Free Unlocking the Surgeon's Heart by Jessica Matthews Page B

chat about the fish or the upcoming festival, we have plenty to see and do today,” she said.
    “You’re right. We should leave,” he agreed. After tossing the empty cracker wrappers and milk cartons into a bin, Linc ushered the group to the elevator. As they were making their ascent, curiosity drove him to ask, “Emma said you might be getting another dog?”
    She smiled. “Afraid not. Ria is all I can handle for now.” She touched her finger to the tip of the little girl’s nose. “Whatever gave you that idea, Em?”
    “We were wondering if that guy you were with was your boyfriend. I said he wasn’t ’cause you told Mama you’d get one after your next pet and you still just have Ria.”
    Linc had expected her to laugh in her usual
melodic way—the way that made him smile whenever he heard the sound. He wasn’t prepared to see her face turn pale and her hand shake as she touched her throat.
    Something had driven the color out of her face. He didn’t understand what, but he intended to find out.

CHAPTER FOUR
    C HRISTY tried to remember the details of her conversation with Gail and wondered how much Emma had heard. She opted to pretend ignorance. “Trust me. I don’t intend to replace Ria or give her a doggy brother or sister. Okay?”
    “Then you won’t ever have a boyfriend?”
    Emma had no idea how painful her innocent question was. “Someday. If I find the right guy,” Christy answered lightly, although she had her doubts. In her experience, the good ones were already taken.
    Suddenly aware of Linc’s speculative gaze, she wondered why the elevator suddenly slowed to a crawl. “I’m too busy for a fella right now anyway.” She brushed a lock of unruly hair off Emma’s forehead. “I’m looking after my favorite kids, remember?”
    Fortunately, they’d arrived on the main floor at that particular moment. As soon as the stainless-steel doors opened, she edged her way through the space so fast she was the first one out.
    “What’s next on our agenda?” she asked, hoping Linc hadn’t noticed her too-bright tone. A quick glance showed an impassive expression so she relaxed, certain she’d successfully dodged that uncomfortable situation.
    “My place,” he said.
    It came as no surprise that Linc lived in an upper-middle-class neighborhood. His sprawling, ranch-style house stood in the middle of a well-manicured lawn. Hostas and other shade-loving perennials circled the large maple trees and a mixture of petunias, marigolds, and other annuals she didn’t recognize filled the flower bed next to the front entrance.
    “When do you find the time to work outdoors?” she asked as they walked inside.
    “I have a yard service,” he confessed. “I also have a housekeeper who drops in every three weeks, although there isn’t much for her to do.”
    She didn’t expect there would be. The man spent most of his life at the hospital.
    “Can we go to the back yard and play, Uncle Linc?” Derek asked.
    “Sure,” he told them, “but don’t get too involved because we won’t be staying long.”
    “Okay.” The children scampered through the house and a few seconds later an unseen door slammed.
    “What are we getting?” Christy asked, trying not to be awed by his house and failing. The home was built with an open floor plan similar to hers, but his living room also had a gorgeous red-brick fireplace in one corner. His décor included a lot of woodwork and deep accent colors in blues, greens, and browns, which gave a very relaxing atmosphere.
    “My single-cup coffeemaker,” he said as he skirted the island on his way to the end of the counter where the appliance in question was located. “You don’t drink coffee, so it seems a waste to make an entire pot for the one cup I drink on my way to the office.”
    “True.” She glanced around again. “This is absolutely lovely.”
    “You like it?” he asked.
    “Very much. If I lived here, I’d have a tough time leaving to go to work.”
    She