Practice Makes Perfect (4 page)

When she reached his office, she found the door open. Ian was on the phone, his back to her. His feet were propped on his desk, and he leaned precariously back in his padded chair. He wore knife-creased slacks and a steel gray shirt to match. “Hi, Sal. I was wondering if you had Martha Jones’s results yet.” Ian laughed, a deep chuckle. “I know. But I couldn’t wait.”

Something from the other end of the line.

“Oh, no.” Ian dropped his feet to the floor, sat forward and listened. His shirt pulled across his shoulders as he tensed. “Damn it.”

A response.

“Yeah, it sucks.” He ran a hand through his collar-length hair, mussing it. “I know. Thanks.” Hanging up the phone, Ian stared at it a moment; then he shocked Paige by hurling the file in front of him across the room.

“Ian?”

He whirled around. His classic features were drawn, and his gray eyes were the color of storm clouds. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” She nodded to the file. “Problem?”

Again the sadness. He was always in such a good mood, flirty, smiling, that she was surprised to see this side of him. “An older patient. The mother of a friend.” He glanced down to where he’d thrown the file. “She has uterine cancer.”

“I’m sorry.” Paige stepped inside. “I know how hard this kind of thing can be.”

He studied her, making her uncomfortable. She’d thought about him this week, wondered about the things he’d told her. Why didn’t he have the same surname as his parents? And why was he so interested in starting the care center? Combined with how he was looking at her...

She straightened. “You wanted to talk to me about something?”

“Why do you do that?”

“What?”

“Withdraw? Shut down?”

Because it’s safer to withdraw
. “You don’t know me well enough to ask that.”

“Maybe we could fix that.” The flirt was back.

“No, thanks.” She sat in an adjacent chair and crossed her legs, pulling down the shantung skirt she wore with a tailored silk blouse. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

“Dr. Cold and Calculating.”

“Who?”

“Your resident.”

When she realized what he meant, she couldn’t keep from smiling. She had no idea Ian used nicknames, too. Like she did. “If you think that, why are you asking him to join your center?”

“I haven’t asked him yet.”

“He’s sure you’re going to.”

“The boy should really work on his self-confidence.”

Again she smiled. “Seriously, can’t you find someone else?”

“I had a lead on two other doctors. Both fell through.” He gave her a lush grin. “That’s, of course, after the best of the best refused me.”

She sighed. “Cut the charm.”

“Fine. Since you recommended Roberts, I thought maybe you could give me an indication of his good points.”

Most kids from the projects are troublemakers
. “He isn’t the best choice, Ian.”

“I know that, Paige. But I’m running out of options.”

Staring at him, she thought of his mother, who had given her so much. When Paige had gotten the work-study program in medical school to help out Dr. Elsa Moore as an office aide, Elsa not only made sure Paige worked enough hours to support herself and Jade, but she encouraged Paige to accompany her on rounds and showed her how to treat the little ones and soothe the parents. Overall, Elsa had taught her what it meant to be a good doctor. Then Paige thought about Nora and her unending selflessness at Serenity House. Finally she reflected on Rob Roberts’s boorish attitude—and Kari Linstrom’s kids, whom Paige loved working with.

What the hell.

“All right. I’ll be your baby doctor. On my day off, and two other afternoons if I can clear my schedule. Will that be enough?”

“Yes, we’re all working part-time till we see how things go.”

She stood. “So we’re set.” She began to walk away.

He swiveled in his chair and grasped her arm. His big hand squeezed, making her edgy. “Thanks. I appreciate this.”

She didn’t know what to do with his sincerity. Sitting there, he stared up at her with those gray eyes; she’d never been close enough to see the black ring around the irises. His jaw was square cut and his mouth could only be described as sensual. She felt a jolt of awareness go through her. So she shrugged off his hand and said glibly, “Don’t be too appreciative. I’m not doing this for free. We still have to negotiate salary.”

And then, disturbed by the uneven tattoo of her heart, she left before she had any other untenable reactions to Dr. Hot and Hunky.

o0o

CONGRESSMAN NATHAN HYDE III came from the founding family of Hyde Point. Grandson of town patriarch Nathan Hyde I, he sat behind his desk in his big office and studied Ian. “What can I do for you, Ian?”

“I just wanted to show you the final roster for our care center.”

“
Our
center.” Nathan adjusted the cuffs of his designer suit. “That has a nice ring to it.”

