Just One Look Read Online Free PDF Page B

to resist saying, "Serendipitous events. This sounds interesting."
    He grinned. "Well, that's how I choose to look at them. You see, my office was outside Conroe in a little town that was rapidly dying. I'd wanted the experience of being a country doctor where I did everything from sewing up a farmer that got kicked by a cow to delivering babies."
    "But isn't that a waste for a doctor who has a specialty in obstetrics and gynecology?"
    He shrugged. The shoulders of the tuxedo coat tightened. "I didn't think so at the time. It was what I'd always wanted to do, ever since I'd decided to be a doctor. You see, my grandfather was a country doctor. Unfortunately, I learned that when you're a country doctor, you're always on call. Hence the never seeing my parents. The only thing that kept me there as long as I stayed was that I didn't want to leave the people without access to a local doctor."
    "But Conroe has a good hospital I'm sure, and Houston is only a short distance farther south, isn't it?"
    "Yeah, but even Conroe can be a long drive for an eighty-four year old farmer in a three-speed standard shift pickup that's nearly as old as he is."
    She nodded. "I hadn't thought about it that way. So how did you get free?"
    "It turned out to be easier than I thought. A new government-subsidized clinic was built right outside of town. It was staffed mostly by personnel trying to escape big city life. It was a tough decision, but I declined a position on staff. Sylvia and I were med school buddies, and we'd stayed in touch. We'd often kicked around the idea about me joining her in practice. She's married and wants more free time too. So I finally decided to just do it. Like the Nike commercial says."
    Jennifer wished she didn't admire his courage quite so much. "It takes a lot of guts to make such a major change like that. Any regrets?"
    "Well, only one so far."
    "What's that?"
    "I seem to have frightened away one of Sylvia's patients."
    "Oh, well, I'm sure that's not true." Jennifer was afraid she knew what was coming. "Look, it's been nice chatting with you." She started to edge away.
    "Well I'm glad you think so, Dr. Monroe. Especially since I've been trying to reach you by phone since you left so, shall we say, precipitously, the other day."
    "I do apologize, but it's been a frantic week. I haven't had a moment to call my own." In truth, her appointments this week had been lighter than normal. "If you'll excuse me? I need to find my friend." Jennifer frantically looked around for Alva.
    "I think we should talk, Dr. Monroe."
    Jennifer noticed that when he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkled. "Oh, no. I don't want to keep you any longer from your date."
    He shook his head. "I'm not with a date."
    "But what about the blonde you were talking with, I mean," Jennifer's voice trailed off. Oops. Hot color stained her cheeks.
    "Oh, you saw me earlier, did you?" He grinned. "I met her when I arrived tonight. I'm not attached. How about you?"
    Jennifer thought about lying but figured the way her luck was running, she'd be caught in a whopper. "No."
    "I didn't think so. Now let's find a quiet corner where we won't be disturbed." He took her elbow.
    "Uh, I think I need to make a stop by the ladies room first," she said.
    "Now, Dr. Monroe. You wouldn't be thinking of ditching me again, would you?"
    "No, of course, not," she said indignantly. "I suppose I can powder my nose later," she grumbled, allowing him to guide her to one of the small tables set up next to the dance floor.
    Matt pulled out one of the chairs and waited while she sank into it. He stood for a moment looking at her. He couldn't believe that a woman of her professional standing could have such a sexual hangup. But what else could account for her bizarre behavior? He pulled the other chair close to her and sat.
    "Dr. Monroe, let's be honest with each other. I think I know what your problem is."
    "You do?" Jennifer asked, a catch in her voice. He'd remembered!
    "Yes. It's