This Kiss

by Teresa Southwick

  “I’ll be gone soon,” she said. Was she trying to reassure him or herself that her departure would solve their problems? “That’ll be one less thing for you to worry about,” she said, trying to snap him out of it with humor. Unfortunately she found nothing amusing in leaving Destiny.

  “I heard you tell Addie that you won’t be around next year. But the look on your face said you wanted something different.”

  Was he reading her so right on because he wanted her to stay? Or had she really betrayed her feelings? That surprised her almost as much as the fact that he’d been able to figure her out so easily. She had been torn about leaving and wondering what it would be like to stay in Destiny.

  “You saw all that in one look on this face?” she said, crossing her eyes. “No way.”

  “I like that face.” There was a husky, seductive note in his deep voice.

  Along with a hint of yearning? He was the reason she’d even momentarily entertained the idea of staying in Destiny.

  He was also the reason she had to leave before it was too late.

  Chapter Ten

  Just after ten at night, Dev walked into his dimly lighted kitchen. After returning to the ranch from the health fair, he’d learned his prize mare was about to foal. She had a history of difficult births and he wanted to be there. Ben had insisted on going with him but had soon lost interest in the long process and had gone back to the house to see Hannah.

  He couldn’t blame the boy for that. The same inclination was something Dev fought on an annoyingly regular basis. Maybe that was why he felt tired to the bone, he thought, standing at the sink while he finished washing his hands.

  “Hi.”

  Even with the noise of the water running, one small word was enough for him to know her voice. It was a seductive tone, smooth and soft, with just a dash of whiskey and warmth thrown in to make it interesting. So very like her. After shutting off the faucet, he turned to study Hannah standing in the doorway, a book in her hand, wire-rimmed glasses perched on her nose.

  “Hi.” He grabbed the towel from the holder on the cupboard, then leaned against the sink as he dried his hands.

  “Are you handing out cigars?” she asked. “Did the horse have her baby?”

  He nodded. “A boy. Mother and son are doing well.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Without a speck of makeup, barefoot and wearing an oversize T-shirt and cutoff sweats, she looked good enough to pull into his arms. Which he couldn’t do. If he touched her he’d be a goner. She was temptation with a capital T.

  “Anyone else awake?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Mom turned in early.”

  “I know it’s late, but what about Ben?” He prayed he wouldn’t be alone with her.

  She smiled fondly. “He made it until all of eight-thirty. After protesting that he never gets tired, he was asleep in about thirty seconds. I guess the health fair wore him out.”

  “You were a big hit in town.”

  “Not me. But I think the event went pretty well.”

  “You are the event. Without a doctor it would never have come off.”

  With one slender ankle crossed over the other, she rested a shoulder against the doorway frame and pressed the hardback book to her chest. “I did enjoy getting to know the people in town better.”

  “I think the feeling was mutual.”

  Dev remembered telling her that she isolated herself behind her astronomical IQ and the circumstances of her father’s abandonment. But that’s not what he saw today. She joked, talked and laughed with everyone from infants to the elderly. Addie Ledbetter had been riding shotgun, but Hannah had still convinced stubborn Clovis Evans to agree to an office visit. He was happy about her triumph today. But something was bothering him and he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what.

  “Destiny’s mutual admiration society?” She shook her head thoughtfully. “Maybe with everyone but Clovis Evans. It’s my expert medical opinion that the man needs a personality transplant. At the same time, I believe I could surgically remove his excess cynicism,” she said.

  He laughed. “I won’t tell you the man’s not difficult. But he’s the salt of the earth.”

  Suddenly she straightened and snapped her fingers. “Speaking of salt, Mom said to tell you she left a plate of food in the refrigerator for you.”

  “I can’t decide whether I’m more hungry or tired,” he admitted.

  She walked over to the table and pulled out a chair. “Then sit yourself down, sir. I’ll warm up your dinner.”

  “You don’t have to. I can do it. I wasn’t hinting or anything.”

