“How are you going to search for Mrs. Right?”

“I’ll ask someone to help me,” J.D. said.

“Who?”

“You.”

Katie blinked owlishly, then leaned back in her chair as she narrowed her eyes to study him. “Me?”

He drew a deep breath and forged ahead. “Yeah. I’d like you to help me find a wife.”

JESSICA MATTHEWS has loved medical stories and hospital-based television programs from a young age. After a stint as a teenage candy striper, she pursued a career as a clinical laboratory scientist. When not writing, or on duty, she fills her day with countless family-and school-related activities. Jessica lives in the central United States with her husband, daughter and son.

His Made-to-Order Bride
Jessica Matthews

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my brother Steve, who brought a wonderful woman into the family seventeen years ago.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ONE

‘IT’S time you were married, James.’

James Berkley, known as J.D. to his friends, stared at his mother in open-mouthed incredulity. ‘You called me away from a patient to tell me that?’

At once he turned to frown at Katie Alexander, a former emergency medical technician and a recent nursing school graduate who’d summoned him with an urgent message from his mother. The apprehension on Katie’s face as she’d poked her head into his cubicle had convinced him to come immediately.

Expecting the worst, he’d hurried to meet his mother. And for what? To hear her tell him to get married.

Katie, an average-sized brunette with a cheerful disposition, clearly disregarded his black look as she casually shrugged. ‘Hey, don’t blame me. She said it concerned Daniel and since your patient has to wait for X-rays I thought you’d want to hear what your mom had to say.’

He started to object again, but Virginia broke in. ‘My conversation does concern Daniel. Indirectly.’

J.D. shot her one of his quelling glances, but Virginia, true to the backbone of steel underlying her southern gentility, didn’t flinch under his intimidating gaze.

‘I don’t regret stretching the truth for the chance to see you before I left town,’ she said in her slow Texas drawl, ‘so don’t take your frustration out on the poor girl.’

Katie grinned. ‘Yeah, Doctor. Listen to your mother.’

J.D. pinched the bridge of his nose. There were times when he wished his relationship with Katie wasn’t so easy-going. She didn’t cower under his sharp-eyed gaze like most of the nursing staff.

‘As for myself,’ Katie continued, ‘I’m glad to hear that Daniel isn’t sick. It’s October and not uncommon for kids to catch a bug of one sort or another.’

‘I agree, but the ER isn’t the place for this particular discussion,’ he stated firmly, silently warning Katie of the ramifications if she didn’t keep Virginia’s opening statement under wraps. Sheer luck had granted them privacy. He thanked whatever fates had been responsible for orchestrating the feat.

A bland expression crossed Katie’s face before she turned aside to rummage through a drawer for a fresh ink pen. ‘Don’t mind me. I didn’t hear a thing.’

‘May I please continue?’ Virginia interrupted. ‘I’ve spent the last few days with you and Daniel and while I’ve held my peace during the entire time I won’t any longer.’

‘Look, Mom,’ he said, allowing a note of desperation to colour his tone. ‘Why don’t we talk about this later?’

Virginia shook her head, without dislodging a single blonde hair of her short, sleek hairstyle. She was a petite woman who dressed impeccably, as befitting a woman of her social status. She’d come from a family who could trace their roots to the Mayflower and who had possessed the luck and foresight to invest in oil-rich land.

In spite of, or perhaps because of, her diminutive stature, she’d learned the fine art of command to get what she wanted. With several West Point and Annapolis graduates in her genealogy, her ability came naturally.

‘I’m sorry, but this simply can’t wait. The current state of affairs has gone on long enough. As you know, your father and I haven’t interfered in your life these past four years.’

J.D. raised one eyebrow and she amended her statement. ‘At least, not much. However I refuse to stand by and say nothing while my grandson’s mental health is at stake.’

He gritted his teeth, once again thinking of the patients needing medical attention. He didn’t have the time or the inclination to argue. ‘Daniel is a healthy, well-adjusted child. You’ve said so, yourself.’

Expecting her to embark on a debate, he held up his hands to forestall it. ‘In any case, you voiced your opinion. Now you can go home in good conscience.’

‘I’m not leaving until you understand the seriousness of the situation.’ Virginia crossed her arms, looking as if she intended to stay for the duration.

‘Right now, I understand that I have patients waiting, Mother. You know, sick people?’

‘I’m well aware of the demands of your job, J.D.,’ Virginia said in her no-nonsense voice, her back ramrod stiff. ‘If you’d quit wasting precious time, you could return to work.’

Katie closed the drawer and straightened. ‘The lounge is free,’ she offered, obviously trying to be helpful.

‘You’ll miss your flight,’ he said, ignoring Katie’s suggestion.

‘Then I’ll catch a later one,’ Virginia said, waving her manicured hand in careless abandon.

