Before she could register anything else he loomed over her, completely and gloriously free of his own garments.
He was a vision she would never forget. Muscles bulged in his arms as he lowered himself to fit her body against his. His fingers mapped trails all over her body until she thought she’d burst into flames. His featherlight touch turned her into a quivering mass. But he wasn’t finished.
He rained kisses on her mouth before traveling down the side of her neck, across her shoulders, through the valley of her breasts and coming to a stop at her navel. Waves of sensation crashed through her, and she writhed under his gentle yet unrelenting attack.
Anchoring her close, he reached to the bedside table and groped inside a drawer. When he fumbled with the packet he’d retrieved, and cursed under his breath, she smiled. For a man whose hands could do the most beautiful things, evoke the most delightful sensations, being bested by a small foil pouch made her think that he didn’t engage in making love precipitately.
“Let me,” she said.
With a huff of disgust he handed over the goods and she took care of the details.
He grabbed her wrist as she finished. “As good as your hands feel, I don’t want this to be over before it’s started.”
His admonition made her feel powerful, but the tables soon turned when he took up where he’d left off. Then, as if his instincts were so attuned to her body’s response that he knew she couldn’t bear to wait another minute, he slid inside her.
He paused briefly to allow her to adjust to his size before he began to move. Slow, even strokes became a steady rhythm that drove her into a state where passion reigned supreme and everything else faded into insignificance.
This was what she wanted, she managed to think, before Ethan drove her completely over the edge into a freefall that seemed timeless.
Finally they both relaxed in each other’s embrace. No matter what the days ahead brought, whether Ethan remained or not, Ivy would treasure these moments.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “Inside and out.”
“Thank you,” she answered, enjoying his warmth as they lay nestled together.
“Comfortable?” he asked.
“Perfectly.”
“Good, because I don’t think I can move.”
Pleased she’d affected him so strongly, she grinned as she raised herself on one elbow to stare into his face and trace circles on his broad chest. “Maybe I should throw that pizza in the oven so you can get your strength back?”
In one swift motion he maneuvered her so she was lying flat underneath him. “Later,” he said. “Pizza sounds good, but I’m hungrier for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” He gazed at her with enough longing to prove he hadn’t exaggerated. Yet what struck her the most was that the shadows she’d seen in his eyes had disappeared.
“You’re right,” she said. “Pizza can wait.”
And it did—for a very long time.
“Are you sure we have to attend the rodeo?” Ethan asked the next day as he parked his car in the gravel parking lot outside the rodeo grounds. “I can think of more enjoyable ways to pass the afternoon than walking around a dusty fairground and getting sunburned.”
Ivy laughed. “So can I. But we have to put in an appearance. With Margery taking call for me last night, if neither of us are seen today, we’ll be gossip fodder.”
The joys of living in a small-town fishbowl. He didn’t mind for himself, but Ivy’s reputation was a different story. She would live with the consequences of their actions for years, because people had long memories.
“I suppose.” He hopped out of his vehicle and escorted Ivy through the uneven lot toward the fairground entrance, which was marked by colored balloons, a banner proclaiming “Thirty-Fifth Annual Danton Frontier Days Rodeo”, and several clowns handing out folded pieces of paper.
“What would you like to see first?” she asked.
“I’ve never attended a rodeo,” he admitted. “As far as I’m concerned this is your parade, so we’ll do whatever you want.” He leaned close to her ear. “As long as I can steal a kiss every now and then, I’ll be happy.”
Her melodic laugh touched his heartstrings. “I’ll see what I can do.”
As they approached the entrance, two clowns greeted them both by name and handed over the program of events.
“Enjoy yourself, Dr. Ethan,” a clown told him, in a tone that belied his sad expression. “We’re thrilled you could join in the festivities this weekend.”
“Thanks. I am, too,” he said, realizing he meant it.
“Great. Folks around here are pretty proud of our rodeo, so be sure you see everything.”
“We will,” he promised.
