Read Online The Doctor's Christmas by Marta Perry - Free Book Online

at the dusty file cabinets. He and Maggie had moved from antagonism to an easy banter in a matter of moments. In most hospital circumstances that would be fine, but he and Maggie were alone here. They’d both be better off if they kept things strictly business.
    But he had an uneasy suspicion that if he made Maggie laugh too often, “strictly business” would be a tough policy to follow.
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    She might actually begin to enjoy Grant’s presence if she had a clear conscience. Maggie stacked patient files and glanced at the clock. Morning office hours were over—Grant would be out soon with the final patient. She’d lock the door, and then they’d be alone again.
    And again, she’d be tempted to relax, to laugh with him, to talk. To tell him more than she should.
    She touched the faint scar that crossed her collarbone. Faded now, it barely showed, but her fingers could trace the line. It was a vivid reminder of how easily a child could be hurt.
    Of what her responsibilities were. She had to protect Joey and Tacey and Robby. There wasn’t anyone else.
    So she wouldn’t let her guard down with Grant. She couldn’t.
    The exam room door opened, and Grant ushered the patient out. Maggie followed Evie Moore, who was still talking, to the doorway. She nodded, she smiled and once Evie was finally outside, she snapped the lock and flipped the sign to Closed.
    â€œWill you look at this?” Grant put a cardboard box on the counter.
    â€œI don’t need to look—I can smell.” The aroma drew her closer. “Evie brought you a whole cherry pie.”
    Grant flipped the lid back. Dark sweet cherries peeked through the flower-petal slits in the top crust.
    â€œIf this is anything like the one I had at the churchthe other night, I just might eat the whole thing myself.”
    â€œIt’s even better.” Maggie inhaled, enjoying the rich scent, enjoying even more the relaxed look on Grant’s face. “She got up early to bake this before she came. It’s still warm from the oven.”
    He sniffed and sighed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Okay, Maggie, you and the kids have to help me with this. Otherwise I’ll have an added fifteen pounds to show for my month in Button Gap.”
    â€œThat’s what you keep saying, but I don’t see you turning anything down.”
    â€œHey, nobody told me about the fringe benefits to volunteer doctoring. I might have come sooner if I’d known what awaited me.”
    His gaze was warm on her face, and for an instant it was almost as if he included her in the benefits he’d found in Button Gap. She pushed that thought away. It was silly. If he could have, Grant would probably have brought his own nurse with him on this assignment. Then he wouldn’t have to argue all the time.
    In an instant her imagination had created a picture of that perfect nurse—skilled, supportive, eager to serve.
    She flicked the image away with the tip of an imaginary finger.
    â€œSo you think a few cherry pies and homemade preserves make up for the lack of coffee bars and fine restaurants?”
    â€œNever been crazy about coffee bars.” Grant took a plate and knife from the shelf next to the refrigeratorand cut into the pie. Cherry juice shot out, making her mouth water. “Seafood restaurants—now them I miss. Baltimore has some of the best crab in the world.”
    â€œI know. I was there once. We ate down at the Inner Harbor.”
    â€œI hope you had steamed crabs.” Grant handed her the pie and cut another slice for himself.
    â€œI did, as a matter of fact.” She smiled, remembering. “It was the first time I’d ever seen a whole crab. I didn’t know how to get into it.”
    He closed his eyes, as if remembering the tastes she’d conjured up, then shook his head. “It’ll taste even better when I get back.”
    â€œCounting the days already?” she