His temples began to throb and he recognised the beginnings of a tension headache. Nothing short of an act of God would divert his mother’s attention until the bee in her bonnet had been shaken loose.

‘Fine. Let’s go to the lounge.’

Wasting no time, he strode toward the employees’ private sanctuary, with Virginia following at his heels. He flung open the door and took a bracing breath, ignoring the odour of the baked cod someone had purchased from the hospital cafeteria.

She spoke as soon as he closed the door. ‘You may not believe me when I say this, but Daniel needs a mother.’

J.D. poured the last dregs of coffee into his mug and flipped the unit’s switch to ‘off’. He didn’t care if it was leaning towards being a solid rather than a liquid; he intended to fortify himself for an unpleasant conversation.

‘What brought on this revelation?’ he asked, hiding the fact that the same thoughts had run through his mind from time to time. However, he’d always dismissed them as easily as they’d come.

‘Before I left Daniel at his pre-school we stopped at the market where I heard the most awful gossip.’

‘That’s your problem, Mom. You’re listening to a bunch of old biddies who don’t have anything to do all day but embellish the truth.’

‘For your information, these weren’t “old biddies”,’ she replied tartly. ‘They had young children with them. One woman even had an infant.’

He raised his mug in a salute. ‘I stand corrected.’

‘Regardless, you’re getting quite a reputation.’

J.D.’s exasperation turned to amusement. ‘I am?’

‘Absolutely,’ Virginia declared. ‘Women are in and out of your house like it has a revolving door. Young, old and everyone in between. I don’t need to describe in detail what everyone believes. “Kinky” was mentioned. So was “gay”.’

He rolled his eyes in disgust. ‘Oh for…’ His voice died. ‘Not true. Just because three or four women help with Daniel, that doesn’t mean I’m having a relationship with them. And, since I’m not, it doesn’t mean my sexual preferences are skewed.’

Virginia interrupted. ‘No, but you know how people talk. Do you want Daniel exposed to rumour and innuendo? Children repeat their parents’ conversations, you know.’

‘My two neighbours are your age, Mom,’ he reminded her. ‘Both of them are dying for a grandchild to spoil, so they dote on Daniel. We have a wonderful arrangement—Martha cooks, Henrietta cleans and they take turns looking after Daniel in the mornings and bringing him to day care.

‘Then Katie picks him up when she gets off at three and watches him until I come home later in the evening. When she’s unavailable I call some other friends I know who are willing to look after him for a few hours. He’s used to being around different people.’

‘Aha!’ Virginia stated triumphantly. ‘Daniel doesn’t know a stranger. Anyone could request to take him home and he’d willingly go with them.’

J.D. rubbed the back of his neck. ‘We have safeguards in place, Mom. Not only do we have a schedule posted at home so he’s aware of where he’s going and with whom, but we’ve talked about strangers. And we have a password.’

‘I’m sure you have all the bases covered, so to speak, but your son needs continuity in his life. He shouldn’t be passed from caretaker to caretaker like an unwanted puppy. The poor child practically lives out of a suitcase.’

J.D. thought of Daniel’s tote bag leaning against his closet door, waiting for someone to unpack the clothes and toys inside. He quickly squelched the guilt his mother’s comments created.

‘Daniel likes all of his sitters,’ he stated firmly. ‘This arrangement has worked well for everyone. But if it will make you happier, I’ll advertise for a live-in nanny.’

‘Daniel needs a mother, and you,’ Virginia emphasised, ‘need a wife. Please, don’t take this wrong, but you’re getting positively dull. The lively young man I raised has disappeared.’

He gave a small smile, remembering the escapades of his younger days. The demands of medical school had curbed some of his spirit, but not all of it. Everything had changed, however, when Ellen had disappeared from his life.

‘He grew up, Mom.’

‘Nonsense. Ellen’s death was difficult for you, but after all this time you simply must close that chapter and begin a new one. It isn’t healthy for you or for Daniel.’

‘Mother—’ he began.

‘It’s time you started looking for someone to share your life,’ Virginia continued, as if he hadn’t tried to interrupt. ‘One of these days Daniel will move away from home and you’ll be left alone.’

‘Daniel’s four. I shouldn’t need to worry about that happening soon,’ he said dryly.

‘Believe me, the years fly by. It was only yesterday when you were his age, asking the same one hundred and one questions he does.’ Her eyes grew misty before she blinked the moisture away. ‘Just look at you. Thirty-six years old and a doctor. It doesn’t seem possible.’

He hated it when his mother turned sentimental. He could hold his own when it came to facts and logic, but when she became emotional he had no defence.

Virginia placed a hand over his. ‘I want you to be happy, James.’

‘I am.’

She didn’t appear convinced. ‘You always told me how much you hated being an only child. You informed me on several occasions that our house was a mausoleum in comparison to everyone else’s.’

