Free The Millionaire and the M.D. by Teresa Southwick Page A

hasn’t. I called him a little while ago and left voice mail. It’s not like he’s far away. That portable he uses for his office is right outside in the parking lot.”
    Rebecca was all too aware of that. And him.
    The potential for a Gabe sighting was never far from her mind because that little portable he used for an office was practically close enough to hit with a rock.
    â€œHe’s probably very busy, Amy.” Rebecca moved farther into the room and stood at the foot of the bed. “The hospital construction is a lot for him to deal with.”
    â€œAnd now me.” Hostility and resentment snapped in her voice. And hurt simmered just below the surface.
    â€œHe cares, kiddo. You should have seen how worried he was when he couldn’t find you.”
    â€œReally?”
    Rebecca nodded. “He tracked me down here at the hospital to see if I’d heard from you. Then we spent the next few hours driving around looking.”
    â€œAfter last night when we talked, I—” She shrugged. “I guess I was looking forward to him visiting.”
    The words tugged at Rebecca’s heart. Amy was putting a lot of energy into pretending she didn’t care about anything or anyone at the same time she desperately wanted support and love. As a doctor, Rebecca could support her and give her the best possible medical care. But a brother’s love could only come from Gabe.
    â€œThat’s one of the things I’m here to tell you. Visitors won’t be necessary because I’m discharging you.”
    â€œAwesome.”
    â€œHowever—” Rebecca stopped when the teen groaned. “I want your word you’re going to take care of yourself. No more running away. No chips and soda for meals. Fruits, vegetables, protein. I want your solemn vow.”
    A gleam stole into Amy’s eyes. “I’ll promise. If you’ll do something for me.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œMake Gabe come and get me out of here now.”
    â€œI’m sure he’ll be here as soon as he can, to take you home. Relax. It’s not hospital policy to put you on the curb with your suitcase until your ride comes.”
    â€œI know. It’s just—I’m anxious to go. No offense.”
    â€œNone taken.”
    Amy looked intense. “The thing is, he’ll listen if you see him face-to-face.”
    Face-to-face was the last thing Rebecca wanted. It scared the living daylights out of her after last night. They’d been face-to-face, or more accurately, mouth to mouth. And there was no resuscitating going on. Except that wasn’t completely true when talking hormones. He had definitely breathed new life into hers.
    She shouldn’t have let him kiss her. She’d known he was going to and meant to stop him. But she’d been mesmerized into immobility by the intensity in his eyes. She could deny the truth until hell wouldn’t have it, but the fact was she’d wanted him to kiss her. In spite of just learning that he would never love again.
    She’d never been good at the social stuff. In fact for a while she’d blamed herself for the assault. If she’d had street smarts instead of book smarts, maybe it wouldn’t have happened. Eventually she’d understood that it’s assault when a guy doesn’t take no for an answer. And she definitely hadn’t said no to Gabe. He would have respected it; he was a good man. This would be so much easier if he wasn’t. How she wished she could trade IQ points for social skills.
    â€œHey. Earth to doc—”
    â€œWhat?” She blinked her patient into focus. “Sorry. I’ve got something on my mind.”
    â€œDoes it have anything to do with the fact that I can’t get out of here until my brother comes to get me?”
    â€œNo.” Rebecca grinned. “It has to do with you cleaning up your act—in a nutritional way. But I will hunt your brother down and