Read Online The Good Doctor by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online Page B

think about the worst. Ryan had always been a strong, vibrant presence in her life. She absolutely couldn’t imagine anything happening to him and didn’t want to.
    â€œGo with Dr. Grimaldi,” she whispered, her voice catching.
    He patted her on the back as he would a child and then he followed the doctor down the hall to an examination room.
    For the next twenty minutes, Violet felt as if she were going to jump out of her skin. Yes, her concern for Ryan was making her tense, but sitting in this small room with Peter wasn’t helping, either. With the receptionist stationed at the desk, they weren’t about to have a private conversation, assuming Peter wanted to have a private conversation. He seemed genuinely engrossed in a news magazine.
    Was he always cool, calm, and collected? Didn’t anything ruffle him? If she was up for a challenge, that would have been it—trying to ruffle Peter Clark. However, right now she just wanted to make time pass quickly. It wasn’t.
    Finally, Dr. Grimaldi himself wheeled Ryan into the reception area. Ryan was a tall man, husky, with plenty of muscles. But this morning, in that wheelchair with a cover over his lap, he looked…older, resigned, downright weary.
    Violet went to him and crouched down by his side. When she gazed into his eyes, she couldn’t say anything. Instead, she kissed his weathered cheek. For some reason the gesture of affection just seemed necessary.
    The receptionist took hold of Ryan’s chair and pushed it out the door.
    Dr. Grimaldi said to Peter, “I’ll see you later.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m already late for a meeting. You’re welcome to wait here if you’d like.” Then he was gone, too.
    It only took Violet a few moments to realize she couldn’t sit here and read more magazines. “I’m going to go stir-crazy if I stay here. Do you want to go for a walk?”
    â€œThat’s probably a good idea. But I think we should talk first.”
    â€œAbout last night?” As soon as the question was out, she wished she hadn’t asked because now he’d know it had been on her mind.
    â€œAbout what happened in the parking lot.” His voice went lower. “I should never have kissed you.”
    â€œI was there, too,” she reminded him, waiting to hear his reasons why it was a bad idea. She had hers, but she wanted to know his.
    He looked chagrined for a few moments but then with determination went on, “You’re a beautiful woman, Violet, but you’ve got a high-powered career. Not only that, your career is in New York. I’ve been down that road before. It’s not one I want to travel again. My guess is, you don’t even know how long you’ll be in Texas.”
    â€œI’ve cleared my schedule for a month.”
    â€œWe can do a lot of damage in a month. We could disrupt our lives and tear up our emotions and at the end of it be sorry we ever met.”
    His conclusions about what would probably happen irked her. She couldn’t help but say, “I’m glad you have a crystal ball. Do you know where I can buy one?”
    His tone was wry. “No crystal ball. Just logic and a healthy dose of past experience.”
    â€œSo you have a prejudice against career women?”
    â€œI respect career women, and some careers don’t consumetwenty-four hours a day. But you and I both know our careers do. I guess what I’m saying, Violet, is that I’m looking for more than a good time rocking the bed.”
    If he was being brutally blunt to shock her, he didn’t. “I dream about having it all someday,” she admitted. “The truth is, no man has ever made me reconsider my goals or the time I spend with my patients. That might never change.”
    On the other hand, hadn’t she come to Texas because the path she’d chosen didn’t seem to fit anymore? Her pride kept her from expressing any of