LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter One

      “Nobody knows better than I do how badly this town needs a doctor,” Police Chief Ethan Forrest told the crowd crammed into the Downhome, Tennessee, city council chambers. “But please, not Dr. Jenni Vine.”

      He hadn’t meant to state his objection so bluntly, he mused as he registered the startled reaction of his audience. Six months ago, he’d been so alarmed by the abrupt departure of the town’s two resident doctors, a married couple, that he’d probably have said yes to anyone with an M.D. after his or her name.

      Worried about his five-year-old son, Nick, who was diabetic, Ethan had suggested that the town advertise for physicians to fill the vacated positions. He also recommended that they hire a long-needed obstetrician. In the meantime, patients who couldn’t be helped by the nurse practitioner or staff nurse had to drive twelve miles to Mill Valley.

      Applications hadn’t exactly poured in. Only two had arrived from qualified family doctors, both of whom had toured Downhome recently by invitation. One was clearly superior, and as a member of the three-person search committee, Ethan felt it his duty to say so.

      “Dr. Gregory is more experienced and, in my opinion, more stable,” he said. “He’s married with three kids, and I believe he’s motivated to stick around for the long term.” Although less than ideal in one respect, the Louisville physician took his duties seriously and, Ethan had no doubt, would fit into the community.

      “Of course he’s motivated!” snapped Olivia Rockwell, who stood beside Ethan just below the city council’s dais. The tall African-American woman, who was the school principal, chaired the committee. “You told us yourself he’s a recovering alcoholic.”

      “He volunteered the information, along with the fact that he’s been sober for a couple of years,” Ethan replied. “His references are excellent and he expressed interest in expanding our public health efforts. I think he’d be perfect to oversee the outreach program I’ve been advocating.”

      “So would Jenni—I mean, Dr. Vine,” said the third committee member, Karen Lowell, director of the Tulip Tree Nursing Home. “She’s energetic and enthusiastic. Everybody took to her.”

      “She certainly has an outgoing personality,” he responded. On her visit, the California blonde had dazzled people with her expensive clothes and her good humor after being drenched in a thunderstorm, which she seemed to regard as a freak of nature. It probably didn’t rain on her parade very often out in the land of perpetual sunshine, Ethan supposed. “But once the novelty wears off, she’ll head for greener pastures and we’ll need another doctor.”

      “So you aren’t convinced she’ll stay. None of us is in the mind-reading business,” Olivia opined. “Is that the extent of your objections? This isn’t typical of you, Chief. I’ll bet you’ve got something else up that tailored sleeve of yours.”

      Ethan was about to pass off her comment as a joke, when he noticed some of the townsfolk leaning forward in their seats with anticipation. Despite being a quiet town best known for dairy farmers and a factory that made imitation antiques, Downhome had an appetite for gossip.

      Although

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