The memory brought a faint smile to his mouth. Returning from a visit with his friends, it had been like stepping into another world, one without the boisterous noise of family living. While his buddies had envied him not having pesky siblings underfoot, he’d anticipated sleepovers at their houses with the same eagerness as Christmas and birthdays.

Times were different, though. If things had worked out with Ellen, perhaps his childish dream would have come true. The proverbial lemons had rolled into his life and J.D. was doing his best to turn the sour fruit into lemonade.

‘I’m not getting married just so Daniel will have a mother.’ He spoke adamantly. ‘If I could juggle my career with the demands of an infant, I certainly can manage my work with a pre-school child.’

‘That’s not the point. You both would benefit from having a feminine influence in your lives.’

‘With all the women parading through my home, I thought I had plenty,’ he said, tongue-in-cheek.

She narrowed her eyes in a glance intended to stifle his mocking tone. ‘A permanent feminine influence. In any case, I’m only asking you to start making yourself available. Start checking out the single young ladies in town for suitability, then let them know you’re ready for a relationship. You’re a good catch, if I say so myself.’

‘I’m not a fish and I’m not interested in being caught. When I run across the right person, I’ll act on it. In the meantime—’

‘If you think this so-called “right” person will fall from the sky and into your lap, you can think again,’ Virginia said tartly. ‘You have to put forward some effort.’

Obviously nothing he said would change her mind. If allowing her to believe that he was obeying her suggestion gave him a respite from her interference, he refused to feel remorse over the small deception.

‘OK, OK. Point taken. I’ll keep my eyes open for Mrs Right.’ If the perfect woman crossed his path, well and good. If she didn’t, so be it. He didn’t intend to beat the bushes to find her.

A satisfied expression crossed Virginia’s face. ‘I’m glad you’ve seen the light.’

‘Remember, though, Mercer is a small town,’ he cautioned, trying to squash any great expectations she might have. ‘Eligible women are hard to come by.’

Virginia pursed her lips. ‘I suppose so. In that case, I’ll work on it from my end, too.’ She tapped a forefinger to one temple. ‘Moving to Mercer might be a drawback. You aren’t interested in returning to the city, are you?’

‘No, I’m not.’

‘Hmm,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘The location might not pose an insurmountable problem. Mercer is a quaint community. A bit lacking in cultural opportunities, perhaps, but there are worse places to live. I’m sure I can find a charming young woman who sees the benefits of marriage to a handsome physician. The advantages will certainly outweigh any drawbacks to living in a small town.’

‘I think I can handle this on my own,’ he said dryly.

‘I’m sure you can, but a little help wouldn’t hurt.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Oh, dear. Look at the time. I must be off. I’m so glad we had this chat and came to an understanding. Now, don’t you feel better?’

He didn’t, but refrained from comment.

Virginia gave him a hug which he genuinely reciprocated. ‘I’ll be in touch to check on your progress.’ After issuing her parting statement, she glided out of the room.

Alone with his thoughts, J.D. stared at the swirls forming on top of his coffee. Check on his progress? Not likely! He didn’t have the energy or interest to pursue a personal relationship at this stage of his life.

His first experience would have to suffice for the time being.

From the moment he’d seen Ellen McGraw, he’d gone positively nuts over her. He’d been filling in as a locum for his friend while he’d gone on his honeymoon. Ellen had been in town for a medical records convention, had developed a horrible case of laryngitis and dropped in for a prescription. During the course of the following weeks, he’d fallen hopelessly in love. Life simply couldn’t have got any better, or so he’d thought.

His best-laid plans fell apart when he’d wanted to introduce her to his parents. Without warning, she’d sent him the proverbial ‘Dear John’ letter. Before he’d been able to convince her that her blue-collar background wouldn’t matter to his blue-blooded family, she’d disappeared, lock, stock and barrel, from her apartment. No one had known a forwarding address, or if they had, they’d refused to divulge it.

During the subsequent months, he’d hired a private investigator, but leads had been non-existent. J.D. had secured a job in Mercer’s ER and, by sheer luck, discovered that her trail had ended in the exact same place. Unfortunately, she’d been fatally injured in a car accident some months before his arrival. If not for the skill of Tristan Lockwood, her child—his son, Daniel—wouldn’t have survived either.

His existence since then revolved around caring for the legacy Ellen had left behind and establishing his career. He had little time for anything else and truthfully, he liked it that way.

As for needing a wife, one certainly would have come in handy when Daniel had been an infant. He’d even contemplated entering into a marriage of convenience with Ellen’s friend, Beth, but she’d been too much in love with Tristan to settle for second best.

In the end, he organised his life as best he could. A fair number of people criticised him for not allowing Beth and Tristan to adopt Daniel, as they’d planned before J.D. arrived on the scene. Katie, however, stepped in to help, without passing judgement and without offering unwelcome advice. She had been—and still was—a godsend.

