Free By Appointment Only by Janice Maynard

you say that your fear causes you any problems?”
    It was Hannah’s turn to frown. “I didn’t call it a fear . . . did I?”
    The other woman smiled faintly. “We’re all afraid of getting hurt. It’s a natural human emotion. But in some of us, it’s closer to the surface, particularly if we’ve experienced hurt in the past.”
    Hannah cocked her head, her gaze drifting from one member of the group to the next. “No,” she said, her voice a bit louder than she intended. “I can’t see that it causes me any problems.”
    Dr. Pat glanced at his watch again. “Thank you, Hannah, and all of you for being so willing to participate in this first group session. Sheila and I have enjoyed getting to know you a bit better, and we look forward to working with you over the next two weeks. Don’t forget to watch your e-mail Sunday afternoon for the questionnaires, and if you parked in the main garage next door, Sheila will validate your parking stubs. Have a nice weekend.”

Five
    Morgan drove on autopilot, his brain whirling with a thousand thoughts and emotions. Tonight was more than he had expected, but in a good way. And the group dynamic helped take the pressure off of him and Hannah.
    Having the different ages and viewpoints was an inspired idea. The doctors weren’t bad eggs, a little pretentious, but not bad. And they sure seemed to love their work.
    He had no clue whether Hannah had enjoyed the evening or not. She’d barely uttered two words since they got in the car. Once they were in her driveway, he shut off the engine. He’d brought an overnight bag. It was their custom on the weekends. But he didn’t want to crowd her. So he sat quietly, waiting for Hannah to make the next move.
    She sighed and turned to open her door. Then she stopped and faced him once again. “Did I sound like a complete idiot?” Her words were quiet . . . filled with wry self-deprecation.
    He reached his arm across the back of her seat and played with her hair. She’d worn it down tonight, thick and glossy and incredibly sexy. “Of course not.”
    She stared out the windshield, her profile lit by the streetlights. “I liked the other two couples.”
    As he let his fingertips brush the nape of her neck, he saw her shiver, and he smiled. “I did, too.”
    “Timmy and Rachelle are awfully young to have a baby. I can’t imagine having so much responsibility at that age. No wonder her parents are worried.”
    Morgan sensed an opening for the question he had wanted to ask her for a long time now. “Have you ever thought about having kids?” he asked softly, monitoring the expression on her face.
    He saw her teeth nibble at her bottom lip, but she didn’t seem freaked out by the idea. She shook her head. “Not really. I’m not sure I have what it takes.”
    He traced the top of her spine. “Of course you do. Seniors and children have some of the same needs . . . love, companionship, safety, laughter. You have a lot to give, Hannah.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe.”
    It disappointed him that she was so uninterested in the subject. A lot of women tended to get all mushy and dreamy eyed when they thought about babies. But Hannah was rarely sentimental about things like that, so he probably shouldn’t have been surprised by her marked lack of enthusiasm for the idea.
    He tugged at her earlobe. “I’ve missed you this week,” he said softly. He pulled her toward him, and it pleased him when she didn’t resist.
    As he scooted her across the gearshift and into his lap, she giggled. “I have a nice bed upstairs, Morgan.”
    He kissed her forehead, her nose, her chin. “I’m weak from sexual deprivation,” he muttered. “I don’t think I have the strength to make it that far.”
    He palmed her breast and toyed with the nipple. Hannah was slender, but her curves were full and firm. Her head fell back against his shoulder, and her eyes closed. A tiny smile curved her mouth.
    He slid his hand beneath her silky blouse and