Free The Doctor's Devotion (Love Inspired) by Cheryl Wyatt

cut through her. She fought it with a vengeance and a prayer. This day is too important to let unruly emotions ruin special time with Grandpa. Lord, please help me.
    “Let’s go outside and pick us some fruit for the day. We’ll be in the boonies and out late, so let’s stock up in case we get stranded hunting abandoned mansions to explore, like old times.”
    They headed out with a bowl and plucked apples, peaches and pears from Lem’s few fruit trees. While he didn’t have a lot of trees, they all yielded an enormous amount of fruit.
    “Grandpa, we need to pick these peaches or the branches will crack. They’re bowing and will be brushing the ground soon.”
    “We’ll do that when we get back. How’s that sound?”
    “Good. What will we do with all those peaches?” She wondered if Mitch liked cobbler or pie best. Then she wondered why she was wondering so much about Mitch today. His genuine smile yesterday upon hearing of her and Grandpa’s excursion had been the first thing she’d pictured upon waking this morning.
    It had solidified in her mind how caring Mitch really was. He truly did have the best interests of others at heart. Yet he also had an air of strict self-protection that she’d really like to breach in order to better understand him.
    What would a man that amazing have to be afraid of?
    “Let’s let the rest ripen.” Grandpa started back inside.
    Lauren followed, carting two bowls of fresh fruit. “Did you remember to set out chili for Mitch and his friend?”
    Why was her mind so focused on Mitch today?
    “Almost forgot. You do that and I’ll whip up a batch of corn bread. Mitch likes it with his chili.”
    Lauren pulled out the chili and eyed Grandpa. “Mind if I make them some dessert?”
    “That’ll be dandy. Mitch loves cobbler like crazy. And from what he tells me, Brock eats anything that doesn’t move.”
    She laughed. “Cobbler it is.” As they prepared cobbler and corn bread side by side, an elated sensation wove into her. A deep sense of companionship and belonging seeped in, as well as the strongest feeling of contentment she’d had in years.
    She tried not to acknowledge how good it made her feel to make dessert for a man. Specifically a man like Mitch.
    Just when did the desire to bless and please him creep in?
    Nevertheless, Grandpa loved cobbler, too. He always doused it with ice cream, a staple in this freezer.
    Memories swarmed her. Good ones that made her smile inside and out. How could she have forgotten all these little nuances and details about life with Lem? “I love you, Grandpa.”
    He paused and grinned. “What brought that on?”
    “Things like this just make me realize how much I miss you. And how much I’ve missed by not coming to spend time with you.”
    “Well, don’t you worry. We’ll make up for lost time this summer. Like today. If I can keep from getting us lost.”
    Lauren laughed and let herself enjoy having something to look forward to. “That’s what you always used to say. Yet you never once got us lost.”
    “Well, I’m not driving today. You and that QRS are.”
    She giggled. “GPS. It’s a satellite navigation system.”
    “If you say so. There’s Mitch with his truck now.”
    Her heart gave a little flutter at the sound that had become familiar in mornings. Mitch’s truck door closing. He stepped in and handed her his keys. “Wanna see where my truck’s navigational and safety stuff is?”
    “Sure.” She tried not to notice how his worn charcoal T-shirt and jeans showcased his impressive physique.
    Mitch accompanied her out and helped her attach the GPS to the dash. “Here’s the emergency brake. Here’s how to put it in four-wheel drive. Try it.”
    She got in and fired up his truck. They drove across Grandpa’s yard. Lauren listened while Mitch explained where all the important controls, knobs and buttons were.
    A hilly snatch of terrain that couldn’t be resisted loomed. She gunned it a little then eyed Mitch,