скачать книгу бесплатно
Christmas With The Best Man
Susan Carlisle
A kiss, a fling…a wedding ring?Dr Helena Tate still believes in love, despite her past heartbreak, and that one day she’ll have a baby of her own. Her gorgeous-but-brooding colleague Dr Elijah Davenport, however, is not the man to pin her hopes on. He’s no longer interested in long-term relationships.But being maid of honour and best man at a wedding in snow-covered Central Park heightens their attraction. Soon their Christmas fling becomes so much more! Can Helena tame Manhattan Mercy’s playboy – so they both get the love they deserve?Christmas in ManhattanAll the drama of the ER, all the magic of Christmas!
A kiss, a fling...a wedding ring? (#ua28760a8-c226-5224-a42c-14710690ea83)
Dr. Helena Tate still believes in love, despite her past heartbreak, and that one day she’ll have a baby of her own. Her gorgeous but brooding colleague Dr. Elijah Davenport, however, is not the man to pin her hopes on. He’s no longer interested in long-term relationships.
But being maid of honor and best man at a wedding in snow-covered Central Park heightens their attraction. Soon their Christmas fling becomes so much more! Can Helena tame Manhattan Mercy’s playboy—so they both get the love they deserve?
Christmas in Manhattan (#ua28760a8-c226-5224-a42c-14710690ea83)
All the drama of the ER, all the magic of Christmas!
A festive welcome to Manhattan Mercy ER, a stone’s throw from Central Park in the heart of New York City. Its reputation for top-notch healthcare is eclipsed only by the reputation of the illustrious, wealthy Davenport family and the other dedicated staff who work there!
With snow about to blanket New York over Christmas, ER Chief Charles Davenport makes sure his team is ready for the drama and the challenge...but when it comes to love, a storm is brewing such as they’ve never seen before!
Available now:
Sleigh Ride with the Single Dad by Alison Roberts
A Firefighter in Her Stocking by Janice Lynn
The Spanish Duke’s Holiday Proposal by Robin Gianna
The Rescue Doc’s Christmas Miracle by Amalie Berlin
Christmas with the Best Man by Susan Carlisle
Dr Elijah Davenport doesn’t believe in love and marriage, and Dr Helena Tate knows he’s not the one for her, but will passion change their minds?
Navy Doc on Her Christmas List by Amy Ruttan
The hospital is snowbound and Dr Ella Lockwood is trapped with ex-Navy doc Zachary Davenport. He’s the last man she wants to see—let alone kiss!
Dear Reader (#ua28760a8-c226-5224-a42c-14710690ea83),
I always enjoy being included in a continuity. It’s entertaining and interesting to see characters come alive through different authors’ talents and watch them all interconnect. I count myself fortunate to have been a part of this project. Thanks to my fellow authors, who I’m proud to share this project with.
I particularly had fun writing the scene about the young boy who broke his leg in a sledding accident. I patterned it after my son-in-law, who had a similar occurrence with his own son. We still give him a hard time about stepping in front of a moving sled. The son has recovered well from his injury!
I should also thank Kim Turner and Marybeth Hunter. Their medical expertise made my story more realistic. I appreciate all their pointers.
Most of all I hope you enjoy Helena and Elijah’s story. They each have a dark past to overcome. Love isn’t an easy thing for them. I hope you enjoy the Davenport family and the people who touch their lives at Manhattan Mercy Hospital as much as I do.
I love to hear from my readers. You can reach me at SusanCarlisle.com (http://www.SusanCarlisle.com).
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Susan
CHRISTMAS WITH THE BEST MAN
Susan Carlisle
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
SUSAN CARLISLE’s love affair with books began in the sixth grade, when she made a bad grade in mathematics. Not allowed to watch TV until she’d brought the grade up, Susan filled her time with books. She turned her love of reading into a passion for writing, and now has over ten Medical Romances published through Mills & Boon. She writes about hot, sexy docs and the strong women who captivate them. Visit SusanCarlisle.com (http://www.SusanCarlisle.com).
Books by Susan Carlisle
Mills & Boon Medical Romance
Summer Brides
White Wedding for a Southern Belle
Midwives On-Call
His Best Friend’s Baby
Heart of Mississippi
The Maverick Who Ruled Her HeartThe Doctor Who Made Her Love Again
Married for the Boss’s BabyThe Doctor’s Sleigh Bell ProposalThe Surgeon’s CinderellaStolen Kisses with Her Boss
Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk) for more titles.
Pam,
thanks for the years of friendship.
Praise for Susan Carlisle (#ua28760a8-c226-5224-a42c-14710690ea83)
“Gripping, stirring, and emotionally touching... A perfect medical read!”
—Goodreads on His Best Friend’s Baby
“This emotional love story kept me riveted. A truly satisfying, emotional read. Susan Carlisle’s work is like that. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.”
—Goodreads on NYC Angels: The Wallflower’s Secret
Contents
Cover (#u9e478609-73e1-5418-96a9-8e2223f7639a)
Back Cover Text (#ub13bce15-3d2e-5b63-b0d7-2e1e543ed97f)
Introduction (#u7f579063-3aa9-53c7-af56-ab4e99536ce3)
Dear Reader (#ub139d2bd-ae3f-5f39-a1e9-98a59e1e4c64)
Title Page (#u77b6c865-22c5-520e-a8de-11b9e3ba107f)
About the Author (#u02bb8e1a-f3e7-5c90-b496-e422bb0d7382)
Dedication (#uc64157e8-ba9f-5b7d-9544-819b94cfab3d)
Praise (#ua5418523-4d87-5abe-a1b8-14ea0684378d)
CHAPTER ONE (#udbe532a7-0529-5858-9897-79586e840301)
CHAPTER TWO (#ubd995526-8c98-5aca-98a9-f102036d082a)
CHAPTER THREE (#u9751f440-a861-5c3b-8781-f2452246d25b)
CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#ua28760a8-c226-5224-a42c-14710690ea83)
DR. HELENA TATE knew what a madhouse the ER could be during and after a major nor’easter but to experience it first hand was always a draining experience. Not only was snow piled everywhere, the wind was howling and the temperature teeth-clatteringly cold.
