Healing the Doctor’s Heart

by Kirk, Cindy

  For a second their eyes met and he thought he saw a look of regret. Then she turned back to Ryan, leaving Joel with no choice but to head to his truck.

  This time, alone.

  Chapter Three

  Kate leaned back in her office chair and stretched, grateful the hectic Monday was almost at an end. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. The incident in church and then at the café had consumed her thoughts.

  Her feelings for Joel had taken her by surprise. In the quiet of her bedroom, staring up at the ceiling, she’d admitted to herself that she liked the guy. He was intelligent and hard-working and she respected how much he cared about Chloe. If he wasn’t Chloe’s father, she’d be hoping he’d ask her out.

  But he was Chole’s dad and she had more important things to think about, like what was up with her last patient.

  Emilie Hyland. Kate pulled her brows together. She’d seen the sixteen-year-old last fall for a sports physical. No health issues had been identified on that visit. The vivacious cheerleader had been the picture of good health.

  I wonder why she’s coming in today?

  Normally the receptionist indicated the reason for the visit next to the name, but the field had been left blank.

  “Dr. McNeal.” Lydia Albrecht, one of the front-office staff, stuck her head inside the door. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s a woman at the desk who says she’s an old friend of yours. She asked if you might have a few minutes to see her.”

  An old friend? While Kate didn’t have many friends now, she had even fewer that she would categorize as “old.” “Did she give you a name?”

  Lydia glanced down at the paper in her hand. “Mitzi Sanchez.”

  Surprise of the most pleasant kind rippled through Kate. She and Mitzi had been roommates through medical school. This would be the first time Kate had seen her friend since they’d met in L.A. for an afternoon of lunch and shopping right before Kate had moved to Jackson Hole.

  Kate rose to her feet. “By all means, send her back.”

  Less than a minute later, Mitzi stood in the doorway. Her hair, which had once been down her back and dark brown, now barely brushed her shoulders and was definitely a shade lighter. One thing hadn’t changed…the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose that Mitzi loved to hate.

  The most shocking change was her attire. As Kate crossed the room, her eyes skipped past the blue jeans and simple white cotton shirt to settle on her friend’s feet.

  The last time she’d seen her friend they’d lunched at Koi, just off Melrose Avenue. That day Mitzi had worn a darling cap-sleeve dress with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe pumps.

  “Seriously, Mitzi, cowboy boots?”

  Her friend chuckled. “Hey, you know me. I bloom where I’m planted.”

  It was true, Kate realized as she pulled Mitzi close, enveloping her in a hug. Her friend had always been a master at fitting in, no matter where she found herself.

  “It’s good to see you.” Until this second, Kate hadn’t realized just how deeply she’d missed her friend and confidante.

  “I’m sorry to stop by so unexpectedly,” Mitzi began. “You know that isn’t my style—”

  “Yeah, right.” Kate hugged her for another second before releasing her. “You like keeping me on my toes.”

  Mitzi simply smiled and took a seat in one of the two leather wingbacks facing the desk. Kate slipped into the other.

  “I’m surprised you’re not in L.A. right now, taking care of the rich and famous.” Kate searched her memory. “Didn’t you tell me you’d accepted a position with Beverly Hills Orthopedics and Sports Medicine?”

  “I did, but they don’t need me to start until January.”

  “This is only June.” Kate raised a brow. “You can’t go six months without doing surgery.”

  Mitzi brushed a strand of shiny brown hair back from her face. “That’s why I’m here. I’m going to be a locum at Spring Gulch Orthopedic through the end of the year.”

  Kate squealed. If she’d have been standing, she’d have jumped up and down. “You’re staying with me,” she said in the no-nonsense tone she often used with recalcitrant patients. “I have plenty of room and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Thank you, Kate.” Mitzi reached over and squeezed her hand, appearing touched by the offer. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

  Thank You, God, Kate thought. This is just what I needed.

  She exhaled a happy breath. “Who are you filling in for?”

  “John Campbell,” Mitzi said, naming a prominent surgeon at the largest orthopedic practice in Jackson.