His household arrangements had worked well since the day he’d brought Daniel home and consequently, he didn’t intend to fix what wasn’t broken. Yes, there were times when he felt like something in his life was missing—after Daniel had gone to bed and he was alone with his newspaper and the television remote—but that wasn’t a good excuse to get married.

His mother would simply have to understand.

His resolve strengthened, he flung open the door and came face to face with Katie.

She visibly jumped, her brown eyes wide with surprise. ‘Don’t do that,’ she scolded, tossing her nutmeg-colored ponytail over one shoulder. ‘You scared the daylights out of me.’

‘Who did you think would be in here?’ he asked, amused by her reaction.

‘I wasn’t expecting to find you in the doorway,’ she returned. ‘No one has seen you since your mom left fifteen minutes ago. I assumed you were in here licking your wounds.’

‘Hardly,’ he said dryly. ‘I’ve developed a tough enough shell that my mother can’t inflict any damage.’

‘Ah,’ she said knowingly. ‘Then you must have been fantasising over the future Mrs Doctor Berkley.’

‘Regardless of what my mother believes, Daniel and I are doing just fine. I’ll find the future Mrs Berkley when I’m good and ready. I won’t be railroaded into marriage.’

Scepticism crossed her elfin features. ‘Your mother sounded very serious. She won’t let you off the hook.’

He groaned. ‘Please. Mom has already referred to me as a good catch. I can’t handle any more fishing references.’

‘You don’t want to hear about how there are lots of fish in the sea to choose from? Or how if you don’t act, the one you want will get away? Then there’s the one about catching as many as you can and throwing out the ones you don’t want.’

‘No, I don’t.’

She snapped her fingers. ‘Darn. In any case, Virginia’s right. You’re a very eligible bachelor in this community.’

‘Yeah, well, eligible or not, I have patients to see.’

‘Not any more. Marty took care of Mrs Natelson and her toe. You, on the other hand, have just received an important summons from Allan Yates. Delivered personally, I might add.’

His disposition improved instantly. ‘Really? I’ll bet it’s over the proposal I gave him last week.’

‘Probably so. Anyway…’ she stepped forward to straighten the collar of his white lab coat ‘…he wants you there as soon as possible. Too bad you’re not wearing a power suit today instead of scrubs.’

‘I want to impress him with my proposal, not my appearance,’ he commented, looking down on her from his six-foot height.

‘I know, but it wouldn’t hurt to look like the distinguished head of Mercer’s Emergency Services that you are. Maybe you should change back into your street clothes.’

He shook his head. ‘What he sees is what he gets. This distinguished head doesn’t sit behind a desk all day.’

‘Do you at least have a comb?’

He dug in his hip pocket and removed a small black plastic comb. Using his reflection in the window as a guide, he straightened his sandy-colored hair. ‘Wish me luck.’

She displayed crossed fingers on both hands. ‘You got it. Go and dazzle him with your statistics and your wit.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

Ten minutes later, as J.D. was seated across from Allan Yates in the chief CEO’s office, he was once again reminded of why he hated hospital politics. He preferred sticking to what he knew best—medicine—and leaving the diplomacy and posturing to the statesmen.

However, as Katie had mentioned, his job as chief of Mercer Memorial’s Emergency Services Department included those administrative duties he disliked. He had to play the politicking game—within reason—to get what he wanted.

Right now, he wanted to revamp his department to include the formation of a minor emergency centre—a place where the lesser emergencies could be treated without tying up rooms designed for more critical situations.

As he surveyed the professionally decorated room with its plush carpeting, hand-crafted bookcases and opulent furnishings, he refused to feel inadequate in his clean but comfortable scrubs. He led by action and example, not by decree, and he was proud of it.

Allan cleared his throat, clasped his hands together and placed them on top of his oak desk. ‘You’ve prepared an impressive document, J.D.’

J.D. allowed himself a small smile, although inwardly he was grinning from ear to ear. After months of research, hours of organising facts and figures and a week of waiting for Yates’s summons, the praise was like music to his ears.

‘Thank you.’

‘You realise, however, that another department has also requested the same area to expand their operation. My wife, Candace, has written a thorough proposal, too.’

J.D. didn’t doubt his claim for one second. Candace Yates had had the good fortune to have her husband’s insight in preparing her case.

‘This puts me in quite a dilemma,’ Allan continued. ‘I usually give the board my recommendation—point out the pros and cons—but this time I’m between a rock and a hard place. I’d hate for someone to accuse me of showing favouritism.’

Although J.D. understood the man’s quandary, he douted the sincerity of Allan’s apologetic look. Allan was a personable man in his late forties who possessed a shrewd head for business, but whenever his termagant of a wife wanted something she was rumoured to make his life miserable until he granted her request.

Having seen Candace’s modus operandi at first-hand, J.D. didn’t discount the gossip. After seeing them together on one occasion, he’d been reminded of a nervous Yorkshire terrier yipping at the heels of a placid basset hound. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if anyone had ever summoned the nerve to call her Candy. If they had, he was sure the woman would have breathed fire on the hapless victim.

