Read Online Changed by His Son's Smile by Robin Gianna - Free Book Online Page A

And it was none of her business.
    Chase strode into the room, looking so good in jeans and a pale yellow polo shirt that showed off his tanned skin and dark hair and eyes that she caught herself staring. She pulled her gaze back to the cards, typing what she could into the computer.
    “Making progress?” he asked, leaning over her to look at her work, resting his palm between her shoulder blades.
    “Not much. I can’t even read most of them. We’re just going to have to start with new records of children as we see them.” She stared fixedly at her work. “I’d like to talk with you about ways we can get parents to bring their kids in for checks.”
    “It’s not easy. A lot of folks don’t have transportation, so they only come when there’s a serious problem. Some believe Vodun will keep their children from getting sick.”
    “Vodun?”
    “Voodoo. The word translates as ‘spirit.’” His hand slid up her back to cup the back of her neck, his breath whispering across her cheek. “We’ll talk about all that when we go into the field soon to do immunizations in various villages.”
    His mouth dropped to caress the skin beneath her earlobe, which sent a delicious shiver across her throat until she jerked her head away.
    “You know, back home that would be considered sexual harassment. Don’t make me contact the GPC to lodge a complaint.”
    “You think a tiny kiss is sexual harassment?” His low laugh vibrated against her skin. “I can think of lots more ways to harass you sexually. If you ask nicely.”
    “You’re ridiculous.” She shook her head, feeling slightly dizzy. She should be annoyed, but instead had to desperately will herself to be tough and strong against the seductive temptation of his lips. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to work here. Leave me alone. Seriously.”
    To her surprise and relief, he straightened and his warm hand left her nape. “Take a break from that for a minute. Ruth and Drew need you to come outside.”
    “Why?” She swiveled to look at him. He had an odd expression on his face, slightly amused and clearly anticipatory. Obviously nothing was wrong and her curiosity was piqued, in spite of herself.
    “You’ll see. Come on.”
    He grasped her hand and she rose from the chair, tugging her hand from his as she followed him out the clinic doors.
    As they approached the small enclosure that served as a playground for patients’ children and siblings, she could see Drew scooting around on a plastic ride-on toy train that hadn’t been there earlier, a wide grin on his face. And two people standing next to him with equally ecstatic expressions.
    Who...?
    “Toot-toot! Toot-toot!” Drew exclaimed, scuffing his shoes in the dirt as he rode.
    Chase put his arm across Dani’s shoulders before they stepped inside the gate of the wooden fence. “Mom and Dad, I’d like you to meet Dr. Danielle Sheridan. Dani, my parents, Drs. Philip and Evelyn Bowen.”
    His parents. Drew’s grandparents. Stunned, Dani smiled and reached to shake Chase’s father’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” Nice and shocking. They just popped in for a quick trip to Benin to meet Drew?
    About to shake Evelyn’s hand, the woman gave her a warm embrace instead. “It’s so delightful to meet you, dear. And our Andrew is so adorable. Precious! I can’t believe how he looks just like Chase did at that age. You have no idea how happy you’ve made us.”
    Our Andrew . The words put a funny little flutter of joy in Dani’s chest. She had to smile at the lovely woman’s greeting and obvious sincerity. How wonderful that Andrew had grandparents who would clearly want to be a part of his life. Her own mother lived pretty far from where Dani had gotten a job and, as a nurse, worked a lot of hours. Not the kind of grandmother who would be baking cookies and babysitting.
    Then again, neither were the Drs. Bowen, working in mission hospitals around the world. Nonetheless, it was