Someone to Trust by Lesa Henderson Read Free Book Online

offered murmurs of sympathy and well wishes. She received them all with humble gratitude.
    After what seemed like an eternity to Megan, Lee re-entered the waiting room. He looked down at Megan’s worried, tear-streaked face and smiled with warm compassion.
    “He’s going to be fine. We removed the bullet and he’s resting comfortably.” A round of cheers rippled through the room, and without thought, reacting to the good news, Megan jumped up and hugged Lee. When she realized what she had done, she immediately pulled away.
    “I’m afraid I got carried away, sorry. I’m just so happy he’s going to be all right.” She extended her hand. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Dr. Grainger.”
    “No problem.” Lee laughed, shaking her hand. “Would you like to see him?”
    “Yes, please,” she answered without hesitation.
    “Follow me.” Next, he turned to everyone waiting in the room. “Folks, we appreciate your patience and will be with the rest of you shortly.”
    ****
    “He’s right in here,” Lee said, as he led her to where Sir was recovering. As soon as Megan saw the big dog, she rushed over to him. Lee watched Megan closely as she tenderly stroked the Great Dane’s large head and whispered to him. The Dane groggily looked up to her, adoringly, with woeful eyes.
    Something inside Lee told him Megan was a special woman, albeit a hurt and confused one. By all indications, she was single but he just couldn’t understand how someone as lovely and compassionate as Megan could still be single. Perhaps that was his blessing.
    “Megan…” He interrupted her attention from Sir and she gazed up at him with grateful amber eyes. Lee cleared his throat—he could lose himself in those eyes. He had a sudden urge to wipe away the tears that had escaped. He doubted she knew how incredibly pretty she was, even with uncombed hair and dressed in baggy scrubs.
    “We’ll need to keep him here for a couple of days to watch his progress. After that, you’ll be able to take him home, but his back leg may be sore for a while.”
    “But it’s going to be okay, right?”
    “Yes, I believe so. The bullet seems to have narrowly missed doing any nerve or muscle damage,” he assured her.
    Megan’s eyes filled with tears again. She extended her hand once more and he grasped it. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I really appreciate you taking care of him the way you have.”
    Lee continued to hold her hand. Her soft, warm hand seemed very small in his larger one. It made him feel powerful, like a protector of sorts. He nearly smiled at the foolish turn of his own thoughts.
    He stared down at her intently. Of all their brief encounters, this was the most he’d ever seen her guard down. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to help. Listen…” He paused.
    “Yes?” she prompted, looking up at him with wide eyes. Her rich chestnut hair cascaded down her back in soft waves.
    Lee cleared his throat. “I really need to see the other patients, but before I do, I was wondering if…perhaps…you’d agree to have dinner with me sometime?”
    It was as if spring suddenly ceased and winter returned, bringing with it an Arctic wind. Most of the chill was coming directly from Megan. She snatched her hand out of his. Eyes that were once warm with gratitude, now glared icily up at him. She backed away from him, as if she might catch something standing as close as she was.
    “I don’t think so,” she gritted out.
    Lee was taken aback and confused by her abruptness. “I merely thought—”
    Megan interrupted yet again. “I’m not really interested in what you were thinking, Dr. Grainger. I really don’t know where you men get off. My answer is no. I’ll check in on Sir later. Good day.” With that, she nearly stormed from the building.
    Lee stood in stunned silence for a moment. As he stared at the door that was still swinging from Megan’s forceful retreat, he prayed quietly, “Lord, I’m not sure what that