The Doctor and the War Widow by Viola Russell Read Free Book Online Page B

settled at her feet.
    “Okay I’m boring you. I’m on my own, I guess.” Harley scratched the dog’s ears, logged on to the site and clicked ‘reply.’ She wrote quickly. I was reading your profile. I like everything from opera to Rock ‘n’ Roll. I have two degrees in English. Like you, I enjoy reading, writing, and gardening. I also love following current events. Some people say I’m opinionated.
    Harley submitted the e-mail, still grinning at the last sentence. Would the man read her sarcasm? Would he think she was serious? Well, if this man didn’t like what she had to say, he wouldn’t respond. No big loss.
    Would you like to meet?
    Harley’s heart pounded as she read her e-mail early the next morning. Would she? Abisi’s e-mail was literate, sane, and intelligent. He was eloquent. I love opera. As a boy, my father bought records of “LaBoheme,” but I also listened to the Beatles when I was a medical student in London. He then went on about his garden. I love roses, but they are hard work in this soil. Pansies are beautiful and work well here. He finished in a gentlemanly fashion. I’ll meet you anywhere you want. I know a woman has to be careful.
    Harley scratched behind Nico’s ears. “I guess I could do worse.” She smiled down at her dog’s adoring face. “Well, should I agree to meet him?”
    Nico wagged his tail, mouth open.
    “You think I should, don’t you?” Harley shrugged. “Okay. It couldn’t hurt so long as I meet him in public. My goal is ten pages today. I’ll write him after I reach my goal.” Good, a chance to chicken out if I choose .
    Harley was working on a project unlike any she’d attempted before. Most of her romances were what she called “typical chick lit.” She didn’t deride chick lit because it had earned her some substantial bucks through the years, but this new novel was the story of Grace O’Malley. Nico sat at Harley’s feet as she typed, occasionally coming to her side as she muttered to herself. Sometimes, she thought the dog was reading as she worked.
    “Pretty good, eh, boy?” She rubbed Nico’s head and gave him a nose kiss.
    The dog wagged his tail enthusiastically and trotted off toward the kitchen. He returned with his leash gripped firmly between his teeth.
    “Good idea, let’s take a walk.” Harley attached Nico’s leash to his collar and led him to the doorway. She slipped her keys into her pants pocket and gazed down at the dog. “You know I’m putting this off, don’t you?”
    Nico opened his mouth, tongue protruding, in what looked like a huge grin. Harley walked him around the block, unlocked her door, released Nico, and then refilled his nearly full water bowl. The dog sat in the middle of the kitchen, watching her as she worked. To Harley, his eyes held a judgment.
    “Okay, I know. I’m putting this off.” Harley trod into her office and switched on her computer. Navigating to the site, she pulled up her mail. The words jumped out at her. I’ll meet you anywhere you want.
    Harley took a breath. The tears burned behind her eyes. She suddenly saw John before her quite plainly. She remembered the warmth of his hand in hers as they walked along the river. Harley saw him vividly as he pumped his arm in the air during a Saints game, and the tears stung her eyes when John appeared before her in uniform on the day they were married. More than any time in her life, Harley wished her mother were alive. Wiping a tear from her eyes, Harley glanced at the picture of Eden framed beside the computer. “What should I do? I know. You never liked it when I took chances.”
    Harley paused and considered the fairness of her comments. Eden had always pushed her to make friends and to meet new people. Harley simply wasn’t a gregarious person, and it was time to admit that. She and John had clicked because they were somewhat bookish and solitary. In John, Harley had had a soul mate, and she doubted she’d find another any time soon. Well,