Claiming the Doctor's Heart by Renee Ryan

Author:Renee Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2014-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The next morning, groggy from a restless night’s sleep, Olivia woke to the sound of rain slapping against her bedroom window. It was the sort of torrential downpour that didn’t show signs of stopping anytime soon. She sighed at the watery world beyond her window. So much for a day at the pool with the girls.

No worries, Olivia would think of an indoor activity for them instead.

Tossing off the bedcovers, she stretched her stiff muscles and thought through her options. A day of baking might be the perfect choice. They hadn’t spent much time in the kitchen since she’d taught them how to make frittatas. Why not try out a few new recipes today? She had a great one for chocolate-covered popcorn.

Excited now, she quickly dressed and, deciding not to take Baloo with her for a change, headed across town to Connor’s house alone.

Heavy sheets of rain pounded from the sky, making visibility tough. Thunder boomed in the distance. Lightning sizzled and cracked.

Olivia drove with considerable care. She knew this route by heart and the various threats that lurked beneath the car’s tires. Still, her hands shook. And her pulse hammered through her veins.

Her parents had died in a storm like this, in early March when the rain had been a vicious mix of sleet and snow. According to the official report, their car had hit a patch of black ice and slid off the road into a ravine.

Willing her mind to release memories of that night, especially when the state trooper had delivered the horrible news, Olivia clutched the steering wheel tighter.

Think about something else, something pleasant.

Her mind immediately went to Connor, the girls and their time together yesterday at the ball field. Every moment had been precious to her. Despite knowing the dangers of getting too close to them, all three Mitchells were becoming a part of her life, a part of her heart.

The realization scared her. And she wondered if she could stop the inevitable from occurring. Or was it too late? Had her life already been changed irrevocably? Was there no going back?

At least she’d told Connor about her breakup with Warner. She hadn’t planned on doing that, ever. But she’d been feeling vulnerable after her conversation with the girls about their mother. And Connor had been so understanding, no judgment, no condemnation. His insight had released the guilt she’d been harboring over her role in the breakup.

Yes, she’d fallen into a relationship with a man she hadn’t really loved. So she’d stayed with him longer than she should have because of his daughter. At least she’d gotten out before it was too late.

That had to count for something.

Olivia would not allow herself to look back and worry over the mistakes she’d made in the past. It was a new day, a new beginning. Her chance at a new one.

No more planning.

No more putting off finishing her business proposal.

No more waiting for guarantees.

It’s go time.

Scary. An uncertain future lay before her, but she

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.