“Hyde money made the Center possible. At least part of it.” Part had come from the inheritance Ian’s parents left him, and the rest from federal grants. “That’s why you’re conducting the opening ceremonies in a few weeks.”

Leaning over, Nathan took the folder from Ian. “I like the thought of helping troubled girls.” There was a catch in the congressman’s voice. Since he’d been working on this project with Nathan, Ian had suspected there was more than philanthropic interest behind Nathan’s support of the Center. And of Serenity House, which also received significant Hyde money.

“Can I ask you something?” Ian asked.

Nathan looked up from the folder. “Of course.”

“Is there a reason you’re so interested in this venture? I get the feeling you have...an ulterior motive.”

“Other than wanting to be reelected to Congress?” Nathan was running again for the district seat in the House of Representatives.

“Yeah. Other than that.”

Nathan was quiet for a moment. “A long time ago something happened to me that…” He shook his head. “I’d rather not discuss it.”

Ian shrugged. “No problem. I just want your cash, anyway,” he joked to ease the moment.

As Nathan read the folder, his eyes widened. “I can’t believe you got Paige Kendrick for the pediatric position.”

Ian chuckled. It was quite a coup. So what if he’d had to resort to a little spying and blackmail? Marla Simmons had come through with just the right nugget of information to make Paige reconsider joining the Center. Though Ian felt vaguely guilty—he would never have hired Rob Roberts—he’d gotten the best doctor for the Elsa Moore Center. “Yeah, me neither. Must be my legendary charm.”

“From what I hear, she’s immune to charm.”

“You tried yours on her, Hyde?”

Nathan held up his hands. “I’m an engaged man, remember? Which reminds me, Barbara thought it might be fun if we had dinner together sometime, the two of us and you and a date.”

For some reason, visions of light-brown hair and snapping blue eyes came to mind. “I’d like that.” They made arrangements for golf and dinner on Sunday at the Hyde Point Country Club.

As Ian left the office and drove home, he thought about who to ask. Nathan’s fiancée, Barbara Benton, was a sophisticated lawyer for the town’s main industry, Hyde Point Electronics. Would Paige get along with her? Not that Paige would go out with him, anyway. Not that he’d want her to. Damn, where was his mind going these days? He didn’t even particularly like the woman.

He pulled into his driveway in South Hyde Point, got out of the car and opened the condo door, only to be attacked by ninety pounds of black Lab. “Hey, Scalpel, how ya doin’, buddy?” The dog barked his greeting and licked him mercilessly until Ian sank to the floor and wrestled with him “Come on, I’ll take you outside. Let me change first.”

They were running along the Chemung River—without the leash, which Scalpel hated—when Ian thought of Paige again. He’d seen her once or twice at the country club. “Does she play golf, Scalpel? What do you think?”

Trotting alongside him, Scalpel shook his head. Ian laughed. Sometimes the dog seemed human.

“Does she date?”

The dog growled.

What kind of guy did she like? Ian wondered. He knew it wouldn’t be someone like him Maybe someone more like Nathan, who kept his feelings to himself.

Scalpel nudged Ian’s pocket, where he kept a ball, then ran ahead. “Okay, okay,” he grumbled, and tossed it to the dog for a little throw and fetch. As he played with his pet, he told himself it didn’t matter what kind of guy Paige Kendrick liked. All that mattered was that she’d be working in the care center.

The Elsa Moore Center.

Small world!

o0o

PAIGE WAS THINKING what a small world it was when she stepped up to the eighteenth tee and caught a glimpse of the foursome behind them. Two men and two women were approaching the last hole.

“Oh, look, Dan, it’s Nathan and Barbara.” Nora shaded her eyes with her hand. “Who’s that with them?”

“Ian Chandler and some woman I’ve never seen before.” Dan locked his hand around Nora’s neck and she leaned into him. The loving gesture made Paige’s insides go soft. “We’ve slowed them down, I guess,” Dan added.

“Let them play through.” Paige stepped back. Golf was still too new to her to have an audience; she didn’t like not being competent at an activity. Especially with Dr. Good at Everything watching. She’d heard her colleagues talking about Ian’s terrific golf game. Jeez, did the man excel at everything?

When the foursome came closer, Nathan and Dan Whitman hugged.

