Ava’s eyes burned with a lack of sleep, but the team of four set out well before six that morning. Elizabeth was leading the team that consisted of her and Ava as well as two laboratory technicians to collect samples and see if they could find what it was that had infected Sandra’s team.
Before heading to the camp site, they stopped for breakfast at Lavender’s cafe-bar which had a couple of B and B rooms one of which Elizabeth had been booked into.
Ava found it hard to shake the affect Dr. Elizabeth Grant was having on her. Elizabeth was older than her, beautiful, accomplished and disarming. The way she looked at Ava with her piercing blue eyes made her feel desired, yes. But also something else that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Do you want help to check your baggage in?” Ava asked.
“No thank you, all I have is this,” Elizabeth said with a slight smile and gestured toward her carry-on.
“I guess you weren’t planning on staying long,” Ava said, attempting a joke, but it fell flat.
“Not exactly,” Elizabeth said with a slightly amused smile. “I’ve just learned to pack light; it makes traveling much easier. I don’t tend to stay in one place very long.”
Ava felt her cheeks burning, but she tried to dismiss the feeling. “Do you want me to come with you to get your room sorted at least?”
Elizabeth blinked a couple of times before answering, and Ava could swear that she saw some color blossoming in her cheeks.
“I’ll have the others grab us a table, or whatever you want,” Ava said quickly.
“No, it’s fine,” Elizabeth said, though she still seemed flustered. “I guess I’m just used to a certain professional um… detachment, and everyone here is so friendly.”
“Um… Thank you?” Ava answered, she had no idea whether it was a compliment or an admonishment.
“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said. “I’m just tired, I think. Come with me, you can help me find my room.”
“Okay,” Ava said and shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. This woman was able to get to her in ways she couldn’t put her finger on. She could feel the blood rushing to her face as she realized that she would never have offered towalk withany other doctor. She was acting like a teenager with a crush; no wonder Elizabeth was confounded by her.
They went over to the counter and Elizabeth asked for her room key.
“I don’t think I’ve ever stayed somewhere with actual keys,” Elizabeth said mostly to herself.
“Lavender’s old-fashioned like that,” Ava said with a smile. “This is the best place to stay around here though. The big hotels are fancy for sure, but they don’t have near the personality that this place has, plus it’s closer to the hospital. Lavender’s is the lesbian hub of Phoenix Ridge.”
Elizabeth laughed, “Is it really?” Her blue eyes burned into Ava and she raised an eyebrow.
Oh god, why did I say that? Is Elizabeth even a lesbian?
Elizabeth nodded and smiled and tucked the key into her pocket. They went to the staircase they were directed to and started up the stairs. “Have you stayed here before?” Elizabeth asked.
Ava’s cheeks colored at the question, she had, but it was with past relationships, if you could call them that. They were more like quick romantic flings, and they never lasted more than a few dates. “A couple of times, yes,” she finally answered. “It’s nice to get away from home once in a while.”
Elizabeth eyed her as though Ava were a puzzle. Elizabeth fitted the key into the lock and gave a slight grin as the tumblers turned and the heavy door opened. She pushed insideand Ava held the door so she could maneuver her bag inside.
“Do you come here with your…partner?” Elizabeth asked, and Ava almost choked in surprise.
“I, um… well, no, I-I’m single,” Ava sputtered.
Elizabeth laughed out loud at Ava’s floundering, but it was friendly, and Ava suddenly felt more comfortable, though she couldn’t explain why. “I guess relationships are difficult in our line of work,” she said.
“True,” Ava was forced to agree. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a long-term relationship, it was just that especially in a city like Phoenix Ridge where she knew everyone, others had a difficult time understanding the demands of her job on her time and attention. That was usually what ended the relationships quickly.
Ava waited respectfully by the door, though her curiosity tugged at her to follow Elizabeth as she quickly put away her personal effects. After which they headed back downstairs to join the others for breakfast.
The lovely cafe-bar had a breakfast bar where they each made their own plate, Ava took some yogurt and berries along with a cheese omelet, and though she tried to convince herself it was none of her business, she watched as Elizabeth took a similar meal. The team received a few sideways glances from the regulars who recognized Ava, and Ava wondered how much the city knew about what was happening at the hospital.
Sandra had made it through the night, but she was getting weaker. The other campers were starting to show signs of whatever disease this was, but the progression seemed to be much slower, hopefully it was responding to the antiviral medication they were administering, but nothing seemed to work long term. Still, the team at the table stayed quiet. That was the one thing on all their minds, but the one thing they didn’t want to risk discussing in the public eye.
They ate quickly and headed out to their vehicle. They had taken one of the medical vans that were usually reserved for home visits with patients. It was large and spacious, giving them plenty of room for their medical bags and tools that they would need. They had to figure out where this virus had been contracted, and hopefully that would give them a better idea of how to treat it.
