Practice Makes Perfect Read Online Free PDF

his good points.”
    Most kids from the projects are troublemakers
. “He isn’t the best choice, Ian.”
    “I know that, Paige. But I’m running out of options.”
    Staring at him, she thought of his mother, who had given her so much. When Paige had gotten the work-study program in medical school to help out Dr. Elsa Moore as an office aide, Elsa not only made sure Paige worked enough hours to support herself and Jade, but she encouraged Paige to accompany her on rounds and showed her how to treat the little ones and soothe the parents. Overall, Elsa had taught her what it meant to be a good doctor. Then Paige thought about Nora and her unending selflessness at Serenity House. Finally she reflected on Rob Roberts’s boorish attitude—and Kari Linstrom’s kids, whom Paige loved working with.
    What the hell.
    “All right. I’ll be your baby doctor. On my day off, and two other afternoons if I can clear my schedule. Will that be enough?”
    “Yes, we’re all working part-time till we see how things go.”
    She stood. “So we’re set.” She began to walk away.
    He swiveled in his chair and grasped her arm. His big hand squeezed, making her edgy. “Thanks. I appreciate this.”
    She didn’t know what to do with his sincerity. Sitting there, he stared up at her with those gray eyes; she’d never been close enough to see the black ring around the irises. His jaw was square cut and his mouth could only be described as sensual. She felt a jolt of awareness go through her. So she shrugged off his hand and said glibly, “Don’t be too appreciative. I’m not doing this for free. We still have to negotiate salary.”
    And then, disturbed by the uneven tattoo of her heart, she left before she had any other untenable reactions to Dr. Hot and Hunky.
    o0o
    CONGRESSMAN NATHAN HYDE III came from the founding family of Hyde Point. Grandson of town patriarch Nathan Hyde I, he sat behind his desk in his big office and studied Ian. “What can I do for you, Ian?”
    “I just wanted to show you the final roster for our care center.”
    “
Our
center.” Nathan adjusted the cuffs of his designer suit. “That has a nice ring to it.”
    “Hyde money made the Center possible. At least part of it.” Part had come from the inheritance Ian’s parents left him, and the rest from federal grants. “That’s why you’re conducting the opening ceremonies in a few weeks.”
    Leaning over, Nathan took the folder from Ian. “I like the thought of helping troubled girls.” There was a catch in the congressman’s voice. Since he’d been working on this project with Nathan, Ian had suspected there was more than philanthropic interest behind Nathan’s support of the Center. And of Serenity House, which also received significant Hyde money.
    “Can I ask you something?” Ian asked.
    Nathan looked up from the folder. “Of course.”
    “Is there a reason you’re so interested in this venture? I get the feeling you have...an ulterior motive.”
    “Other than wanting to be reelected to Congress?” Nathan was running again for the district seat in the House of Representatives.
    “Yeah. Other than that.”
    Nathan was quiet for a moment. “A long time ago something happened to me that…” He shook his head. “I’d rather not discuss it.”
    Ian shrugged. “No problem. I just want your cash, anyway,” he joked to ease the moment.
    As Nathan read the folder, his eyes widened. “I can’t believe you got Paige Kendrick for the pediatric position.”
    Ian chuckled. It was quite a coup. So what if he’d had to resort to a little spying and blackmail? Marla Simmons had come through with just the right nugget of information to make Paige reconsider joining the Center. Though Ian felt vaguely guilty—he would never have hired Rob Roberts—he’d gotten the best doctor for the Elsa Moore Center. “Yeah, me neither. Must be my legendary charm.”
    “From what I hear, she’s immune to charm.”
    “You tried yours on her,