One Night with the Army Doc

by Traci Douglass

  “Traffic,” Molly said, though the real reason for their tardiness was the fact that neither she nor Jake had wanted to leave the cozy little love nest they’d made in their hotel room at the Ritz Carlton on Lakeshore Drive.

  “I still don’t understand why the two of you didn’t stay here at the Drake with the rest of us,” Phyllis Flynn said, looking around. “Though you did a decent job on the decorations.”

  “Thanks. The shower hasn’t been my top priority.”

  Her father joined them, tumbler of whiskey in hand. “Daughter of mine, it’s not too late to renegotiate with the network. Though you’ll have to take a subpar slot. They’ve given me your old one.”

  Molly took a deep breath to relax her tense muscles. “I won’t be returning to the network. We discussed this. I’ve got a new department to run in Anchorage.”

  “Your loss.” Roger Flynn gulped down his drink. “Such a waste—stuck out there in some hospital on the prairie.” He narrowed his icy green gaze on Jake. “I blame you for this.”

  Jake squeezed Molly’s hand. “I gladly take full responsibility, sir.”

  “No. This was my decision. No one else’s.” Molly squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “You made my childhood a living hell—but that’s over. Starting today, you don’t matter anymore. I’ve got a new life, and a man who loves me just the way I am. I don’t need you or your bullying, or your opinions about my life. Not that I ever did.”

  Roger Flynn shook his head, his expression brimming with disapproval. “Love makes people idiots.”

  “You’re wrong,” Molly said, an edge of steel in her tone. “Love makes people human. And unconditional love makes them exceptional. Perhaps if you’d loved me without conditions our relationship wouldn’t be what it is today.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Her father’s scowl darkened. “Why do you think I pushed you so hard all those years? I did it because I loved you—because I saw your enormous potential and wanted you to become all you could be.”

  “What a crock of—” Jake started.

  “I’ve got this.” Molly stopped him, turning back to her father. “The only thing you love is Roger Flynn. You constantly nag and push and force everyone around you to breaking point—and if they snap then you call them weak. I’m sorry you consider me such a disappointment, but I’m through trying to live up to your ideals. This is my life, and I plan to do what makes me happy and fulfilled. That includes running my own department and spending the rest of my days with the man I love. And if you or anyone else can’t accept that, please keep it to yourself, okay?”

  Her mother huffed. “It isn’t polite to raise your voice at a party, dear.”

  “Maybe not, but it’s not polite to make other people feel small either,” Molly said, staring at her father in a silent battle of wills.

  She’d spent her whole life trying to please this man, trying to earn his love and respect. She’d be damned if she’d back down now.

  Roger Flynn finally looked away, hailing a passing waiter for another whiskey. “Well, at least you’ll be bringing some much-needed expertise to that wild frontier.”

  Not quite an apology, but Molly would take it. “I’m looking forward to introducing your theories on halting viral disease progression through enzyme inhibition.”

  Her father watched Molly over the rim of his glass. “Make sure you give me credit.”

  “Of course.” Molly gave a curt nod and took Jake’s hand again.

  “Sis!” Martha waddled over, her gait more ungainly as she neared her due date. She was still dressed to the nines in designer maternity wear, with her doting investment banker husband hanging off her arm. “I was hoping you’d be the baby’s godmother.”

  Molly was a bit shocked. “I’d be honored...”

  “Good luck in Alaska.” Roger Flynn walked away before anyone could respond.

  “Call me once you get to Anchorage, dear, to let me know you’re safe.” Her mother gave Molly a quick air-kiss before bustling off to mingle.

  “Can I speak to you outside?”

  Jake made their excuses to the expectant parents, then led Molly out into the opulent marble foyer of the hotel. Several paparazzi milled about, looking to snap photos of the many local celebrities attending the party.

  Jake pulled Molly into a private little alcove, discreetly covered by plush blue velvet drapes. Her pulse raced. Things had been so magical tonight. Maybe too magical.

  But adrenaline still pumped through her system from facing down her father at last, and Molly was riding high on a surge of success. “I can’t believe I did that! Did you see his face? I stood up for myself. Me! I did it!”

  “Yep, you did, Bolt.”

  Jake smiled—the lopsided smile that always made her knees go wobbly.

  “And I’m so proud of you. I’ve always respected your amazing abilities as a physician, even if we have differing opinions on some of your treatment choices. But, wow. What you did in there—standing up to that man, that bully, like that. Sweetheart, today my admiration for you and your wonderful heart surpasses everything else. You’re incredible, Molly Flynn. Simply incredible.”

  Despite his impassioned words she didn’t miss the flicker of uncertainty in his stormy gray eyes, and a tiny tad of her old insecurity seeped in before she could stop it, dampening her joy.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong.” Jake’s normally graceful moves turned awkward as he fumbled in his suit pocket and frowned. “I just...”

  “Oh, Lord.”

