Read Online Tempted in the Tropics by Tracy March - Free Book Online

between those and sidewalk chalk?”
    Paige shook her head. “They’re the same thing, just shaped differently. Maybe I should put in a bid to bake petits fours for everyone.”
    Cyn’s eyebrows jumped up near her hairline. “That’s a heck of a leap from sidewalk chalk to petits fours. Their budget’s pretty near nonexistent. Think they’d spring for something like that?”
    “I doubt it.” But Paige couldn’t help imagining how much money they’d make selling hundreds of petits fours. She wasn’t going to tell Cyn that getting that Valentine’s banquet order might be the one thing that would save her business. She believed in her mom’s magic, but right now, she needed a miracle.

Chapter Six
    Lane decided to take a brisk walk on his lunch break and head over to the Ruritan Hall where the Red Cross was doing a blood drive. At least half of his patients this morning had mentioned they were planning to donate, and he’d decided to join them. No one needed to convince him how important it was to have a sufficient supply of blood on hand—especially in emergencies.
    It was only about a half mile walk, but it was so freakin’ cold out he decided to go to Sweet Bee’s for a cup of coffee to drink on the way. The bells on the door jingled as he stepped inside, wondering if he wanted the coffee or if he really wanted to see Paige? And what kind of sense did that make, considering what she’d written in her letter to Mrs. Hawthorne? Maybe he felt a little guilty that he might be negatively affecting Paige’s business and figured he should contribute to it somehow. He walked up to the counter, eyeballing the doorway to the kitchen as a tall brunette whisked out and came to the counter.
    Not Paige. He wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or relieved.
    “Help you, sir?” She wiped her hands on her apron as if she’d just washed them.
    “Small coffee, please.”
    “Comin’ up.” She ducked back into the kitchen and quickly returned with his drink. “You’re the new doctor, right?”
    “Lane Anderson.”
    “I’m Cynthia, but most people call me Cyn.”
    Lane nodded. “Cyn, huh?”
    “It suits me better.”
    “Got it.” Lane paid for the coffee and gave her a tip. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Thanks, man,” Cyn said. “Guess we’ll see you around, considering you’re right next door.”
    “Sure thing.” He headed outside, not the least bit surprised that Paige employed a girl named Cyn.
    Lane walked to the Ruritan Hall, braving the cold with his coffee, and thinking warm thoughts about being in St. Lucia over the weekend—with Paige.
    He’d started to second-guess his theory that he was being set up with her, because he hadn’t even seen her since the fateful dinner at Hawthorne Manor several days ago. If she were the least bit interested in him, wouldn’t she have…what? Apologized? He hadn’t made any moves, either. Maybe part of him was just hoping—and he was certain which part. But the invitation from Sylvia and Liza might truly have only been about him playing his guitar at the wedding.
    Lane entered the Ruritan Hall to the liveliest scene he’d ever encountered at a blood drive. He’d never witnessed so many enthusiastic people—most of them older—except at his former voting precinct in his parents’ hometown of Richmond, Virginia. The Red Cross would never have to beg for blood if the turnout for all of its drives was as good as this one.
    Heads turned as people realized the new doctor was there, those who recognized him likely cluing in the others who hadn’t seen him yet. Lane smiled and nodded, unused to all the attention. Red Cross volunteers staffed the registration table where he checked in, then a pleasant middle-aged woman settled him in to a lounge, took his vitals, then cleaned his arm and pricked it.
    “I’m a friendly vampire,” she said, smiling.
    “Too bad it’s not Halloween; your timing would be perfect.”
    An older lady who sat on the next lounger over