Heart of Hope: Books 1-4 Read online

  I gave a short nod as I stepped back. “Have a good day, Ms. Maynard.” I started to leave.

  “Dr. Foster?”

  I looked over my shoulder. “Yes.”

  She bit her lip. “Maybe we could get together sometime.”

  “I’ve got to get to work.”

  Instead of getting to work though, I headed to the lounge. I laughed inwardly as I poured myself a cup of coffee for a mid-morning pick-me-up. I wondered how long before Joyce would get the hint or give up. I wasn’t interested in her. Even if Joyce wasn’t annoying in her attempts to come on to me, I wouldn’t be interested her. Not that I didn’t like women, because I did. A lot. I tended to like down-to-earth woman, over store bought, although I had to admit, Joyce got her money's worth on those implants.

  Maybe a few years ago, I might have taken her up on her offer if it wasn’t already unethical for me to do so since she was a patient. Today, I was more discriminating in my women. In a small town like this, a young bachelor is a target of every mother wanting to marry off her daughter. But I’d found that the women who are more interested in my perceived wealth (I’m paid pretty well, but I’ve got student loans up the wazoo) or small-town prestige, aren’t very interesting. Oh sure, they’re quite agreeable, but so much so that they’re boring.

  The few women who were interesting got annoyed at me quickly when I was called away to work. As a small town doctor, I’m on call a lot. Sometimes I’m called in when I’m not on call if one of the other few doctors here can’t make it. Other times, it’s clear they’re looking for a husband. I had nothing against marriage. At one time, I’d considered asking a woman to marry me. She was the proverbial “one that got away.” She was probably why I had trouble with relationships now.

  Despite the fact that our relationship didn’t make it, she was the one that all women were compared to intellectually, personality-wise, and even physically. She was the woman I conjured up if the woman I was with wasn’t going to get me off. She was the woman in my fantasies when I was home alone with my hand to jerk me off.

  Mia chose a life as a big-city lawyer in Los Angeles instead of returning to our childhood home with me after we finished our advanced degrees. Her brother, Eli, was here in Goldrush Lake, running the family’s outdoor store. He’d been my best friend growing up and in college. Now he hated me. He hadn’t taken it well when he learned about my more-than-friendly relationship with Mia. The fact that I’d loved her didn’t matter. I’d fucked her and he found that to be a betrayal.

  Their mother, Jane Parker, had been the woman who died in the car accident just over a year ago. I hadn’t treated her, because she was like family to me. But I was with her while she was in the emergency room. She’d made me promise to look after her husband, Jim, who’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s the year before. She’d known, as did her husband, that I’d been in a relationship with Mia, but didn’t hold it against me like Eli did. She and Mr. Parker had been like a second set of parents to me. More so when my own parents retired and decided to leave cold winters behind and moved to San Diego.

  In some ways, I was like another son. I hadn’t treated Jane when she was brought into the emergency room after her accident, but I’d held her hand in the hospital as we waited for Jim and Eli to arrive. She was wheeled into surgery before they got there. She died on the operating table. Eli blamed me for that as well, even though I wasn’t her doctor.

  I shook my head at the memory. It was so fucking sad, and made me wonder why medicine could fall so short. But thinking of Mia, Eli and Jane reminded me that I should check in with Jim. Because Eli hated me still, my friendship with Jim was on the downlow, but we did get together at times to play chess or I’d take him fishing.

  “Did Joyce succeed in getting a date?” Peggy Shoals, an emergency room nurse asked, getting a cup of coffee after me.

  I laughed. “Not with me.”

  “Do you think her insurance has raised her deductible for all the trips she makes here?” Peggy sat with me at the table.

  “Not so much that she stops coming.” I sat at one of the three tables to relax for a few minutes.

  “What are you going to do when she comes in worried about a lump in her breast?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to have Alice examine her,” I said of Dr. Alice Kramer.

  “That’ll teach her,” Peggy laughed.

