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

vulnerability. She understood the feeling all too well. Her own father had run off when she was fourteen. And she’d hung on to the belief that he would return, that he’d never abandon her and the family.
    But he hadn’t come back. And she’d had to face the hurt, the disappointment.
    Jeremy’s eyes locked onto Kirsten’s, revealing that he might not be as hopeful as he’d said he was, as if he’d needed her agreement and support. It was the kind of emotional reaction she’d always hoped to get from her brother—the sense of unity and understanding, the realization that she was connecting with someone she cared about. Yet it was all that and more.
    Something else simmered in his gaze, something warmed by the glow of the candlelight, by the romantic music playing softly in the background and by the hum of pheromones that permeated every breath they took.
    Jeremy Fortune was a man to take seriously. And with time, he might even prove to be a man that she could promise to love, honor and cherish—given the chance to get to know him better. But time was a luxury they didn’t have. He was only in Red Rock temporarily and would be going back to California soon.
    So she slowly drew her hand away, her fingertips skimming over the top of his knuckles as she did so.
    She shouldn’t get any romantic ideas. This might bethe date of a lifetime for her, but it was just a diversion for him. He wasn’t in any position to form a relation ship right now, so she’d be foolish to let her thoughts drift in that direction. After all, he’d be leaving town eventually.
    And where would that leave her?
    Â 
    Jeremy’s skin continued to tingle where Kirsten had touched him—and so did his heart. Her compassion, her understanding, did something to him. But before he could ponder just what that might be, the waiter who’d introduced himself as Gordon when they’d first been seated, asked, “Are you ready for me to take your plates?”
    â€œYes, I’m finished,” Kirsten said. “Thank you.”
    Jeremy let the waiter pick up his dinner plate, too.
    â€œCan I interest you in our dessert menu?” the young man asked.
    Jeremy wasn’t ready for the evening to end, so he said, “Sure. Let’s see what you have.”
    The waiter had no more than walked away when Jeremy’s cell phone vibrated.
    Ever since his father’s disappearance, he made sure the phone was always handy. There was no telling when a call might come in, saying his dad had been found. So he checked the display and, after noting the Sacramento area code, recognized a familiar number.
    â€œExcuse me a moment,” he told Kirsten. “This is a colleague from Sacramento.”
    â€œNo problem. I understand.”
    When Jeremy answered, Jack Danfield said, “How’s it going? Any word on your father?”
    â€œNo, not yet. I’m in the middle of dinner. Can I give you a call back later?”
    â€œYes, but first let me tell you the reason for my call. I have a twelve-year-old boy in the E.R. who was involved in a car accident. He has multiple fractures in both legs.
    He’s had some arterial damage, and I’m afraid we might need to amputate. But I wanted to talk to you first. You had that case last summer that was similar, and you were able to save the limb.”
    Jeremy looked at his watch. He needed more details, and the consult would not only take time, but it was also going to require all of his concentration. “I’ll give you a call in about ten minutes, Jack. Will that be okay?”
    â€œCertainly.”
    When the line disconnected, Jeremy glanced across the table at his dinner companion, who seemed to be growing prettier by the minute. “I’m really sorry, Kirsten.
    I’ve got a long-distance consultation that just might help save a boy’s leg, and it’s important that I spend some time on it. I’m