Healing Touch: Play Doctor, Book 2 by Jayne Rylon Read Free Book Online Page B

long, less than two months.” She winced when she recalled the temporary jobs she’d struggled with before that.
    “Ah, yeah. I’ve been sort of avoiding Kurt and Becca most of that time.” A frown marred his features.
    “Becca…” She tapped a finger on her lips. “Does she have red hair? Green eyes? Always smiling? Goes everywhere with the tall, dark-haired doctor? The really serious one?”
    “Yes, that’s her.” Luke laughed. “She hasn’t quit with that grin since she and Kurt finally hooked up last year. Kurt’s been my friend since middle school.”
    “You’re so different.” Afraid of offending, Brielle didn’t mention that the man had frightened her at first, until she saw how much he adored his wife and the respect he treated her with.
    “No kidding.” Luke shrugged. “Well, I guess in some things. We have a lot in common. How we get there tends to be by opposite directions. It makes for a great match-up. Same as Becca and Kurt. Becca is terrific. She draws Kurt out of his brainiac ways and makes him smell the roses, you know?”
    “I could see that. I like her.” She recalled how the woman always stopped to chat, not pretending Brielle was invisible like so many others did.
    “That’s good. Really good.” A smile spread across Luke’s face, warming it even more and bringing life to his super blue eyes. “I think—”
    “What can I get for you today, Dr. Malone?” The girl behind the counter batted her lashes at Luke so hard Brielle thought she could feel the breeze.
    “The usual, please.”
    “And you?” The server stared down her nose at Brielle as if she didn’t already know she wasn’t a suitable companion for the gleaming man beside her. She tarnished his polish.
    So busy talking, she hadn’t bothered to read the menu boards. A glance up revealed too many choices to run through quickly. “What’s the usual?”
    Luke laughed. “Grilled ham and cheese with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a side of fries. I admit it, I have the stomach of an eight-year-old.”
    “That sounds terrific. I’ll have the same.” She could have done another happy dance when the cashier glared in her direction.
    “I’ll bring those right out.”
    Luke led her to a booth in the corner. He helped her slide in before taking a spot on the opposite side. When she peeked up, his face was somber.
    “Brielle.” He paused.
    What had changed in a matter of seconds? Her stomach sank through the floor.
    “I can’t be your doctor.”
    “What?” All her euphoria fled, deflating her like a sad balloon. It had been too good to be true. Him. His support. The hope of a life unburdened by fear. “Why? It’s too much, isn’t it? There’s no chance I can be normal.”
    “Like hell.” He leaned forward, planting his elbows on the table and capturing her hands between his. “You did so well today. I’d say your prognosis is very good. With the right help.”
    “Then why?” She hated the disappointment choking her, making her questions ragged.
    “Because of this.” He lifted his index finger and wiggled it between them. “I can’t be professional with you. I won’t be unbiased or objective. There’s been something here since the zucchini and it’s going to interfere. I won’t take that chance with your well-being.”
    “Oh.” She blinked. He felt it too. “I understand.”
    But she hated the thought of starting over with someone new, someone who wouldn’t be Luke.
    “Dr. Williams—I mean, Dr. Foster. The new Dr. Foster. Becca,” Luke corrected. “She can be exactly what you need. You said you like her. Trust me. She’s amazing at her job. I wouldn’t hand you off to just anyone. In fact, I hope you’ll let me stay involved. If you want, I’ll go with you. We can work on this together. They often deal with couples’ counseling. I’d team up with you if you wanted.”
    “But Becca would be in charge of my case?” She toyed with the edge of her napkin, reveling in the warmth of