  Molly’s stomach knotted. This might be Brian all over again. She’d finally stood up for herself with one man, but had her newfound gumption cost her the other? Life as the scared, insecure woman who’d hidden inside her sterile, controlled, unemotional world wasn’t possible anymore. She couldn’t do that again—not even for Jake. But she’d do everything in her power to make things work with him if he gave her the chance.

  “Please tell me you’re not going to break up with me. I know I’ve changed since you met me, and things are different with me now than when we first met, but—”

  “What? No. I love everything about you, Molly. Never doubt that. It’s just that I’ve got something for you.”

  Jake went down on one knee, a blue Tiffany box in one hand. Inside was an adorable penguin brooch, with sparkling onyx eyes and black lacquer wings.

  “Oh! Wow!” Her smile trembled with surprise. “It’s very...cute.”

  “I spent all day yesterday picking it out while you were wrapping up loose ends at the network. Penguins are kind of our symbol, right? That day in my kitchen you blurted out all those facts about penguins and how they mated for life. I know they’re not indigenous to Alaska, but then lots of people are transplants there. Just look at you.”

  “No. I mean, yes. It’s great.” Molly stroked her fingers over the pin, her chest squeezing with tenderness and her eyes stinging with unshed tears. She sniffled. “I love it. Really.”

  “But you were expecting something else?” Jake narrowed his gaze knowingly.

  “What?”

  She shook her head as he reached into his pocket again. If life had taught her anything, it was that having expectations—especially of the unrealistic kind—was foolish.

  She hugged the little penguin to her chest as tears spilled down her cheeks. “No, no. I love it, Jake. Really. And I love you too.”

  “Good,” Jake said, his smile widening.

  This time he pulled out a smaller black velvet box and flipped it open with his thumb. Inside sparkled the most beautiful emerald-cut diamond engagement ring Molly had ever seen. She reached out, shaking, to trace her fingertips over the radiant gem, joyful laughter bubbling and fizzing inside her like champagne.

  “Molly Flynn, I love you. Will you marry me and be my forever mate?”

 
Too much. This man was too much. He was all she’d ever wanted and more than she deserved. Overcome with happiness, she felt some of those old random facts gurgling for escape inside her whirling mind. Molly didn’t even try to stop them this time. Jake loved her—really, really loved her—quirks and all. She’d take it—and him—forever and ever. Amen.

  Molly swiped away her tears with the back of her hand and blinked down at the dear face of the man she loved, reciting statistics like love poems. “People who marry between the ages of twenty-eight and thirty-two have the fewest divorces.”

  Jake cocked his head, his expression confused. “Is that a yes, Bolt?”

  “Yes!” Giddiness rose inside Molly as she knelt too, cupping his cheeks in her trembling hands. “Yes! I love you too and I’d be honored to be your wife.”

  “Perfect.”

  Jake slid the ring on her finger, then pulled her in for a deep kiss.

  They didn’t separate for a long while afterward. At last Jake pulled away, dusting kisses along her cheek to her ear and whispering, “I’m not perfect and I don’t profess to be, Molly, but when I’m with you I want to be better. I want to be the man of your dreams.”

  She rested her forehead against his and smiled, her heart so full it felt as if it might burst forth like a bird from a cage. “You already are, Jake. You already are.”

  This time when he kissed her she couldn’t wait to get back to their love nest at the Ritz Carlton and celebrate their new engagement properly. There’d be plenty of time to tell their friends and family later. Tonight’s celebration was for them alone.

  A ruckus sounded on the other side of the blue curtains. Jake peered around the edge before giving Molly’s hand a reassuring squeeze and helping her to her feet.

  “Looks like another local celebrity is arriving for your sister’s party,” he said. “This is it, Bolt. If we sneak out now there’s a chance we won’t cause another Internet sensation.”

  Molly nodded and held on to him tight, ready for her new life to begin. “Let’s do it. I’ll follow you anywhere, Jake.”

  “Yeah?” He leaned back for one last, brief kiss over his shoulder.

  Molly smiled as they darted out of the alcove, hand in hand, together. “Oh, yeah.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Bachelor Doc, Unexpected Dad by Dianne Drake.

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  Bachelor Doc, Unexpected Dad

  by Dianne Drake

  PROLOGUE

  MATT ROLLED OVER in bed and looked at her. She was still sleeping, and so beautiful in her sleep he wanted to stay another night with her. That wasn’t his life, though. As tempting as Ellie was, and she was the most tempting woman he’d ever met, he didn’t get to have that kind of involvement in his life. In fact, he’d planned everything to fit him the way he wanted—no strings. It was easier. People didn’t get hurt.

  Still, that graceful form under the satin sheets next to him was so hard to resist. And it wasn’t just the physical intimacy that had been good. They’d talked. Dined. Danced. Things he’d never done with a woman before. And Ellie was so easy just to hold, to be near.

