Free Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman Page B

worth it. She’d seen a softer side of him, but it didn’t change the core of who he was. A doctor. She was willing to acknowledge the goodness of the profession, but it was the lack of compassion by those in the white coats that she had a problem with. She couldn’t imagine delivering bad news with such detachment as she had witnessed in the hospital. Yet it seemed to come so easy for them. How can you trust someone who refuses to acknowledge human suffering with some level of sympathy? Do they have no emotions, or just a grand ability to mask them? Either way, she had trust issues with doctors.
    “I’m sure I can learn whatever I need to know about the Amish from Lillian and Samuel.”
    “But will it include a scenic drive through the country? And—if you’re nice—maybe even a trip to the river.”
    “If I’m nice?” He might be arrogant, but he was also charming.
    “Dr. Noah! Dr. Noah!” a tiny voice belted from the far side of the restaurant. Carley and Noah turned their attention toward the small bundle of energy bouncing their way. The little girl looked about four or five. She had flowing blonde ringlets down to her waist, blue eyes wide with wonder, and a smile that could have turned the hardest of souls to mush. The girl was dressed in a pink frock with matching shoes and short white socks. A doll with similar attire was tucked underneath her arm.
    The child dropped the doll on the floor, jumped into Noah’s lap, and threw her arms around his neck.
    “My sweet Jenna, how are you?” Noah kissed her warmly on the cheek, seeming equally pleased to see her. “Where’s your sister?”
    “Dana’s over there.” Jenna pointed across the room to a young woman sitting down at a table for two. She was a very young woman, possibly a teenager.
    Repositioning her pointed finger toward Carley, the girl asked, “Is this your girlfriend?”
    “No, no,” Carley quickly replied. “I’m a friend. My name is Carley.”
    “She’s pretty.” Jenna leaned her head on Noah’s shoulder.
    “Yes, she is very pretty.” Noah smiled at the girl before he glanced across the table at Carley.
    “I have to go back now,” Jenna said. She scooted off Noah’s lap and collected her doll. “Bye.” She planted a kiss on his cheek and waved to Carley.
    “Sorry about that,” Noah said when the child was out of earshot.
    “Don’t be.” She was surprised he felt the need to apologize. Clearly the child adored him, which only lent credibility to his “I’m not such a bad guy” statement. “How do you know her? Is she a patient of yours?” Carley glanced at Jenna’s sister. A pretty girl with flowing brown hair—and a huge scowl on her face. Carley quickly looked away.
    “No,” he said without elaborating, quickly getting back to the subject at hand. “Now what about spending the day with me tomorrow?”
    “I’m pretty sure Lillian and Samuel would not approve of us spending time together, and I’m a guest in their home.”
    He gazed at her a moment then shrugged. “I understand.”
    Whoa, is the good doctor giving up so easily? She should be glad about that. This man had issues—issues she had no business burdening herself with. She had her own problems.
    But . . . something inside her twitched and the words just spewed out. “I’ll tell you what,” she began cautiously. “Why don’t you tell me what you did that Samuel seems to think is so bad? Then I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
    “Ah, a negotiator.” He avoided her eyes, a solemn expression on his face. Then he looked back up at her and turned the tables. “I’ll counter that. You go with me tomorrow, and I’ll tell you my dirty little secret then.” He extended his hand across the table in
an optimistic gesture he seemed to hope would seal the deal.
    I hope I don’t regret this.
    She reached across the table and grasped his hand. “Deal.”

7
    JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES, CARLEY THOUGHT WHEN HER her cell phone alarm went off at four