“And don’t forget the food,” the happy clown added. “Harvey’s turkey legs are exceptional this year.” He turned away to greet more newcomers. “Hello, folks. Welcome to the rodeo.”
Ethan guided Ivy over the uneven ground with one hand at the small of her back. “I wonder if the turkey legs are better than the pizza we had last night?”
Her smile dazzled him. “Taste-wise, probably, but the ambience can’t compare.”
Making love on the sofa while they waited for the pizza to bake didn’t come close to standing in line with a crowd of people, waiting for a deep-fat-fried drumstick, no matter how delicious it was.
“Look,” she said, pointing ahead. “There are the craft booths. I promised several people I’d stop at theirs. Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” He glanced at the program. “The calf-roping is scheduled in a half-hour.”
“You definitely have to see that. And when we’re finished watching the events we can meander over to the carnival rides. The ferris wheel is my favorite.”
Ethan followed her to the craft stalls, content to walk alongside her and watch. What surprised him, though, was how so many people stopped to visit with him.
Not with Ivy, with him. And these weren’t only the familiar faces of hospital staff members, but were people he’d seen at the grocery store, the gas station and the diner. Nearly everyone called him by name as they smiled and waved.
A week ago he’d received an occasional polite nod, and now it was as if someone had declared him a new resident and placed his name on the tax rolls.
It bothered him, because he hadn’t intended to befriend anyone. What was the point when he hadn’t planned to stick around? In fact, he still didn’t, although if he were truly honest, Danton wouldn’t be a bad place to call the end of the road.
But was he ready to return to medicine full-time? And, if so, would it be as a general pediatrician or as a neonatologist?
His decision boiled down to one thing. What did he want?
He honestly didn’t know.
Admittedly, he was enjoying his stint as Ivy’s colleague more than he’d expected. He was still undecided as to whether his satisfaction was due to dabbling in medicine again or if Ivy had made the difference.
Regardless of the source of his current contentment, and in spite of Ivy’s assurances, he wasn’t ready to be responsible for preemies. Until then he simply couldn’t reclaim his specialty career.
On the other hand, dealing with the older crowd was far different than handling neonates, and he didn’t feel completely ready to do that, either. He’d been lucky so far and been able to switch gears, but he’d definitely have to bone up on topics that were non-issues for preemies. He didn’t mind studying and learning, but, again, what did he want?
One thing, however, was clear. If he didn’t embrace a medical career of some sort, he couldn’t stay. Considering the need for doctors in Danton, how could he deny providing a service so desperately needed? He’d have to leave, even though it would mean leaving Ivy behind.
The only bright spot was that he didn’t have to decide his future today. In the meantime he intended to savor his moments with Ivy and let tomorrow worry about itself.
“Did you have
a good weekend?” Heather asked on Monday. “I saw you dragged Ethan to the rodeo.”
Ivy grinned. The weekend had exceeded her expectations, but sharing that would put ideas into Heather’s head, and her friend didn’t need any help. “Ethan and I went together,” she admitted. “We watched most of the events, rode a few rides, stuffed ourselves to the gills, and then went home.”
Cuddling against Ethan as they rode the ferris wheel had been a real treat. Rather than perch the over-sized white teddy bear he’d won after buying countless attempts at the baseball toss between them on the seat, she’d buckled it in the corner, so that she could sit next to Ethan.
They’d sampled turkey legs, roasted corn on the cob, cotton candy, funnel cakes and caramel apples until she’d thought she wouldn’t be able to eat for an entire week.
The real treat had come when he’d taken her home as dusk fell. They’d shared a shower and made love until midnight, when reluctantly, after spending nearly thirty-six hours together, he’d driven back to his place.
Sunday, however, had been another day. Because she’d been on call, he’d driven into town, and they’d spent the afternoon together in undisturbed bliss. In fact, the weekend had been so free of interruptions Ivy had checked her pager numerous times to be sure the battery hadn’t died.