  “Sure you were.” She opened the refrigerator door and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Besides, I know I don’t have to. I want to. It’s the least I can do to say thanks for all your hospitality.”

  The beginning of goodbye.

  Dev was too tired to fight the regret he felt at the thought that she would be gone in a week. The idea of this big house without Hannah in it made him bluer than the panhandle sky. And that could explain what was bothering him about seeing her interact with the people in town today. She fit Destiny, just like the right size glove. If she hadn’t, would it be easier for him to say goodbye?

  “Do you know when Doc’s coming back?” he asked.

  “I talked to him just before the health fair. He said he would be back day after tomorrow. His mother is doing fine now and he knows I’m leaving in less than a week.”

  “It’s been nice having you here, Hannah.”

  Nice? Who was he kidding? Nice didn’t come close to what he was feeling. She’d put a shine on his life. He always looked forward to coming home to Ben after a long day’s work. But it was more than that with Hannah. He felt an excitement, a spring in his step, an urgency just to see her that he’d never experienced before. Not even with Corie.

  “And I’ve enjoyed spending time here.” She took the foil covering from the plate, leaving only plastic wrap on the food. “You’re going to love this—roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, okra. Mom did the homecooking part. But I would be happy to take all the credit for warming it to perfection in the microwave.”

  He couldn’t help grinning and that surprised him. It had taken most of his energy to trudge from the barn to the house and he’d have sworn he didn’t have enough left over to smile. Hannah had put the lie to that.

  He sat down at the table where a place setting waited for him and let his gaze devour her, storing up sustenance—memories of the smartest, prettiest thing this side of the Rio Grande. “You’re a shameless glory hog, Doctor.”

  “Nobody’s perfect.”

  When the microwave beeped, she pulled the plate out and set it on his placemat. Steam wafted above the food as she lifted off the covering. Her glasses fogged up and he reached over to take them off since her hands were full wrestling with the condensation-coated plastic.

  “My hero.”

  “Happy to oblige, ma’am.”

  “I took out the contacts. My eyes were tired.” Smiling sheepishly, she took them from him and wiped the lenses on the hem of her T-shirt.

  “I hear that.” He’d felt that too. An indefinable something, a sizzle of awareness that always happened when his fingers brushed Hannah’s.

  He’d bet a dollar to a doughnut that he wasn’t the only one. The sudden color in her cheeks and shy flutter of her lashes, the way her gaze skittered away from his, not to mention how quickly she pulled back—all of that added up to the fact that she’d noticed the intimacy. He wanted to encircle her waist with his arm and pull her closer to him, settle her on his lap. Instead, he picked up the fork by his plate and scooped up a bite of mashed potatoes and gravy.

  “Would you like a beer?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  Her bare feet slapped against the tile floor as she padded back to the refrigerator. He followed her movement and decided the view from the back was equally as good as the front. Her shirt was baggy over her shorts
—until she bent over. Then the material molded to her curvy backside, beckoning him. Damned if his palms didn’t start itching. Funny how a pretty, sexy lady could chase the tired right out of a man.

  Not just any woman. Hannah.

  She tried to unscrew the cap of the beer. Taking the hem of her shirt, she put it around the top of the bottle and attempted to twist it off. “I need a man,” she said, bringing it to him.

  “Happy to oblige, ma’am.” He easily removed the cap and took a long swallow, trying to ignore her innocent intimation.

  “I loosened it for you,” she said, avoiding the minefield where he could easily be persuaded to go.

  He looked up at her beside him. “You really hate when you can’t do something, don’t you?”

  “I much prefer to be in control at all times,” she admitted.

  “Wouldn’t we all. But as a pediatrician, you should know as well as I do that kids are a reality check as far as having the upper hand.”

  “That’s true—”

  “Daddy?”

  Dev turned. As if on cue, he saw Ben standing in the doorway. “Hi, son.”

