The Girl of His Dreams

by Susan Mallery

  Frankly, she preferred it that way. Better for both of them if they remained just friends.

  But sometime over the past few weeks, those logical words had ceased providing comfort. At times she wondered how he’d been able to forget so easily. Hadn’t he felt the same incredible heat? The same need?

  Unless she was willing to risk humiliation, she was never going to find out the answer to those questions. And she would rather be covered with honey and staked out naked on an anthill than ask him anything.

  Eventually she would forget. At least that was what she told herself a hundred and fourteen times a day.

  She tossed aside the French magazine and stood up. As she walked to the window, she tried to shake the restlessness that gripped her. She’d noticed that tingling jump-out-of-her-skin feeling more and more in the past week or so.

  “We’ve put together a list of places you should go while you’re in France,” Sarah said. “I’ve put a little mark by Mr. Peter’s suggestions. He’s not as reliable as one would like. I have a feeling he might be sending you to a brothel.”

  Kay la laughed. “That would be interesting for everyone.”

  The vegetable garden was visible from Sarah’s room. Young, tender plants sprouted in the rich soil. This year, she wouldn’t be around to take home fresh green beans and carrots. In the fall, the pomegranates she loved so much would dry up on the tree. No one else ate them.

  “What’s wrong, dear?” Sarah asked. “You look out of sorts.”

  Kayla turned and smiled at her friend. “That’s what I forgot when I was getting dressed this morning. My sorts.”

  Sarah didn’t return the smile. She patted the side of the bed. “Tell me.”

  Kayla settled next to her and touched the older woman’s hand. Sarah’s skin was still soft, but it was tissue-thin. The network of veins was easily visible.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong,” Kayla said. “Sometimes I just want to run and run until—” She broke off and shrugged.

  “Until what?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe if I had the answer to that, I’d feel better.”

  ”Are you having second thoughts about your trip?”

  “No,” Kayla said quickly. “I want to go. I’ve wanted to go since I was little. I’ve been waiting for years.”

  Sarah pulled her hand free and touched Kayla’s chin. “We grow, dreams change.”

  “Not mine.”

  Sarah nodded. “Then your problem is solved. When you leave, you’re doing the right thing.” The older woman rubbed Rip’s ears. The black poodle, stretched across the bed and using her stomach for a pillow, groaned in contentment.

  “I hope so.” Kayla grimaced. “I worry about Allison. She’s making great progress. In my head, I know she’ll be fine, but in my heart, I want to be here to see it. Which is silly. She has a lot of friends and family. She’s able to enjoy their visits more. She doesn’t really need me.”

  “Maybe you need her.”

  Kayla wanted to dismiss Sarah’s remark, but she knew better. “Maybe. I suppose watching her reminds me of myself. It’s bringing back a lot of memories I thought had been long buried.”

  “You have many friends. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to leave them behind when you fly to Paris. But our memories and our love will go with you.”

  Kayla leaned close and rested her head on Sarah’s shoulder. The older woman wrapped her arm around her.

  “I tell myself that’s enough,” Kayla said. “Then I worry that it isn’t. I think my adventure would be a lot better if everyone I cared about came along with me.”

  “Sorry, but I’ve made plans for that day.”

  Sarah’s tone was light and playful, but Kayla knew her friend would love to see Paris again. Kayla would have invited her in a heartbeat, but Sarah’s infirmity prevented her traveling.

  For a moment, she allowed herself the fantasy of having Patrick at her side as she explored Paris. But he had the new research facility to worry about, people to hire, changes to make. He didn’t have time for anything else. Besides, having a man along would interfere with her plans to meet and get swept off her feet by a prince.

  “I think I’m going to talk to Allison’s mother and see if the family wants to adopt Rhonda,” Kayla said.

  “That’s nice. I’m sure the child would adore to have Rhonda around.”

  “I agree. I’m going to make sure Patrick gets someone fun to bring the dogs here.”

  “He’ll do a fine job, but your replacement will never be you, Kayla. We’ll miss you.”

