Then he’d met Veronica, in the parking lot of a hospital function no less, which should’ve been his first clue. But he’d been riding a high after getting his board certification and acceptance into an orthopedic surgery fellowship right there in Santa Monica.
When the gorgeous redhead thanked him for fixing a flat tire by tossing him the keys to her Aston Martin convertible and insisting they drive up the coast until they ran out of gas, he’d been hooked. By the time he’d returned home after spending the entire weekend in bed at a “friend’s” beach house, he’d agreed to keep their romance a secret, which had made it even more thrilling. Of course, he’d thought it was great that she didn’t try to monopolize his time and understood his long working hours.
Until it all came crashing down on him less than a year later, when they’d gotten caught by her husband.
Thomas soon found their affair the talk of the medical center and any job prospects there had quietly disappeared despite his outstanding record. Thankfully, his grandmother had pulled enough strings to get him an interview at TC General, for the job he now held.
“Victoria Meadows is history, man.” Reid’s voice jerked Thomas from his memories. “You got played by a coldhearted witch who used you to make her old man jealous. A man she’s still with and who made chief surgeon earlier this summer if I read the news correctly.”
Yeah, Thomas had read that, too. “Thanks for the history lesson.”
“Look, I know your grand plans of making the staff at UCLA Medical flew out the window after everything came out, but you said you were enjoying your work in Thunder Canyon.”
“I am.” There was no hesitation in his voice and Thomas realized just how true the words were.
Yes, his grandmother had come through with a job for him, but he’d worked harder than anyone on the staff to earn the position. TC General might operate at a slower pace than UCLA, but the work they did was just as important. “Things are going well here.”
“Any pretty nurses on the staff?”
Thomas sighed. “You never give up.”
“Hey, buddy, I just want you to be as happy as I am.”
Reid’s words caused the image of blond wavy hair and blue eyes to slide through his head, fully formed and in color, as if he’d had a photograph of her in his hand.
And just like that he was remembering how drawn he’d been to Annabel’s warm smile and infectious nature.
He wanted to be irritated that she kept coming to mind, but he had to admit tonight had been more fun that he’d had in a long time. An improvised experience he usually stayed far away from whenever his set plans changed, but something in Annabel’s voice had been hard to say no to when he’d called to apologize for messing up their date.
And later he’d seen the bright burst of desire in her gaze making it clear that if he’d wanted to kiss her she would’ve welcomed his mouth on hers.
If he’d wanted? Who was he kidding? His hand fisted the sheets as he remembered how it’d taken every ounce of discipline he had not to take things to the next level tonight.
Annabel was unlike any woman he’d ever met, nothing like—
Thomas cut off that thought.
Getting involved with someone who’d be a presence around the hospital was the last thing he wanted. And she would definitely be around, now that he’d actually given the okay to put that crazy idea of hers into action.
A mutt that could make sick people well? Who was he kidding? Wait until the hospital gossip grapevine got a hold of that.
Thomas scrubbed at his eyes, his bones aching with exhaustion. Chalking up his reaction to Annabel Cates and her dog therapy plan to being overtired was easy to do.
Maybe sleep would be easy now, as well.
“North, did you pass out on me?” Reid asked. “It got real quiet all of a sudden.”
“No, still here, but fading fast. I should go.”
“Okay, I’ll hang up. Oh, but before you drift off to dreamland I’m going to text you a picture of the newest member of the family.”
Thomas must be more tired than he thought. “What? You and Gracie have another kid I didn’t know about?”
“No, we agreed to foster a dog from the local animal rescue center a couple of weeks ago, but she’s the sweetest pup and fit so well with the Gaines clan we had to keep her.”
“Let me guess.” Thomas closed his eyes and again dropped his head, the headboard muffling the sound this time. “A golden retriever?”
Reid chuckled. “How the heck did you know that?”
* * *
Over the past few days Thomas swore he’d dreamed about dogs every time he closed his eyes.
Being chased by a Great Dane during his daily run. His take-out lunch scarfed right off his desk by a basset hound with ears so long the animal had tripped on them while making his getaway. Performing a knee replacement on a police K9 unit dog, a German shepherd who’d been hurt in the line of duty. These were just a few of the crazy scenarios that invaded his sleep.
He had no idea what all that meant, but he figured it had something to do with the fact Marge had surprised him on Monday afternoon when she’d announced she’d found a meeting room for Annabel’s sessions and that they were ready to start this week.
Or maybe it was because over the weekend Thomas had started to do his own extensive research on the results achieved by dog therapy programs. He told himself it had nothing to do with Annabel and everything to do with his responsibility as a staff member at the hospital to know all he could about a program he’d indirectly offered to his patients.
Yeah, right.
So why had he been standing here in the hall on Wednesday afternoon, watching through the open doorway for the past fifteen minutes while Annabel and her dog worked the crowded room? He really needed to get back to his office.
“Dr. North?”
Thomas turned and found a trio of nurses from his surgical team passing him by in the hallway. “Ladies.”