Injured people filled the chairs and any extra space in Manhattan Mercy’s emergency department in New York City. Even though the department might be the one of the most modern and efficient ERs in the world, it had still been all hands on deck for the last couple of days. Inside it was at least warm and cheerful. Being a week before Christmas, the nurses had banded together to decorate the department. Garlands hung around the unit desk, wreaths adorned doors, and there was even a Christmas tree in the corner of the waiting room.
Despite the festive time of the year the sick and injured just kept coming. Thankfully the flow had started to ease. She must be out of here in an hour if she had any hope of making Grace and Charles’s wedding on time. A must, since she was the maid of honor.
She and Grace had been friends and roommates during medical school and had stayed in touch. When Grace had mentioned needing a change from her overseas work, Helena had told Grace about a position becoming available in the ER and had offered her a place to stay. Grace had soon learned Charles Davenport would be her boss and had talked of cancelling the interview. Helena had encouraged her to come on anyway, having no idea there had been something between Grace and Charles during their medical school years.
Helena smiled then sighed. Now they were getting married. She was thrilled for them.
Finishing with her latest patient, Helena looked at her watch to check how much time she had to shower and change. The locker room wasn’t the perfect place to dress for a formal event but unusual circumstances called for flexibility. If anything, she’d learned long ago as an unwed pregnant teen to adjust to what life threw at her and move on.
The pain of finding out that her boyfriend had wanted nothing more to do with her, and especially the baby, had been horrible. More devastating had been the loss of the child. Seventeen was too young to become a mother, but the guilt she carried over not wanting the baby was what had stayed with her all these years.
She had survived with the love and support of her family. That’s what mattered now. The part of her personality that made her think positively had made being an ER doctor a good fit professionally for her. Days like the last few only proved it. How she was holding her love close. She wanted a man who wanted her forever. Some might think she was foolish to believe in happily ever after but she was still going to hold out for it. Grace and Charles were proving it could happen and Helena had to believe Prince Charming was somewhere out there for her as well.
Drawing back Trauma Four’s curtain, she stepped out of the bay and was sideswiped by a blur of white. “Ho.”
Dr. Elijah Davenport, Charles’s twin, glanced over his shoulder. “Hey Helena, can you give me a hand? A kid just came in with a broken leg and the father’s having trouble breathing.”
She hurried to keep up with him. “I saw Jim Leonard come in a few minutes ago. Isn’t he the doctor relieving you this evening? Shouldn’t you be thinking about getting ready for the wedding? After all, you’re the best man.”
“Yeah, but there’re also patients to see. When Charles left me in charge I promised not to let the place fall apart.”
Like Elijah would ever do that. He might be the quintessential playboy doctor but Helena had never doubted he was a dedicated physician. Truth be known, she thought him the best doctor in the department. But no way would she tell him that. His head was already big enough where women were concerned. It would only add to his already over-the-top ego.
Still, he had earned it. Elijah was beyond good looking. From his dark brown hair, charmingly out of place most of the time, to his tall, buff beachboy physique and the “Davenport blues” that sparkled when he laughed, Helena easily understood why women were agog over him. She might be as well but she wasn’t interested in anyone who worked their way through the nurses. Or in the heartache he would cause if she lost her heart to him. She wouldn’t accept anything but true love.
Helena’s attention went to Elijah, who had paused at the door to an exam room. “I’ll take the kid and you see the father.”
“Okay.”
She covered it well but no matter how much time had passed since she’d lost her baby the young patients still got to her on occasion. Sometimes a look or a laugh from a child triggered something in her that sent her emotions spinning out of control. During those moments, the pain was so harsh her chest felt like it might explode. The questions came flooding in. What would she have looked like? Would her child be acting the same as this one? The list and the pain went on. Thank goodness it didn’t happen often. But when it did...
“Done.” Elijah walked into the room.
A boy of about eight lay on the exam table with his face contorted in pain, while a tight-lipped father holding his side paced beside him.
“Mr....” Elijah looked at the clipboard he held “...Kakasides, I’m Dr. Davenport and this...” he nodded his head toward her “...is Dr. Tate. Why don’t you have a seat and tell us what happened.”
“I’d rather stand. It hurts worse when I sit. We were sledding in the park. Like an idiot, I tried to catch Louis when he came by me, going too fast. I fell on him. I think I’ve broken his leg. I hit the edge of the sled and messed up my side.”
Elijah glanced at her with an Are you believing this? look and then said to the father, “I’m going to check out your son while Dr. Tate does the same for you, okay?”
“Why don’t we step right over here?” Helena indicated an area off to the side.
The father glanced at his son, nodded. “Louis, I’m not going far. Hang in there, buddy.”
“Before I have a look at your side I need to listen to your heart and check a few more things.”
Again, the father dipped his head but his attention remained on his son.
With vitals completed, she said, “I know this is going to hurt but I need you to take a deep breath.”
The father winced but did as she asked.
“Now, Mr. Kakasides, I have to look under your shirt. Can you raise your arm?”
He hissed as he brought his arm up. Moving the shirt away, Helena could see a dark blue hematoma spreading out along his left side. The fall had definitely been hard.
“I’m going to need to step out and have a look at your chest X-ray,” she announced. “At the least you’ve broken a few ribs but I need to make sure there isn’t more. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do for broken ribs. They’ll have to heal on their own. You can take an anti-inflammatory for the pain.”
