Free Promise Me Forever (Debbie Macomber Classics) by Debbie Macomber

“There’s not much excuse to laugh in this business. I wish my patients could understand that it hurts me as much as them.”
    “One patient, you mean,” Paul inserted.
    Joy looked out over the coastline instead of directly at Paul. “One patient,” she agreed.
    “Are you falling for this guy?” A frown marred his forehead.
    Paul was nothing if not blunt. Joy felt the heavy thud of her heart. It beat so loud and strong that it seemed someone was pounding on her with a hammer. She reacted that way when someone spoke candidly.
    “I hope not,” she replied truthfully. “I’ve got enough problems handling Sloan Whittaker without involving my emotions.”
    “If you need a shoulder to lean on, let me know.”
    “Thanks, Paul.” Joy meant that sincerely. She’d never worked with nicer people than Paul and Clara.

    It was dark by the time they returned to the house. Since Clara had the day off, Joy had cooked Sloan’s dinner, and she was grateful when Paul had delivered it to him. Paul and Joy had decided to eat out.
    The porch light was on, but the house was dark. As Joy let herself into her room she noticed there were no lights on in Sloan’s. Apparently, he’d opted for an early night.
    Not wishing to wake him, Joy carried her flute down to the beach. She stopped long enough to check L.J. and give him the leftover fish. The bird seemed to want out, and when Joy held open the gate, L.J. hobbled after her.
    The two found a log not far from the house. Joy sat, buried her bare feet in the sand, and began to play. For a while L.J. stayed close to her side, but it didn’t take much time for him to stray. As long as she could see him, Joy let him wander. The difficulty came when it was time toreturn to the house. L.J. had enjoyed his taste of freedom and wasn’t willing to go back to the small fenced area. Joy had to round him up like a sheepdog herding a stray lamb.
    Laughing and breathless, she let herself into the house.
    “What were you doing out there?”
    Sloan.
    “What are you doing up?” Joy had never known Sloan to come into the kitchen.
    “I asked you first.” The room remained dark.
    Joy’s eyes soon adjusted to the room’s interior. Only a few feet separated her and Sloan.
    “I … I was on the beach.”
    “That much I knew.”
    “Why are you here?” Her hand gripped the knob behind her.
    “I heard you playing—”
    “I’m sorry if I woke you,” she interrupted. “I didn’t mean to.”
    Sloan wiped a hand over his brow. “I couldn’t sleep. Did you and Paul have a good time?”
    “Yes. We went to Mobey Jake’s.”
    “Bring me anything this time?”
    “No, sorry. I didn’t.”
    He dismissed her apology with a wan smile. “What took you so long coming inside? I was worried.”
    Sloan concerned about her? After this afternoon, he had all the more reason to want her out of his life. In her eagerness to mend the rift between father and son, she had only done harm. Sloan was right; it wasn’t any of her affair.
    “Joy?” He seemed to be waiting for her answer.
    “I was bringing L.J. home.”
    “You and that bird.” His mirthless laugh was filled with irony. “I was ready to call out the national guard.”
    “I’m sorry—for everything,” she muttered.
    Her apology produced a stunned silence.
    “Did I hear you right? Joy Nielsen, gutsy miracle worker, actually admitting to a fault? Are you feeling well? Do you need a doctor?”
    “I’m fine,” she said, with a shaky laugh. “Sloan, I feel terrible about today. You were right. I should never have stuck my nose where it doesn’t belong.”
    The amusement drained from his eyes. He extended a hand to her, palm open.
    Scooting out a kitchen chair, Joy sat so that their gazes were level. With appreciation for his accepting her apology, she placed her hand in his.
    “Friends?” he questioned.
    Joy nodded. “I prefer it to being enemies.”
    His hand closed tightly over hers, his thumb sensuously rotating against the