LITMIR.BIZ

      CONTENTS

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      CHAPTER ONE

      “HONEY? Do you have any idea how proud I am of your accomplishments? To think my daughter has established herself as a concert pianist. It’s what your mother lived for…”

      Groaning inwardly, Heather Sanders bowed her head. “D-do you want another cup of coffee?”

      “No, thank you. You’ve waited on me enough this morning. In fact you’ve spoiled me during this visit when it should have been the other way around.”

      “I’m happiest when I’m home with you.”

      “You’re just saying those kind words to make your old man happy.”

      “No, Daddy. It’s the truth. Please, don’t rush off yet.” I need to talk to you. I have to talk to you.

      “I’m sorry, honey, but an early start on hospital rounds means I can finish up the day ahead of schedule so I can be with you. I’d like to believe your mother will be watching and listening to you play with the symphony tonight,” came his tremulous whisper.

      “I want to believe that, too. In case she is, I’ll try to do Tchaikovsky justice.”

      He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting it go. “Your performance will be flawless, just as it always is. You’re so much like her, honey.”

      “Thank you, Daddy.” Heather averted her eyes and finished the rest of her orange juice.

      “I want you to know I’ve already made travel arrangements so that I can fly over for the performances on your tour. I’ll only be able to stay a couple of days each time, but it will be worth it. Lyle Curtis has the different dates marked off to cover for me.”

      “I’m so glad!” She slid out of her chair to throw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much.”

      Dr. John Sanders was everyone’s favorite obstetrician. He worked long hours and had literally buried himself in his practice since her mother had died. For him to take so much time away from his patients to be with her was some kind of miracle.

      Yet thrilled as she was by his news, deep down the thought of carving out a career as a concert pianist had always been daunting to her. Though she loved the piano, the idea of devoting her life to the performance of music was already starting to hold less and less appeal. The sooner she admitted this to her father who’d sacrificed everything for her, the better.

      “What are you going to do today besides practice?” he asked after standing up to give her a hug.

      “I’ve got a lot of packing to do before I leave for New York tomorrow. Phyllis called and offered to drive me over to the concert hall early so I can warm up on the Steinway.”

      “Wonderful! After my last appointment, I’ll come straight home and change, then join you backstage before the performance.”

      She flashed him a smile. “I’d love that, but I won’t hold my breath. In case things get busy at the office, remember that tonight I don’t play until after the intermission.”

      He put his hands on her shoulders. In a solemn voice he said, “Do you honestly think I’d miss the debut of my daughter’s entry into the world of Rubenstein and Ashkenazy?”

      “Daddy—” She shook her head. “They’re legendary. Only a few pianists will ever be in their league.”

      “You have greatness in you, honey. This is what your mother and I dreamed of.”

      He kissed her forehead before leaving the dining room.

      Immobilized by the growing conflict inside her, Heather stood there clinging to the chair long after she heard her father back down the driveway and leave for the hospital.

      With incurious eyes, Dr. Raul Cardenas glanced out the window of the plane as it made its descent toward Salt Lake International airport. Though it was mid-June, there were still pockets of snow clinging to the highest peaks of the rugged Rocky Mountains. The sight reminded him of the Andes, and should have brought him a modicum of excitement.

      But to his chagrin nothing seemed to dispel the growing discontentment he’d been feeling lately, not even the thought of seeing Evan and Phyllis again.

      Urgent business had prompted this emergency visit. He needed to consult with an expert. Evan Dorney, the renowned heart surgeon who had been Raul’s mentor during the last year of his surgeon’s residency at University Hospital in Salt Lake, was that person.

      The men had formed a fast friendship. Raul had been aware the older doctor had wanted him to stay in Salt Lake and become a partner in his thriving medical practice.

      Though humbled and flattered by Evan’s offer, Raul’s roots tugged at him. He couldn’t turn his back on his own country where doctors were desperately needed any more than he could abandon the aging aunt and uncle who’d raised him from the age of nine. Their fondest hope had been that he follow in his uncle’s footsteps and become an attorney.

      In the end Raul chose to be a doctor and practice medicine in the Gran Chaco of Argentina where he felt he could make the greatest contribution, thereby thwarting his uncle’s

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