D2 – Early Evening – Preston seeing Andrew

[Preston A. Lodge III]

** Read the previous part with Preston at the bank: Click Here **

Preston still not himself, filled with happiness after what had happened earlier at the bank rushed into the clinic, having promised Andrew to meet with him.

As he opened the clinic-door, without knocking first, he caught site of Andrew sitting at his desk, just like in the old days as Preston remembered. This site made Preston loose his current thoughts and bring another smile on his lips, just happy that everything around him seemed to go so well. He never thought things would lighten up has they did, after all what’s happened to him over the years.
As he stood there silent in the doorway, he thought he might as well bring the question.

Preston: Well, I can certainly see you’ve settled in, and so rapidly. I recon this means you’ve accepted to retain your position as the chateau’s physician?



*Tag Andrew*

[Dr. Andrew Cook]

Andrew look at Preston while put the documents on the desk.
He was remember the first period of his solo career here, while reading some medical case of patients from the past.

Andrew: Oh, yes. Sure, nothing better than return to the source.

He stood up and walk for shake Preston's hand. Andrew was a little nervous - there was so many things to think about this move back in Colorado Springs.

Andrew: I wondered about... not that we not appreciate the hotel, but since we really hope that the familly will grow soon, we would need to look for an house around the town.

He didn't like to talk about money with Preston so soon, but Preston was his boss and also the banker of the town. he wanted to know exactly what it would be for be able to place the puzzle correctly since it would be lot of change to come in his life.

Andrew: Nothing urge, I should start to work before... That is far different of Boston for sure...

He paused, reminder his father speech before he left - the old man was really angry that Andrew left for the west after came back from England royal court.

Andrew: But Colleen grew up here and you have just to look at the woman she become, that isn't to bad to raise children here.

The doctor noticed that his speech was totally off of the main discussion, but he wasn't sure how to bring the money issue to the banker.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston: Oh you’re absolutely right, this is the perfect place to settle down and therefore I’d of course help you find a suitable home…….with no urge, I appreciate that. With a recent occurrence, I find myself to be rather busy in the upcoming weeks.

He took a glance around the clinic and pulled his thoughts back to the first and main point concerning Andrew. While turning to face the doctor, he slowly moved towards the door, grabbing the doorknob.

Preston: Ah, if you’ll have me excused for just a moment.

He left Andrew for five minutes and returned with some papers in his hand. He smiled and handed them over to Andrew.

Preston: Here, these papers need to be signed in order for you to retain your position.
Let me just say I’m pleased that you’ve chosen this decision. Of course your lovely wife is always welcome to assist you here at the clinic, at all times.

Extremely satisfied he looked at Andrew, keeping his smile while giving the doctor a pen.

[Dr. Colleen Cooper Cook]

With a little tap on the door, a hand that seemed to have healed so many, turned the door handle and opened the clinic hotel door. "Hi Mr Lodge...Andrew" Colleen's voice filled the room as she took a step forward, her hand raised to shake Prestons, even if she didnt want to do that, Colleen wasnt showing it.

Her smile on her lips forced, for she didnt have a good feeling about her husband working for Preston, however she knew she had to bare with it as it was bringing in money, something both she and Andrew needed.

She placed her hand quickly onto Andrew's shoulder. "I do hope My husband is behaving himself..." Colleen laughed nervously, for the man in the room did make her feel nervous. " letting Andrew continue his practice at the hotel's clinic is good for both us and you...hes a very proffesional doctor...." Colleen's smile stayed on her lips. She would have commented more on the clinic and how she thought about the layout could be better, though it was not her territory, it was her husbands, her own being with her mother at the new hospital.

[Dr. Andrew Cook]

Smiling, Andrew was happy inside of him that his decision of working there seemed accepted by his wife. Not that he didn't apprecaite to work with his wife in the previosu year - he really enjoyed it! But working with his wife and working for his motehr-in-law was not exactly the same. He always respected Michaela in her work, but he wished go on his own and achieve something not because of a relative link.

He glanced at Colleen.

Andrew: Did you have new about your mother?

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Hearing Colleen’s voice from behind, Preston turned to look her way, while extending his hand.

