LITMIR.BIZ

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      “I’m sure you’re right.” Telling herself to let the experts worry about Milla’s problems, Cecilia glanced discreetly at her functional, easily readable stainless steel watch. “Wonder how soon before we can make an escape? I’m ready to get home and crash.”

      “I’ll try not to take that as a comment on my sparkling companionship.”

      Smiling, Cecilia shook her head. “Like Milla, I’m just tired. It really has been a long day.”

      “I’m about ready to head home, myself. George is supposed to have the kids fed and homework supervised, but you know how it goes. I’ll probably have to check to make sure it all got done. And I want to read Damien his bedtime story tonight.”

      Vanessa couldn’t have known, of course, that her lighthearted words would go straight to Cecilia’s heart. Though Vanessa knew Cecilia wanted children of her own, she had no idea just how strong that longing had become.

      It was with some relief that Cecilia was able to change the subject of the conversation. “I think someone wants to speak to you,” she said, nodding toward a young nursing student who was trying to get Vanessa’s attention. “Looks like a lively discussion is going on over there.”

      Vanessa sighed. “I’m sure there is. That group is always getting into a debate about something—and I always seem to get called in as referee.”

      “Mama Vanessa,” Cecilia teased. “Go take care of your chicks. I’m going to try to score another chocolate-dipped strawberry.”

      “Okay. Catch you later.” Vanessa moved to the group of nursing students and was soon engaged in an animated conversation with them.

      Cecilia worked her way slowly across the crowded atrium, pausing several times to chat with co-workers. She made sure she spoke to enough people to leave no doubt that she had attended the gathering—standard office politics. On the other side of the room, her brother and his fiancée were surrounded by well-wishers. She managed to swap smiles and waves with them, but she made no effort to join them. As a rising young executive in the Bingham corporation, Eric had his own politics to practice this evening.

      And, speaking of Binghams…

      She smiled when Geoff stepped in front of her again. “Still looking for a cheeseburger, Mr. Bingham?”

      He chuckled. “Actually, I’m hungry enough now for a thick slab of steak and a huge baked potato. These little finger foods aren’t going to hold me any longer.”

      “I know what you mean. I haven’t had time to eat since breakfast this morning.”

      “So, how about it? Want to go find a steak?”

      She blinked. “Um…now?”

      “Of course. We’re both hungry. We’ve dutifully made our appearances at this official reception thing, and there’s no reason for either of us to stay any longer. So, if you have no plans for the remainder of the evening, I would be honored if you would join me for dinner.”

      She could hardly believe that Geoff Bingham was impulsively asking her out within a few minutes of meeting her. Heck, she couldn’t even say they had met, officially. She was quite sure she hadn’t even told him her name. “We haven’t even been introduced.”

      His grin deepened, pushing intriguing creases into his lean cheeks. “We haven’t, have we? Of course you already know I’m Geoff Bingham, and I know you’re Eric Mendoza’s sister, Cecilia. You’re a valuable member of the midwifery team here and highly respected by everyone who mentions you. I’d like to get a chance to know you myself.”

      So he did know who she was. Maybe, she decided, he just didn’t like eating alone. Maybe he was using her as an excuse to get out of this reception—being the gentleman by feeding a hungry guest, being a good executive by getting to know one of the subordinates in the organization, getting better acquainted with the sister of the man who was marrying one of his cousins. All sorts of rationales could apply. The question was, did she want to accept?

      Rather surprisingly, considering her earlier weariness and eagerness to get home, the answer was yes.

      Maybe she was simply trying to postpone going home alone—again—to contemplate her life and her future. Maybe watching Eric and Hannah from across the room made her aware again of her own depressing lack of a social life, if she discounted a few disastrous blind dates—which she did. Or maybe she simply liked the idea of spending a couple of hours with an attractive, charming and interesting man.

      Deciding she had no reason at all to turn him down, she smiled. “Would you mind if I order chicken instead of steak?”

      Satisfaction gleamed in his clear hazel eyes. “That can definitely be arranged.”

      Chapter Two

      If he had known when he’d dressed for the evening that he would end up dining with a beautiful brunette, he wouldn’t have been so reluctant to attend the reception, Geoff mused as he studied Cecilia Mendoza across a cozy table a short time later. Melinda’s was busy this evening, as it was most weekends, but a combination of clever table arrangement and discreet lighting gave them a sense of privacy as they studied the menus by candlelight.

      At Cecilia’s suggestion, they had left the reception separately, driving their own cars to the restaurant. He had assumed the suggestion was based at least partly on discretion, since the gossip lines in the clinic were as active as in any tight-knit work environment. He had to admit it had been clever of her.

      Geoff had had the foresight to call ahead as he’d left the hospital so that a table had been waiting for them, avoiding the usual lengthy wait for seating. He didn’t often wield his influence as a member of one of the wealthiest and most prominent local families, but this had been one of the rare occasions when it had been irresistible to do so. If Cecilia had been impressed, she hadn’t let it show, which was something else he liked about her.

      “I think I’ll have the trout,” she said, laying her menu aside.

      “Change your mind about the chicken?”

      Her smile brought out tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth. Geoff couldn’t keep from staring at them as she replied, “Actually, everything looks so good it’s hard to decide. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had the chance to dine here.”

      He dragged his gaze back up to her eyes. “Then I’m glad you were free to join me tonight.”

      Located in an old firehouse, Melinda’s was a steak and seafood restaurant with a menu and a wine list that compared favorably to anything in the state, as far as Geoff was concerned. He liked the history of the place, the redbrick walls decorated with framed black-and-white vintage photographs from Merlyn County’s colorful past, the polished brass pole left over from the old fire station, the huge carved oak bar that made up the entire back wall of the popular lounge downstairs.

      Geoff’s family had always come here for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, and the management had always given them preferential treatment. During the past few years, he had dined in some of the most renowned restaurants in the world, but Melinda’s would always feel like home to him.

      Having placed their orders with the server who had been hovering discreetly nearby, Geoff focused on his companion again. “I’m told the clinic has been very busy lately.”

      Her smile turned wry. “You’re told correctly. We’ve decided there’s a major baby boom going on in Merlyn County. And there’s more and more demand for midwifery services, partially due to the shortage of obstetricians in the county.”

      “How are the new students performing? Is the school doing its job properly?”

      “Absolutely. I would put our school up against any in the country.”

      Pleased by her unmistakable loyalty to the company, Geoff nodded. “Enough about business—let’s talk about you.”

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