The Doctor's Instant Family by Mindy Neff

Author:Mindy Neff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Chance watched the efficient way Kelly moved around the clinic, keeping busy, as though afraid to slow down lest some sort of beast catch up to her.

She was clearly avoiding him, and that ticked him off. He’d been sure they’d made more progress last night at Brewer’s. Hell, she’d even admitted she was having fun.

One step forward and three steps back.

Grabbing two cumbersome medical chests—the drug chest and the metal box containing the heart monitor and diagnostic equipment—he strode toward Kelly and stopped at the front desk.

“Grab a coat, Hollywood. Today’s the day we do house calls.”

“Today’s the day you do house calls.”

“Come on, Kel, I need you. I’ve been out to the Thurmans a couple of times now. I’m fairly certain Ella’s got mitral valve prolapse, but she refuses to come in for an echocardiogram. She’s not symptomatic—no irregular heartbeat, no migraines, chest pain or panic attacks.” Although Mrs. T did claim the urge to bash Mr. T with the skillet now and again. That probably didn’t count as panic attacks.

“So, since she won’t come in, I’m thinking she should at least err on the side of caution and take a dose of antibiotics if she plans to have any dental work done. I’d feel a lot better if I had a second opinion, though.”

“Chance—”

“Come on, Kel. You might have fun.” The minute he said it, her eyes clouded. Damn it, he was going to find out what was the matter with her. And having her cooped up in the truck with him as he made rounds to folks who couldn’t or wouldn’t come in for treatment was an opportunity he didn’t want to pass up.

“Please?” He’d resort to begging if he had to. “Come with me and see what country doctoring’s all about.” As a professional, he was pretty certain she wouldn’t be able to resist. He’d seen her immediate interest when he’d described Mrs. Thurman’s symptoms.

“I need to get home to the girls,” she hedged.

“We’ll be back by noon. You’re on the clock until one, anyway.”

She lifted a brow. “Are you pulling the ‘I’m the boss’ routine?”

He grinned. “I can. I was hoping you’d be curious enough that I wouldn’t have to. You’re a doctor.” He held up his hand when she automatically opened her mouth to argue. “Being a doctor’s not just a job. It’s a mission. It’s part of who we are. Are you going to stand there and deny that I’m right?”

Kelly heaved a sigh and picked up her coat. “You know, it’s an ugly trait to gloat.”

“I’ll work on it.” He held the door open for her, locked it behind them, then stowed the two chests in the back seat of his pickup and helped her into the cab.

She noted that he also had survival gear behind the seat and wondered if he’d ever had to use it. The possibility of getting caught in a blizzard wasn’t such a stretch of the imagination. Montana was a completely different world than California.

Snow had fallen last night, but not enough to make the roads impassable.

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