don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She frowned up at him. “Did you even check out those one-of-a-kind rings?”
He shrugged. “Why should I? It’s not like they’re a sensitive, calibrated medical instrument, or even a stethoscope.”
“Mister, from my perspective when you’ve seen one stethoscope you’ve seen them all.”
“I beg to differ. There are many differences, some subtle, some in-your-face.”
“Not unlike the jewelry I create,” she shot back. “However I didn’t identify you just by the ring I designed for you. It has your initials etched on the inside. At Shelby’s request. I’m not planning to hold my breath for a couple with compatible initials to fall in love with each other and the matching bands I designed for you.” She shrugged. “I might be able to buff out the letters on the inside, but it’s still not an item likely to move quickly. I can’t afford to keep them in my inventory for long.”
“I see. So you’re going to charge me?” He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.
“I should,” she said, sighing. “Why should I take any responsibility for what your fiancée did? No one ever listens to me. It never even crossed my mind that she would. I was just talking with her, small talk. Generalities. Nothing deep and soul-wrenching.”
“So you said.” He looked down at her. “You don’t remember telling Shelby she should be excited about her wedding and new life as the wife of a doctor?”
“Vaguely.”
“Do you recall saying to my fiancée life is too short to waste any more than a minute on something that doesn’t feel right?”
“Kind of.”
“Did it come up in your general conversation with my bride-to-be that people should follow their hearts?”
“Well, by all means, take me out back and shoot me for dispensing words of wisdom.”
“So you do remember that piece of advice?”
“Sounds like something I might’ve said. What exactly was in the note Shelby left you?”
“That you told her all of the above and she decided you were right. Therefore she couldn’t go through with the wedding because her heart led her to Reilly Donovan and they were eloping.”
She looked up at him and in the moonlight her eyes seemed enormous. “I don’t know what to say except that I’m very sorry your wedding plans didn’t work out.”
In her gray wool slacks, black turtleneck sweater and matching long winter coat, she seemed so young. He was thirty-eight. Not old. But her fresh youthfulness made him feel ancient.
“Why do you think no one listens to you?” he asked suddenly.
“Hmm?” She blinked. “Oh. I have five brothers—three older and twins younger. I love them, but they just don’t have a lot of interest in the things that appeal to me.”
“Jewelry?”
She laughed. “For starters.” She tapped her lip with her index finger, drawing his gaze to her generous, sensual mouth. “But I usually get their attention when they need a get-out-of-the-doghouse gift.”
“Excuse me?”
“When they’ve done a bad, bad thing and the current woman in their life is ready to give them the heave-ho. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve come through for them in a pinch, I would be a wealthy woman. Jewelry has saved many a rocky relationship.”
“Except mine.” But he hadn’t been aware that his relationship was on the rocks. Thanks to Sky Colton. “So what are you going to do about the balance I owe on those rings?”
She sighed. “As much as I could use that money, I can’t in good conscience collect it from you. There’s that whole thing about not kicking someone when they’re down.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I wish all the other wedding arrangements I’ve got to abort could be taken care of as easily.”
Especially in regard to his family, specifically the female members, who would be profoundly disappointed. What was he going to tell his mother? Not to mention his grandmother who’d come all the way from Spain?
“What else do you have to do?” she asked, pulling her coat more snugly around her as the wind kicked up.
“Look, it’s freezing out here. What do you say we go somewhere warm and I buy you dinner?”
She eyed him speculatively. “You’re not planning to slip a little poison in my grits, are you?”
“Now why would I do that? And just how do you think I could pull it off?” he asked, humor tugging at him again.
“My cousin Willow’s friend, Jenna Elliot, is a nurse. By association with her I’ve learned that nurses and obviously doctors have access to drugs. Have prescription pad, will prescribe.”
In spite of his resolve to resist her humor, his mouth curved up. “Did your nurse friend tell you we doctors take an oath to use our powers only for good?”
She laughed again, a merry, cheerful sound. “It’s just, you were so bent out of shape when you came in the shop earlier, I just can’t help wondering why you’d want to take me to dinner.”
He became less angry and more intrigued the longer they talked. On top of that, an idea began to form. It was unconventional, but he had a very immediate problem on the cusp of becoming a crisis. Desperate situations called for outside-the-box solutions. With her help, he might be able to get from Point A to Point B and spend a minimum of emotional energy.
“Let’s call dinner a thank-you for writing off my bill,” he finally answered, taking her elbow. “Besides, I’m in desperate need of a woman.”
Chapter Two
“Hold it right there, Doc.” Sky pulled her arm from his grasp. “I’m not that kind of girl.”
“No. Wait. You’ve got it all wrong.”
Starting to shiver, she turned up the collar on her coat. “I hate to tell you this, but after a statement like you just made, there’s no right way to take it. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“Look,” he said, holding his hands up in surrender. “You’re going to catch your death out here and I’ve taken an oath to save lives. Let’s go someplace warm where we can talk. I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better—how, Doctor?” She held up her index fingers and made a cross.
“My name is Dom.”
“Okay.”
“I swear it’s not what you think. If I’m lying—”
“What?”
