by Cindy Kirk
Happily-ever-after comes to those who wait…
Pediatrician Kate McNeal thought she had it all. But the one thing she longed for—the child she’d given up for adoption nine years earlier—remained just out of reach. So when she learned the girl was living with her adoptive father in Jackson Hole, Kate moved her practice lock, stock and stethoscope, to be close to the daughter she’d never forgotten.
Joel Dennes used to think he had it all—until tragedy tore his family apart. Now the single dad needs help with his little girl, and the new doctor in town seems like the perfect woman for the job—and soon he thinks she may be the perfect woman for him! But when Kate’s secret comes out, will the betrayal be the end of their fairy-tale ending?
Words of Praise for
Harlequin Special Edition
from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling authors
“When I started writing for Special Edition, I was delighted by the length of the books, which allowed the freedom to create,
and develop more within each character and their romance. I have always been a fan of Special Edition! I hope to write for it for many years to come. Long live Special Edition!
—Diana Palmer
“My career began in Special Edition. I remember my excitement when the SEs were introduced, because the stories were so rich and different, and every month when the books came out I beat a path to the bookstore to get every one of them. Here’s to you, SE; live long, and prosper!”
—Linda Howard
“Congratulations, Special Edition,
on thirty years of publishing first-class romance!”
—Linda Lael Miller
“I owe a great deal to the Special Edition line for allowing me to grow as a writer. Special Edition did that, not only for me but for countless other authors over the past thirty years. It continues to offer compelling stories, with heroes and heroines readers love—and authors they’ve come to trust.”
—Debbie Macomber
“Special Edition books always touch my heart.
They are wonderful stories
with the perfect happy ending.”
—Susan Mallery
“How could I not love a series devoted to my favorite things—complex families and deep friendships? I’m so proud to have been a part of this wonderful tradition at Special Edition.”
—Sherryl Woods
Books by Cindy Kirk
Harlequin Special Edition
†If the Ring Fits #2139
†Jackson Hole Valentine #2169
†The Doctor’s Not-So-Little Secret #2184
Silhouette Special Edition
Romancing the Nanny #1818
*Claiming the Rancher’s Heart #1962
*Your Ranch or Mine? #1986
*Merry Christmas, Cowboy! #2009
†The Doctor’s Baby #2040
†In Love with John Doe #2051
†The Christmas Proposition #2088
Harlequin Books
Special Edition Bonus Story: The Anniversary Party—Chapter Six
*Meet Me in Montana
†Rx for Love
Other titles by this author available in ebook format.
CINDY KIRK
has loved to read for as long as she can remember. In first grade she received an award for reading one hundred books. As she grew up, summers were her favorite time of year. Nothing beat going to the library, then coming home and curling up in front of the window air conditioner with a good book. Often the novels she read would spur ideas, and she’d make up her own story (always with a happy ending). When she’d go to bed at night, instead of counting sheep, she’d make up more stories in her head. Since selling her first story to Harlequin Books in 1999, Cindy has been forced to juggle her love of reading with her passion for creating stories of her own…but she doesn’t mind. Writing for the Harlequin Special Edition series is a dream come true. She only hopes you have as much fun reading her books as she has writing them!
Cindy invites you to visit her website, www.cindykirk.com.
Dear Reader,
In every book an author has opportunities to incorporate bits and pieces from their life. In The Doctor’s Not-So-Little Secret, Kate had a sister who was the family’s “golden child.” I don’t have a sister, but I had a friend who was in the same situation as Kate. She still struggles with feeling second best.
Then there’s Chloe’s Cabbage Patch Kid. I vividly remember standing outside the local JCPenney store waiting for the doors to open, hoping for a chance to snag one of those coveted dolls.
I wish I could say I’m fabulous on the ice. The truth is I’m closer to Joel’s talent level than Kate’s. I consider it a good ice skating session if I spend more time standing up than falling down.
And as far as what goes on when a couple is alone in the dark on an observation tower…no comment.
Lastly, I want to congratulate Harlequin Special Edition on reaching their thirty-year milestone. I’ve always loved reading the heartwarming stories they publish and now I enjoy writing them, too!
Cindy Kirk
Cindy Kirk
The Doctor’s Not-So-Little Secret
Patience Bloom—You’re the best editor around,
and I’m thankful you’re mine!
The Doctor’s Not-So-Little Secret
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Dr. Kate McNeal sat back in her seat by the front window of Jackson Hole’s newest coffee shop, enjoying her cappuccino. It was Saturday and, thanks to a very generous on-call rotation schedule at the pediatrics clinic, she had the whole weekend off.
All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go could be her motto. Kate sighed and took another sip. Although she’d been in Jackson Hole for almost two years, she had no close friends. Oh, she had tons of social buddies, men and women who invited her to their parties and other events. But no one she felt comfortable calling up on a Saturday morning and asking, “Hey, do you want to grab a scone and then do some shopping?”