  I finished my coffee, and rose from my chair to rinse my cup out. “Back to work.”

  “I’ll be right behind you.”

  I walked out of the lounge and headed back to the emergency area. Before I could reach the corner, Dick Waterson, the hospital administrator walked around the corner. Following him, a woman also rounded the corner. I stopped in my tracks and my heart made a hard thump in my chest.

  She stopped, too, and stared at me.

  “Ah, Dr. Foster,” Dick said to me. “I’m glad we caught you. I’d like to introduce you to the new hospital lawyer, Mia Parker.”

  2

  Mia

  I wasn’t surprised to see Nick at the hospital. I knew he worked there. Even if he didn’t, Goldrush Lake was a small enough town that I’d run into him somewhere, sometime.

  Even though I knew I’d see him, having him standing there in the flesh, was a shock to my senses. Could he be even more handsome than before?

  His blond hair was shorter on the sides while still longer on top. His youthful face was no longer clean shaven, but instead had the groomed stubble that was deliciously sexy. I clasped my hands behind my back to keep from reaching out to touch his cheek.

  His green eyes flashed with surprise as if he didn’t expect me. In a small town, I’d have thought my arrival home would have made the rounds. Although I’d only made my decision a week ago, and arrived home yesterday to start my new job today.

  He looked at me and then at Dick Waterson who’d been giving me a tour of the hospital before turning back to me. He smiled, but it looked as awkward as I felt.

  “Mia,” he finally said. He stepped forward, opening his arms. I moved closer, accepting his hug. It didn’t feel like a hug from a former lover. It felt like the hug a man gave to his best friend’s little sister, which isn’t to say that my hormones didn’t go crazy at the feel of his strong chest under his doctor’s coat or the scent of him; a mixture of mountain air and Nick.

  “You know each other,” Dick said. “Of course you do, I forgot, you grew up here, Ms. Parker. I’m always surprised at how everyone knows everyone.”

  Dick wasn’t from Goldrush Lake. He’d told me he’d moved up a few years ago when he and his wife started thinking about retiring.

  “How are you, Mia?” Nick asked. He’d always had a way of saying my name like it was chocolate on his tongue. It sent another shiver through my body.

  “Good, Nick. And you? You look good.” Inwardly, I groaned. For one, I appeared to suck at small talk and two, he didn’t need to know I thought he looked good.

  His eyes drifted down my body and back up again. “You do too. I didn’t know you were moving back.”

  I nodded. “It was a quick decision. My dad is starting to have more difficulty.”

  Nick gave a sad smile. “Yes.” And then as if catching himself said, “So I’ve heard.”

  I studied him, wondering about his comment. In a small town, he’d know my dad had Parkinson’s but how would he know my father was getting worse? I knew he and Eli weren’t friends anymore, a fact I felt guilty about.

  “I’m giving Ms. Parker a tour of the hospital. She’s going to make sure all our legal i’s are dotted and the t's are crossed,” Dick said.

  “Dr. Foster,” a nurse from behind me called. “We’ve got a baby with one-hundred and two fever.”

  “Excuse me,” Nick said. He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, he hurried past me and Dick toward the emergency area.

  “He’s one of our best,” Dick said to me as we watched Nick round the next corner.

  “Hmm.”


  We finished the tour and Dick brought me back to my office. “I hate to throw you into the fire on your first day, but we have a few vendor contracts that we need you to look at.”

  “Of course.” I went to the desk on which several files sat.

  “The head of HR will be down as well. We had a termination two months ago for a relationship between a CNA and an administrator, but there is talk of a lawsuit for wrongful termination.”

  I sat in the chair, getting a feel for my new space. “Were they both fired?” I asked.

  “Just the administrator … our last lawyer.”

  I quirked a brow. “There could be grounds then. I’ll review your no-fraternization rule.”

  “It’s pretty basic. The rule applies to administrators. Because of the power structure, it was decided that administrators shouldn’t have romantic relationships with other staff.”