“I’m glad you had a restful weekend,” Heather said now. “I talked to Nancy and she said the hospital was quiet.”
Ivy nodded. “I think everyone wanted to attend the rodeo, which suited me just fine.”
“Which means we’ll be swamped today, with sunburn, bug bites and upset stomachs from all the junk food,” Heather said knowledgeably. “It happens every year.”
This being her first summer, Ivy took her friend’s word. At that moment, though, Heather could have told her the grass was purple and blue polka-dotted and she wouldn’t have questioned her, because Ethan had walked in, looking remarkably handsome and tanned. Everything else faded into insignificance.
“Hi.” She greeted him hoping she sounded as normal as she had last week. No one needed to know or guess that they’d become more than colleagues.
“Good morning,” he said formally, although he winked at her.
“Now that you’re both here,” Heather said, apparently oblivious to the undercurrents swirling between them, “I see we have a lot of well-baby check-ups this morning, so I hope you won’t mind if I shuffle some of the toddlers over to you, Dr. Ethan?”
Ivy met his gaze, uncertain of his response, but instead of objecting he simply nodded.
“That’s fine,” he told Heather, although he faced Ivy as if sending her a silent message. “In fact, if Ivy gets bogged down, let me know. I might be able to help a bit with the younger set.”
Ivy was too stunned to reply, but she took his offer as a positive sign. Perhaps his experience on Friday and her confidence had made an impact on him. She hoped so.
But if his offer had rendered her speechless, it produced the opposite effect on Heather. “That’s wonderful, but I thought—” She stopped, as if uncertain what to say next.
“It’s been a long time since I worked with that age group,” Ethan replied smoothly. “But after working with the Jantzen baby Ivy convinced me I can handle them.”
“I saw you in action, so I’d agree,” Heather said vehemently. “How is he doing, by the way?”
“I talked to his doctor on Saturday,” Ivy answered. “He has Tetralogy of Fallot, as we suspected, and they’re going to perform surgery to alleviate his symptoms until he’s big enough for a complete repair. He’s going to be fine.”
“What a relief.” Heather consulted the notepad she’d removed from her pocket. “If you two will excuse me, I have to restock a couple of rooms before the hordes descend. Can’t have you guys running out of vinyl gloves or tongue depressors.”
As soon as Heather had moved out of earshot, Ethan spoke to Ivy. “Do you have plans for this evening?”
Anticipation skipped down her spine. “No.”
“How about dinner and a movie?” he asked. “I stopped at the grocery store this morning for a newspaper and a DVD caught my eye. I’ve been wanting to see it ever since it won an Academy Award last year.”
She didn’t care if he wanted to view a 1940s black-and-white film. Being together was more important to her than what they did, although certain activities—her face warmed as she imagined a few of them—came close.
“Sounds great.”
“I’ll rent a copy after work,” he promised.
As he turned to leave, she stopped him. “You don’t have to help with my little rug rats.” She smiled as she referred fondly to her smallest patients. “I can handle them.”
“I know, and I’m not horning in on your territory,” he said. “But I want to share the full load, not just part of it. I need to do this, Ivy, so I’ll know if I can.”
“OK,” she said with equanimity, although inside her emotions churned. She was proud of him for taking the first shaky step toward facing his fears, but if he chose to return to his former calling, what would it mean for them?
No regrets, she told herself. From the beginning she’d expected him to leave, and had resigned herself to it. Just because her heart had gotten involved and she’d fallen in love, she couldn’t change the rules at this late date.
“Someone to see you, Dr. Ethan.” On the following Thursday Heather interrupted him as he finished the notes on his last case.
Ethan groaned good-naturedly. “I thought you said we were done?”
“We are. The fellow waiting to see you in the lobby isn’t a patient. He claims he’s an old friend of yours.”
“Thanks, Heather.” Curious, Ethan headed toward the now-empty lobby. Although he’d been accepted in the community, and now knew a lot of the townsfolk by name, he didn’t call anyone in particular a friend, much less an old one.
