*
David strode into the clinic and found Elise standing behind the reception counter with a patient’s chart in her hands. His spare set of keys sat on the countertop. David grabbed them.
“Darling. Where have you been?”
“I told you yesterday to get out, Elise. Why’re you still here?” He stood with his keys in his hands, watching the uncertainty in her eyes. How he ever thought he was ever in love with her, he’d never know.
“Because you asked me to come here, to live with you, and work with you.” She smiled, tossed her hair back from her face. “So, here I am, darling, ready to take up your offer. I came in early to get used to the place before I start seeing patients. I didn’t think you’d mind. The paperwork is a mere formality. This is a bit quaint compared to what I’m used to but it has good bones, a great country feel about it.” She smiled and took a step toward him. “I know I’m late to the party, but you know what they say. Better late than never.”
“No, stop right there.” The predatory gleam in her eyes scared him.
“Don’t be silly, darling. So, we didn’t agree on the timeframe, and had a little fight. It doesn’t mean we’re over. Just that it took me longer to come to my senses than it should have. But I’m more than happy to make up for lost time.” She took another step. “I really do love your practice, by the way. I’m sure I’ll fit in very well once the locals get to know me.”
“No, you won’t. You will not be working with me, ever. You can pack your bags and get into that car of yours and go back to where you came from. I know why you’re here and it won’t work.”
“I’m here for you, darling. I told you that.”
“I’m not totally stupid. You were asked to leave the clinic you worked at and if you think you can come down here and buy yourself some respectability, you can think again.”
“I did nothing wrong.” The bitter twist of her lips was a far cry from the seductive smile from a moment ago.
“Oh, yes, you did. You’ve shown you have no scruples and care about nobody but yourself. I would never allow anyone to buy the practice my father built who treated patients or coworkers like that.”
“But all the studying we did together, all the effort I put into becoming as good as I can be. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” What he suspected were crocodile tears filled her eyes.
“No, and I really don’t care what you think you’re suffering. You no longer concern me.”
“But even my father agrees I was treated badly.”
“Don’t tell me, he’s given you the money to disappear and you thought you could buy your way in?” David shook his head. She hadn’t changed. What hurt him the most was how long it had taken him to see her true colors. “Tommy should have told me it was you who made the offer on the business. I could have saved you the effort and given him my answer straight away. I’m giving you ten minutes to leave or I’m calling the police and having you thrown out. You were never invited to join me no matter what you say, but you have been invited to leave.” He lifted his hand and looked at his watch. “Ten minutes. Not a second more.”
“You can’t do this to me. After all we meant to each other, David. You have to give me another chance. The money I can put into the business. Imagine what you could do with it, how much we could expand.”
“Nine.” He would not be swayed from this step. He should have done it yesterday and saved them all the extra grief. What a fool for even letting her get a foot in the door. And what an idiot for not insisting April let him in last night to explain what happened with Elise. He never should have left without putting his side of the story forward. His mother was wrong, a lot could happen while he chewed over his options and mistakes. Hopefully it wasn’t too late.
“Eight.”
She screamed in frustration and hurried to the office next to his she must have thought to claim as her own. By the time she came back out with her handbag over her arm and a jacket, the minutes had ticked down to two. “Two.”
“You’ll regret this for the rest of your life. See if you don’t.”
“One.” Elise stormed out the door and slammed it behind her. David stood where he was, breathing to restore his calm before going to apologize to April.
Chapter Twenty-One
Hamish loped over to the door and sniffed through the crack at the bottom when David knocked. Oscar stood beside him whining. “Come in.”
David opened the door and stared at her. “Hi.”
While the dogs licked David’s hands and wagged their tails in sheer happiness, April found herself staring back, unable to move. It’d been one thing to approach him on the street while she was high on adrenaline to give him a piece of her mind, but to finally be able to talk things over with him after the last few anxious hours had her lost for words.
“I have some things to say if you’ll let me go first. I’m hoping you’ll be kind enough to give me a chance to do that because,” he gave her a winning smile and she melted inside. “I’ve been an idiot and I think you know that. I’d really like this chance to prove myself redeemable.” He patted Hamish and Oscar on the head and closed the door behind him.
“I don’t expect you to say anything. Just be kind enough to listen. Not that I deserve it.” He ran a hand over his hair, messing
