The Doctor Returns by Stella MacLean

Author:Stella MacLean
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE NEXT MORNING, the kind of morning where the air hung with the scent of lilacs and the sun promised unfettered light, Neill pulled into Sherri’s driveway. For the first time since he’d moved home, he felt hopeful. He pulled to a stop as Sherri came out the door of her condo.

He jumped out of his SUV and started up the walk toward her. “You look great,” he said. With her blond hair flowing around her shoulders and her blue T-shirt fitting every curve of her body, she made his blood run hot.

“Thanks.” Smiling up at him, she passed over the picnic basket. “Mom’s contribution to our day.”

He took the basket from her as they walked toward the passenger door. “So, how was her grocery shopping trip?”

“Let’s just say there isn’t a spare inch of shelf space left in my kitchen, and my fridge is positively burdened with veggies.”

He opened the door for her, ridiculously happy at the prospect of having her sitting across the console from him. He was tempted to do a jig around the back of the vehicle and had to force himself to walk slowly and deposit the picnic basket in the back before climbing into the driver’s seat. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t get his hopes up about today, but with Sherri beside him, the intimacy of the two of them alone in his vehicle, his expectations soared.

They drove north out of town toward the interstate and turned left onto the coast road that led down toward the ocean. The conversation was easy and the day inviting. He could tell by her response that she was as happy to be out on a day like today as he was.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Never better, despite Mom’s constant worried glances.”

The doctor in him wanted to quiz her further for any more symptoms, but he held back. Sherri would bring her concerns to him when and if she needed him. He had to believe that. “I was so relieved to hear you say you weren’t moving to Portsmouth.”

“Why?”

He could feel her eyes on him and knew that trying to duck the question would simply mean that she’d rephrase it. He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “From the moment I got back here in Eden Harbor and discovered that you were working at the hospital, I wanted a second chance.” He glanced over quickly before continuing. “Now I can’t imagine Eden Harbor without you,” he said, not daring to look her way for fear that she’d admonish him for presuming such a thing.

“Did I mention how relieved I was to find you staring down at me when I woke in Emergency?”

“Is that what they mean when they say good things come out of bad ones?” he asked, determined to keep her talking.

“It is in our case. I’m glad you and I are getting a real chance to talk. Having you back here has been unimaginably difficult for me.”

His head filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation; he held his breath.

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