  “I wish—” Kayla broke off. What was there to wish for? She was getting everything she’d ever wanted. She should be the happiest person in the world.

  Patrick stared at the university transcripts in front of him, then shifted his attention to the resume on his desk. Melissa Taylor had recently graduated from the University of California at Davis. Her degree was with honors, and her work experience included hands-on practice in a clinic about the same size as his own. She had letters of recommendation from professors he remembered from his time spent at the same university. She was perfect for the job.

  “I’m impressed,” he said, stacking the papers into a neat pile and closing the folder. “I’m surprised you don’t want to go to work for a larger practice, or at one in an affluent neighborhood.”

  Melissa smiled. She had auburn hair that tumbled down her back, a lithesome figure, and legs that seemed endless. If she didn’t want to be a vet, she could probably make a great living as a cover model.

  “I’ve had other offers,” she said, her voice low and husky. “I suppose I could go into a different kind of practice, but this is what I prefer. I like dealing with family pets and regular people.” She glanced away, as if suddenly shy. “I’m willing to admit that once I found out about your research project, I was intrigued. If you hire me, I hope you’ll consider me for that, as well. I understand my primary duties would be to the clinic, but in my free time…” Her words trailed off.

  “I appreciate the honesty,” he told her. “It would be an advantage to have you help out.”

  He rose to his feet, and she followed suit. They shook hands.

  “I’ll be in touch,” he told her. “I’ll be making my decision in the next two weeks. Please let me know if you accept another position in the meantime.”

  She paused by the door and gave him a smile that could have sold gas heating to nuclear-power executives. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, Dr. Walcott, but I have no intention of accepting any other offers until I hear from you. You’re my first choice.” She smiled, then left.

  He slumped back in his chair and waited. Unfortunately, his hormones did not come to life. In fact, no part of his body had been particularly moved by Melissa Taylor’s charms. He wanted to think it was because he was more tired than usual. But he knew the truth was more devastating than that.

  He could tell himself that Melissa wasn’t funny enough, or experienced enough, or any number of other lies. The truth was, he would hire her and be grateful to have someone of her caliber to work at the clinic. Then, when she worked out perfectly—and he knew she would—he would do his best to ignore her only flaw.

  After all, it wasn’t her fault she wasn’t

  Chapter Seven

  Kayla shifted her weight from foot to foot as she hovered by the front door of the clinic.

  “You’re going to wear out the tile,” Cheryl, the petite, dark-haired receptionist said. “I’ll tell you when your sister arrives.”

  Kayla shook her head and glanced at her watch for the fourteenth time in five minutes. “I’m too excited. She’ll be here any minute. It’s the middle of the day. She shouldn’t have hit much traffic driving down.”

  Sure enough, before she could check her watch again, a familiar white Honda pulled into the parking lot. Kayla was out the door and down the walkway in a flash.

  Elissa stepped out of her car and laughed. “I guess I don’t have to ask if you�
�re happy to see me.”

  “Of course not. And I happen to know you’re just as thrilled to be here.”

  They embraced and grinned at each other. Elissa touched her sister’s hair, then stepped back and looked her over. “You’re just as beautiful as ever.”

  Kayla grinned at the familiar compliment. “As are you.” Keeping her arm linked with Elissa’s, she led her toward the clinic’s front door. “I still find it amazing we’ve gotten away with telling each other that for years and no one has figured out how conceited we’re being.”

  “It’s not conceited,” Elissa said. “It’s—•” She paused, her green eyes dancing. “It’s a kindness to make others feel good about their physical appearance.”

  “Oh, right. But when most people compliment each other, they aren’t talking to someone who looks exactly like them.”

  Kayla pulled open the glass door, and they stepped into the facility. She turned toward the counter. “Cheryl, this is my sister, Elissa.”

  The receptionist stared blankly. “Oh, my goodness.”

  “Didn’t you warn her?” Elissa asked.

  “Of course. Does it ever help?”