It was enough to make a man swear off the blessed state of matrimony.

‘I understand your problem,’ J.D. answered smoothly.

‘As I’m sure you also know,’ Allan said, ‘that final decision rests with the hospital’s board of directors.’

‘Yes, I do.’ Part of him sighed in relief that Allan didn’t have the authority to kill his proposal before it received a proper hearing, otherwise, he doubted if an endorsement as high as the Presidential seal of approval would sway Allan’s opinion in the Emergency Department’s favor.

On the other hand, Mercer’s BOD was a formidable bunch. At least three of its members weren’t known to embrace change unless they didn’t have any other viable options. Even so, he’d rather take his chances with them.

Allan leaned back in his chair, making the leather creak under his weight. ‘Would you be interested in some constructive criticism?’

Suddenly wary of the administrator’s motives, J.D. nodded. He couldn’t imagine what vital piece of information he had omitted from his report.

‘The only problem I see with your proposal is…’ He hesitated before he finished. ‘Is you.’

CHAPTER TWO

J.D. HAD prepared himself to counter every possible argument, but Allan’s personal attack left him momentarily speechless. ‘Me?’

Allan nodded. ‘A project of this magnitude requires commitment.’

J.D. forced himself to portray a calmness he didn’t feel. ‘I’ve been researching this idea for the past three months. This isn’t something I dreamed up yesterday.’

‘It’s not the paperwork aspect. The board members might be more inclined to lend their approval if they’re assured of your intentions to see the project to its completion.’

J.D. scoffed as he crossed his arms. ‘Of course I’ll see it through to the end. Why wouldn’t I?’

‘You don’t have any long-lasting ties to our community.’

‘I’ve lived and worked in Mercer for nearly four years,’ J.D. pointed out. ‘I’ve enjoyed living here and don’t have any plans to hunt for a new job.’

‘I’m sure everyone will be relieved to hear that, but you’re not married.’

J.D. narrowed his eyes. ‘What bearing does my marital status have on improving our emergency service?’

Allan hesitated. ‘May I be blunt?’

J.D. mentally braced himself. ‘Yes.’

‘We’re all aware of your privileged background,’ Allan began. ‘Living in Mercer, your prospects of finding someone with a similar social standing are slim to none. Since you’ll want to avoid the same situation you found yourself in before…’

J.D. knew he was referring to his ill-fated romance with Ellen. His blood pressure rose.

Allan cleared his throat. ‘I’m sure you’ll choose more wisely next time. In any case, a woman used to the Dallas jet set won’t be satisfied living in Mercer. You wouldn’t be the first man forced to concede to his wife’s wishes.’

‘Aren’t you jumping the gun a little? I don’t have a wife, nor do I have one in mind. And, for the record,’ J.D. said coldly, ‘I don’t intend to get involved with any woman who objects to the location or scope of my medical practice.’

Allan didn’t appear convinced. ‘Be that as it may, if memory serves, you don’t own your home either.’

‘So?’ J.D. didn’t soften the belligerent note in his voice. ‘What’s wrong with renting?’

‘It could be construed as you having no intentions to remain in this community for long. People who own property won’t pick up and move at the first sign of adversity.’

Had Allan forgotten that houses could be sold? J.D. clamped his jaws together to refrain from saying something he might regret later. Suddenly the motivation behind the administrator’s comments became crystal clear.

‘This is about Leland, isn’t it?’ Leland Purdy was a single physician who’d come to Mercer a year ago. An eloquent speaker with enough ideas to turn the world around, he hadn’t stayed long enough to implement the very changes he’d spearheaded. In the meantime, the section heads who’d tried to accommodate his wishes were forced to deal with the chaos he’d left behind.

‘No, but now that you mention Leland I’m sure his name will come up in the discussion.’

J.D. was willing to bet money on the identity of the ‘someone’ who would point out the similarities between Leland and himself. Allan would plant enough doubt in the board’s collective mind to make J.D.’s proposal sound risky. In the end, Allan’s long association with Mercer Memorial would be pointed out and Candace’s request would seem the more sensible of the two.

He cut right to the chase. ‘So, the bottom line is since I’m not a happily married man with a mortgage my chances of the board approving my proposal are slim to none.’

Allan raised both hands as if to placate him. ‘Well, now, J.D. I won’t presume to second-guess our hospital BOD. I’m simply pointing out the obvious. As they say, forewarned is forearmed.’

Anxious to leave before his temper exploded, J.D. rose. ‘Absolutely.’

‘I’ll certainly put in a good word for your project, though. Don’t you worry.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’ J.D. wasted little time in reaching the exit and took extra care to avoid slamming the door behind him.

