The Good Doctor by Karen Rose Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

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    â€œThat depends on how you look at it. He remarried less than a year after my mother died.”
    â€œHow old were you?”
    â€œI was thirteen, Stacey was eleven, and Linda was nine.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Peter. I can’t imagine losing a parent at my age now, let alone when I was that young.”
    The line had dwindled away and now the woman at the table collecting checks looked up expectantly at Violet.
    Peter took his checkbook from an inside jacket pocket and she knew the conversation was closed. Maybe that was best. She and the doctor were colleagues in Ryan’s care and she should keep it at that.
    A few minutes later they were walking through the lobby of the hotel when Peter commented, “I only caught a few glimpses of Ryan, but he looked tired tonight. Are his symptoms becoming any more pronounced?”
    â€œNot that I’ve noticed, but he’s used to hiding them from Lily.”
    â€œWhat did he tell her about staying in Houston overnight?”
    â€œShe thinks he’s having dinner with business associates and then a late meeting.”
    The doorman held the door for them as they stepped into the night. Peter gestured to the parking area at the side of the hotel and removed a remote control from his trouser pocket. When a black SUV beeped, Violet knew which vehicle was his. She remembered seeing it in his garage the other night. To her surprise and pleasure, he opened the door for her. As she climbed in, the slit on her dress opened wide.
    â€œSo those things have a practical purpose,” he noted in a wry tone.
    The panel of the dress had slipped to the side, giving him a good look at her thigh and leg. She’d worn a dress like this before. She’d felt men’s gazes on her before. But right now with Peter’s eyes lighting with male appreciation, she felt self-conscious. Lifting the beaded material, she covered her leg on the pretense that she was protecting the fabric from the door. After Peter made sure she was safely tucked inside, he closed it.
    Moments later her perfume mingled with the scent of his cologne in the car. Violet couldn’t help but watch Peter’s hand as he turned the key in the ignition then backed out of the parking space and drove through the parking lot. His hands were large, his fingers were long, and she could imagine his expertise in surgery. Unfortunately, she could imagine a lot more. How long had it been since a man had touched her… really touched her?
    â€œEver been to San Juan Hospital?” he asked.
    â€œI was in the E.R. a few years ago when Miles had a run-in with barbed wire and needed stitches.”
    â€œOuch.”
    Violet smiled. “That’s not exactly what he said.”
    At Peter’s chuckle, she asked, “Do you know my brothers?”
    â€œI met Steven at one of Ryan and Lily’s New Year’s Eve parties. Your other brothers in passing.”
    â€œWere you at Steven and Amy’s wedding?” Her brother had found the love of his life. When they had gotten married about a week ago, she hadn’t seen Peter among the guests.
    â€œI had just arrived when I got a call from the hospital. I had to leave before the wedding even got started. I heard your brother Clyde got married, too.”
    â€œYep, he sure did. They’ll be back from their honeymoonnext week. Steven and Amy only took a few days because they want to get his new ranch in order for the party honoring Ryan.”
    â€œI heard he’s receiving the Hensley-Robinson Award. He deserves it.”
    Peter turned into the hospital’s parking lot. Instead of heading for the parking garage, he veered toward the side of the building where signs marked the slots for physicians.
    A few minutes later a security guard at the sliding glass doors nodded at Peter and gave Violet an interested glance. Her long gown obviously wasn’t a usual sight at the hospital. As Peter guided Violet through the