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you. But no, I think I can manage for the rest of this week.”

      “But why—” She stopped, surprised by the stern look on his face.

      “Look, Dr. Brandt. It’s very important to me that my office operates on a certain routine, within prearranged parameters. I don’t make sudden changes and I don’t adjust anything unless I’m certain it will be either cost-effective or serve my patients better. I’ve managed to keep my practice very successful by following a precise organizational method, and I would like, as much as is possible, for you to adhere to that schedule.”

      “Well, yes, of course.” Nicole blinked. What on earth have I gotten into? “I was just offering to help.”

      “Which I appreciate.” He drained his glass and stood, peering down at her. “But I think you’ve done enough today. Ruth Ann’s arm was above and beyond the call of duty.”

      “It was just a cast!”

      Nicole hated to have him towering over her, so she stood and faced him. Something strange was at work here. She just wished she knew what it was. Then she saw the little nerve ticking just under his jaw, and realized there were many things her new boss wasn’t saying. Perhaps it was better to back off now, and find out what was behind all this from his “aunt.”

      “If that’s your wish, Dr. Darling, it’s perfectly fine by me. If you change your mind, just let me know. Otherwise I’ll see you in the office Monday morning at eight.”

      He blinked, then nodded.

      “I hope you won’t mind if I catch a ride back with you. My car’s still at the hospital.”

      “Yes, of course. And I still have rounds.” He bent to press a kiss against Miss Winifred’s white powdered cheek. “You’re sure you want to do this? It won’t be too much?”

      She laughed, a light musical trill.

      “I’ll love it. Nicole, you come on back and we’ll get you settled in. Then we’ll have a chat—just us girls.”

      That laugh was infectious. Nicole found herself grinning as she climbed into Dr. Darling’s car and waved at the tiny figure surrounded by flowers.

      “Your aunt’s quite a woman,” she murmured, retracing the route with her eyes as they traveled.

      “Yes, she is. I hope you’ll enjoy it there, but if you feel the need to be on your own, she’ll understand. She possesses a very strong intuition where people are concerned.”

      “You sound as if you expect the worst.” Nicole stared at his frown and decided to bite the bullet. “Perhaps it might be better if you just said outright what it is that’s bothering you about my presence here, Dr. Darling.”

      “Perhaps you’re right.” He slid into his spot at the hospital, switched off the engine and turned to face her. “I hope you won’t find this offensive.”

      “I’ll manage. Please speak freely.” She blinked at the relief that flooded his face. What on earth—

      “The position you are filling was only ever meant to be temporary.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “No matter how much you like it in Blessing, no matter what my aunt says, I am not looking to you as a permanent partner.”

      “I thought we’d settled all this,” she sputtered, more than a little surprised by the vehemence of his words. “I intend to return to school.”

      “Good. Because when I take a partner, I intend for that person to be perfectly suited to my practice. I’ve spent years devising certain strategies that have proven themselves over time. I have no need or desire to change my approach. Whomever I take on will have to accept my ways and get used to them.”

      “I see.” She unlatched the door, then twisted to look up at him. “In fact, you’re looking for the perfect partner.”

      “Yes, exactly.”

      “And apparently you believe that person is not me.” She shrugged. “Well, don’t worry, Dr. Darling. It doesn’t sound like my kind of thing at all.” She took a breath, then let out the words she knew she’d regret. “Actually, what you’re describing doesn’t sound like a partnership at all. More like a dictatorship.”

      He didn’t seem offended.

      “Maybe it is. Whatever you want to call it, that’s what I intend to have. I hope you’re willing to stay under these conditions, knowing you won’t be a permanent fixture in town.”

      Well, really! Could he be any more blunt?

      Nicole climbed out of the car, her mind racing with all the things she wanted to say. But only one thing was really important.

      She slammed the door, then leaned down to speak through the open window.

      “I’m a doctor, just like you, Dr. Darling. My patients always come first. After that, I’ll do my best to follow your, er, dictates. See you Monday.”

      As she walked across the pavement to her car, Nicole had to force herself not to dig in her heels. She was so mad!

      Cranky, rude, sourpuss—the names bubbled up. Those three sweet, innocent little girls were his daughters? How could such a thing be possible? He was so…cold.

      “Welcome to Blessing,” she muttered to herself as she got into her car. She drove out of the lot and took the first right turn back to Miss Winifred’s, plotting her conversation as she went.

      Miss Winifred. Yes, I do believe I’ll take you up on your offer of that talk. But I think our main topic of discussion had better be Dr. Joshua Darling.

      Nicole pulled up in front of the gorgeous house and switched off her car. All around the sound of children’s laughter permeated the air.

      “Yes, indeedy. By the time Monday morning comes around, I ought to be well prepared to deal with Dr. Joshua Darling.” She flicked the trunk lock open and climbed out, preparing to carry her cases inside.

      “For my first question—how in the world have the good folks of Blessing allowed a crusty grouch like him to retain the name Darling?”

      As beginnings went, maybe that wasn’t a bad place to start.

      Chapter Two

      Monday morning, armed with determination, her black bag and a prayer for patience, Dr. Nicole Brandt thrust back her shoulders and walked into the offices of Joshua Darling, M.D.

      Did I really need this detour on the road to surgery, God?

      Since she’d been asking the same question for days now, she didn’t wait for an answer, but sucked up her courage and smiled at the woman behind the desk as she saluted.

      “Dr. Nicole Brandt. Reporting for duty.”

      The nurse grinned, sharing the joke as she tossed off a slightly lopsided salute in return.

      “Penny Zane, Dr. Brandt. And this is Carole Court, our resident lab tech. Edwina Jessop, our receptionist, only comes in for afternoons. You’ll meet her later. We’ve been expecting you.”

      “Uh-oh. That sounds ominous. Who squealed on me?” Nicole pulled her lips into a pout of complaint.

      “Ruthie. We saw the cast.” Penny’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Don’t ever tell her a secret. She’ll spill it every time, usually at the worst possible moment.”

      “I’ll remember that.” Nicole grinned. “She is a sweetie, though, isn’t she? All that wispy fair hair makes me think of a little cherub.”

      Carole and Penny shared a look.

      “What did I say?” Nicole didn’t understand the flicker of understanding that passed between them. Was there something wrong with Ruthie?

      “Dr. Brandt. I’m glad you could make it.” Joshua

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