Part of the problem was that most of the women she knew had husbands and children. Once she’d reached her early thirties, Kate had discovered there weren’t many women left in the single, never-married category. But she couldn’t blame her current loneliness all on her marital status.
As a child, Kate had been painfully shy. While in her professional life she did fine, shyness was still a struggle in social settings. Worse yet, her reticence often led to her being labeled “aloof” or “standoffish” by those who didn’t know her well.
She smoothed the skirt of the buttercup-yellow dress she’d purchased last week. Even though most of the coffee shop patrons were wearing jeans or shorts with a casual shirt, Kate liked to dress up. Wearing pretty things made her feel pretty, a feeling that had been in short supply during her growing-up years. Unlike her sister, Andrea, who everyone still raved over, it had taken years for Kate’s lanky body to develop a few curves and for her teeth to not look too large for her face.
Back in her early twenties, when she was finally reaching out and becoming the woman she was meant to be, her world had fallen apart
. Her grandmother had died. Her boyfriend had deserted her. And she’d had to make a decision no woman should ever have to make…alone. A decision she now lived with every day of her life.
Kate choked down the last bite of lemon-curd scone and gazed out the window, wondering if some shopping therapy would help get her out of this funk.
She was ready to give it a try when she saw Joel Dennes heading toward Hill of Beans, his nine-year-old daughter, Chloe, in tow. Even though she told herself to look away, Kate couldn’t take her eyes off them.
Thankfully Joel didn’t see her staring. Dressed in jeans and a striped cotton shirt that brought out the green in his hazel eyes, the handsome contractor’s entire focus was on his young daughter. Joel was tall—at least six foot two—with a rugged outdoorsy build. His child was petite and slender as a reed with delicate features. From the bag Chloe held, it appeared they’d just come from the dance studio down the street.
So far, on this sunny June morning, Kate had seen at least six little girls walk by with their mothers. All carried the same type of “dancer” bag she’d once owned.
The normally reserved Chloe let out a peal of laughter at something her father said, and his eyes crinkled with good humor as he settled his hand on her shoulder.
From everything she’d heard and seen, Joel had been doing his best to be both mother and father to Chloe since the death of her mom two years ago.
As far as Kate was concerned, such actions spoke volumes about a man’s character. She admired him for stepping up to the plate, admired him a lot.
She shifted in her seat so that her back was to the window, ensuring if they looked her way, she’d simply be a dark-haired woman in a yellow dress.
“Is Joel why you told Ryan you didn’t want to see him anymore?”
Kate shifted her gaze to find Lexi Delacourt standing beside her table, latte in hand, wearing a stylish green-and-brown dress with a short green sweater. Lexi’s dark hair hung loose to her shoulders in a sleek bob. The social worker’s amber-colored eyes held a knowing look as her gaze shifted from Kate to the front door. If the bells jingling were any indication, Joel and his daughter had just entered the coffee shop.
“C’mon, Kate, spill.” Without waiting for an invitation, Lexi took a seat at Kate’s tiny table. “Did you break it off with Ryan because you’ve got a thing for Joel?”
Lexi and her husband were part of the large ensemble of young professionals that Kate considered “social” friends. They held frequent parties and embraced any opportunity to get together.
Kate’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan Harcourt, was part of this group. A former championship bull rider, he had gone on to law school, then returned to his hometown of Jackson to practice. He and Kate had dated until recently when she’d told him she thought it best if they didn’t see each other anymore.
In truth, she’d have been content to continue dating him. He was smart, fun and helped fill those lonely hours when she wasn’t working. But Ryan had begun to push for a physical and emotional closeness that was more than Kate could give.
Because of her past, she found it difficult to be open even with guys she dated. No, especially with guys she dated.
Ryan had given their relationship his all. She’d given it as much as she could, but refused to pretend to have feelings that weren’t there.
“Be honest with me,” Lexi pressed. “Do you like Joel better than Ryan?”
“It’s not that.” Kate took a sip of her cappuccino, stalling for time, considering how much to divulge. She hated discussing her personal life. “Ryan and I were—are—simply friends.”
That much was true.
“His feelings go deeper than friendship.” Lexi’s eyes never left Kate’s face. “I know he really likes you.”
Kate fought a surge of irritation. Coming from Pittsburgh and then doing her residency in Los Angeles, she still hadn’t completely acclimated to living in a small community. Even though Jackson Hole was a thriving tourist destination, it sometimes felt as if everyone knew everyone’s business.
“I realize you and Nick consider Ryan a good friend.” Kate chose her words carefully, not wanting to offend. While she might travel in their social circle, she hung on to the fringe by a fingernail while Ryan was firmly woven into the fabric of the group.
“We consider you a friend, too, Kate.” As if she’d read her mind, the attractive brunette reached over and briefly covered Kate’s hand with hers. “As well as Joel.”
The sincerity in Lexi’s voice touched Kate’s heart. Perhaps she should come clean with the beautiful brunette. After all, it wasn’t as if there was any big secret underlying her relationship and breakup with Ryan.
