Keen to settle into her role as one of the medical practitioners at the RMC, Flora had done some informal research on the area, so she already knew the Main Street Clinic had problems. Dr. Alan Grayson, who had started the practice over thirty years ago, was winding down his career. One doctor at the Main Street Clinic had been unwell for several months and another was on maternity leave. The generally held opinion was that the clinic would be closed altogether if Leon hadn’t been single-handedly holding things together.
The Stillwater gossips had told her a few other things about Leon. She knew his wife had died in a car accident a few years ago. There was no shortage of people wanting to tell her what a great doctor he was. A good listener, generous with his time, just plain nice to his patients.
The scandal-mongers had told her a few other things, mainly about his past, but she found it hard to believe the hell-raiser they described and this quiet man were the same person.
“Maybe we should both go?” Leon nodded in the direction of Joy’s house. “Joy and I have been neighbors for a long time. If there is a problem, I may be able to help.”
Flora blinked. Helpfulness from the reserved doctor? That was unexpected. “Thank you.”
“Joy is my friend.”
The message was clear. Don’t thank me. This is for Joy, not the person who has breezed into town and is threatening my job.
Then he smiled and the whole world stopped turning for a few heart-stopping seconds. Because, when Leon smiled it was like the sun breaking through storm clouds. Following swiftly after his closed expression, it almost took Flora’s breath away.
“Besides, Tiny loves visiting Joy. She gives him cookies.”
Tiny barked at the sound of his name. Flora eyed him warily. “I hope she buys catering sizes.”
“Don’t be mean about my dog.” They started to walk along the track. “Or I might not stop him next time he decides to kiss you.”
As they headed along the narrow path toward Joy’s house, Leon succumbed to temptation and let Flora go ahead of him. There was nothing chivalrous about the impulse.
He’d already noticed her slender curves when he’d seen her around town, putting it down to an annoying lapse of judgment on his part. She was one of the high-powered doctors who were here to save Stillwater from him and the other small-town quacks. That had been the essence of an article in the local newspaper published just before the Ryerson Center had opened.
Although there were two other doctors at the new center, Flora’s picture had accompanied the piece. The headline, “Just What Stillwater Ordered,” had appeared atop an article about the demise of his own, traditional clinic.
Her appearance should be the last thing on his mind. Instead, it had begun to drift into his thoughts when he was least expecting it. Now, instead of one of her efficient, tight-fitting business suits, Flora was wearing a dress that skimmed her thighs and seemed designed to draw his attention to her perfectly shaped rear and long, slim legs.
Even with her composure ruffled following Tiny’s onslaught, she was stunning. Leon saw plenty of different eye colors in his job, but Flora’s were the first he’d seen that were such a clear shade of blue. There was no hint of gray in their sapphire depths. Everything else about her made him think of sunshine and laughter. Her smile was a full-on, knee-weakening dose of mischief and fun. Except when she looked his way. Then her expression became wary and confused. And who could blame her?
I confuse myself most of the time.
The red hair that she ruthlessly confined when she was working now fell loose in a long, wavy mass about her shoulders. For an instant, Leon pictured it spilling over a pillow as they...
Whoa! What the hell was going on with him? Was this the inevitable culmination of four years of celibacy? Although why his sex drive should suddenly surface now, when it hadn’t bothered to recently, was a mystery. And why did it have to be directed toward this woman? The one who his boss was convinced would be responsible for the closure of the Main Street Clinic?
As they walked, Leon threw a ball for Tiny. The dog chased after it each time, bringing it back and dropping it at his owner’s feet, his tongue lolling and his tail wagging as he waited for the next throw.
Flora shielded her eyes against the sun, watching as Tiny hurtled after his toy. “He may be crazy, but he is quite cute.”
“Thanks,” Leon said. “I think the running helps and I try to watch what I eat. Although I’m not sure about the crazy part... Oh, wait. You meant the dog?”
Her laughter was delicious. Musical and joyful, it invaded his senses and momentarily pushed aside his cares. It was dangerous as well as infectious. He had a feeling too much of it could be addictive...and he’d fought enough battles with addiction to last a lifetime.
“Next you’ll be telling me you trained him to knock women over.”
When Tiny returned, Leon rubbed the dog’s broad head. “The doctor figured us out. We’re going to have to come up with a whole new technique.”
Flora’s laughter bubbled up again and one hand skimmed the enticing curves of her buttocks in a reminiscent gesture. “When flirting leaves bruises, you’re doing it wrong.”
Leon pitched the ball again and Tiny took off, skimming the ground with a speed and agility incredible for his size. “I had a feeling the dog was giving me bad advice.”
Leon wasn’t usually good at conversation. A severe stutter when he was younger meant talking had once been the worst kind of torture. Although years of speech therapy enabled him to get the issue under control, he was still painfully aware of the slight hesitation that remained. It left him self-conscious around new people. But talking to Flora felt okay. Light and
