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The Most Eligible Doctor
Karen Rose Smith
SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH HER SEXY, MUCH OLDER BOSS…He was tall, dark and a hunk–typical reasons why Jed Sawyer was the talk of the town. And Nurse Brianne Barrington was the latest victim of his lethal charm. But while Brianne had a bad case of "my-Mr. Right syndrome," the jaded older man was suffering from "can't commit-itis."Jed knew better than to take what Brianne was offering. Besides, he'd vowed never to let anyone unshackle the chains around his heart. So how had a woman who believed in church weddings, white gowns and forever made mincemeat of his grand plan to keep things between them strictly professional?
“That was a mistake that won’t happen again.”
Brianne’s cheeks were flushed, and she looked embarrassed and vulnerable from their kiss.
“We have to work together.” Then, as if he needed more reasons to keep his distance, he continued, “And I’m much older than you are. I’m not looking for an involvement.”
“I see,” she murmured, studying her hands rather than him.
Finally her gaze met his. When he looked into her eyes, he remembered the kiss and saw she was remembering, too. He’d been an idiot to give in to the moment. He wouldn’t be giving in to the moment again.
As he turned away from Brianne, he tried to shut off everything their kiss had stirred up inside of him. But as he left her staring after him, he felt as if a locked door had been opened.
An open door he might never be able to lock again…
Dear Reader,
October is bringing big changes in the Silhouette and Mills & Boon worlds. To strengthen the terrific lineup of stories we offer, Silhouette Romance will be moving to four fabulous titles each month.
Don’t miss the newest story in this six-book series—MARRYING THE BOSS’S DAUGHTER. In this second title, Her Pregnant Agenda (#1690) by Linda Goodnight, Emily Winters is up to her old matchmaking tricks. This time she has a bachelor lawyer and his alluring secretary—a single mom-to-be—on her matrimonial short list.
Valerie Parv launches her newest three-book miniseries, THE CARRAMER TRUST, with The Viscount & the Virgin (#1691). In it, an arrogant royal learns a thing or two about love from his secret son’s sassy aunt. This is the third continuation of Parv’s beloved Carramer saga.
An ornery M.D. is in danger of losing his heart to a sweet young nurse, in The Most Eligible Doctor (#1692) by reader favorite Karen Rose Smith. And is it possible to love a two-in-one cowboy? Meet the feisty teacher who does, in Doris Rangel’s magical Marlie’s Mystery Man (#1693), our latest SOULMATES title.
I encourage you to sample all four of these heartwarming romantic titles from Silhouette Romance this month.
Enjoy!
Mavis C. Allen
Associate Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance
The Most Eligible Doctor
Karen Rose Smith
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Books by Karen Rose Smith
Silhouette Romance
* (#litres_trial_promo)Adam’s Vow #1075
* (#litres_trial_promo)Always Daddy #1102
* (#litres_trial_promo)Shane’s Bride #1128
† (#litres_trial_promo)Cowboy at the Wedding #1171
† (#litres_trial_promo)Most Eligible Dad #1174
† (#litres_trial_promo)A Groom and a Promise #1181
The Dad Who Saved Christmas #1267
‡ (#litres_trial_promo)Wealth, Power and a Proper Wife #1320
‡ (#litres_trial_promo)Love, Honor and a Pregnant Bride #1326
‡ (#litres_trial_promo)Promises, Pumpkins and Prince Charming #1332
The Night Before Baby #1348
‡ (#litres_trial_promo)Wishes, Waltzes and a Storybook Wedding #1407
Just the Man She Needed #1434
Just the Husband She Chose #1455
Her Honor-Bound Lawman #1480
Be My Bride? #1492
Tall, Dark & True #1506
Her Tycoon Boss #1523
Doctor in Demand #1536
A Husband in Her Eyes #1577
The Marriage Clause #1591
Searching for Her Prince #1612
With One Touch #1638
The Most Eligible Doctor #1692
Silhouette Special Edition
Abigail and Mistletoe #930
The Sheriff’s Proposal #1074
His Little Girl’s Laughter #1426
Expecting the CEO’s Baby #1535
Silhouette Books
The Fortunes of Texas
Marry in Haste…
Previously published under the pseudonym Kari Sutherland
Silhouette Romance
Heartfire, Homefire #973
Silhouette Special Edition
Wish on the Moon #741
KAREN ROSE SMITH,
award-winning author of over forty published novels, loves to write. She began putting pen to paper in high school when she discovered poetry as a creative outlet. Also writing for her high school newspaper, intending to teach someday, she never suspected crafting emotional and romantic stories would become her life’s work! Married for thirty-two years, she and her husband reside in Pennsylvania with their two cats, Ebbie and London. Readers can e-mail Karen through her Web site at www.karenrosesmith.com (http://www.karenrosesmith.com) or write to her at P.O. Box 1545, Hanover, PA 17331.