Preston: Why Mrs. Cook, we were just conversing, how you’re always welcome to assist your husband here at the chateau’s clinic.

With no response from Colleen, Preston listened to what the young woman spoke, she having such a cheerful, grateful tone. Her freely comments couldn’t help but slightly annoy Preston, as he so disliked small talk.

Preston: There’s no doubt about that. I have every faith in your husband and his medical skills; in fact he was just about to sign the contract, making his attachment to the chateau, official.

He looked at Andrew with a nod, then glancing down at the papers and the pen in the doctor’s hand, while doing so he heard Andrew’s voice addressing Colleen.

[Dr. Andrew Cook]

Andrew smiled to Colleen, awaiting her response, while feeling Preston becoming slightly impatient.

[Dr. Colleen Cooper Cook]

Colleen looked between Andrew and Preston, she wanted to continue her conversation with her husband as he had asked a directed question to her, however she turned and listened to Preston and let a little sigh come from her lips.
"Well..." she started as Preston asked her a question, but without having time to actually answer, he had continued and this did annoy the young woman because she was very well spoken and did have an answer to each question.

"Well...as i said before" Colleen said now trying to keep her smile on her face, as her eyes slowly looked up and caught Preston's. She could feel her frustration rise up within her, making her skin bubble with anger.

She took a step forward and rested her left hand now on Andrew's shoulder, as he sat opposite Preston, her right hand holding her purse. Her cream gloves standing out from Andrew's dark suit, the young woman's eyes left Preston's and rested on Andrew.

Colleen could feel his pleading eyes and could see how much he wanted the contract, she knew that she could not say to Preston what she wanted to, however much he had annoyed her.
Bitting her tongue silently she looked over to the contract and nodded her head softly, knowing that the silence in the room was building up, because she should have at least answered one of the mens questions.

"Well Andrew dear....i will you about my mother another time....this here contract....thats all we need to worry about now...." she paused and smiled as she breathed slowly, keeping her calm, "You know worry is such a strong word...i meant...concern our- yourself with...you better sign that dear" She laughed nervously once again as she she pulled her hand back and linked it with the other. She could feel her cheeks slightly redden and knew she would have to leave the room, Colleen felt like she was within the operating room, helping her mother with a serious condition of a patient, however it was just the way Preston made her feel.

"I-I'll wait outside for you two men to finish your business" Colleen nodded her head slightly to Preston and Andrew before retreating outside for fresh air.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston’s eyes were wide with astonishment, having witnessed the young woman’s peculiar, or in other terms, rather uneasy behavior. Preston assured himself, this was the cause of her newly position, dealing with these changements unfolding around her.

[Dr. Andrew Cook]

A brief sadness came upon Andrew, as he had hoped to know more about the circumstance haunting the town’s clinic, however, he smiled as his wife departed the clinic and finally after a few seconds, faced Preston, trying to act calm.

Andrew: Thank you Preston, for giving me this chance to work here at the Chateau again. Both Colleen and I, appreciate this opportunity.

Andrew leaned down, placing the contract papers on a table in front of him, as he held his pen ready. He looked through the papers, quickly reading them, while thoughts began circulating his mind. He remembered the first time he had to sign these papers, when he was a newly educated physician and now, the life he and Colleen were about to have here in Colorado Springs.

Hearing Preston moving slightly around the room, he snapped out of his thoughts and made his signature at the right bottom.

He turned to face Preston, giving him the papers.

Andrew: Here you are Preston; signed just as requested.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston: Thank you.

[Dr. Andrew Cook]

Andrew: When will you expect me to begin?

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston: As soon as you’re able. Tomorrow would be agreeable.

[Dr. Andrew Cook]

Andrew: I’ll be here tomorrow morning.

Andrew did not wish to take up more of Preston’s time, and began moving towards the direction of the door.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston noticed Andrew’s departure taking place and quickly thought of a request.

Preston: Andrew, I would appreciate you and Colleen joining Annabelle and me for dinner this evening. In fact, dinner should be served in about a half-hour, if you by all means don’t have other engagements.