LITMIR.BIZ

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than a thousand head of cattle and a few riding horses. And in spite of his busy surgical practice, the ranch still remained profitable and his surgical practice soon became one of the best in the state, supporting the Sister’s mission at the hospital for over thirty years. Because Doc had been involved in hiring Bill, he was one of the very few that knew Bill intended to leave after he’d salvaged the hospital - but more importantly he’d kept that a secret and Bill knew he could be trusted with this. As he stared at him, he noticed how Doc’s green eyes always had a twinkle to them. Suddenly Doc yelled over the diesels, just as they crossed under the New Town Bridge, “The water’s so deep here they’ve yet to find the bottom,” pointing at the depth finder, which was wavering up and down below the hundred foot mark on the gauge. Then pointing up at a cliff on the north end of the New Town Bridge he yelled, “That’s called lover’s leap, and you can almost see the entire reservoir from up there.” Then as he turned the boat south he explained, “I’m heading for our favorite beach where we can hike a bit and swim in some very refreshing cold water, if you’re up to it.”

      As the boat glided toward the south shore, Doc idled down both diesels. “I’m planning a fresh walleye dinner tonight,” he grinned. “While you and Mary talk over some business, Susan and I will take the fishing boat and catch some fresh Walleye for dinner.”

      Then driving the square nosed bow onto the sand beach he suddenly powered up both diesels, climbing a full five feet onto the shore before shutting things down and heading back to change into his swimsuit, just as Mary casually walked into the room in a very brief bikini, saying, “Well it looks like we’ve finally landed.”

      Bill remembered how stunned he was, seeing her in a bikini. It was hard to believe he’d been meeting daily with her in a starched white nursing uniform that had concealed such an attractive body, as he awkwardly attempted to continue with some meaningless conversation. It was fortunate they were the only two in the room since it took Bill a while before he felt comfortable with her nakedness. Her tan also suggested she must’ve lived in bikinis during her time away from the hospital, and it was obvious that her Las Vegas show girl experience had conditioned her to be completely at ease without much on. Later, as both Doc and Mary casually strolled along the shoreline, it was even more difficult not to notice her hour glass shape while trying to pay attention to the peaceful surroundings that Doc was describing in great detail.

      When they finally returned to the boat, Doc said, “Susan lets go catch those Walleye for dinner. Mary and Bill have some business to discuss, so we’ll let them talk while we fish.”

      Bill remembered how both Mary and he stood watching their small boat slowly disappear around the point before she turned to Bill and laughed, saying - “Bill, it’s good to see you relaxing in a bathing suit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything but a suit and tie.”

      “I must admit,” Bill chuckled, “seeing you in a bikini is a shock compared to that damn white nursing uniform I see you in every day.”

      Laughingly Mary looked away, flipping her hair off to the side - then as she turned back to talk, her face suddenly became very serious, and her jaw visibly tightened. Pursing her lips tightly she stared at him. “I’ve got several things I need to discuss with you, and I know it’s not good to mix business with pleasure, but what we need to talk about would best be discussed away from the hospital.”

      “Alright! - What’s on your mind?” Bill asked as they both sat down.

      “Well, first let me tell you that on Monday we’re putting the ranch up for sale, and we thought you should hear about that before it happened. We’re building a home on a golf course in Fort Myers, Florida, and Doc’s retiring in about eight months. We’ve also purchased a manufactured home to live in after we sell our ranch - for when we return to North Dakota in the summers. As you know, Doc will be seventy-five years old, and it’s time he starts winding down his practice. Bill - I’ve certainly enjoyed my job with you, and I’m really going to miss working with you - very much,” she added as an after thought - again pursing her lips with one hand over her mouth to cover her obvious emotions.

      “Bill, I want you to know that the last few years have been the most fulfilling years in my entire life,” she whispered as tears filled her crystal blue eyes. “Damn-it, I knew I was going to cry,” she mumbled to herself- turning away to hide her feelings.

      As Bill reached out to console her, she grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. “I’m so sorry. I guess I wear my emotions too close to the surface.”

      “I know - but that’s what I respect about you,” Bill had replied.

      She didn’t have to say any more as she awkwardly tried to wipe away her free flowing tears with the back of her hand. Then after several moments of complete silence, they both stood up and without saying a word put their arms around each other. Her soft body sent chills down Bill’s spine, as his hands carefully moved across her bare back. It took everything he could muster to keep his hands from moving any further, as he felt goose bumps rise on her back in response to his touch. Finally they released just enough to look at each other. There was no need for words as their lips touched briefly in a soft but affectionate kiss. It was apparent that neither one of them wanted to end their relationship as Mary backed away, still holding his hand tightly as she stared off into the distance.

      “Bill, There’s much more that I need to say,” she finally continued, slowly letting go of his hand and again staring intently at him before they sat down.

      “My respect and support for you has recently been deeply challenged, and as you probably know to well, it’s also difficult for Doc to do anything that would alienate his colleagues, or that damned code of silence you doctors all hold so dear. And to be very honest, he doesn’t want to be involved in what I’ve recently trapped myself into. That’s why he thought it best you and I discuss things before we eat, and then he wants to visit with you after we’ve had a chance to talk.”

      Not knowing where this was heading, Bill recalled how uncomfortable he felt.

      “You know Red Hinkley - don’t you?” she continued.

      Nodding, Bill remembered saying, “Yes, I’ve played golf with him, and he’s eaten with our town house group at that Spanish Inn Restaurant.”

      “Are you aware of his background, and my relationship to him?”

      “I guess I’d have to say no. I had no idea you even knew him.”

      “Bill, in a small town everybody knows everyone. And I feel it’s important you know about my past relationship with him, particularly if you’re going to understand what I want to share with you,” she’d whispered, again looking intently into his eyes. “I’ve been thinking about how I might tell you this and all I can say is I’m going to tell the truth in the simplest and most honest way I can,” she stammered uncomfortably. “I first met Red when I was a showgirl in Las Vegas. He worked as a dealer at Caesar’s Palace, but he had all kinds of other things going on with many of the other showgirls. At that time, he’d fly back to North Dakota to manage the entertainment and gambling for the annual golf tournaments at the country club, which he now does full time.”

      “Yes, I’ve heard some pretty rough stories about prostitution and gambling in those upstairs rooms of that clubhouse. And I understand he pays the police to overlook his underground syndicate.”

      “Yes - that’s not only true, but it’s probably much worse than you’d ever dream.”

      Bill recalled how she paused, tilting her head as she drew in a deep breath to relax a bit. “I feel close enough to you, that I’m going to say some things that I probably shouldn’t, but you need to know where I’m coming from. My marriage to Doc wasn’t initially based on love, it was a marriage of convenience based on money. Doc had seen me in a show in Las Vegas, and because he knew Red, he’d asked him to introduce me to him. He’d recently lost his wife to cancer, and he and his children were devastated by her death, and he needed both a companion and a caregiver for his children - and of course a female relationship with what he perhaps considered some type of trophy wife.”

      As

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