Not like there would be if I dated Joel.
Kate inhaled sharply. Date Joel? Where had that thought even come from? Joel Dennes was the last person she’d ever consider dating. The.very.last.person.
“I’m sorry,” Lexi said unexpectedly when the silence lengthened, her cheeks now a bright pink. “It’s none of my concern.”
“Ryan is a great guy,” Kate said honestly. “But you’re right. He was looking for something more than I wanted out of our relationship.”
Ryan had made it clear he was ready to settle down. He’d been convinced he was in love with her. But how could he be? There was so much about her he didn’t know.
Lexi gave a little laugh. “That simply tells me he wasn’t ‘The One’ for you.”
“The problem wasn’t with Ryan.” Kate rose to his defense. “It was me. I’m not ready to settle down.”
Kate conveniently pushed aside the promise she’d made to herself that when she turned thirty, she’d put her past to rest and move on. That had proven impossible, especially in Jackson Hole.
“If Ryan had been ‘The One’ it wouldn’t have mattered if you were ready or if this was the right time or not.”
Kate opened her mouth to argue the point, but Lexi waved her silent.
“Let me tell you a little story.” The social worker’s hands encircled her cup, the large diamond on her ring finger glittering in the sunlight. “If you’d asked me three years ago why I wasn’t in a relationship, I’d have given the same excuse. I was raising Addie on my own and I was content with that arrangement. Then I met Nick.”
Kate envied the happiness she saw in Lexi’s eyes and heard in her voice, but she wasn’t about to get drawn into a discussion about Mr. Right. She focused instead on Lexi’s other comment. Even though someone had once mentioned in passing that Nick wasn’t their oldest child’s biological father, it was easy to forget. “Your ex-husband doesn’t live around here, right?”
While she waited for Lexi’s answer, Kate took a sip of her cappuccino and noted that Joel and Chloe had gotten their drinks “to go.” Obviously they weren’t staying. The tightness in her chest eased.
“Actually there is no ex-husband.” Lexi’s confession pulled Kate back from her thoughts. “Addie’s dad and I never married. When Drew found out I was pregnant, he made it clear he didn’t want a baby. His career was revving up and he believed having a child would only drag him down. He offered to pay for an abortion.”
“Did you ever consider—”
“Not having the baby?” Lexi shook her head. “Never.”
“How about adoption?” Although Kate felt her lips move, the words seemed to come from far away.
“It’s a great option, but not for me.” Lexi’s gaze grew thoughtful. “Still, I have to tell you, being a single mom was no walk in the park. Addie and I endured some pretty lean years. In fact, when I met Nick, I was working two jobs.”
“Not every woman could do that,” Kate murmured. The scone she’d just finished eating sat like a dead weight in the pit of her stomach.
“Keeping my daughter was easy,” Lexi said, “compared to how hard it would have been to give her up.”
Kate could only nod.
“What brings you two fine ladies downtown this morning?”
At the sound of the familiar
baritone, Kate’s heart plummeted to the tips of her toes. Somehow she managed to lift her gaze and smile.
“I rounded at the hospital early and thought I’d check out Cole and Meg’s new business.” Even though Kate’s heart was above the safe number of beats per minute, thanks to years of practice her tone gave nothing away.
“Chloe and I were just talking about how glad we are that they opened a coffee shop just down the street from The Dance Studio.” Joel smiled at his daughter. “We’ve become Saturday morning regulars.”
Kate made a quick mental note not to come here again on the weekend, then settled her gaze on the nine-year-old. Chloe’s straight dark hair, which normally hung past her shoulders had been pulled back into a makeshift ponytail. Like many preteens, her eyes and teeth seemed too large for her thin face. Although it wasn’t obvious to the casual eye, Kate saw the promise of great beauty.
“What do you usually get when you come here?” Lexi bestowed a friendly smile on the two.
“Coffee with cream for me.” Joel lifted his cardboard cup. “Nothing fancy.”
Even though it would have been easy for him to answer for his daughter, to Joel’s credit he merely offered the child an encouraging smile.
Chloe’s eyes dropped to the clear plastic cup in her hand. “I got an Italian soda.”
“I almost ordered one of those this morning,” Kate said, surprising herself by jumping into the conversation. Perhaps because she’d been a shy child and knew how hard it was to have all eyes on you. “My favorite flavor is watermelon.”
Chloe lifted her gaze, her eyes wide. “Mine, too.”
“Watermelon.” Although Joel shook his head in apparent disgust, a smile tugged at her lips. “Must be a girl thing.”
Chloe giggled.
For a second, Kate basked in the warmth of the child’s pleasure. As Chloe’s doctor she’d seen only the little girl’s serious side. She’d even spoken with Joel after that first visit about his daughter’s reticence, thinking it might be related to her mother’s death. But Joel said Chloe had always been shy around strangers.
