House Calls: Callaghan Brothers, Book 3 by Abbie Zanders Read Free Book Online Page A

ever seen.  He was far too gorgeous and aromatic to be in her kitchen, sitting on her chair, examining her . 
    She caught her breath when his index and middle fingers paused at the pulse point just under the side of her jaw where it pounded furiously.  His expression stilled for a moment as his eyes sought out hers questioningly, then he looked away, the hint of a knowing smile pulling at those delicious-looking lips. 
    Damn it .  He knew exactly what he was doing to her.  What was it about him that made her lose control?  Maggie Flynn was an intelligent, capable woman.  There was absolutely no reason she should be responding to him like a star-struck teenager, and it irritated her enough to be able to focus on the situation at hand again.
    Did he feel sorry for her?  Was that it?  She rejected that idea almost immediately.  Michael wasn’t the pitying type.  How she knew that with such certainty, she wasn’t sure, but she did.  He was caring and kind and would be the first one to help, but never out of pity. 
    Maggie couldn’t fault him for that.  No, if she was perturbed with anyone it was herself for being the one to put him in this situation.  Worse, she hated that there was some small part of her that secretly hoped Michael had stayed out of something more than a sense of professional duty.  That small part was currently being bludgeoned by her much stronger practical, rational side; the realist within her that said she was a fool for even considering it. 
    And, it logically pointed out, even if he had stayed out of something more than a professional interest, it was Magdalena he was attracted to, not Maggie. 
    “You still didn’t answer my question.  Why are you here?”
    * * *
    S atisfied that she exhibited no obvious signs of a concussion and was in no immediate danger, Michael stood and went back to the counter.  He poured her a cup of coffee and placed a plate of eggs, toast, and bacon in front of her.  She stared at it as if she had never seen such a thing before in her life.
    The truth was, Michael was stalling, because he wasn’t quite sure how to answer her question.  He had been asking the same one of himself all night long.  He had checked on her periodically through the night and each time, she was resting comfortably.  But he had stayed anyway.  It was the strangest thing.  Even though he knew he should head back to the Pub, he just couldn’t bring himself to do so.  He was feeling oddly... protective.
    “I couldn’t leave you here alone in the state you were in,” he answered finally, gesturing for her to eat.
    “I see.”  She kept her expression neutral, but warring emotions swirled in her eyes.  Such pretty green eyes.  “Well, Dr. Callaghan,” she said carefully, “caring for others is obviously more than just a profession for you.  I can’t say I’ve encountered anyone quite as dedicated.  I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble.”
    Michael’s eyes narrowed.  Perceptive as he was, he wasn’t quite sure how to take her words.  Her tone wasn’t cold, exactly, but neither did it hold the natural warmth he’d already come to expect from her.  Instead it was shielded, cautious, and... confused? 
    He studied her from beneath his lashes as he leaned back against the counter and sipped his coffee, trying to formulate an appropriate reply.  Surely he hadn’t imagined her physical response to him just moments ago.  She found him attractive – all the signs were there.  The lovely flush that made her skin glow; the shallow, hitched breaths; the rapid, forceful pulse hammering just below the delicate curve of her jaw. 
    She had a profound effect on him as well, enough that he felt the need to cross the room and put a little distance between them.  Michael had never had a problem examining a patient before, and as exams went, this one was pretty innocuous.  He’d always had the ability to separate business from pleasure, but with Maggie, those