and she tried to peer around his shoulder to gauge how much longer the wait would be, but the man held her gaze.
“I stopped here at the coffee shop this morning to pick up a latte for my nurse,” he explained. “She’s always treating me so I thought I’d do something for her.”
Figuring his nurse was a twenty-something blonde with long eyelashes and a come-hither smile, Mia said, “Why settle for just a coffee? Perhaps you should take her to the Gallatin Room, too.”
To her amazement a look of dawning swept over his face and he nodded in agreement. “You know, that’s a wonderful idea. Ruthann has been a nurse for more than thirty years and she’s always taking care of other people, even when she isn’t on the job. Her husband died of a heart attack about three years ago and she’s having a hard time making ends meet with just his social security to help her along. Dinner at the Gallatin Room would be something really special for her. Thank you, Mia, for suggesting it.”
Feeling suddenly like a heel, she hoped he never guessed that her suggestion had been given in sarcasm. Damn it, why did she continually want to believe this man was only out for himself? Because Marti had described him as a ladies’ man? Or because a user could always spot another user, she thought dismally.
But you’re not a user, Mia. Everything you have has been given to you freely. You haven’t taken anything from anybody—except your adoptive mother’s life.
Trying to shut away the guilty voice inside of her, Mia gave him a hesitant smile. “I—uh—think that would be a very nice gesture for your nurse.”
“Well, I’m not always as thoughtful as I should be. Blame it on my male genes.”
The grin on his handsome face was as wicked as the images going through Mia’s head. She’d never been around a man who continually made her feel like she needed to take deep breaths of pure oxygen. Dr. Cates was making her think things that definitely belonged behind closed doors.
Smiling in spite of herself, she said, “I’m sure your nurse will think you’re very thoughtful.”
At that moment a customer carrying a portable cardboard holder filled with several cups of coffee was attempting to work his way through the crowd. As he jostled close to Mia, the doctor’s hands closed around her shoulders and quickly set her out of the customer’s path.
The abrupt movement brought her even closer to Marshall and he realized her thigh was pressed against his and the thrust of her breasts was almost touching his chest. His breathing slowed, while the faint scent of gardenia filled his head like a gentle breeze on a hot night.
“I—uh—thought that man’s drink was going to topple right on you.” Reluctantly, he eased his grip on her shoulders. “Sorry if I startled you.”
He watched a pretty pink flush fill her cheeks. “I—it’s okay. Better to be a little startled than scalded.”
The line ahead of them moved again and Marshall quickly glanced over his shoulder to see he was next to place an order. If he was ever going to make his move on this woman he needed to do it now and fast.
“You— I noticed you were dining alone last night and I was wondering if you might like some company tonight? I’m free if you are.”
Faint surprise crossed her face, an expression that puzzled Marshall. Surely a woman who looked like her was used to men asking her out to dinner.
“Actually, I don’t think I could take the Gallatin Room two nights in a row. It’s a little stuffy for my taste.”
Hope sprang up in him like an exploding geyser and he wondered what the hell was coming over him. The world was full of pretty women and willing ones at that. Why had getting a date with this one suddenly become so important?
“Mine, too. I only took Lizbeth there because she— Well, she enjoys that sort of thing, but she can’t really afford such a splurge on her own.” Another quick glance over his shoulder told him the customer was about to step away from the counter. He turned a beseeching look on Mia. “We could go downtown and maybe grab a burger or pizza. How does that sound?”
She opened her mouth as though to speak, then just as quickly her pink lips pressed thoughtfully together. Behind him, the coffee shop attendant said, “Dr. Cates, it’s your turn to order now.”
With his eyes riveted on Mia’s face, he tossed over his shoulder, “A large latte with plenty of foam.”
His dark brown eyes were pulling her in, making her forget there was a crowd of people around them. In the back of her mind, she understood he was a man who would be dangerous to any woman’s heart. Yet there was something about his smile that made him impossible to resist.
“Sure,” she heard herself saying. “A burger would be nice.”
“Great. Where shall I pick you up? Are you staying here in the lodge?”
Not yet ready to give him that much information, she said, “I’ll meet you here at the lounge.”
A wide smile suddenly dimpled both cheeks and Mia felt her insides go as gooey as warm taffy.
“Great. I’ll be here. Six-thirty okay?”
Why not, she thought. It wasn’t like she had anything important to do and maybe it was time she did something about this aimless path she’d been on for the past few months. “Six-thirty is fine. I’ll see you then.”
After he’d picked up his latte and given her a quick farewell, Mia found herself standing at the counter staring straight into Marti Newmar’s smiling face.
“Hi, Mia! I didn’t expect to see you here so soon. What can I get you this morning?”
“Hi yourself,” Mia greeted the bubbly young woman. “I’d like a cappuccino with sugar and a pecan Danish.”
Marti repeated the order to another worker who was busily preparing the drinks and rang in Mia’s purchases.
While they waited on the cappuccino, Marti leaned slightly over the counter and said in a hushed voice, “Looks like Dr. Cates has his eye on you. Be careful, Mia. I wouldn’t want you to end up like my sister.”
Shaking her head, Mia smiled at the young woman’s earnest face. “Don’t worry, Marti. I’m not about to let the doctor turn my head.”
“Yeah, well that’s what Felicia said, too.”
Thankfully, a worker set her order on the counter and Mia quickly scooped it up. Now that she’d agreed to a date with Dr. Cates, the last thing she wanted to hear were warnings about the man’s character. She’d rather find out such things for herself than listen to gossip.
“I’ll keep that in mind. See you later, Marti.”
At the back of the lodge, in Marshall’s airy office, Ruthann sipped leisurely at her latte while Marshall playfully tap-danced around her chair.
“Have you lost your mind, doc?” she asked with a laugh. “First you surprise me with a cup of coffee that cost more than my wristwatch and now you’re trying to imitate Fred Astaire. What else do you have planned for today?”
Laughing,