  Kate wasn’t surprised. According to the medical grapevine, the doctor had recently been diagnosed with advanced cancer.

  “I’m surprised they didn’t ask you to join them permanently.” Even before Campbell was diagnosed, one of the docs in that practice had told Kate they were hoping to add another physician to their busy group.

  “They asked.” Mitzi lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “While it was a fair offer, there’s no comparison between that money and what I can earn in Beverly Hills.”

  “I’m thinking the fact that your best friend lives here should be worth at least half a mil.” Kate fought to keep a straight face.

  “Oh, if only I wasn’t so materialistic,” Mitzi said with an exaggerated sigh. “If it’s any consolation, your being here was the reason I chose to take this temporary assignment.”

  Even as her heart swelled with emotion, Kate shot her friend a saucy smile. “Gee, thanks, Mitz. Way to put the pressure on me to show you a good time.”

  Before Mitzi could fire a comeback, a light knock sounded and Lydia announced that Kate’s last appointment had arrived.

  “If you want to give me your address and a key,” Mitzi said, “I’ll head over to your place in my rental car and chill until you get off.”

  “You’ll also need a keycard for the gate.” Kate rounded the desk and pulled out the drawer that held her purse. When she straightened, she tossed Mitzi an extra key to her townhome while keeping the fob to her Subaru in her hand. “Walk with me to my car and I’ll give you my extra one. The townhome I rent is in a gated community just outside of town, so you’ll definitely need it.”

  Kate had considered purchasing a home, but she wasn’t certain how long she planned to stay in Jackson Hole. Being so close to her heart’s desire, yet needing to keep her distance had been harder than she’d imagined.

  “I’ve heard it all.” Mitzi chuckled as she followed Kate out the back door of her office to the employee parking lot. “A gated community in Wyoming. Why? You need protection from big bad elk and moose?”

  The two bantered back and forth on their way to the car. Kate retrieved the keycard from her glove compartment and pressed it into her friend’s hand. The good-luck train she’d been riding since Mitzi had walked through her door derailed when Kate saw Joel’s red four-wheel drive pull into a slanted parking stall in front of Rallis Orthodontics.

  For a second she considered grabbing Mitzi’s arm and making a U-turn straight back to the building. Then Chloe hopped out of the truck and Kate saw the child point in her direction.

  Her heart dropped when Joel waved and began walking toward them, his daughter skipping behind him.

  Mitzi’s eyes widened with pure female appreciation. “If the men in Jackson Hole are all like him, it’s going to be an enjoyable six months.”

  Kate had to admit that even dressed simply in jeans, boots and a blue polo, Joel looked good. And Chloe looked adorable in a black-and-white-checkered dress with red piping.

  “Who is he?” Mitzi whispered in a low tone as the man and child approached. “More important, is he available?”

  * * *

  “Look, Daddy.” Chloe hopped out of the truck and pointed. “It’s Dr. Kate.”

  Joel shut his door before turning, knowing his little girl had to be mistaken. They’d just driven past the area where she was pointing and he ha
dn’t seen anyone who remotely resembled Kate McNeal.

  But when he gazed back in that direction he realized Chloe was right. He lifted his hand in greeting, feeling a little awkward about yesterday but surprisingly happy to see her.

  As always, Kate looked stunning. Her dark, shoulder-length hair caught the sunlight and she moved with elegance. Under her lab coat she wore a white dress with yellow-and-black bands of color around the waistline. She looked as if she should be walking down a runway rather than tending to sick children.

  There weren’t many women in Jackson Hole as lovely and intelligent as Dr. Kate. Not that it mattered to him. Like he’d told himself last night, he was a busy contractor with a daughter to raise and a company to run. Even if he had been interested in dating, Amy would always be number one in his heart. Kate McNeal didn’t seem like a woman who’d be satisfied with second place.

  “Hi, Joel. Chloe.” Even though she couldn’t have walked more than ten feet across the parking lot, Kate seemed oddly out of breath. It was probably those spiky heels she wore. While they were very sexy-looking, they had to be hell to walk in.

