Darling Little Lexa (Doctor Darling's Clinic Book 1)

Darling Little Lexa Doctor Darling’s Clinic, Book 1 Adaline Raine Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 About the Author Also by Adaline Raine Copyright © 2023 by Adaline Raine and Red Hot Romance, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including, but not limited to, photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. [email protected] This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, locales, and events are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, and events are purely coincidental. Chapter 1 Alexandria I never went to the doctor—it was not a place I liked at all. I took an extra minute to check in online since reception areas freaked me out. Too many questions while I was already trying not to run out screaming. There was something different about the clinic. The outside of the building seemed like any other healthcare facility, but once I'd stepped through the tinted doors, it was like I'd wandered into someone's house by mistake. Admiring the warm tones and posh artwork along the corridor, I was wholly unprepared. Was I at the correct location? “Miss?” Oh no. I thought I had avoided the hassle of talking to someone. Pausing in my tracks, I stopped to acknowledge the older woman who had greeted me. She didn’t look much like a receptionist, sitting in an oversized armchair instead of behind a desk. The only indication of her job was the neat pile of folders and a laptop on the small table beside her. “I already filled out the needed information online,” I told her. “Yes, dear, I’m sure you did,” she said with a warm smile. “May I have your name so I can tell you which office you are in?” “Of course. Alexandria Lane.” “Ah, yes.” She pointed at her screen. “You are in the correct spot. Walk down the hall and through the double doors at the end of the hallway.” Phew. I didn’t have to answer any crazy questions after all. “Thank you.” I waved and hustled along the corridor. Though I wasn’t comfortable, I didn’t want to be late. Twisting the fancy door handle, I gasped. The waiting area instantly soothed my frayed nerves. No doubt they would spark to life again, but for the moment, curiosity kept me calm. I spotted bins of Legos, building blocks, and action figures of all kinds in the cubby along one wall. The room itself had been divided into smaller spaces by an arrangement of oversized chairs with plush cushions, sofas and recliners draped in cozy throw blankets, and round tables perfect for puzzles or tea parties or coloring. Walking closer to the toy section, I saw the most ornate dollhouse. It was large with lots of windows. Peeking inside showed me dolls, furniture and accessories, but they were all so tiny and delicate, nothing you would allow a small child to play with. Is that a mural? My feet seemed to move of their own accord as I drew closer to the wall. There was an intricate pattern done in black and white that reached just above my head. Spying containers filled with markers, pastels, pencils and crayons, I understood. You can color on the wall! Glancing awkwardly around the room, I saw a couple of them were sitting in their partners’ laps. Is this place for Littles? No, silly. Littles lived in my storybooks. It was a private thing I did at home in my own room. I pretended to have a caregiver, and I dressed up sometimes, but no one else actually… I couldn’t make myself finish that train of thought. And yet, it sure seemed like the majority of the people in the room might understand the lifestyle I’d been longing for. One man sat in a recliner away from everyone else, reading a book, but he had a pacifier in his mouth. I did my best not to stare. It wasn’t judgement, just awe. He was obviously comfortable enough to be in a younger mindset. Just what sort of doctor’s office was this place? Realizing I was staring, I plucked a marker from a bin and set to coloring. I tried to focus, but my gaze wandered to the curvy redhead curled up on the sofa. She had a huge fluffy blanket draped around her and appeared to be sleeping. Sleeping! Who the heck could be calm enough to sleep in a doctor’s office? Fear prickled the back of my neck. Maybe I wasn’t in a regular clinic. Maybe it was some weird experimental facility. No. My anxiety needed to tell a story to explain the racing heart and sweaty palms. Blowing out a few breaths, I returned to the pretty picture on the wall. Glancing to the side while I thought about what color to use next, I spotted my bunny! Well, she couldn’t be mine, but she looked identical to the soft gray bunny I’d lost so many years ago. She even had hearts on her paws! I plucked her from the shelf and cradled her in my arm. “Hi. You look sorta lonely all by yourself. Maybe you can keep me company while I draw?” I nodded her head up and down. “Cool. I’m doing everything I can not to think about where we are right now. But you must be super brave since you live here.” “We’re ready for our next guest!” Guest? What type of place was this that the healthcare staff referred to their patients as guests? I glanced over my shoulder. The announcement came from a nurse. She was dressed in the most adorable scrubs I’d ever seen! Teddy bears, fluffy clouds, and rainbows danced across her uniform. She had her long blonde hair pulled