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“I know you are, Dr Jared. A lot of doctors wouldn’t give a flying flip whether or not an old lady took treatment or not. I appreciate you caring. You’re a good doctor.” She patted his hand, compassion conveyed in her arthritic fingers and her watery eyes. “And a good man.”
Her quiet praise jerked at his heart. “You’re special, Connie.”
They sat in silence, each quietly dealing with their emotions and Jared feeling awkward at how choked up Connie got him.
After a few moments pale eyes pinned him. “Don’t you think it’s time you found someone to share your life with?”
His eyes widened at her unexpected question. Unwilling to go into his personal life, even if Connie was his favorite patient and able to reduce him to feeling like an emotional schoolboy, Jared shook his head, then placed his stethoscope over her heart. He finished examining her, refilled a mild anxiety medicine she’d taken occasionally since Paul had died, then helped her to her feet.
She used her cane to brace herself and, once steady, wrapped her free arm around him. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
“You’re welcome, Connie.” He gave her a quick squeeze. “If you need anything, let me know.”
He walked with Connie into the hallway and bumped into Chelsea. Her eyes met his, and his pulse rate picked up pace, stampeding wildly through his body. She looked fantastic with her dark hair pulled back at her nape, her eyes dancing brightly and her skin glowing with the light tan she was getting from evening and weekend hours spent walking on the beach.
“Hi, Jared.” She flashed him a warm smile. A friendly smile.
“Chelsea.” His throat went dry and her name came out sounding peculiar. Odd how being near her could make his mouth water and his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth at the same time.
Connie glanced back and forth between them, then perked up much as she’d looked when he’d first walked into her exam room. “Well, my, my, aren’t you the sly one?” She gave him a pointed look. “Are you going to introduce me?”
“It’s not like that,” Jared began, not wanting Connie to get the wrong idea, but also not wanting to go into any explanations in front of Chelsea.
“Like what?” Connie’s wrinkled face curved upward. “All I asked for was an introduction.” She stuck her hand out toward a curious Chelsea. “Connie Black. Call me Connie.”
“Nice to meet you, Connie.” Chelsea clasped the woman’s hand, appeared startled when Connie turned her
palm upward and studied the lines on her hand.
“Ah, this one is a keeper.” A knobby finger moved over the lines on Chelsea’s palm, carefully studying the delicate paths. “She’s endured great things and loves with all her heart. You should remember that on these long, lonely nights.”
Jared wanted to sink through one of the cracks in the floor. He shot Chelsea an apologetic look, but found her pink-cheeked and studying Connie with interest.
“Dr Chelsea Majors,” she introduced herself when he failed to for the simple reason he’d gone mute. At least, that was his diagnosis of the fact his mouth failed to cooperate.
Chelsea’s smile grew wider, more engaging. “I’m Dr Will Majors’s sister.”
“Sister? Can’t say I knew he had a sister, but I usually see Dr Jared.” She gave Jared a look full of motherly affection. “He and I have been through a lot together.”
“Oh?” Chelsea’s brow rose.
“He diagnosed me with lung cancer several years ago.”
“Which she beat,” Jared quickly pointed out. “This little lady is made of tough stuff.”
Could Connie tell he was reminding her she could beat this round of cancer, too?
“Not so tough these days.”
“Yes, you are.” He refused to let her think otherwise. “Connie is my inspiration.”
“It’s time for some young thing to inspire you.” Connie glanced suggestively at Chelsea. “I’m old and past my prime.”
“Hardly.” He wanted to say more, but his words lodged in his throat yet again.
Connie continued to clasp Chelsea’s hand, pulling it toward her. “Do you have a minute?”
Chelsea shot Jared a questioning look, and he shrugged, not sure what Connie wanted. Even more uncertain he wanted the older woman alone with Chelsea as there was no telling what she’d suggest.
