Anything but Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

guess when it took her so long to get pregnant, the tension started to build between us. I’ve been trying to talk her into counseling, but to her that’s admitting failure.”
    Kendall sat down in her chair. She felt like a fool for berating him for playing matchmaker. “Why is getting help for something you believe in failure?”
    Max knelt in front of her and caressed her hand. “Why don’t you try online dating?”
    Kendall knew exactly why she didn’t try online dating. That was admitting failure, that she couldn’t find a man on her own. “Touché. What about you? How are you dealing with this? You can’t stay like this forever.”
    Max shrugged. “Right now, I’m more concerned about Carson. Caitlin keeps throwing him in my face. She knows how much I love my son. She says she might move to get a fresh start.”
    “Oh, that’s just awful. Women can be heartless sometimes.”
    “Spoken like the queen,” Max drawled.
    “I’m not heartless!”
    “No, you’re just focused on everything but a man.”
    * * *
    Several hours later, Max’s words still rang loudly in Kendall’s ears as she prepared for the Donovans’ monthly visit. Peri Donovan was one of her favorite patients. Although Peri’s pregnancy had been full of complications, Peri’s outlook had been outstanding. Most of the nurses looked forward to Peri’s visit, mostly because of her husband, Brendan.
    His Irish accent and intense blue eyes, plus the fact he didn’t notice all the nurses swooning over him, just made him sexier. But Brendan only saw his African-American wife.
    Kendall was washing her hands in the private bathroom adjoining her office when she heard a gentle tap on the door. She knew it was Keerya coming in for her reprimand. This time Kendall had a surprise for her.
    “Just a minute,” Kendall called.
    “Dr. Matthews, it’s Keerya.”
    “I know. I’ll be right out.”
    Kendall dried her hands and walked into her office. Keerya sat on the couch, her purse in her hand, obviously knowing the reason for this meeting.
    Kendall walked to her desk and sat down. “Keerya, we’ve had this discussion before. I understand what it’s like to be young, but you have a responsibility to this hospital. I pride myself on having the best of the best on my staff so I can give my patients the best care possible. You’re a dynamite nurse and I know you’ll get better with time, but this coming in late and reeking of alcohol is not going to cut it.”
    Keerya’s dark brown eyes filled with tears. “I understand, Dr. Matthews. I do love working here, even with…” She let the sentence drop.
    “Me being a bitch.”
    Keerya’s mouth hung open in shock. “I didn’t say that.”
    “You didn’t have to. I know everyone in this hospital is afraid of me. I don’t want people to fear me.” Lie. “I want people to understand that my main concern is the integrity of the hospital. I don’t want to have to worry about my nurses smelling like a brewery while attending patients.”
    Keerya rose from her seat. “I know I messed up. It’s my fault. I know you’ve already given me more chances than I deserve.”
    “So why do you keep doing it? Do you want to be fired?”
    “No.”
    Kendall sat in the chair opposite Keerya and looked the young woman in her face. “Then tell me what’s going on with you.”
    Keerya reached for a Kleenex and blew her nose. “Well, Dr. Matthews, my parents have been married about thirty years. A couple of months ago my mother told me that she doesn’t love my dad and doesn’t love me and told us both to get out of her house. It threw my dad for a loop and didn’t do me much good, either. My dad moved in with my aunt until he can find a place, and I just moved into a new condo a few days ago. I had to go help my dad this morning. It took longer than usual.”
    Kendall nodded, realizing everyone around her seemed to be in some sort of crisis. “Keerya, have you talked to your mom?”
    “No. My dad is a