  Sleepily rubbing his eyes, the boy stumbled across the room. Dev scooped him up when he got close enough, then set him on his thigh. “What are you doing up?”

  “Not sleepy.”

  “All evidence to the contrary,” he said, meeting Hannah’s amused gaze.

  “Huh?” the boy said, then yawned.

  “Never mind. Did you have a bad dream?”

  “Maybe.” Ben nodded. “And I wanted to kiss you good night. Did Lizzie have her baby?”

  “A boy,” he said.

  “Can I name him in the morning?”

  “Sure. Everything okay?” Dev asked.

  The child nodded and snuggled trustingly against him. “Now you’re here.”

  The words warmed Dev clear through and he looked at Hannah’s face. There was such longing in her expression. Somehow he knew she was wishing her own father had been around. She would never admit it because it was something she couldn’t control. She’d claim it was over and had made her strong and resilient. But it made him want to throttle the man who’d abandoned her. The jerk didn’t deserve the label father. He wondered if that experience was another layer in her determination to leave. If she was afraid to trust him. Beware of men because they walk out?

  He dragged his gaze from her pretty face and studied his son’s sleepy expression. “Are you ready to go back to bed?”

  “I think I’m tired now,” he answered with another big yawn.

  Beside him, Hannah moved slightly, enough to stir the air. Dev could smell her fragrance. It was a combination of soap and the unique scent of her soft skin.

  “Hey, big Ben,” she soothed. “How about if I take you back up to bed while your dad eats his dinner?”

  “Are you hungry, Daddy?”

  Dev glanced at her mouth. “You have no idea, son.”

  “Then it’s okay if Hannah tucks me in.”

  Thank goodness the boy was too young to notice the dazzling, sensual currents running between himself and Hannah. If he did, the inevitable questions would be tough to answer.

  “Thanks, pal.” He hugged the boy close for a moment, then kissed the downy hair on top of his head. “’Night, big Ben,” he said. “I love you.”

  “Love you too, Daddy.”

  When he was alone, Dev thought about how he’d started using the nickname Hannah had given his son. He wondered what else would remind him of her after she was gone. What else would torture him when she wasn’t here at night? But he knew the black hole in his life after she left would be torment enough.

  A few minutes later she returned and her presence filled up the empty spot in the kitchen. Dev met her gaze when she sat at a right angle to him at the table. He set his fork on his empty plate, then pushed it away. He took the last swallow of his beer, hoping it would dull the need for her that was building inside him.

  “Did you slip my son a sedative?” he asked to fill the silence.

  “Of course not,” she scoffed. “Why?”

  “He’s not notoriously easy to bed down. I figured it would take you so long, I wouldn’t see you again tonight.”

  And he realized that would have bothered him more than a little.

  She shrugged. “It wasn’t much of a challenge. I read him a quick story, turned on his night-light, and kissed the little procrastinator good-night.”

  If she kissed him, Dev thought, neither of them would go to sleep. At least not any time soon. The thought made him hot all over and he blew out a long breath. He had to stop this foolishness. That’s all there was to it.

  Otherwise he’d be thinking he was in love with her.

  And that just couldn’t happen. He didn’t trust the emotion. He’d given in to it once and failed. This time, he didn’t have only himself to think about. And Hannah had three strikes against her: she lived fifteen hundred miles away, she was a career woman and she wasn’t likely to look kindly on a guy who’d made fun of her ten years ago.

  The devil of it was that Ben seemed to have fallen for her, too. If her world record time tucking him in was anything to go by, she seemed to have a positive effect on both of the Hart men.

  He couldn’t help wishing he’d had the good sense to notice her in high school. Would they have a chance now if life hadn’t butted in and turned him into a cynic? Unfortunately, experience had made him a cautious man who was just this side of bitter.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Hannah said.

  Funny, he recalled the sheriff using the same expression. He’d never considered himself the reflective sort, but maybe that was something else he had Hannah to thank for.

  “Trust me. They’re not worth that much,” he answered.