He bestowed a forced smile on Allan’s secretary in the outer office, before heading toward familiar—and friendly—territory.

He burst through the pendulum-like double doors intent on finding Katie. Not only did she share his vision for establishing an area specifically for the minor emergencies, but she was the person both he and Daniel had come to rely on for the past four years. A quiet, dependable, level-headed young lady, she looked after Daniel almost as much as he did.

Best of all, she acted as his sounding board. If there had ever been a time when he’d needed her in that capacity, it was now. Luckily, he found her sitting at the nurses’ station.

Katie glanced at him, the smile on her face dying to a frown. ‘I don’t need to ask how your meeting went.’

He glowered. ‘No, you don’t.’

‘What did Allan think of your report?’

He didn’t hide his disgust as he plunked himself on a vacant office chair. ‘The report was fine. And, to quote Allan, “an impressive document”.’

A tense moment passed before she prompted, ‘But?’

‘But I’m a risky element.’

She stared at him in open-mouthed disbelief. ‘What?’

J.D. patiently explained. ‘Allan questions whether I’ll be here to see my project to completion.’

‘Where did he get that idea?’

‘From Leland.’

‘Dr Purdy?’ Incredulity crossed her face. ‘What has he got to do with anything?’

J.D. shrugged. ‘Leland left for greener pastures. Allan thinks I will, too.’

‘But Dr Purdy always said Mercer was a stepping-stone to bigger and better things. He was quite vocal about it.’

‘Yeah, well, since we’re both tarred with the same brush of bachelorhood, Allan figures I’m just as footloose and fancy-free.’

Katie crossed her arms and her brown eyes blazed with indignation. ‘That’s preposterous! You’re a single parent with responsibilities, and Dr Purdy had none. I doubt if the man even knew what the inside of his apartment looked like. He went out with nearly every woman in the county.’

J.D. was well aware of the other man’s habits. His colleague had tried to include him on some of his evenings around town, but J.D. had never taken him up on his offers. Curiosity prompted him to ask, ‘You went on a date with him, too?’

She appeared affronted. ‘I said nearly every woman. I wasn’t his type. In any case, it’s an insult for Allan to lump you in the same category as that Romeo.’

J.D. straightened a paperclip, then reshaped it into a square. ‘I’ll admit I wasn’t flattered by the comparison. Renting my house is also a point against me. I could skip town at a moment’s notice.’

Her expression became thoughtful. ‘Owning property does imply a certain amount of stability. It’s also a good long-term investment.’

‘Yeah, I suppose,’ he said, thinking of the inherent worries associated with such a major purchase. He hadn’t avoided purchasing a house—it was just that he was satisfied with the one he had. Nor did he have any complaints against his landlord—if something needed to be fixed, Mr Hepplewhite took care of it almost immediately.

As an added bonus, the location of his home was within walking distance of the hospital and a neighbourhood elementary school. As far as J.D. was concerned, he had an ideal arrangement.

‘Next you’ll tell me that I need something along the lines of a five-acre estate.’

‘At the very least,’ she said, a teasing glint in her eyes. ‘You could even add a few horses, a couple of cows, a dog and a family of cats, too. My neighbour has a few kittens ready to wean. Daniel would love taking care of a kitty or two.’

‘A dog, maybe. A cat? Forget it.’

She chuckled. ‘Rambunctious little boys and playful puppies go together better than little boys and cats, I guess.’

Her smile died and her voice became tentative. ‘What are you planning to do?’

An unholy thought occurred to him. ‘Other than perform a sigmoidoscopy on Allan without anaesthetic?’

Her grin returned. ‘Yeah. Other than that.’

‘I’m willing to do what I can to improve the emergency services department. I’ll buy a house, or build one if need be, but getting married is out of the question.’

Katie turned away to rummage through a drawer. ‘You’re right. That would be the ultimate sacrifice.’

Oddly enough, her voice sounded cool.

‘You’ve always been honest with me,’ he began, fearing he’d offended her in some way. ‘Surely you can see my point. My proposal should stand on its own merits and nothing else.’

She straightened to meet his gaze. ‘I won’t argue with you. However, a few of the more conservative members may agree with Allan. You should be prepared for that eventuality.’

‘The board is composed of intelligent people,’ J.D. said. ‘They’ll see how much more efficient and cost-effective the ER will be if they approve my idea.’

‘Are you willing to gamble that your personal life won’t influence their decision?’

Part of him was, but a small voice warned him of the perils associated with assuming how people would think. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt if he conducted a little PR of his own before his report appeared on the next board meeting’s agenda.

The first phase of his plan included paying a visit to Dr Robert Casey, the medical director. Unfortunately, J.D.’s medical skills were constantly called for as the day unfolded and he shelved his idea for the time being.

Around three o’clock, Katie caught him in the hallway before he could see his next patient and handed him a packet of radiology films. ‘After you’re through looking at these, I have two more kids with high temps and sore throats waiting. Can I put them in one of the trauma rooms?’