The mystery was solved as soon as he saw the tall, slightly graying man studying the Anne Geddes prints, much as Ethan had done two weeks ago.
“Stewart,” Ethan said, thrilled to see his friend and former boss. “It’s good to see you. What brings you to this neck of the woods?”
Stewart Trimble smiled as he clapped Ethan on the back. “I was heading to Oklahoma City for meetings, and after finding Danton on the map I decided to take a small detour. How’ve you been?”
In spite of his former superior’s jovial attitude, Ethan felt Stewart’s piercing gaze. “I’m fine,” he said sincerely. “Just fine.”
Apparently Stewart saw something in Ethan’s demeanor that satisfied him, because he nodded and the concern in his eyes faded. “I can see that. To be honest, I’m surprised to find you in a doctors’ office, of all places. When I asked the filling station attendant if he knew you and he sent me to the clinic, I was certain we were talking about two different people.” He grinned. “I’m glad to see I was wrong.”
“I’m rather surprised myself,” Ethan admitted. “Ivy asked me to help her for a few weeks in her general peds practice even before you started hounding me to keep my hand in medicine, so I gave in. Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Ethan proudly escorted his mentor through their portion of the clinic, and they had just passed Ivy’s office when she came round the corner, her expression pensive. “Ivy, I’d like you to meet Stewart Trimble.”
Ivy shifted the stack of charts in her arms to shake his hand. “Pleased to meet you,” she said warmly.
Ethan nodded. “Stew’s my former boss.”
Her smile wavered, although Ethan doubted if Stewart had noticed. He had only noticed because he’d learned to read Ivy as well as his copy of Fundamentals of Pediatrics. “You’re a long way from home,” she mentioned.
“I’m traveling through to Oklahoma City,” Stewart explained, “and I thought I’d check on Ethan.”
“Great,” she replied, although her smile seemed shaky. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“I would, but I’m eager to find my ho
tel before dark,” he said. “Maybe next time.”
“Yes, maybe next time,” she echoed.
Concerned by her preoccupied demeanor, Ethan asked. “Did you need me for anything?”
“No, not at all,” she answered. “I had something to tell you, but it can wait.” She addressed Stewart. “Have a safe trip,” she said, before she headed down the hall toward the receptionist’s desk.
“So that’s your colleague.” Stewart’s gaze followed Ivy. “Married?”
Ethan grinned. “No.”
Stewart chuckled. “Something tells me my so-called hounding didn’t convince you to act as a locum in her practice.”
“Not entirely,” Ethan admitted, unwilling to define his relationship with Ivy to anyone, including his former boss. “But it didn’t hurt,” he finished.
“However she convinced you to rejoin society, I’m grateful,” Stewart said simply. “You were on the fast track to nowhere.”
How well Ethan knew that to be true. After working with Ivy for almost two weeks, he hadn’t felt this contented for a long time. She’d accepted and embraced him, history and all, and had given him a freedom that he hadn’t experienced since he’d heard his son’s final prognosis. How ironic to think that one infant had turned his life upside down and another had figured prominently in restoring it. If Slade hadn’t come in, and if Ivy hadn’t insisted on a consultation, Ethan would still be locked in his no-win situation.
“I was,” Ethan agreed. “But enough about me. How about a cup of coffee for the road?”
“I’d love one,” Stewart said. “If the cinnamon I’m smelling is any indication, I’d say you’ve converted the staff just like you did at the children’s hospital.”
Ethan laughed as he showed him to a chair at the table in their tiny lounge and placed a mug of coffee in front of his guest. “I have.”
“Another conquest to the world of gourmet coffee.” Stewart’s face lost its teasing expression and grew serious. “I think you know how worried we’ve been about you, Ethan.”
“I do,” he said simply. During the long weeks after the funeral, and after Tiffany had moved out of their house, Stewart had kept close tabs on him. “A single day didn’t go by without you calling or dropping by to see me.”
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