JAKE HARRIS ENTERED the doctor’s lounge just off the ER, glad to find it empty. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down on the dark brown couch facing the flat screen TV. Three kids who needed stitches, one broken arm, and a case of swimmer’s ear had kept him busy since he’d met his new employee.
Too busy to ponder Kate Henderson.
“Oh boy, are you in trouble, dude,” he said to the empty room.
He’d almost dropped to his knees when he realized the gorgeous, sexy woman he’d just met was his head nurse. Instant attraction. Instant erection. That hadn’t happened to him since high school.
When he’d arrived at the striking Victorian house that held his offices a week ago, lovely, middle-aged women surrounded him. He assumed Kate Henderson would be the same.
Boy, was he wrong.
Leaning back in the comfortable couch, he blew out a long stream of air. Upon first glance, she looked like someone who’d just thrown herself together. Her dark-blonde hair pulled back with a clip. No make-up.
Then he’d noticed her deep brown eyes, and those full, rosy lips he was sure never needed lipstick, and, oh man, what a body. He’d almost dropped the needle in his hand when Andrew pushed her torn shirt up past her bra. Curves like that belonged in a Victoria’s Secret catalog.
A groan rumbled through his chest as he ran a hand over his face. This was not good. He’d never felt such a sudden fascination like this before, and had no idea how to handle it. What was he going to do? She was his employee for God’s sake.
Geez, what had he gotten himself into this time? He’d left his home in Brooklyn Heights to start over in the boondocks, just because an old college buddy had mentioned his uncle needed someone to take over his practice and fast.
A kneejerk reaction to the latest heartache in his life.
Seashore Cove, Long Island, wasn’t exactly the middle of nowhere, but definitely a far cry from New York City. Had he made the right decision? Start from scratch, and hopefully find the happiness he so desperately sought? He couldn’t rely on other people’s kids to do that forever.
Jake rose to his feet and paced the room. He needed to get a grip.He was an adult—almost thirty. He could handle an unwanted attraction. With a defiant nod, he dumped the untouched coffee and rinsed out the mug, placing it on the drain board.
After splashing cold water on his face, hoping to wash away the lustful thoughts about Kate Henderson, he got back to work.
***
“Hey, guys, welcome home.”
Kate shaded her eyes against the hot sun as Dianna Sheldon, her neighbor from across the street, hurried toward her. “Hey, girl!”
Forever dressed in a T-shirt and yoga pants, the tall blonde offered a tight hug. “Renters moved in while you were gone. About a week ago.”
Kate’s stomach sank. So much for hoping the house would stay vacant for the summer. When no one moved in over Memorial Day weekend, she’d thought they were in the clear.
“I hope they have kids,” Drew said.
Alex rolled his eyes as he pulled groceries from the trunk of their Chrysler Sebring. “Who cares if they have kids? As long as they’re not weirdoes like last year.”
“They weren’t weird, they were…” Kate searched for the right word. “Eccentric.”
Alex stopped on his way up their front path and turned to her, his brows raised. “They were naked all the time, Mom.”
Kate turned back to Dianna. “Please tell me they’re not the same group from last year.”
“I don’t think so. They moved in late at night, so I couldn’t get a good look. Any time I went over to introduce myself, no one was home.” She headed back across the street. “Let me know if you meet them.”
“Will do.” With a deep sigh, Kate reached for some packages. Dealing with new neighbors every summer had been the norm ever since Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg moved to Arizona five years ago. They hadn’t sold their home, but rented it out to vacationers who wanted to be close to the Hamptons life for the summer, but without the Hamptons’ price tag.
The first two years had been a couple with their lovely teenaged daughter and her friends. The third year brought vegetarians who freaked out every time Kate had a barbecue. Last year had been the summer of nudists who enjoyed a little too much wine and loud music. Kate prayed this summer brought a clothed bunch that preferred steak, soft drinks, and soft rock.
Kate helped Alex empty the car of grocery bags, grinning when he used one as an imaginary barbell, showing off for his brother. Drew reached for a bag, but she stopped him. “You heard what the doctor said. Inside. Leg up.”
As soon as everything was in the kitchen, Alex grabbed his football. “I’m going to go hang with Jeremy, okay? We’ll be right up the block.”
