoticed. I’m here so that you don’t have to worry about your safety, but to also stay in the background. Now, may I escort you to your car?”

Smiling at Jobe, she agreed, “Yes, thank you. It was getting dark and I was concerned.”

“Doctor, may I suggest that you not attempt to walk the city streets unescorted again?”

She wanted to protest, but knew that if Shane was aware that she had been out in the dark, alone on the streets, he would not be happy. Nodding, she reached her car and unlocked it. Turning, she stuck out her hand. “Thank you, Jobe. I appreciate you assisting me. I’m sure that watching me and the clinic must be a very boring job for a man like you.”

“Dr. Donavan, I assure you that no job is too small, and watching your clinic is certainly not boring. But even if it was, I would still do it to the best of my ability. Your safety is paramount. Shane’s a good friend and that makes you important.”

Smiling her goodbye, she got in the car and drove home. Pulling into the driveway, she noticed the lights in the house were on. So was the front porch light. So were the security lights. And Shane’s truck was in the driveway. And his silhouette was in the window.

By the time she was getting out of the car, he was already off the porch and stalking toward her. Before she could get out her greeting he was upon her.

“You want to tell me what the fuck you were doing walkin’ alone on a city street in the dark with hardly any street lights working?”

Annie’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Jobe. Damn, he called Shane. The first flush of emotion was surprise. Then embarrassment. Then anger. Green eyes widening, she looked up at his angry face. The face that smiled at her over the breakfast table and stared at her intently when she was screaming his name in passion. And right now that angry face was pissing her off.

“Oh no you don’t. You do not get in my face when I am just getting out of the car after a long day at work and start yelling at me.”