  “This is a pleasant surprise.” Joel knew her office was just across the parking lot from Chloe’s orthodontist, but he hadn’t expected to see her today. He thought she’d be busy inside seeing patients.

  “I needed to get something out of my car.” Kate brushed a strand of hair back from her face, her cheeks bright pink from the exertion. “When I saw you and Chloe, I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce you to my friend.”

  “Mitzi Sanchez.” The slender woman offered up a friendly smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Joel Dennes.” He took the hand she’d extended and gave it a perfunctory shake. Although dressed casually in jeans and boots, there was something about this woman that reminded him of Kate. Perhaps it was the directness of her gaze or the firmness of her handshake. Whichever it was, he liked her instantly. He gestured with his head to the little girl at his side. “This is my daughter, Chloe.”

  “Joel and Chloe Dennes,” Mitzi repeated slowly, as if their names were familiar. But because that couldn’t be the case, it had to be her way of trying to remember them.

  “That’s right,” Joel said, flashing a smile.

  Mitzi shifted her attention to the child and studied her for several seconds, as if looking for a resemblance between him and Chloe. Obviously finding none, she simply smiled. “It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, Chloe.”

  His daughter’s gaze dropped to her feet and for a second Joel wasn’t sure she would answer. Normally Chloe hated it when a stranger talked directly to her. Just when he’d given up hope, she lifted her head. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  A surge of pride swept through Joel. He slipped an arm around his daughter’s shoulders and gave a squeeze. That’s my girl.

  He chatted with Kate and Mitzi for a few minutes about the weather, then the conversation began to lag. Joel resisted the urge to look at his phone to check the time. They were early for Chloe’s orthodontic evaluation, so there was no reason to rush. “What brings you to Jackson Hole, Mitzi?”

  “I’m an orthopedic surgeon. I’m going to be filling in for Dr. John Campbell.” She cast a sideways glance at her friend as if disturbed by her silence. “Kate’s going to let me crash on her sofa.”

  “My guest room has your name on it.” The teasing smile Kate shot her friend, brightened her whole face.

  Even though the smile hadn’t been directed at him, Joel found himself basking in the warmth. He wondered why Kate didn’t smile more often. After a second he forced his attention back to her friend. “Will you be staying long?”

  “Through the end of the year at Spring Gulch and with Kate as long as she’ll put up with me.” Mitzi chuckled. “Right now I’m not sure how long that will be. I can be a real pain sometimes. Who knows? I could be gone tomorrow.”

  “Ah, Mitzi, you know that’s not true.” Kate reached an arm around her friend’s shoulders and gave her a quick hug. “You’re my best friend.”

  “I had a best friend once,” a small voice piped up. “When we lived in Billings.”

  It took Joel a second to realize that it was Chloe who’d spoken. “You have friends here, too.”

  Chloe shrugged.

  “I know how you feel.” Mitzi placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Good friends—best friends—aren’t always that easy to find.”

  “Savannah and I used to play every day.” Chloe’s voice was so low that Joel had to strain to hear her. “I really miss her.”

  “Mitzi and I haven’t lived in the same town for five years.” Kate’s eyes softened as they settled on Chloe. “And I missed her so much, but we kept in touch. We sent each other funny cards and we talked on the phone.”

  Joel guessed that her not mentioning the internet was deliberate and he was grateful to Kate. He closely monitored his daughter’s time on the web.

  “I don’t remember Savannah’s address or her phone number,” Chloe said in the same small voice, pushing the toe of her shoe against the concrete.

  “I’m sure I have them.” Joel couldn’t believe his daughter hadn’t mentioned wanting to contact Savannah before now. Or had she? “How about we call her after your orthodontic evaluation?”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” Chloe flung her arms around him.

  Over his daughter’s head, his eyes met Kate’s. Something in her gaze pulled him right in. Time seemed to stretch and extend. Without his realizing quite how it had happened, their eye contact turned into something more, a tangible connection between the two of them.

  Then Kate blinked and looked away.