  No fraternization rules were hard to police, but I could see where the hospital would want to protect itself from potential lawsuits if an admin was taking advantage of other staff. “I’ll review it and let you know. I’ll also see if perhaps it needs an update.”

  He nodded and left. It occurred to me that I was an admin and Nick was staff. That meant he and I couldn’t … well … of course we wouldn’t. Our time had come and gone four years ago.

  I stood up and went to the window looking out over the pine woods behind the administration offices. I couldn’t deny that Goldrush Lake was beautiful and serene, but I was conflicted about returning home.

  I’d wanted to work for a large prestigious law firm in a big city ever since my mom took me to New York on my eighteenth birthday. I loved the vibe of the city. It’s fast pace. The diversity of everything from the people, the food, the cultural events, the history … everything.

  From the minute I entered college and then law school, my plan had been to move to a big city. The only time I’d considered veering off the plan was when I was dating Nick and he encouraged me to return home with him. At the time we were a secret to our family, but he was adamant that everyone would support us. The romantic part of me wanted to believe in the fairy tale he was describing in which we’d come home, him to practice medicine and me law, while living together in a little cabin nestled in the woods.

  Ultimately, I decided I couldn’t plan my life around a man, and so I’d accepted a job in Los Angeles, and Nick and I parted ways. To this day, my heart broke every time I thought of the night we broke up. Neither of us wanted to end things, and yet, we didn’t want to be together enough to change our career goals.

  Now, after four years, I was back home. I hadn’t been here since my mother died eighteen months ago. I’d seen Nick then, but hadn’t talked to him. My brother Eli made sure Nick was kept away from all the events surrounding my mother’s memorial. When I left again, I didn’t think I’d return except at holidays if I could afford the time away.

  Now I was home after Eli told me our father’s Parkinson’s disease was getting worse and he needed more help. I didn’t mind coming home for my father, but I wasn’t ready for such a drastic change in my lifestyle. As lovely as Goldrush Lake was, it was slow living. Yes, we had a few ethnic restaurants. Sure, there were events, such as live bands in the park during the summer or in the bars all-year. And there were tons of outdoor activities from skiing in the winter, to hiking and water sports in the summer. But our only museum showed only local history and art. There was no going to the beach in winter like I could in southern California, unless I wanted to freeze.

  There was a knock on my door.

  “Come in.”

  Peggy Shoals poked her head in. “Hey, I heard you were back.”

  I went to her and gave her a hug. Peggy had been a friend of my mother’s and a huge help when she’d died. In some ways, she was like a surrogate mother.

  “Yes. For a while, anyway.”

  “You can take the girl from the city, but not the city from the girl?” she said.

  “Something like that.” I motioned for her to sit in one of the two chairs in front of my desk. I sat in the other.

  “Maybe we can head to Reno sometime. It’s not L.A., but it has shopping, shows, and gambling.”

  I laughed. Reno was in the next state, Nevada, but it was the closest big city to our little California mountain town. “That would be fun.”

  “So how are you settling in?”

  “Today’s just my first day,” I said.

  “Not just here but at home?”

  “Fine. It’s hard to see Dad looking frailer. He’s been rallying since Mom died, but I think he misses her.”

  Peggy reached out and patted my hand. “They were a lovely couple. So tragic what happened to her, and a reminder to seize the day.”

  I nodded. The only problem with living life to the fullest was that sometimes you had to make choices out of duty or obligation. Not that I saw my dad as a duty alone. I loved him and I wanted to be here for him. But I wouldn’t say I was living my best life right now.

  “How’s Eli?” she asked. “Every time I see him, he seems a little stressed out.”

  “He is. That’s why I’m here to help.”

  “Have you caught up with all your old friends who unlike you, didn’t escape small town living?”

  “No. I got into town yesterday. I haven’t even unpacked the condo I’ve rented.” I’d found the rental online, called the rental office and completed my transaction by phone. Yesterday I showed up with my small moving truck and moved my few pieces of furniture in along with my clothes. I didn’t have a big space in L.A., so I didn’t have a lot of stuff to move.