Contents
Chapter One (#u08080bb4-6cb3-5c56-b647-04ce413c7335)
Chapter Two (#u5a176a90-e6d8-5a9f-9d82-03d64a2ebf9e)
Chapter Three (#uefacec01-8917-5257-9ad3-133e471b19ff)
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)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
Of all days to be late.
Brianne Barrington pulled open the glass door to the Beechwood Family Practice, out of breath, nervous and in a near panic. Brushing her auburn curls from her cold cheek—early January in Wisconsin could be frigid—she wondered if Dr. Jed Sawyer could fire her for tardiness. It was his first day…and maybe her last. She’d only been working at Beechwood for six months, her first position since graduating from nursing school.
Even in her present state of rushed anxiety, the thought of missing her graduation ceremony and the reason why still brought quick tears. Blinking them away, she hurried into the building.
The waiting room, decorated in soothing tones of blue and green, was already crowded as Brianne raced through one of the two doors leading to examination rooms and offices.
Lily Garrison, her blond hair tied in a low ponytail today, stepped out of an exam room and asked, “What happened?”
“I set my alarm for p.m. instead of a.m.” Most mornings, Lily and her daughter, Megan—Brianne’s housemates—were getting ready for their day at the same time she was. But this morning, Lily had a progress-report conference with her five-year-old’s teacher.
“Dr. Sawyer’s not too happy,” Lily warned. “I’ve been preparing his patients as well as Dr. Olsen’s.”
After Dr. Olsen had hired Brianne, she’d worked with him, assisting Lily, as well as helping with any phone questions. She’d known that was temporary until the practice hired more doctors.
The thought of Dr. Sawyer’s disapproval sent a frisson of panic through her again. “I’m here now. I just have to stow my purse and put on my smock.”
The door to examination room 4 suddenly opened and a tall, raven-haired doctor with piercing green eyes stepped out. Brianne could hear a wailing child inside the exam room.
After his penetrating gaze brushed over Lily, it came to rest on Brianne. “Are you my nurse?”
For some mystifying reason, his use of the possessive “my” sent a thrill through her that she didn’t understand…and didn’t want to feel. Still, she politely extended her hand. “I’m Brianne Barrington. I’m sorry I’m late. Usually I’m a very punctual person, but—”
“Excuses don’t carry much weight with me, Miss Barrington. Now that you’re here, just do your job. I have a two-year-old in there who won’t let me get near her. Is there anything you can do about that?” His words were a direct challenge to prove herself—right here, right now.
Brianne’s breeding demanded that she be ladylike, no matter what. “I can try, Dr. Sawyer.” She gazed directly into his very green eyes.
Seconds that seemed like eons ticked by as she felt the space between them fairly crackle with…something tingly that made her terrifically aware of his very broad shoulders, his angular jaw, his imposing male presence. His demeanor showed he wouldn’t give an inch. This man didn’t back down once he took a stand.
Breaking eye contact, she murmured to Lily, “Could you put this in the office?” and handed her friend her purse. The two nurses shared an office, though each doctor had one of his own.
“No problem,” Lily said with a quick glance at Dr. Sawyer.
Then Brianne went into the exam room, checked the chart on the counter for the child’s name, and smiled at the little girl, who was sitting on the exam table with her thumb in her mouth. Tears were running down her cheeks.
Brianne greeted their small patient in a soft, friendly voice. “Hi, Cindy.”
Warily, the little girl watched her approach.
When Dr. Sawyer stepped into the room once more, Cindy took one look at him and burst into tears again.
“I’m so sorry,” the mother exclaimed, putting her arm around her daughter and giving her a tender squeeze. “The last time we were here Dr. Olsen gave her a shot. Your white coat and all reminds her—”
Cindy let out an ear-splitting wail, and Brianne knew she had to do something fast to help both the baby and the doctor. At the counter, she picked up a pen and drew faces on her thumb and forefinger.
Crossing to the child, she wiggled her fingers and said in a high, lilting voice, “We’re the doctor’s special helpers. We want to make you smile today.”
As she moved her fingers, making them look like puppets, Cindy stopped crying.