  “I doubt it.”

  His gaze lingered on her mouth. How he wanted to taste her softness again, drink of her sweetness and fire. But they’d agreed no more kisses. What would she think if he trashed their bargain? He swore she was already on his wavelength when her eyes widened slightly and her breathing quickened.

  He leaned closer to her. “Hannah, I—”

  Suddenly the phone rang. In the quiet of late night it startled him. Since Hannah had been at Doc’s, it happened on a regular basis. Dev knew he should be used to it by now, but he wasn’t. Hannah didn’t blink an eye.

  “I’ll get it,” she said, jumping up to lift the receiver on the wall phone by the hall doorway. “Hello?”

  She’d moved so fast, he couldn’t help thinking she was glad that something had interrupted them. As he watched, her expectant, dreamy look disappeared, replaced by an intense expression. He recognized it—from the rodeo when Ronnie had been hurt, and at the health fair he’d seen her go into doctor mode when she’d told Clovis Evans about his high blood pressure. She was wearing her professional face now.

  “When?” she asked. Nodding, she said, “Tell them I’ll meet them at the ER.” She hung up and turned to him. “That was the answering service. I have to go, as soon as I change my clothes. A sick baby.”

  “Do you want me to drive you?”

  “No. You’re exhausted and you’ve got to get up at dawn and tell the Lord to start the world. I’ll be fine. But thanks,” she said.

  Then she was gone.

  A few minutes later, Dev heard the front door close.

  The good news was the sick baby was in good hands. The bad: he was getting a preview of life without Hannah just a little sooner than he’d wanted.

  But that was good. Wasn’t it? He needed a kick in the behind to remind him that she was a good doctor married to her job. Unfortunately, the man who let himself love her would have to share her with folks who needed her skills. That foolish man would be abandoned like this on a regular basis.

  Dev was glad he’d been smart enough not to let his own feelings get out of hand.

  “I’m going to hell for that lie,” he said, feeling the loneliness like he never had before.

>   “It’s nice to have you back, Frank.” Polly Morgan smiled at their dinner guest as she set a tossed salad on the table.

  Hannah met Dev’s gaze as she put the cloth-lined basket of rolls in front of him. There was a gleam in his eyes and she knew he was going to say something, but couldn’t imagine what was going on behind that handsome face of his.

  “It is good to have you back, Doc. Hannah’s been burning the candle at both ends lately.”

  Was he sticking up for her? Hannah wondered. No one ever stuck up for her. It was too sweet for words, though completely unnecessary. She’d just been doing what she’d trained so hard to do. But now Doc was back. He’d returned to work in Destiny that day and Hannah had invited him to dinner—at her mother’s instructions. When she looked at Polly’s shining face, Hannah knew at least one of the Morgan women was happy to see him. For her, it meant one step closer to leaving. The thought made her stomach fall like the blood pressure of a patient bleeding out.

  But, she reminded herself, tonight she had some good news to share. And she tried not to spoil it by thinking about how going away was going to tear her apart.

  Dev and Ben were already sitting at the table along with their guest while Hannah helped her mother set out fried chicken, potato salad and rolls. Finally everything was ready and Polly sat down beside the doctor.

  Hannah took her place at a right angle to Dev. “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m glad you’re back too, Doc. I don’t know how you handle the practice alone. I haven’t worked that hard since I was an intern.”

  Ben squirmed with excitement. “Doc, Hannah fixed that baby.”

  “He makes me sound like a cross between Mac the mechanic and Madame Curie,” Hannah said.

  “If the shoe fits,” Doc said, his eyes twinkling.

  “The baby just needed meds for fever, an IV and time to kick that nasty virus she got from her big brother. She’s home now and doing just fine.”

  Hannah wished she could say the same for herself. With two measly days left in Destiny, she had to be the walking, talking picture of gloom. And her mother was the exact opposite. The woman glowed like a smitten schoolgirl. Hannah wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about that.