Read Online From Brooding Boss to Adoring Dad by Dianne Drake - Free Book Online Page A

set in his own ways, and when he’s fixed on doing something—like adopting a pretty little girl child no one wants him to have—you can’t get him to change his mind.”
    “That’s the problem. He’s so set right now, and not set in a good way. He says he’ll come down here when I’m ready to make the final move, and maybe he will, but I’m not even sure about that any more. Not sure about anything where my father is concerned.”
    “Walk with me, child. I have a patient to see in Emergency. One of our moonlighters, as you call them, is attending one of my Hodgkin patients for a non-related problem, and he wants me to come and have a look.”
    “You don’t like moonlighters?” She was referring to physicians who worked various shifts at the hospital but were not regular employees. They were called moonlighters because more often than not they worked the dreaded night shift, the shift regulars liked to avoid when possible.
    “We love our moonlighters. Have a very good one I’m afraid we’re going to lose shortly. Or so I’ve just been informed. Of course, if you’re moving to the island permanently.” He grinned. “I can be persuasive, Erin. I’ll give you my time for your kiddies like I’ve already promised, and maybe you can give me a little of your time for my emergency department. Does that seem like a fair exchange?”
    “If you want to take a chance, because I haven’t worked in Emergency since I was in medical school.” Of course, she hadn’t worked in obstetrics since med school either, and that’s what Coulson had her doing.
    “It’s like riding a bicycle. Once you learn how to do it,you never forget.” He sobered. “Did you ever get to ride a bicycle when you were a child? ”
    “By the time I was well enough to play outside, I was old enough to drive a car. So, no, I never got around to the bicycle.”
    “Then someone will just have to teach you. To live on the island, you must have a bicycle.”
    “Do you?”
    “Mercy, no! I have a very nice automobile, and a wife who delights in driving me because she believes I drive too fast. But maybe you and I will have time to learn to ride a bicycle together.”
    “Bicycle paths.” she whispered absently.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Bicycle paths. Around the hospital. My children will need bicycles because I think some of them will be able to ride. Maybe not the two-wheelers, but I’m sure some will be able to handle the three-wheelers. So we’ll need riding paths.”
    “My donation, then. Bicycles and a bicycle path. Along with someone to teach you to ride.”
    “All that, plus your time?” What an amazing man. She loved him nearly as much as she did her father.
    “It’s worthy, and it will give me something to do in my retirement. Besides, if I learn how to ride, and you have those bicycle paths laid in, that will give me more excuses to come visit my old friend and his lovely daughter.” He shoved through the open doors to the emergency department then held them open for Erin. “And I won’t let Algernon go to waste, Erin. You have my word on that. I love that man like he’s my own brother, and I’m glad he’s coming home, where he can be around his friends. He’ll find himself here.” He gave her another huge hug. “We’ll make sure of that.”
    “You don’t know how that makes me feel, hearing you say it,” she sniffled.
    He chuckled. “And you don’t know how it makes me feel knowing that you’ll be here, moonlighting, every once in a while. Or spending time with Alvinnia and me, when you’re able. You’re a daughter to her, you know. Now, put on a white coat and come and see this patient with me. And the doctor you’ll be meeting is quite interesting, too. A headstrong fellow, but good.” He grinned his infamous grin. “Handsome, too, and, if I’m not mistaken, single. Don’t know him well. Wasn’t the one to hire him, but I’ve heard good reports of his skills. And did I mention handsome? So maybe you