  “Do you need help? I can come by after my shift tonight.”

  “I don’t have much stuff, actually.”

  “Have you seen Nick?”

  My heart jumped in my chest at his name, which didn’t make sense. It must have been memory yarn in my nerves. “Briefly.”

  She cocked her head and her eyes studied me. “Is it true you and him once had a romance going?”

  I’d have thought that would be out by now since Eli didn’t do anything to hide his hatred of Nick. “What did Eli tell you?”

  She laughed. “I can’t repeat that. I suppose it would be weird to have your best friend know your sister intimately, but still, if you and Nick were happy.”

  “It was just a short time in college. College fling.” I waved my hand like it was nothing, even though it hadn’t been nothing. At least not to me.

  “That’s probably just as well. The last lawyer was sacked for sleeping with Tiffany Lucas in an ambulance.”

  I snorted. “Yes, I hear there could be a lawsuit for wrongful termination.”

  Peggy shrugged. “It’s ridiculous, if you ask me. This town is too small to keep single people apart simply because they work together. Except for Nick, who clearly has no plans to settle down, there aren’t a lot of good prospects for Tiffany.”

  “Nick has an aversion to marriage?” The minute I said it, I regretted it. I didn’t want Peggy to think I was interested in Nick’s private life.

  “He hasn’t found a woman he wants to see more than once.” She laughed. “Except Joyce Maynard.”

  “Joyce Maynard?” Jealousy spiked in my gut even as my brain told it who Nick saw wasn’t my business.

  “She moved here about five years ago to open some sort of yoga or wellness center. It never came to anything and I think she just teaches at the local gym. Anyway, that woman is in here all the time with some ailment or another and will only see Nick.” She shook her head. “I suppose she thinks she’ll wear him down.”

  “So they’re not an item?”

  “Not yet. She has all the assets, if you know what I mean. Then again, Nick is a true professional. He’s not going to have a fling with a patient.”

  “That would be even harder to monitor. This is the only place for people to go for medical treatment.”

  She shrugged. “You know what I mean. He’s not going to take her out to the ambu
lance or a supply closet.” She stood. “Speaking of Nick, I should get back to work.”

  When I stood, she gave me another hug. “Hey a group of us are going to the Ole Miner tonight. Why don’t you join us?” The Ole Miner was one of the local bars.

  “Maybe I will.”

  When Peggy left, I went back behind my desk to sit. In the course of a few minutes I’d seen Nick and had discussions about him that had made my heart clench and my hormones race. How was I going to work every day with him with all that going on? I had to hope that my response was because I hadn’t seen him in a while.

  Still, it was a strange response. It wasn’t like I’d been celibate since he and I broke up. I was pretty sure though if Chris or Patrick walked in here right now, I wouldn’t have the same response I’d had with Nick. Maybe it was just because he was my first. My first crush. My first sexual experience. My first love.

  Deciding that thinking about it only highlighted it, I opened the top file on my desk and got to work.

  3

  Nick

  When it came to being a doctor, focus was one of the most important skills second only to knowing medicine. Especially in the emergency room, where often there were life and death decisions made in a split second. I couldn’t be distracted by thoughts like how fucking fantastic Mia looked in her pencil skirt and matching tailored coat. She was always a curvy woman, but today, she had the epitome of the female form.

  Her hair was still long and full, and my fingers itched to dig into her locks like they had years ago. Her blue eyes were dark and stunning against her pale skin. They also looked as uncertain as I felt when we met in the hallway. I gave her a hug because it seemed like the thing to do, but it felt awkward. That was until her lush body was against mine and that familiar scent of hers filled my senses.

  I had to push that all aside as I treated a baby with a fever followed by several hiking accidents, a fall down a staircase, a urinary tract infection, a kid that swallowed a marble, and a possible heart attack that turned out to be a panic attack.