  Cheryl walked around the counter and stopped in front of them. She glanced from one sister to the other. A large mirror hung on the far wall. Kayla could see what Cheryl saw—two women who looked exactly alike. Oh, the clothes were different. She wore her usual jeans and T-shirt, while Elissa dressed like a Laura Ashley model. Today she’d tucked a pale pink long-sleeved blouse, complete with a bit of ruffle around the collar, into a soft, flowing calf-length gray skirt. She wore gray flats and pearl earrings.

  But the clothing and accessories were the only differences. They had the same gold-blond hair, the same green eyes, the same faces, hands, smiles, the same everything else.

  Cheryl shook her head in amazement. “There’s a third sister?”

  “Yes,” Elissa said. “Fallon. She’s also identical.”

  “You girls must get a lot of attention when you’re out together.”

  Kayla rolled her eyes “Constantly. It was worse when we were younger. At least now we can choose not to dress alike.”

  “Oh, remember those velvet dresses every Christmas?”

  “I bet you three were darling,” Cheryl said.

  “Maybe,” Kayla told her, “but we were also really uncomfortable. Those big collars itch.”

  They continued chatting for a few more minutes, then Kayla took Elissa back to show her the rest of the clinic. She’d planned their route so they would end up in Patrick’s office last.

  “You didn’t dress to meet dogs,” Kayla said as she pushed open the door to the kennel.

  “I didn’t think it would matter what I wore,” Elissa told her. “I assumed all your dogs were well-behaved.”

  “They should be.” Kayla glanced at the pale, expensive-looking skirt. “I think I’ll keep Trudi safely behind bars. She likes to jump on people.”

  They slowly walked down the center corridor. Kayla pointed out different boarders. Duchess was back for her monthly grooming. Kayla had already bathed and dried her, so she was fluffy and sweet-smelling.

  “Duchess had a gentleman admirer a few weeks back,” she said as she stuck her fingers through the gate. Duchess gave her a friendly lick. “Mr. Cookie, an eight-pound Yorkie, fell madly in love. Unfortunately, his owners objected, and the young lovers were torn apart, never to see each other again.”

  Elissa eyed the very large, very hairy Duchess. “An eight-pound Yorkie? Maybe it was for the best. I don’t think they could have overcome their rather obvious physical differences.”

  Kayla grinned. “Love can be spiritual, as well as physical.”

  “I’m not sure dogs see it that way.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” She motioned to the last cage. “This is our newest addition. Her name is Rhonda.”

  When Kayla opened the gate, Rhonda walked out. Elissa crouched down and patted the friendly dog. “This is the one you were telling me about, isn’t she? The one helping you with that little girl?”

  “Yes. Rhonda and I visit Allison three times a week. She’s made great progress. The doctors are impressed with how quickly she’s healing. The initial reports are good. There shouldn’t be any permanent damage.”

  “She was lucky,” Elissa said.

  “I know. If that car had been going a little faster, or had hit her differently, she could have been paralyzed or killed.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Elissa picked up Rhonda, then rose to her feet. She cuddled the dog in her arms. “Allison is lucky to have you to help her. You understand what she’s going through. I wish you’d had someone like that when you were in the hospital.”

  Kayla shrugged, the praise leaving her feeling uncomfortable. “Anyone would have done the same thing.”

  “Most people would have wanted to, but you’re one of a very few who could actually help. I’m trying to pay you a compliment. Accept it politely and say thank-you.”

  “Thank you. Let’s get out of here.”

  Kayla lead the way to her alcove. Elissa spotted the calendar right away. She set Rhonda down and pointed to the crossed-out days.

  “Doesn’t this bother people?” she asked.

  Kayla frowned. “Why would it?”

  “You’re leaving a week after your birthday, our birthday, which is right around the corner. You’ve made friends here. I’m sure they’re going to miss you.”

  “Sure, but what does that have to do with the calendar?”

  Elissa stared at her as if she’d grown a second head. “You’re rubbing their nose in the fact that you can’t wait to get away. Wouldn’t you be offended if one of your friends did that to you?”

