Changes by Danielle Steel Read Free Book Online Page B

searchingly at Mel. She was so interested, so human. She was more than just a reporter. “What's your interest in all this, Miss Adams? Just another story or something more?”
    “She's a special little girl, Doctor. It's difficult not to care about her.”
    “Do you always care that much about your subjects? It must be exhausting.”
    “Isn't that true of you? Do you care about them all, Doctor?”
    “Almost always.” He was being very honest with her and it was easy to believe him. The patient he didn't care deeply about would be a very, very rare exception. She had already sensed that about him. And then he looked at her with a curious smile; her hands were folded in her lap as she watched him. “You didn't bring a notebook. Does that mean you're taping this?”
    “No.” She quietly shook her head and smiled. “I'm not. I'd rather we get to know each other.”
    That possibility intrigued him, and he couldn't resist asking another question. “Why?”
    “Because I can do a better job of reporting what you do here if I learn something about you. Not on paper, or on tape, but by watching, listening, getting to know you.” She was good at what she did, and he sensed that. It was just that she was well known in the business, a star actually, she was in truth a real pro, and an unusually good one. Peter Hallam liked that. It was like being perfectly matched to your opponent in a competitive sport, and it gave him a feeling of excitement, which suddenly led to an offer he hadn't planned to make her.
    “Would you like to follow me on rounds this morning? Just for your own interest.”
    Her eyes lit up. She was flattered by the unexpected offer, and hoped that it meant that he liked her, or better yet, was already beginning to trust her. That was important for the smooth flow of any story.
    “I'd like that very much, Doctor.” She let her eyes convey to him how touched she was by the offer.
    “You could call me Peter.”
    “If you call me Mel.” They exchanged a smile.
    “Agreed.” He touched her shoulder as he stood, and she leapt up, excited by the prospect of following him on rounds. It was a rare opportunity and she was grateful for it. He turned to her again, this time with a smile, as they left the cafeteria. “My patients will be very impressed to see you here, Mel. I'm sure they've all seen you on T.V.” For some reason, the remark surprised her and she smiled.
    “I doubt that.” There was a modesty about her that those who knew her well always teased her for, especially Grant and her daughters.
    But this time he laughed at her. “You're hardly an anonymous figure, you know. And heart patients watch the news on TV too.”
    “I just always assume that people won't recognize me off camera.”
    “But I'll bet they do.” He smiled again and Melanie nodded in answer. It was intriguing to him that she hadn't let her success go to her head over the years. He had expected someone very different.
    “In any case, Dr. Hallam,” she went on, “you're the star here, and rightly so.” Her eyes shone with frank admiration, but this time a similarly humble side turned up in him.
    “I'm hardly a star, Mel.” He was serious as he said it. “I just work here, as a part of a remarkably good team. Believe me, my patients will be a lot more excited to see you than me, and rightly so. It'll do them good to see a new face.” He pressed the button for the elevator, and when it came, he pressed six, and they entered amidst a group of white-coated doctors and fresh-faced nurses. The shifts were just changing.
    “You know, I've always liked your views, and the way you handle a story.” He spoke softly as the elevator stopped at each floor, and Mel noticed two nurses staring discreetly at her. “There's something very direct and honest about your approach. I suppose it's why I agreed to do this.”
    “Whatever your reason, I'm glad you did. Pattie Lou needed you desperately.” He nodded, he couldn't disagree with