He hated the idea of tying up their triage facilities in case a life-threatening situation arrived, yet he couldn’t accept making sick people wait unnecessarily.

In the end, he decided to play the odds. ‘OK, but keep one available in case we get an ambulance call. Maybe I should give Yates a call so he can actually see what we deal with on a daily basis.’

‘Good idea, but he plays golf on Wednesday afternoons. You’ll have to catch him tomorrow.’

‘It figures. Must be nice to take off whenever you want.’

‘I’d settle for the opportunity to leave when my eight-hour shift is over.’ With that parting statement, she disappeared.

Carrying the X-rays, J.D. strode into the cubicle where fifteen-year-old Alyssa Ford, still cradling her bandaged left hand in her lap, was waiting with her mother.

‘Let’s see what the pictures show,’ he said as he thrust the films into the wall-mounted viewbox. He studied them for a few minutes, then gave his diagnosis.

‘Your wrist is sprained, but not broken,’ he informed the teenager. ‘No volleyball for several weeks, I’m afraid.’

‘But the season ends next week,’ the girl protested. ‘It doesn’t feel bad if it’s wrapped. Can’t I play in the last game? I’m going to be one of the starters.’

He shook his head. ‘I know it’s tough to be on the injured list, but if you don’t take care of yourself now you could do irreparable damage. Unless, of course, you don’t ever want to play volleyball again?’ He raised one eyebrow.

The girl’s Cupid’s-bow mouth formed a resigned pout. ‘All right. If I have to sit out, I will.’

‘Check with your family physician in a few weeks to get your medical release in case you want to participate in other sports. Any questions?’

The Fords’ negative responses came simultaneously.

He gave Alyssa a sympathetic glance. ‘It won’t be for ever. If you play your cards right, there might be some young man who’s interested in carrying your book bag for a while.’

Alyssa’s eyes brightened and her cheeks turned pink as she obviously considered the possibilities.

Glad to see the teenager’s spirits had lifted, he said his goodbyes, then left. Before he reached the nurses’ station, Dr Casey intercepted him.

‘J.D. I’m glad to have caught you. Can you spare a few minutes?’ The slim, fifty-year-old chief of staff delivered his question in such a way that J.D. didn’t dare refuse.

‘Sure. I wanted to talk to you, anyway.’ J.D. thrust his hospital-issue pen into the left breast pocket of his green scrub shirt, tucked the medical record under his arm and waited expectantly for his superior to speak first.

Dr Casey motioned towards the ambulance dock. ‘Do you mind if we step outside? I’d rather get away from listening ears.’

Puzzled over the request, J.D. glanced at Katie who was standing behind the desk. Her wide eyes and the shrug of her shoulders suggested she knew as much as he did, which amounted to nothing.

He placed the Ford girl’s chart on the counter. ‘Fine with me. I could use a breath of fresh air.’

He strode alongside the other physician, comparing his shapeless scrubs to Robert’s expertly tailored herringbone tweed suit, grey shirt and multicoloured silk tie. Funny thing how ever since Katie had made the comment about power suits, he’d become keenly conscious of his colleagues’ attire.

His own closet was filled with similar apparel, but he had little occasion to wear them. Then again, he didn’t feel the need or have the desire to impress people. In an emergency, no one cared what he wore; it was his expertise that counted.

The cool October breeze, the fresh scent of wood smoke from someone’s fireplace and the open space was the perfect tonic to counteract the stuffy, crowded, sterile confines of the ER.

Taking a deep breath, he motioned Robert to a sheltered alcove. A sand-filled urn bearing a multitude of cigarette butts provided evidence of this being a popular spot among the smoking members of Mercer’s staff.

‘I’ll get right to the point,’ Robert said once they were alone. ‘What’s this I hear about you leaving town?’

J.D. walked into his kitchen later that evening and heard the soft whirl of Katie’s sewing machine. Out of habit, he hung the keys to his van on the ornamental key hook near the door.

The dish of pepper steak and rice waiting in the refrigerator didn’t appeal to him. Mentally exhausted from the day, even his favourite dessert of cherry cheesecake didn’t tempt his taste buds. Considering the mood he was in, he needed something with a little more pizzazz to raise his spirits.

A six-pack of Coors beer—left over from a September Labour Day party—beckoned and he gratefully retrieved one bottle. He turned away from the fridge to screw off the cap and noticed Katie, standing in the doorway.

She wore a pair of blue denim jeans and an oversized red Kansas City Chiefs sweatshirt. The ends of her long light brown hair brushed against the bend of her elbow as she carried a wad of multicoloured fabric in her arms.

‘It’s ten o’clock. You’re later than I’d expected,’ she mentioned.

Her tentative tone reminded him of how short-tempered he’d been ever since his meeting with Robert. Even Katie had felt his bite and had wisely left him alone to the point where she didn’t even say goodbye at the end of her shift as was her custom.

