Healing Dr. Fortune by JUDY DUARTE Read Free Book Online Page A

given him a hard time when he chose not to work at Fortune Forecasting. His dad and brothers had been pretty supportive, too. But it had been Molly’s proud smile at his graduation that had made it all worthwhile.
    He shot a glance across the seat at Kirsten, wondering if she had any other qualities that would remind him of his mother.
    Molly had been a dynamic woman—warm, loving and a real mama bear when it came to her husband and her five sons. So when she passed away four years ago, the entire family had taken it hard. But Jeremy had a feeling he might have grieved for her even more than the others had.
    He hadn’t spent that much time with her after he moved to Sacramento and started his practice with a prominent orthopedic medical group, but he’d valued heropinion and her unwavering support, even if he didn’t always take her advice. And she’d always been just a phone call away.
    Of course, he’d accepted her loss and moved on with his life, but her death had left a hole.
    He looked across the seat at Kirsten and couldn’t help wondering if a loving wife and a family of his own would make him feel whole again. He hoped so—whether that woman turned out to be Kirsten or not.
    As he pulled into the parking lot at Bernardo’s, he stole another glance at his lovely dinner date.
    They’d only met a couple days ago, so he had no way of knowing whether she was the kind of woman he was looking for or not.
    But he had every intention of finding out.
    Â 
    Kirsten sat across a romantic, candlelit table from Jeremy, listening to him tell her about his day at the clinic. It was clear that he enjoyed his work and cared about his patients, and she found herself smiling at just about everything he said.
    But she wasn’t the only one who was enjoying the evening so far. Jeremy’s body language and ready smile told her that their date had gotten off to a good start.
    â€œWhat do you do for a living?” he asked.
    â€œI’m an accountant.” She lifted her water goblet and took a sip.
    â€œWhere do you work?”
    She’d hoped that wouldn’t come up, but realized it might. “I’m between jobs at the moment, but I’ll getanother position quickly. I’ve got some great letters of recommendation and a solid résumé. It’s just a matter of time.”
    He smiled, then took a bite of his manicotti.
    She didn’t want him to give too much thought about the only similarity she and Max had other than their family resemblance, so she decided to shift the focus of the conversation back to him. “The clinic is lucky to have you. Do you ever think you’ll work in private practice?”
    â€œActually, I do have a practice—in Sacramento. I’m just volunteering my time at the clinic.”
    Her heart cramped at the thought of him leaving town, which seemed to be what he was saying. “What brought you to Red Rock? And how long will you be here?”
    â€œI came for my father’s wedding, which was supposed to have taken place last month. And I’ll be in town as long as it takes to…” Jeremy glanced down at his plate, then back at Kirsten.
    The sun-bleached streaks in his hair glistened in the candlelight, and his eyes locked on hers. She sensed the emotion in his voice before he even spoke a word.
    â€œMy dad disappeared on what should have been his wedding day, and he hasn’t been seen or heard from since. There was no way I could leave town, so I took a leave of absence. That allows me to stay in Red Rock until he’s found.”
    Her heart broke for him as he continued to give her the details about the vehicle accident, about the police investigation that went nowhere. “I don’t usually rely onhunches and feelings, but I… Well, I believe he’s going to turn up.”
    She reached across the table, placed her hand over his and felt his warmth, his strength in spite of his