  The first night, he’d assumed it would be fun and games, she’d be gone by the time he went to sleep, and he would never see her again. But that’s not what had happened. They’d stood on the balcony for a while, looking at the beautiful Reno lights, laughing at silly things, talking much longer than he’d expected to. And the night had passed so quickly. In fact, by the time they’d gotten around to what he’d assumed would take only a short time, the sun had already been coming up and he’d been wondering where the night had gone.

  Then Matt had watched Ellie, off and on that day, always having an excuse to be near her. It was a convention and medical conference after all. The hotel ballroom was filled with various displays of new medical products and pharmaceuticals. Somehow, the ones that had seemed to catch his attention had always been near her booth. And while he’d tried not to be obvious about watching her, Ellie had caught him at it a time or two, leaving him with a blush on his face and a shrug on his shoulder. Much the way a schoolboy with a crush would act.

  But those looks she’d caught—they’d led to a second night, one with much less talking and much more passion. In fact, she had already been in his bed when he’d gone back to his room, having bribed a maid to let her in. And that night it had been like two desperate people clinging together at the end of the world. In some ways, that’s what it was. The end of their little world as, in three days’ time, he’d be back in a hospital in Mosul, putting pieces of injured soldiers back together. That’s who Matt was. And that was his world. Not this one.

  Still, as Matt buttoned his shirt and headed to the hotel room door that second morning he wondered if something like this, someone like Ellie, could ever have a place in his life. It was a nice dream, but in his experience dreams didn’t come true, and it was all he could do to make it through his reality.

  Someone like Ellie deserved more. But he was a man who had nothing to give.

  Opening the door quietly, so not to disturb her, Matt stepped into the hall, took one last look at Ellie before he shut the door, then leaned against the wall for a moment, watching the hotel maid making her way slowly down the corridor with her cart. By the time she reached this room, he’d be on a plane to Hawaii, and from there a military transport back to Iraq.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “I DON’T KNOW what to do with him,” Matt McClain said, looking down at the little tow-headed boy in the firm grasp of his second cousin, or half-cousin, or whatever it was that related them distantly.

  Sarah Clayton held the boy’s hand like she was holding on to a dog that was about to get away. Tight, and with a purpose. But not friendly. There was nothing friendly or nurturing in her. Nothing compassionate. Nothing to indicate she cared at all for the kid. “The same thing you think I’m supposed to do with him. Only I’m not going to do it. I took care of your sister those last two weeks, and I’ve had him with me ever since. But you’re here, and you’re more blood to him than I am so, he’s yours. Besides...”

  She held out an envelope—one that had been sealed, opened then sealed again. “Janice left you this.”

  He opened it, and looked down at the shaky handwriting—the handwriting of a dying woman. A lump formed in his throat and he turned his back to Sarah as he read it.

  Dear Matt,

  If you’re reading this, that means the cancer has finally beaten me. The doctors said I was too late for treatment, but that’s been my life. Too late for everything.
It’s called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and I’m sure you know all about it since you’re a doctor.

  Yes, I know you’re a doctor. Heard it from a man in the casino where I was working. He was drunk and saying all kinds of crazy things...things that didn’t make sense. His name was Carter, I think, and he said he was a doctor. I don’t know if that’s true, but he was going on about his buddy Matt, from Forgeburn, who saved his life. Great doctor, he called you. And I’m sure you are.

  Matt stopped reading for a moment and took a breath. Carter Holmes had been his best buddy since med-school days. He’d sustained almost fatal injuries and, yes, he’d saved his life. “Do you know how long Janice was in Vegas?” he asked Sarah, without turning to face her.

  “For a while, I think. She told me she moved around a lot. Changed her name so your old man wouldn’t find her. Said she was always looking over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t coming after her.”

  Matt clenched his jaw, not wanting to read any more but knowing he had to.

  I don’t blame you for not sending for me, Matty. We were both kids. Neither of us knew what to do. But I did wait until I couldn’t stay there anymore. You were gone, Dad left me behind, and even though I wasn’t even fifteen I knew I had to leave there, too.

  I spent a lot of time going from place to place, never settling down. I was afraid to. Afraid I’d get too comfortable someplace and let my guard down. So I always moved on. Funny thing is, all those years I was running I guess Dad had died right after he left Forgeburn. At least that’s what Sarah said. Guess neither of us had to run away, did we?

  Matt turned to Sarah. “He’s dead?”

  She nodded. “They found him in one of the canyons. They think he’d passed on quite a while before one of the cowboys stumbled on him. He was living like he always did, they said. Hoarding trash and drinking his life away. Folks around here said it was the drink that took him. Didn’t really care to find out.”

  Matt shut his eyes. So many wasted years he and Janice had had when they could have stayed together. But they’d become two kids out on their own, in a world they didn’t know. He’d found his salvation in the army. But Janice... Matt turned away from Sarah again, before she could see the tears brimming in his eyes.