LITMIR.BIZ

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of Levi’s foot. His big toe curved back and his toes spread. Babinski in a three-and-a-half-year-old?

      He tested the other foot. The primitive reflex was not as strong, but it was still there. With long practice, Ash hid his concern, smiling at Levi. “You did awesome, little man!”

      “So, rainbow fingernails are in now?” Jordan pulled a T-shirt over Levi’s head.

      Ash glanced down at his hands and yes, his fingernails were painted in rainbow pastel shades. His face flushed hot, but he laughed and shrugged. “It’s the latest thing, didn’t you know? I have a little patient going through chemo right now. She has specialists overseeing her care, but when I can, I go by to see her. Last night she was bored and her mom needed a nap, hence my new fashion statement.”

      Jordan’s eyes were soft. “I’m sorry. That must hit home for you.”

      “It does, a little,” he admitted. “And she’s a real sweetheart of a kid. I hate it for her. You ready?”

      She pulled some soft knit pants over Levi’s scrawny legs and picked him up. “Now I am.”

      “Good. I want to run a few tests on Levi. Because he’s so small and isn’t crawling or walking, I want to rule out some more serious issues. Marissa will call you once the appointments are set up, okay?”

      Jordan stopped halfway out the door. “Should I be worried?”

      He smiled into her already very concerned eyes. “Not yet. I’ll tell you when to worry. I promise.”

      She nodded. “It’s just—He’s been through a lot, you know?”

      “I do know.” Ash opened the door because feelings were churning in his chest. He saw dozens of patients every day and never had he wanted to take one of the mothers in his arms and reassure her that everything would be okay. He cleared his throat. “Jordan, I promise we’re going to take good care of him.”

      He watched as she walked down the hall toward the reception area, her red head bent toward a dark, curly one.

      “Doc?” Marissa shook his arm, startling him. “You have a patient waiting in two.”

      “Right. I need to make some notes first. And I want you to go ahead and make an appointment for a CT scan for Levi—spine and hips.” Marissa noted his request and walked away. He stood there a second longer.

      Jordan was so different from other girls—women—he’d known. She hadn’t had an easy time of it but she wasn’t waiting for life to come to her. Instead, she took life by the reins, making it be what she wanted it to be. There was a part of him that deeply desired that kind of determination and definitely admired it.

      He called after her, “Jordan!”

      She turned back and he was at her side in a second, before he had time to think about it, consider the consequences.

      “Go out with me. Dinner on Friday?”

      Jordan stared into his eyes as if scrutinizing his motives and he wondered what she thought she saw there. He didn’t even know what his motives were.

      After a long minute, when every eye in the place seemed to be trained on him, she said, “No, thank you.”

      No, thank you. That was what you say when someone offers you Brussels sprouts and you hate them, not what you say when someone you like invites you to dinner.

      Over the rushing in his ears, he heard her say a few more words, and then over it all, the sound of an infant screaming in the room to his left.

      Marissa put a merciful hand on his arm. “Room two is waiting, Dr. Sheehan.”

      He turned and went to the door of the exam room. With his hand on the doorknob, he stopped. Struggling to come up with appropriate words, he finally said, “Okay, then, I’ll see you around.”

      Color high in her cheeks, Jordan nodded and fled.

      * * *

      A week later Jordan was still thinking about that moment. He’d closed in on her with long strides, blue eyes smiling at her, those tiny crinkles in the corners. Stupid rainbow fingernails, making her feel all warm and mushy about him.

      In her mind, when he’d asked her to go to dinner, she didn’t blurt out that he wasn’t her type. She didn’t even hesitate. She smiled slowly up at him and said, What took you so long? Or That sounds like fun.

      Was that so hard?

      She scowled and shoveled fresh pellets into Bartlet’s stall. “Yes, thank you, that sounds like fun.” See, how hard was that?

      “Who are you talking to?”

      She went still. She knew that deep voice. Slowly, she turned around, her cheeks burning. Ash leaned on the door to the barn, a bakery bag dangling from his relaxed fingers. He was absolutely spotless, as usual. Nary a crease would dare to mar his perfect khakis.

      Did the man never get thrown up on? He was a pediatrician.

      In contrast, she was dressed—as usual—in riding pants and flannel. She had mud down her side where one of her young clients used her hip as a stepstool getting off his horse after therapy.

      And she had been talking to herself. About him.

      She stood the shovel on end and raised one eyebrow. “I’m a very good conversationalist, I’ll have you know.”

      “Apparently.” He pushed off the wall with his shoulder and held out the bag. “For you. Double chocolate. Jules said it was your favorite.”

      “It is. And you have perfect timing, actually. I’m done here. Want to share? I have milk.” When he gave her a look, she laughed. “No worries. We ate earlier because Levi can’t hold out until I’m finished with the animals. His babysitter—actually, your sister Wynn—is putting him to bed. He’s finally able to sleep in his room and even goes into his crib without crying.”

      She slid the barn door closed and locked it.

      “You don’t have to put the horses in?” He followed her down the trail around the pond toward her home.

      “It’s warm enough now that I let them stay in the field sometimes. They work hard during the day, so they frolic at night.” Her lips twitched at her horse humor. See, she was funny. She could carry on a conversation. Reaching her front porch, she sat on the small bench outside the front door and shucked her boots, entering the cottage in sock feet, Ash right behind her. “Hey, Wynn, how did he do?”

      Ash’s sister Wynn put her finger to her lips. “Sound asleep. That last bottle did the trick.”

      “He didn’t sleep long this afternoon. I figured he’d go down pretty easy.” Gus nosed his way out of Levi’s room and ambled over, bumping his head against her hand until she crouched down to give him her attention. She looked up at Wynn as she scratched behind Gus’s ears. “Did he eat any food?”

      “A few crackers and some mandarin oranges, even swallowed a little bit.” Wynn pulled the ponytail holder out of her long blond hair, shaking it out to fall down her back. “He’s precious. What time do you need me tomorrow?”

      “My clients are in the morning tomorrow, so Mrs. Matthews can watch him. Thanks, though. You’re a lifesaver.”

      “Pish.” Wynn picked up her purse, a small suede satchel with six-inch fringe, as she walked to the door. “I love that little guy.”

      Ash towered over his petite sister. He put his arm around her. “If you’re looking for something to do while you’re home, I could use some help in the office. My receptionist is on maternity leave as of Tuesday.”

      Wynn gave her brother a light shove. “Good luck with that.”

      He closed the door behind Wynn. “She’s always been mean to me.”

      “I can’t understand why. I know you’re

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