  Joel could feel heat rising up his neck. Dear God, what had gotten into him? You’d have thought he was a lust-struck teenager.

  “There’s a lot to do in Jackson Hole,” Joel stammered, then stopped and took a deep, steadying breath. “I’m sure you’ll like it here.”

  “I have no doubt of that,” Mitzi said.

  Her smile was open and friendly while Kate’s shoulders were as stiff as any soldier’s. Of course, right now, his shoulders were feeling tight, too.

  “When I was driving around earlier I noticed an indoor ice rink that I’d like to check out,” Mitzi added.

  “It’s very nice.” Joel cast a look in his daughter’s direction and she nodded her agreement. “We’ve been there many times.”

  “So you like to skate?” Mitzi asked.

  “Chloe does. She skates very well.” Joel hooked a thumb toward his chest. “Me, I spend more time getting up from falling than I do gliding across the ice.”

  “Oh, Daddy.” Chloe exhaled an exasperated breath. “You’re not that bad. You just need to practice more.”

  Mitzi cast a sideways glance at Kate as if waiting for her to add her two cents to the conversation. But the doctor only glanced pointedly at her watch making Joel wonder if she had a patient waiting.

  “I’m what would be considered an average skater.” Mitzi waved a hand. “I can usually make it around the rink without falling, but I don’t do any fancy stuff. Kate, on the other hand, can do it all. She’s good enough to be a professional.”

  “Hardly.” Kate gave a self-conscious laugh. “But I’ve been skating since I was old enough to walk, so it stands to reason I’d be somewhat proficient.”

  Mitzi’s gaze shifted to Chloe, then back to Kate. “Something tells me this young lady might be even better than you are when she grows up.”

  “I might already be as good.” Chloe spoke with the blind confidence of youth. “I’ve never seen her skate.”

  Kate simply smiled.

  “We’d better get going.” Joel rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t want to keep Dr. Rallis waiting.”

  Chloe made a face, making it clear she wouldn’t mind skipping the appointment.

  Kate resisted the urge to tell the little girl that she’d had braces for six months when she’d been her age and tha
t it hadn’t been that bad. In fact, she could give Chloe pointers to make the experience better. Then Kate remembered that wasn’t her place.

  She was Chloe’s doctor. Nothing more.

  As Kate watched the father and daughter walk away, a melancholy sadness, at odds with the sunny June afternoon, settled around her shoulders.

  “I’ve got a patient waiting,” she said to Mitzi. “If I don’t get back to the office soon, Lydia will track me down and beat me with my own stethoscope.”

  “I definitely see the resemblance,” Mitzi said.

  An image of the office assistant flashed before Kate. Gray hair. Round face. Glasses. Without thinking, Kate grimaced. “You really think Lydia and I look alike?”

  Mitzi shook her head, sending her hair swinging from side to side. “Chloe.”

  An icy chill filled Kate’s veins. “What about her?”

  “Your daughter, Chloe. She looks just like you.”

  Chapter Four

  Even though Kate couldn’t stop a rush of pleasure at the words, she had to put a stop to Mitzi’s assumption.

  “She’s not my little girl.” Kate spoke slowly and deliberately so there could be no misunderstanding. “She is Joel’s little girl.”

  To Mitzi it might seem like a small distinction, but for Kate it was huge. And it was something she needed to continually keep in mind herself. When she’d signed those papers nine years ago, her child had become Joel and Amy Dennes’s daughter. She could not, would not, let herself think of Chloe as hers.

  Mitzi didn’t respond until they were back in the office and the exterior door had fallen closed behind them. “I saw how you looked at her, Kate.”

  Kate pulled her brows together. “And how was that?”

  “With motherly love.” A sudden look of tenderness crossed Mitzi’s face. “You might tell yourself she’s Joel’s daughter. You might have even convinced yourself. But in your heart, she’s yours. And you love her.”

  Of course Kate loved Chloe. She’d carried her for nine months. She’d given birth to her. When the attorney had walked from the room with the signed relinquishment papers and her baby—her sweet girl—in his arms, she’d cried and cried.