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matrimony.

      ‘I understand your problem,’ J.D. answered smoothly.

      ‘As I’m sure you also know,’ Allan said, ‘that final decision rests with the hospital’s board of directors.’

      ‘Yes, I do.’ Part of him sighed in relief that Allan didn’t have the authority to kill his proposal before it received a proper hearing, otherwise, he doubted if an endorsement as high as the Presidential seal of approval would sway Allan’s opinion in the Emergency Department’s favor.

      On the other hand, Mercer’s BOD was a formidable bunch. At least three of its members weren’t known to embrace change unless they didn’t have any other viable options. Even so, he’d rather take his chances with them.

      Allan leaned back in his chair, making the leather creak under his weight. ‘Would you be interested in some constructive criticism?’

      Suddenly wary of the administrator’s motives, J.D. nodded. He couldn’t imagine what vital piece of information he had omitted from his report.

      ‘The only problem I see with your proposal is…’ He hesitated before he finished. ‘Is you.’

      CHAPTER TWO

      J.D. HAD prepared himself to counter every possible argument, but Allan’s personal attack left him momentarily speechless. ‘Me?’

      Allan nodded. ‘A project of this magnitude requires commitment.’

      J.D. forced himself to portray a calmness he didn’t feel. ‘I’ve been researching this idea for the past three months. This isn’t something I dreamed up yesterday.’

      ‘It’s not the paperwork aspect. The board members might be more inclined to lend their approval if they’re assured of your intentions to see the project to its completion.’

      J.D. scoffed as he crossed his arms. ‘Of course I’ll see it through to the end. Why wouldn’t I?’

      ‘You don’t have any long-lasting ties to our community.’

      ‘I’ve lived and worked in Mercer for nearly four years,’ J.D. pointed out. ‘I’ve enjoyed living here and don’t have any plans to hunt for a new job.’

      ‘I’m sure everyone will be relieved to hear that, but you’re not married.’

      J.D. narrowed his eyes. ‘What bearing does my marital status have on improving our emergency service?’

      Allan hesitated. ‘May I be blunt?’

      J.D. mentally braced himself. ‘Yes.’

      ‘We’re all aware of your privileged background,’ Allan began. ‘Living in Mercer, your prospects of finding someone with a similar social standing are slim to none. Since you’ll want to avoid the same situation you found yourself in before…’

      J.D. knew he was referring to his ill-fated romance with Ellen. His blood pressure rose.

      Allan cleared his throat. ‘I’m sure you’ll choose more wisely next time. In any case, a woman used to the Dallas jet set won’t be satisfied living in Mercer. You wouldn’t be the first man forced to concede to his wife’s wishes.’

      ‘Aren’t you jumping the gun a little? I don’t have a wife, nor do I have one in mind. And, for the record,’ J.D. said coldly, ‘I don’t intend to get involved with any woman who objects to the location or scope of my medical practice.’

      Allan didn’t appear convinced. ‘Be that as it may, if memory serves, you don’t own your home either.’

      ‘So?’ J.D. didn’t soften the belligerent note in his voice. ‘What’s wrong with renting?’

      ‘It could be construed as you having no intentions to remain in this community for long. People who own property won’t pick up and move at the first sign of adversity.’

      Had Allan forgotten that houses could be sold? J.D. clamped his jaws together to refrain from saying something he might regret later. Suddenly the motivation behind the administrator’s comments became crystal clear.

      ‘This is about Leland, isn’t it?’ Leland Purdy was a single physician who’d come to Mercer a year ago. An eloquent speaker with enough ideas to turn the world around, he hadn’t stayed long enough to implement the very changes he’d spearheaded. In the meantime, the section heads who’d tried to accommodate his wishes were forced to deal with the chaos he’d left behind.

      ‘No, but now that you mention Leland I’m sure his name will come up in the discussion.’

      J.D. was willing to bet money on the identity of the ‘someone’ who would point out the similarities between Leland and himself. Allan would plant enough doubt in the board’s collective mind to make J.D.’s proposal sound risky. In the end, Allan’s long association with Mercer Memorial would be pointed out and Candace’s request would seem the more sensible of the two.

      He cut right to the chase. ‘So, the bottom line is since I’m not a happily married man with a mortgage my chances of the board approving my proposal are slim to none.’

      Allan raised both hands as if to placate him. ‘Well, now, J.D. I won’t presume to second-guess our hospital BOD. I’m simply pointing out the obvious. As they say, forewarned is forearmed.’

      Anxious to leave before his temper exploded, J.D. rose. ‘Absolutely.’

      ‘I’ll certainly put in a good word for your project, though. Don’t you worry.’

      ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ J.D. wasted little time in reaching the exit and took extra care to avoid slamming the door behind him.

      He bestowed a forced smile on Allan’s secretary in the outer office, before heading toward familiar—and friendly—territory.

      He burst through the pendulum-like double doors intent on finding Katie. Not only did she share his vision for establishing an area specifically for the minor emergencies, but she was the person both he and Daniel had come to rely on for the past four years. A quiet, dependable, level-headed young lady, she looked after Daniel almost as much as he did.

      Best of all, she acted as his sounding board. If there had ever been a time when he’d needed her in that capacity, it was now. Luckily, he found her sitting at the nurses’ station.

      Katie glanced at him, the smile on her face dying to a frown. ‘I don’t need to ask how your meeting went.’

      He glowered. ‘No, you don’t.’

      ‘What did Allan think of your report?’

      He didn’t hide his disgust as he plunked himself on a vacant office chair. ‘The report was fine. And, to quote Allan, “an impressive document”.’

      A tense moment passed before she prompted, ‘But?’

      ‘But I’m a risky element.’

      She stared at him in open-mouthed disbelief. ‘What?’

      J.D. patiently explained. ‘Allan questions whether I’ll be here to see my project to completion.’

      ‘Where did he get that idea?’

      ‘From Leland.’

      ‘Dr Purdy?’ Incredulity crossed her face. ‘What has he got to do with anything?’

      J.D. shrugged. ‘Leland left for greener pastures. Allan thinks I will, too.’

      ‘But Dr Purdy always said Mercer was a stepping-stone to bigger and better things. He was quite vocal about it.’

      ‘Yeah, well, since we’re both tarred with the same brush of bachelorhood, Allan figures I’m just as footloose and fancy-free.’

      Katie crossed her arms and her brown eyes blazed with indignation. ‘That’s preposterous! You’re a single parent with responsibilities,

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