“Hmm, that’s a new look for you, Doctor.” Michelle, the newest of the three and fresh out of the army, had only been at TC General for a month. “Blue is your color.”
One of the other nurses quickly elbowed her and the three hurried away, but not before Thomas saw the smiles on their faces.
Glancing down at the standard blue surgical scrubs he wore, Thomas silently acknowledged they were far from his usual attire of dress slacks, shirt and tie. The outfit, complete with thick-soled sneakers that were perfect for long hours on his feet, was comfortable and familiar. He’d practically lived in scrubs during his residency, but now they were something he was never seen in outside of surgery.
Until today.
Now that he thought about it, he’d gotten more than a few stares and smirks since he’d donned the clothes an hour ago. He’d planned to head to his office to change into the spare suit he kept there, but not until he’d completed his rounds.
Then he’d purposely taken a route that brought him right by this meeting room with the idea of observing Annabel for just a moment—
“Dr. North.” This time his name was spoken as a statement, not a question and by a voice that held the familiar rasp of maturity and authority Thomas had known his entire life. “I assume there is a fascinating explanation for your current attire.”
He turned back and there stood a wisp of a woman at just over five feet tall with steel-gray hair pulled back into a perfect chignon and the same icy blue eyes as him.
“Hello, Grandmother.”
She didn’t return his greeting as her chin rose a degree while her gaze traveled the length of him.
Thomas straightened his shoulders and stood a bit taller. Force of habit. Despite celebrating her eightieth birthday a few months ago and, more recently, her retirement from her position as a hospital administrato
r, Ernestine North was still a force to be reckoned with within the halls of TC General.
“And your choice of foot apparel, as well,” she finally said with a hint of a smile. “Please don’t keep me in suspense.”
“I had a patient who had an…er, adverse reaction to his medication while doing my rounds. This was the only choice for me to change into at the time.” Thomas relaxed and crossed his arms over his chest. “And I like your shoes, too.”
His grandmother leaned on her cane and lifted a foot, offering him a better display of her red-and-white polka-dot shoe with tiny white bows at the ankle peeking from the hem of her navy blue pantsuit. “Yes, they are adorable, aren’t they?”
“And a bit too tall. I thought your doctor said no more high heels.”
“I’m old. I don’t have to listen to him. Besides, the heel is less than two inches.” She set her foot down and waved the cane at him. “I don’t really need this. I just use it to make myself look authoritative.”
More likely because the cane had once belonged to his grandfather, until he had no use for it after his accident. She’d started using it the day of Joe’s funeral and Thomas had never seen her without it since. “You’re retired, Gran.”
“Yes, but many of the staff still fear me in my honorary position. I like it that way.”
“Gran—”
“But we weren’t talking about me. Did it ever occur to you to keep an extra suit in your office?”
“Of course.” Thomas grinned, enjoying the banter. “I’m headed there right now to change.”
“No, what you are doing is standing here. Why?” She glanced around, the double take when she spotted Annabel and her dog was slight, but Thomas saw it. “Ah, the dog whisperer.”
“She’s not a dog whisperer. Annabel Cates is certified in dog therapy and she’s doing a weekly session here at the hospital for anyone, including staff as you can see, who wish to stop by.”
His grandmother remained silent, the tilt to her head saying more than any words could.
Damn. Had he actually been defending her?
“Yes, I know who Miss Cates is. I read your memo and wanted to stop by and see how things were going.” His grandmother stepped closer to him and out of the way as people started to exit the room. “Apparently, I’m not the only one who thought to do so.”
Annabel’s sweet laughter spilled from the room and Thomas found it impossible not to look.
She knelt in front of a young girl who couldn’t have been more than three years old. The child tried to wrap her arms around the furry neck of Annabel’s dog, who sat quietly in front of her, his wagging tail the only part in motion. Annabel laid a hand on the dog’s shoulder and he bowed his head. The child completed her hug; the woman behind her who was doing her best to hold back her tears had to be the mother.
Annabel smiled when she accepted a hug, as well. She then turned, as if she’d felt his gaze on her, and sent him a quick wink he felt all the way to his toes.
“Thomas?”
It took more effort than it should, but Thomas gave his attention back to his grandmother, not realizing she’d stepped a few feet away to speak with a hospital volunteer. The woman in the pink smock walked away, but Ernestine stood there, a single arched brow that told him she was waiting for an answer to a question he hadn’t heard.
“I’m sorry, Gran. What did you say?”
“You seem different, Thomas. Where is that straitlaced, perfectionist grandson I know and love?”
Thomas fisted his hands for a moment, her words delivering a light blow he didn’t like. Because it was a direct hit?
“I am not straitlaced.”
“Of course you are. It’s a family trait. And I asked if you plan to attend your parents’ dinner party tomorrow night.”
