Moving Forward by Sara Hooper Read Free Book Online Page A

patient is always at eight. I can’t be late.”
    “You don’t have patient patients?” she asked, chuckling.
    “No, just rich ones who get perturbed with waiting,” he answered, kissing her forehead. He twisted around to put his feet on the floor, but Gina grabbed him around the waist. He turned back to her and popped her teasingly on the butt. “I have to go,” he whispered.
    “I know,” she said. “I know. Please lock the door on your way out.”
    Shane kissed her again, got dressed and left, carefully locking the door behind him, but keeping the scent of her in his mind. She was a keeper.
    He called her promptly at nine o’clock after he finished with the first patient. “Are you up and going?” he teased.
    “Yes,” she answered breathlessly. “Just getting dressed. How are you? I see you made it home safely. Did you get your impatient patients handled?”
    “I’m wonderful,” he answered softly. “I’m better than I’ve been in a long, long time, thanks to you. And, yes, the patients are all very satisfied.”
    “Well, what can I say?” she teased. “We Indian princesses have that gift. Glad you got the rich and powerful drilled in line.”
    “My Indian princess,” he offered. “That is if you like.”
    “I like,” she answered softly. “I like very much.”
    “Good!” Shane replied. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” And, he meant it. From that day on, they talked no less than twice a day until he saw her again on Wednesday. There was no way Shane would take a chance on losing a second opportunity to grasp the happiness he felt. On Friday, she called to ask him to go to San Francisco with her on Saturday. To meet my family, she had said. Shane dreaded to do it, but that family would be a part of his life if things went the way he hoped. She planned to come to Manhattan Beach on Friday so that they could fly to San Fran.
    ***
    Shane opened the door to her smiling face, happy to see this woman who had so easily captured his heart and body. He pulled her straight into his arms without a word, kissing her gently and holding her close.
    “That’s quite a greeting,” Gina said, slightly pushing him away. “Not even a “Hi” or “Hello.”
    “Hi,” he replied. “Is that what you want?”
    She took his chin in her hands, raised on tip toe and kissed him passionately. “That’s what I want,” she murmured, dropping her overnight bag to the floor. “All that.”
    He took her hand and led her through the foyer into the den. Gina couldn’t help but to stare at the luxurious house as she passed from one room to the other. “You have a beautiful home,” she quietly expressed. “I’ve never been in one so, so…opulent.” She struggled to find the right word without sounding rude or making him uncomfortable. They were both aware of their differences, and certainly their positions, as one might say.
    “I have to give credit to Amanda,” Shane easily said. “This house is her, full of her style, her colors…” his voice trailed off.
    “And her presence.” Gina finished the sentence for him. “It’s full of her presence. But, it doesn’t bother me at all. I believe we would have been good friends.” He almost made an audible sigh of relief, but he caught himself.
    Shane realized that Gina had made the observation honestly. Looking around the room, he saw that it was true. Amanda’s favorite knick knacks, coasters, vases, everything was still in place. “I’ve just never changed anything around the house,” he said quietly. “Never took the time, I guess. I have made some strides, but not many. It isn’t easy.”
    Gina moved toward him and hugged him around the waist. “You don’t have to,” she began. “The right time will come.” They embraced, holding each other for a moment, each understanding the other’s emotion.
    “Want some dinner?” he asked, holding her away from him gently. “I’ve got some Chinese take out for us. I’m not a cook.”
    “Yes,