The Gift of Second Chances by N.D. Jones

Author:N.D. Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kuumba Publishing
Published: 2019-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

With a scowl Sean didn’t even try to conceal, he watched Dr. Derrick Murphy, the provost’s smile too wide, his proximity to Angie too close, and his presence too much for him to handle.

“You look great.”

“I’ve never known you to be a liar, Derrick.”

Dr. Murphy smiled down at Angie, his hand still holding hers long after the greeting handshake.

“I would never lie to you, Angela.” He raised one hand to his chest and over his heart. “I swear, I’ve never seen a lovelier patient.”

“Spent a lot of time at the hospital, have you?”

“I will if you have to stay here much longer. The first time I was here you were unconscious. The second time I came you were asleep. I guess the third time is the charm. All things considered, you do look great. How are you feeling?”

Sean listened as Angie gave Dr. Murphy an abridged version of her medical condition. She deleted much and didn’t share information about her temporary paralysis. At least Sean hoped her paralysis proved to be short-lived.

Edward tugged Sean’s arm. “I’m hungry. Let’s go to the hospital cafeteria.”

“Go by yourself or take Mom. I’m visiting my wife.”

Edward’s voice lowered to a whisper. “Unless you’re planning on kicking that guy’s ass for flirting with Angie right in front of you, I suggest you take a deep breath and a walk.”

“I’m not leaving.”

Brenda stepped into Sean’s line of sight, impairing his vision of Angie and Dr. Murphy. Her hand went to his chest and her eyes to his. “Take you father’s suggestion. I’ll stay here with Angie and her colleague.”

“But—”

“He’s being overly friendly, and she’s being courteous. But you’re working yourself into a firestorm of jealousy borne of guilt. Angie doesn’t need that, so leave, and don’t return until you’re either calm or Dr. Murphy is gone.”

“Everyone misses you at EU. Jeanette tells me your mailbox keeps filling with emails of concern and well-wishes. That executive assistant of yours is managing everyone and everything, including your exec team while you’re in here. So, don’t worry about EU. We got you covered.”

“I didn’t doubt it for a minute. EU isn’t one person. It’s all of us, from the president’s executive team to the faculty to the custodians. I do thank you, though. It means a lot to know my absence hasn’t interrupted the operation of the university.”

“It’s an old, huge school. It’d take bulldozers to shake something up at EU. But that doesn’t mean your absence isn’t keenly felt. If nothing else, you’ve given me an excuse to buy you flowers. I hope you like these better than the ones I bought you for your birthday.”

Sean glared at the bouquet of red roses Dr. Murphy had placed on the windowsill next to Sean’s own vase of red roses. Sean didn’t like Dr. Murphy bringing his wife flowers, especially since his arrangement was larger than Sean’s.

“Did I get it right this time?”

“The flowers you gave me for my birthday were lovely.”

“Which is your kind way of saying you liked the lilies, but you prefer red roses.

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