‘Busy evening.’ He took another long swig.

‘Daniel’s asleep.’

‘I assumed he was.’

She held up the mass of material. ‘I’ve been working on his Hallowe’en costume.’

‘So he’s finally decided on what he wants to be?’

Katie nodded. ‘After watching Peter Pan, he chose Captain Hook. We found a package of props and some face paint at the store tonight. I hope you don’t mind that I already bought them, but as it was the last set, I was afraid to wait.’

‘Good idea.’

‘Have you eaten?’

‘Not since lunch.’

‘Maybe you should.’

He caught her eyeing the nearly empty bottle in his hand. ‘Don’t worry, I will.’

‘Want to talk about whatever’s bothering you?’

J.D. sank onto a kitchen chair. ‘Not really, but you may as well know the latest. In fact, I’m surprised you don’t already know.’

She sat across from him. ‘Sorry. I don’t take time to gossip at work. Too busy.’

‘Allan’s started the rumour that I’m leaving Mercer.’

Her brown eyes widened. ‘You’re kidding. Are you sure?’

‘I don’t know it for a fact, but the odds of Allan being responsible are extremely good,’ he said glumly, before polishing off the contents of his bottle. ‘Dr Casey came specifically to the ER to ask if the story was true.’

She placed the half-finished costume on the table. ‘So you set him straight. No big deal.’

‘Ah, but, dear Katie, it is a big deal.’ He rose to retrieve another bottle from the refrigerator. ‘With the gossip floating around, Robert is afraid that my chances of the MEC getting approval are slim to none.’

‘I don’t see why,’ she zealously defended him. ‘Once you explain, the board will understand.’

‘Ah, but therein lies the rub. I have to put my money where my mouth is. If I’m staying, which I am, then my actions have to corroborate my story.’

‘Fine. Contact a Realtor and start looking for a house.’

‘It’s not quite so simple. To muddy the waters even more, two of the board members—Robert wouldn’t name them, but I have a good idea who they are—don’t hold too high an opinion of me. According to them, a single man has no business raising a child by himself when a couple was ready, willing and able.’

‘They’re still harping over ancient history? My word, that was four years ago!’

‘Yeah, well, from their attitude, you’d think it happened yesterday.’

J.D. knew the Lockwoods would have cherished Daniel; they treated him as tenderly as one of their own now. In fact, if anything happened to him, he wouldn’t object to them taking Daniel into their home.

The depth of Beth’s and Tristan’s love hadn’t had any bearing on J.D.’s long-ago decision to assume responsibility for his son, however. It had boiled down to his need to look after the precious gift Ellen had left behind.

Apparently the self-righteous busybodies of Mercer couldn’t understand such a novel concept.

On the flip side, those same critics would have found fault if he hadn’t taken on his familial responsibilities. It was a definite no-win situation.

Disapproval over his decision had come from every side, but Katie had been a staunch supporter. He wouldn’t have survived those dark days if not for her encouragement and her help.

‘They’re certainly not going to look favourably on any project I’ll introduce,’ he added.

Katie’s eyes burned with a fierce light. ‘Ophelia Weatherbee and Silas Cunningham, I’ll bet. They should have retired from the board years ago. The sanctimonious pair of buzzards.’

He grinned at her apt description. ‘Be that as it may, with their jaded opinion of me, plus Allan’s behind-the-scenes manipulation, I only have one way to prove the gossip false.’

‘From the way you’re drowning your sorrows…’ she motioned toward his bottle once again ‘…I assume your idea is more drastic than buying your own home.’

J.D. paused long enough for another swig. ‘It is. I’m going to get married.’

‘Married?’ She sounded incredulous.

‘It’s crazy, I know.’

‘But I thought you didn’t want to.’

‘I’m not averse to the institution of matrimony. I just haven’t met the right person,’ he clarified.

Katie pressed her lips together as she studied her fingernails for a long moment. ‘Well, then. There’s no need to ask who the lucky woman is.’

‘Not yet.’

‘Going to run an ad in the personal column?’ she asked dryly. ‘That should bring every single woman in Mercer knocking on your door.’

‘Nope,’ he said, wrapping his hands around the bottle. ‘No personal ad. Like you said, since I’m such an eligible bachelor and a great catch, I’ll have females crawling out of the woodwork.’

The smooth brown glass felt cool against his sweaty palms. Katie was vital to the success of his plan and if he couldn’t convince her he was doomed.

‘Then how are you going to search for Mrs Right?’

He clutched the bottle tightly. ‘I’ll ask someone to help me.’

‘Who?’

‘You.’

She blinked owlishly, then leaned back in her chair as she narrowed her eyes to study him. ‘Me?’

He drew a deep breath and forged ahead. ‘Yeah. I’d like you to help me find a wife.’

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