Her question had him wanting to tighten his grip even more, but he relaxed it instead before his grandmother’s sharp gaze spotted his reaction. The woman was already well aware of the distance between him and his parents, thanks to having grown up more away from home than with them, but he’d go to their dinner party because his grandmother wanted him there. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“And please—” she paused, her lips pursed as if she was holding back a smile “—at least wear a tie.”
Unable to hold back his own grin, Thomas didn’t even try. “At the very least.”
She nodded once, turned and walked away, her steps graceful as always. He watched as she made it as far as the nurses’ station halfway down the hall before getting into an animated conversation with another staff member.
“Oh, I love her shoes.”
Annabel’s soft voice carried over his shoulder, catching him off guard. For a moment Thomas wondered if he should’ve left when his grandmother did, but Annabel had already seen him. He probably shouldn’t have stopped by at all. Being seen with her would only fuel the gossip.
A quick greeting and then he’d leave.
He faced her, noticing the meeting room was completely empty now. A couple of steps and he crossed the threshold before a slight nudge at his knee, followed by another more insistent bump, had him looking down at the dog at his feet.
“Smiley insisted on coming over to say hello.”
Thomas considered the dog’s expression and damn if the mutt didn’t look like he was smiling, before shifting his attention to its owner. “Did he now?”
“Well, I wanted to talk to you, too.” Annabel’s eyes sparkled. “Because I realized, despite that first meeting in your office, you and my best bud here haven’t ever been properly introduced.”
“Annabel, that’s not really necessary—”
“Smiley, I’d like you to meet Dr. Thomas North.” Annabel gave a gentle tug on the leash as she spoke to her dog. “He’s the one responsible for us being here and having such a great first session. Please say hello.”
The golden promptly sat and lifted one paw.
Thomas couldn’t hold back his laughter as he bent over, accepting the offering with a quick shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Smiley.”
As he knelt down before the dog and took its offered paw, he was struck by a realization. He, Dr. North, was on his knee shaking a dog’s paw. And enjoying it. Just like he enjoyed the dog’s unpredictable owner.
Chapter Six
It was silly, but Annabel had to blink back the sudden sting of tears biting her eyes as Thomas interacted with Smiley.
Happy tears, for sure.
Today had been wonderful with all the people who’d come by to meet her and Smiley at their introductory session, but Thomas stopping by to see them made the day perfect.
She’d been so worried no one would show, but then Madge, Thomas’s secretary, had called this morning and told her about the buzz the notices for her sessions were generating.
She and Smiley arrived this afternoon to find a half-dozen patients waiting and, as the hour passed, even more stopped by. Not everyone stayed for the entire session, but Smiley had made sure everyone got some much-needed attention.
Even a few of the hospital staff had wandered in, out of curiosity or looking for a bit of comfort or stress relief, an aspect of dog therapy Annabel hadn’t even considered until today.
“Did things go as well as you expected?” Thomas asked as he straightened. “I only caught the last few minutes of your session.”
Annabel grinned, watching from the corner of her eye as Smiley heaved a deep sigh that signaled his contentment before he lowered himself to the floor, paws stretched out over Thomas’s shoes. “Things went better than we could’ve hoped for.”
“You know, I was worried it might be depressing, so it surprised me at how uplifting and hopeful the session seemed to be.”
“Thanks. I think.”
He blushed and Annabel’s insides flutte
red like a mass of butterflies taking flight. She loved it.
“No, that’s not what I meant. I was just concerned—”
“Hey, I was only teasing.” She grabbed his arm and gave him a quick squeeze. The heat of his bare skin against her fingers set off those tingles she’d missed over the past five days. “I was worried, too, but today was more like a meet and greet. To give people a chance to get to know Smiley a bit and see if regular sessions are something they might be interested in.”
Thomas pulled from her touch and folded his arms, stretching the cotton material of the scrubs tight across his chest. His fingers rubbed at the spot where she’d made contact with him. Was that good or bad?
“Well, it looked like you had all the age groups covered,” he said. “Who was that last little girl I saw you with? She wasn’t wearing a patient band on her wrist.”
“No, her little brother was born two months premature and is still in intensive care. Their parents came by to check on the baby and the mother thought her little girl would enjoy meeting Smiley.”
“She certainly seemed to.”
“I’m glad they stopped by. Of course, the one person I was really hoping to see today was Forrest Traub. Do you know if he was notified about the session?”
A shadow passed over Thomas’s blue eyes. “Yes, I saw him on Monday and mentioned it.”
Her excitement deflated a bit. “He didn’t want to come?”
“He’s left town, Annabel.”
Confusion swamped her. “What? Why?”
“Something came up at his family’s ranch in Rust Creek Falls and he decided to return home.”
“But what about his leg?”
“I’ve done what I can, for now. He’s still healing and he assured me that scheduling private sessions with a local physical therapist is one of his priorities.”
Annabel didn’t like the seriousness of Thomas’s tone. Although she was glad Forrest would continue to work toward his full recovery, she was worried about his mental well-being.
Puppy Love in Thunder Canyon Page 6