“I’ll call when dinner’s ready.”
Drew folded his hands together as if in prayer. “Mom, please, let me go. I promise I’ll be careful.”
Ah, yes, she’d wondered how long it would take before the begging commenced. “One condition.” She leaned against the granite island, her fingers stroking her chin. “If you can walk from here to the doorway without limping or grimacing, you can go.”
Narrowing his eyes, Drew shifted his weight onto his injured leg. With a smug grin, he took two steps before he flinched. He turned to her, his eyes glaring in accusation. “You knew that would happen.”
She returned his smug grin. “Really, honey, I’m surprised you didn’t figure that out sooner.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered as he hobbled into the family room. “You’re all-knowing, all-seeing.”
Kate returned to her task, fighting the sense of unease as she assessed the things she’d bought. Nothing impetuous, just items she needed for meals and household.
God, she hated shopping.
Shopping meant spending money, and money was hard to hold on to these days. Before William died, she’d go through a store and absently throw stuff into her cart, never worrying what the cost might be. These days, she clipped coupons, checked every price, and second-guessed every purchase.
Pulling items from a bag, Kate studied the bouquet of flowers in her hand. Okay, so maybe there was something she could’ve done without, her one extravagance.
Live flowers sat in vases throughout her house. Some she’d grown herself; others she’d seen at the florist and couldn’t resist. Flower arranging had been one of the many passions she’d had the leisure to explore while William was alive. Now she was lucky to catch her favorite TV shows.
“It’s okay, Kate. You’ll manage.” With a deep breath, she navigated the large custom kitchen, wishing her cabinets would, just once, look filled. And to think there’d been a time she complained she didn’t have enough space.
The ringing of the doorbell alerted her she was about to put frozen vegetables in with the cereal. She tossed the peas into the freezer and headed to the foyer.
Her sister Susan’s pregnant tummy waddled through the front door seconds before she did, and then she stopped when she saw Kate. “What the hell are you wearing?”
She glanced down at her unusual ensemble. Crap. She should go change. “Drew.”
“Enough said.” Susan entered the family room, just off the kitchen, and ruffled Drew’s hair. “What happened to you?”
“I got cut real bad.” He showed her his bandage. “Is Uncle Rob here?”
“He’s outside throwing a football with Alex and his friends.”
“Where are my nephews?” Kate asked, knowing Susan was never far from her five-year-old, Marc, and his three-and-a-half-year-old brother, Tony.
“With their father.” Her sister lowered herself into the side chair. “We can’t stay. We just wanted to stop by and welcome you home.”
“So Uncle Logan and Aunt Valerie might come over, too?”
“Probably, especially when they find out you’re hurt.”
Knowing her siblings like she did, Kate would change that probably to a definitely.
Thank God I went shopping.
Two whirlwinds barged in and tackled her. “Aunt Kate!”
“Hey, guys.” She gave them both a big squeeze. “Goodness, they’re looking more and more like their father every day.”
Her sister snorted. “Tell me about it. Maybe this one will look like me.” She rubbed her belly.
Envy pinched with a ferocious grip. She and William had wanted another child. Having come from a family of four kids, Kate wanted the same, but shortly after they started trying for number three, cancer arrived, and when it left it took William with it. Now, at forty, she couldn’t imagine starting all over again.
Still, it hurt to think about what could have been.
“Are you okay?” Susan’s voice yanked her from her thoughts.
“Yeah, just wondering, do you have any idea who moved in next door?”
Her sister shook her head. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t had the time to check. And since whoever moved in will be gone by Labor Day, that can’t be what’s bothering you.”
Damn that freaky radar of hers. “Fine. I’m a little anxious about work. Gladys told me the new doctor does things differently.”
“Like what?” Susan was a successful midwife and would understand her concerns.
Kate shrugged. “She never said. In fact, she’s being unusually vague, which worries me even more.”
“Have you met him?”
“Yeah, and he’s almost as young as Alex.”
Susan laughed. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. I thought he was a kid.”
Her sister shifted in her seat, pulling herself up before grabbing little Tony. “Don’t let his age fool you. Rumor has it he’s a wonderful doctor. Great with kids.”
“That’s what I keep hearing, but let’s see what kind of boss ‘The Child Whisperer’ turns out to be.”