Spring River Valley: The Spring Collection (Boxed Set) by Clarice Wynter Read Free Book Online Page A

anymore, though. I think we have all the pictures we need for now.”
    Max finished his soda and tossed the can in a nearby bin. “That works for me. I’m meeting my girlfriend down in the ER for dinner.”
    “Funny place for a dinner date.”
    “Audrey’s a nurse. She’s got half an hour break on Monday nights, so we try to catch a quick bite in the cafeteria. If you get done with your interview and you want to join us…”
    She waved him off. “Thanks, but after this, I’m going home. It’s been a long day.” Evie chucked the remains of her own soda and hitched her heavy purse higher on her shoulder. “Thanks again. I’ll e-mail you those dates for the photo shoots.”
    Max headed for the elevators, and Evie let out a long sigh. She oriented herself in the direction of the conference room where the president of the Women’s Auxiliary Club would be meeting her and marched off, her mind already wandering back to thoughts of Tanner. He’d called her once more to solidify their plans for tomorrow night and let her know Taylor would be available on Friday for a double date. With two days separating her and that kiss, she finally felt like she’d regained some equilibrium and perspective. It had been a while since she’d experienced a bout of intense lust, but looking back, she realized that was all it was between her and Tanner. Not that she considered that a reason not to see him again, but accepting a chemical reaction as the explanation for her behavior gave her a little peace of mind. She could have some fun with Tanner—a lot of fun —but she didn’t have to worry about him flirting with other women. She’d decided she could keep her heart out of it and just enjoy herself.
    Her phone was vibrating by the time she reached the conference room, and she apologized to Mrs. Moriarty before answering it when she saw the call er was Max Shannon. “Hey, Max, what’s up?”
    “If you can postpone your interview, you may want to get down here to the ER. There’s a three-alarm house fire in Stanton, a number of injuries , and one of them is an EMT.”
    Max hung up before Evie could respond. She gaped at the phone, her pulse racing . Mrs. Moriarty paled. “Are you all right, Miss Prentice? You look upset.”
    “No, I’m…I mean, I’m fine. But there’s an emergency. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to postpone our interview. Can I call you tomorrow to reschedule?”
    The woman looked only slightly put out, but she managed to retain her composure. “Of course, of course. I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
    Evie shoved her phone back into her purse and headed for the door. “I’m sure I’ll find out . Thank you for understanding. You’ll be hearing from me soon.”
    Outside the conference room, Evie scanned the nearest directory and raced off in the direction of the ER. Max had no idea she was involved with Tanner, she realized. He’d been giving her a heads-up on a possible front-page story, but her byline was the last thing on her mind as she hurried through the thickly carpeted corridors of the hospital and burst through the connecting doors into the emergency department. Tanner was working tonight, double shifts to help out the neighboring community. She could worry about a story once she was sure he was all right, and if he was, this might be her shot—finally a front-page story. If only she could shake the guilty feeling that her success seemed to hinge on someone else’s misfortune.
     
    * * * *
     
    Despite the chaos swirling around Tanner in the middle of the ER, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. He recognized Audrey Desmond as she raced by him, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Lily Jarvis, the receptionist, her light blue eyes wide with concern. He wanted to move toward her, but he couldn’t seem to make his muscles respond. He could only stare at the gurney on which Quinn lay, unconscious, his neck immobilized by a cervical collar.
    Doctors and nurses flooded the narrow