“Good to see you, buddy.” Dan held on to Nathan’s arms. Paige knew Dan had been best friends with Nathan’s older brother, who’d been killed when he was young. In addition to being a father figure to all the girls at Serenity House, Dan had been a surrogate son to the Hydes and brother to Nathan, who was going to be best man in his and Nora’s wedding.

Nathan grinned. “Good to see you, too.” He leaned over and kissed Nora’s cheek. Introductions were made all around. Ian’s friend was Missy Columbo, a teacher at the high school.

As Nathan, Dan and the women made small talk, Ian turned to Paige. “I didn’t know you golfed, Paige.”

“I’m learning.”

Missy Columbo, beautiful enough to be Miss America, cuddled closer. “Me, too. Ian’s a seven handicap.”

“Well, play through, then.” Paige nodded to the tee. “We’re taking our time.” She winced inwardly at her curt tone. Though she’d never win the Miss Congeniality award, she was usually more gracious. Even Nora gave her an odd look.

Paige stood back and watched Ian, dressed in a navy golf shirt and khaki slacks, stride up to the tee. He chose a driver from his bag and winked at Dan. “Old Nate and I have a bet on who makes the longest drive. The loser pays for dinner.”

Barbara leaned into Nathan. “Old Nate, huh?”

Ian’s date giggled adoringly. Nora rested her hand on Dan’s arm. Paige felt unaccountably lonely as she watched Ian, head down, face fierce with concentration, swing the club. The ball soared out of sight.

Nathan snorted. “I’ll be paying.” He turned to Dan. “Join us for dinner?”

“We were eating here, anyway.” Dan looked to the women. Nora nodded.

Paige balked. For some reason the thought of watching Miss America fawn over Ian all night had ruined her appetite. “Why don’t you two go ahead. I’ve got some work—”

Nora frowned. “Oh, no, you said you’d have dinner with us. I was looking forward to it.”

“I—”

Ian slid his club into his golf bag. “I’ll think it’s because of me that you’re opting out.” His charm was oozing today.

“No, of course it’s not.”
Liar
.

He gave her a boyish grin. “Well, then?”

“Fine, I’ll stay.”

Purposely she turned away and turned off the unfamiliar emotion she was experiencing by mentally planning her week ahead. Work was always a good distraction when she didn’t like what she was feeling.

o0o

IT WAS AT DINNER that an odd thing happened. They’d just ordered their meals—Ian and Paige both picked the stuffed flounder and a light chardonnay—when Nathan proposed a toast. “To the Elsa Moore Center. And the two doctors who are going to make it work.”

In the process of reaching for her wineglass, Nora repeated, “
Two
doctors?” Obviously startled, she knocked over her drink. Dan, openmouthed, began mopping it up. Something had clearly surprised the older couple.

“Paige?” Nora said. “Are
you
going to work there?”

“Where?” Missy asked.

“At the Center for young mothers and their babies,” Ian announced proudly. “We have a physician’s assistant, an internist, me, of course, and Paige has agreed to be our pediatrician.”

“The Center is Ian’s pet project,” Nathan explained.

“Yes, I realize that.” Nora’s voice was grave. “But I didn’t know...Paige, dear, when did you become involved?”

Ian glanced at Paige, noticed the grim set of her lips.

“Ian charmed her into it, most likely,” Nathan put in.

“I did.” Ian sensed Nora’s unease. “You seem surprised, Nora.”

She looked at Dan.

“It’s just that Paige is always so busy,” Dan said, rescuing his fiancée.

“Don’t give her ideas.” Nathan scowled. “Ian needs her.”

Ian was still pondering their strange reaction when the harried-looking manager rushed to their table. “Dr. Kendrick? Dr. Chandler? We need your help. There was a fire in the kitchen and people got burned.”

Paige and Ian exchanged a quick look and were out of their seats before the manager finished.

Paige said, “Let’s go.” On the way she asked, “Who was hurt?”

“Two of our staff were burned. They don’t want to go to the hospital but—”

“We’ll determine that,” Ian said easily.

In tandem, Paige and Ian strode through the dining room toward the back of the club. “Any expertise in burns?” Ian asked.

“A lot. Kids are like moths to flames.”

“Good. I’m a rookie in burn treatment. Pregnant women stay away from fires.”

Inside, amidst the scents of cooking meat and baking bread, the kitchen was hushed. “They don’t want to go to the hospital,” the manager repeated.

“Let’s have a look.” Ian ushered Paige in front of him.