LITMIR.BIZ

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started. Once again she was of no value to anyone. She’d ended their relationship with one of the same ugly scenes she’d witnessed her mother having when one of her relationships had ended.

      That’s when Stacey had decided seeing the world and devoting herself to professionally caring for people was safer than nurturing the terminally ill hope that someone would someday actually want her, see her as essential to their life. Now she didn’t stay in one place long enough to allow a bond to form beyond what was necessary. It was better, simpler, and easier on her heart that way.

      Dr. Brennan, sitting behind his desk, raised his dark head, his eyes studying her. She was sure his intent scrutiny wasn’t missing a thing. That shrewdness must be part of the reason he was such a well-respected physician in his field. She had researched him on the internet before agreeing to the job.

      “I want to apologize for my comment in the OR. That wasn’t the place to tease you.” She walked further into the room.

      One of his brows rose slightly. “I’m not used to being teased, in or out of the OR.”

      Oops. She had no doubt that was true.

      “We need to get to rounds. The girls have dance practice this evening.”

      Thankfully he’d changed the subject. “Girls? As in plural?”

      Standing, he moved around the desk. “My daughters.”

      He was tall, her head only reached to his shoulder. His large open office seemed small with him in it. She’d only seen one child that morning. But he had another.

      “Lizzy has an older sister, Jean. She’s isn’t quite so demanding and is far more independent. She’d already gone into day care when you came along.” He twisted his lips. “And didn’t require a bow.”

      Stacey grinned. There was affection in his voice when he spoke of his children. That alone made her admire him. She’d never heard that from a man while growing up. Mostly she’d just been in the way.

      He led the way out the door.

      Prone to chattering when she was nervous, Stacey said, “This is an amazing clinic. Nothing like what I’ve been working in while I was in South America.”

      “Thanks. It was a real answer to our prayers. Alex and I created a great place to work while still giving our children and the staff a quality place to stay while we do that.” He stopped at a patient’s door. “This is Mrs. Fitzpatrick. She had her surgery a week ago.” Dr. Brennan was back in doctor mode as he knocked on the door.

      At the sound of “Come in” they did, him leading the way.

      A woman in her mid-sixties with vivid white hair cut in a fashionable style sat regally in a chair next to the windows. Across from her in a matching wingback was an older man, who complemented her appearance. They had the aura of wealth.

      Stacey took a quick glance around the room. The bed alone said that the Maple Island Clinic was a cut above other medical facilities. It looked like a typical one that might be found in anybody’s bedroom, but she was pretty sure that beneath the floral spread it functioned like a hospital bed. The view beyond the windows was of a spring-green grassy area leading to ocean waves. Stacey could well understand why people would want to come here to recuperate.

      “Hello, Dr. Brennan,” the woman said proudly. “I’ve been up and moving around today.”

      “That’s good to hear.” He stepped closer.

      The older man stood and the two men shook hands.

      Dr. Brennan turned toward her. “Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, this is my new nurse, Stacey Ryder.”

      Smiling at them, she said, “Please call me Stacey.” Then she addressed the woman. “I understand you had a knee replacement.”

      “I did. Thanks to Dr. Brennan I’ll finally be able to get on the floor with my grandkids.”

      Stacey’s smile widened. Mrs. Fitzpatrick didn’t seem the type to want to do that, but now she could. “That’s great to hear.”

      “I’d like to check your incision, if I may?” Dr. Brennan asked.

      Mrs. Fitzpatrick pulled her right pants leg up over her knee. Dr. Brennan went down on his heels to examine it closely. “It looks good. Now let me see you bend it.”

      The woman lifted it up and down. Stacey didn’t miss how her lips tightened, but she didn’t make a sound.

      Dr. Brennan stood and put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m impressed. I can tell you’ve been working hard in physical therapy. I think you’re about ready to go home.”

      Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s smile was a bright one. “That’s sooner than you had said.”

      “It pays to be a good patient,” he responded, grinning.

      Stacey enjoyed the moment. Dr. Brennan had a nice rapport with his patient. She hadn’t seen much of that in her work in medical facilities in developing countries. There the patients came and left the same day. None of the doctors, and certainly none of the temporary nurses, had an opportunity to really get to know the patients. It was lovely to see that personal interaction in this clinic but at the same time it made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t looking to become involved with anyone on any level.

      Over the next few hours Stacey found out that Dr. Brennan’s bedside manner didn’t just extend to the Fitzpatricks. He treated all his patients with the same respect and concern. Each time they saw someone new he took the time to introduce Stacey, making her feel she was part of his team, significant. That was an odd thought.

      They were passing through the activity room where the afternoon sun beamed in through the windows when a weathered man sitting at a table lifted a hand in acknowledgment.

      “Hey, Salty. Good to see you,” Dr. Brennan greeted him.

      “Who’s that with you?” Salty wanted to know.

      “This is my new nurse. Stacey Ryder. Stacey, this is Salty, our local hero.”

      Stacey couldn’t miss the pink spreading across the older man’s cheeks, the wrinkles that gathered beside his eyes and the straightening of his shoulders. “Aw, ’twas nothing. Anyone would have done it.” His gruff voice was filled with pride.

      “Done what?” she couldn’t help but ask.

      “We had a ferry accident a few months back. Salty went out in his boat and helped save people.”

      “That sounds impressive.” And she was impressed.

      Salty shrugged his shoulders. “Glad I could help.”

      “We’ve got to be going. See you around.” Dr. Brennan strolled on through the area.

      “Nice to meet you.” Stacey hurried to catch up with the long-legged doctor.

      They hadn’t made it into the hall when Salty called, “Hey, Doc, find a good woman and you’ve found a jewel.”

      Dr. Brennan raised a hand and kept walking. “Thanks. I’ll remember that.”

      Stacey had seen the slight flinch of his shoulders before he’d waved off Salty’s unsolicited advice. “What was that about?”

      “Nothing. Salty is always dishing out his idea of wisdom.”

      Dr. Brennan didn’t appear to think that particular piece of advice was very impressive. Were he and his wife having trouble? Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with her and so was none of her concern.

      A few minutes later as they walked out of a patient’s room a tall, sandy-blond man wearing a lab coat came toward them. “Hey, Cody. How’s it going?”

      “Well. Your staff has done wonders with Mrs. Fitzpatrick.” Dr. Brennan passed her his hand computer on which he was making notes. “As uncooperative as she was before surgery, I’m impressed by how

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