  Kayla opened her mouth, then closed it. She didn’t know what to say. Everyone had seemed happy for her, vicariously excited about her adventure. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she managed at last.

  “I know. I’m sure they know, too. I’m being silly. Just forget it. What else is there to see around here?”

  Kayla continued the tour. Rhonda trotted along beside them. Kayla pointed out examining rooms, the storage area, the small room where the employee on duty spent the night. But all the while she made conversation with her sister, a small part of her brain turned over Elissa’s words. She remembered the strange look on Patrick’s face when he’d seen her crossing off the day on the calendar before she went home. Did he think she was an insensitive clod?

  They turned into the corridor. “That’s the grand tour,” Kayla said, forcing herself to concentrate on the moment. She could deal with the rest of it when she was alone. “There’s only Patrick’s office.”

  Elissa frowned. “I’m not sure this is such a good idea.”

  “It’s perfect. You two belong together. You’re going to have to trust me on this.”

  “The last time you said that to me was when I didn’t want to jump my bike over the ravine behind the house. You said to trust you, and I ended up with a broken arm.”

  Kayla laughed and gave her a hug. “Hey, at least the attending physician was cute. That sort of made up for it, don’t you think?”

  “As I was the one stuck in a cast over Christmas, no, it doesn’t make up for it. But I forgive you anyway.”

  “Thanks. Besides, Patrick is a lot less scary than that ravine. He’s funny, intelligent, and very good-looking. You two went to the same college.”

  Elissa’s smile faded. “I only lasted two years. I never graduated.”

  “That’s not the point. You were there, weren’t you?”

  “I suppose.” Elissa crossed to the window overlooking the parking lot.

  “Do you have regrets?” Kayla asked.

  “About leaving college?”

  “About all of it.”

  “I haven’t decided. I made the best decision I could under the circumstances. I was only twenty. That’s awfully young to make those kinds of choices.”

  Kayla remembered that time.
“I always admired you for what you did.”

  Elissa turned toward her and raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Why?”

  “Because you followed your heart. I remember Mrs. Beecham on the show talking about love being a tornado. That’s what happened to you.”

  “Exactly. That is what happened to me. Look where I ended up. Love might be a tornado, but storms with that kind of power tend to destroy everything in their paths.”

  Kayla gave a start as she realized Patrick had said the same thing. “I don’t care,” she told both her sister and the memory. “I want to be swept away.”

  Elissa managed a shaky smile. “Then I’m sure you will be.”

  “What about you? It’s not too late. When the trust money is released, you could go back to college.”

  “Maybe. I’ve thought about it. I have a lot of decisions I need to make.”

  Kayla didn’t want to upset her sister, so she changed the subject. “I appreciate you helping me out with Patrick. One of the doctors he’s hired is this evil woman. We have to protect him from her.” “Evil?”

  Kayla sighed. “Well, maybe not evil, but I don’t like her. She’s beautiful, really tall, really smart. Oh, and she has red hair, which is, unfortunately, Patrick’s favorite. I know she wants him.” She shuddered. “I can’t let that happen. You’re my only hope.”

  Elissa laughed. “How can I refuse such an impassioned plea? Lead on, Kayla. Introduce me to this poor man in desperate need of rescuing.”

  They were still laughing when Kayla knocked on the door, then pushed it open.

  Patrick stood up as they entered. He glanced from one sister to the other. “I know you warned me, but it’s an amazing resemblance. However, I think I can tell you apart by your clothes, if nothing else.” He came around the desk and held out his hand to Elissa. “I’m very pleased to meet you. Kayla has been singing your praises for weeks.”

  Elissa smiled. “So you only have the bad things left to discover.”

  “I doubt there are any bad things.” Elissa glanced at her. “Is he always this charming?” Kayla nodded, even as she remembered all the times Patrick had taken great pleasure in pointing out her faults. They were, she noticed, still holding each other’s hands.