it that way. Just thinking about his wife sent a hot rush of agony to his chest. It was funny, how he’d nagged his brother Gunnar to see a counselor in order to deal with his tragic experience in Afghanistan, yet if Derek were being honest with himself, he hadn’t fully dealt with his own tragedy.
Tess’s death still ate at him. It gnawed at his insides like a hungry scavenger, making it impossible to move on—yes, even two long years later.
“Because if it is about Aunt Tess,” Sawyer went on, oblivious to Derek’s silence, “I think that’s dumb.”
His throat clogged. “Why is that dumb?”
“Because Aunt Tess wasn’t a very good wife.”
Out of the mouths of babes.
“Why do you say that?” His voice was so hoarse it felt as if someone had shoved sand into his mouth.
“Because she made you sad,” Sawyer said simply.
An arrow of pain pierced Derek’s heart. He knew he shouldn’t be surprised by his little brother’s observation. He and Tess had been having trouble long before her death—and clearly, the rest of his family had noticed.
Swallowing a lump of regret, Derek clapped a hand on Sawyer’s scrawny shoulder. “Let’s stop all this serious talk. What do you say I forget about my pesky paperwork and take you out for some hot chocolate instead?”
The kid’s eyes lit up. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. Go sit in the waiting room while I gather up my things, okay?”
“Cool beans.”
Sawyer bounded off just as Amelia reemerged from the corridor. She’d changed out of her green scrubs and now wore a pair of snug blue jeans that hugged her shapely legs, a tight-fitting brown sweater that brought out the amber flecks in her hazel eyes and high-heeled black boots. With her silky blond hair tied back in a ponytail, she looked young and fresh-faced and utterly gorgeous.
“I’m heading out,” she told him as she shrugged into her black wool coat, then put on a pair of brown leather gloves. “Should I bring anything?”
He wrinkled his brow.
“For dinner,” she clarified. “Wine? Dessert?”
“Nope. Just bring yourself.”
He realized at the last second how flirty that sounded, and the blush that rose on her cheeks confirmed it.
Derek gulped, wondering why he was so damn drawn to this woman. For the past two years he hadn’t felt a single inkling to get involved with anyone. Actually, he’d vowed to steadfastly avoid relationships altogether.
Yet from the moment Amelia Phillips walked into his clinic, he hadn’t been able to fight the spark of desire she evoked inside him.
“Okay. Well.” Her delicate throat worked as she visibly swallowed. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Derek bid her goodbye, then watched as she gracefully strode toward the door and exited the clinic. Everything about that woman intrigued him, from her soft, melodic voice to the shadowy secrets lurking in her hazel eyes.
Maybe having her over for dinner tonight wasn’t such a bad idea, after all. Amelia Phillips continued to remain a mystery, and his inquisitive nature didn’t mesh well with riddles. It drove him absolutely crazy that he still couldn’t get a real handle on his beautiful new nurse. That he had no idea why her face took on that haunted expression when she thought nobody was looking. He hadn’t felt comfortable grilling her here, while they worked side by side, but perhaps she’d be more willing to open up outside the professional confines of the clinic.
Perhaps tonight he would finally get some answers from the elusive Amelia.
Chapter 2
Chloe had never been more nervous in her entire life as she drove through the double gates of the Colton ranch. The main house was visible in the distance, a large homestead that managed to combine the stately elegance of a manor with the rustic charm of a ranch spread. It wasn’t the size or beauty of the home that made her anxious—she was no stranger to expensive accommodations—but the homey, inviting feel of it. The yellow glow seeping from the windows, the tire swing hanging from one of the trees in the front yard. It was the kind of place she’d always envisioned raising a family in, and the thought brought a sharp pain to her heart.
Her hands trembled on the steering wheel of the used Toyota hatchback she’d purchased last week. Why on Earth had she agreed to have dinner with the Coltons tonight? When Derek had invited her to his family’s Thanksgiving dinner last week, she’d had no problem politely declining. So why had it been so hard to say no to Sawyer’s request? Why had she allowed a tow-headed kid to break down her defenses?
The thought of Sawyer Colton deepened the ache in her chest. Lord, that kid was a real charmer, not to mention precocious, sweet and wise beyond his years. But every time he came around, which was often, she experienced a wave of longing so powerful that tears stung her eyes. She liked to imagine that her own boys would have grown up to be exactly like Sawyer.
Focus, Chloe.
Choking down a lump of sorrow, she continued up the driveway, but halfway to the main house another fit of anxiety rippled through her and her foot came down on the brakes. A minute. She just needed a minute to collect her composure.
Flipping down the sun visor, she studied her reflection, inspecting her left cheek. Makeup looked good. No hint of the four-inch scar beneath it.
Still, simply knowing the imperfection existed made her feel self-conscious as hell.
“You think you’re so beautiful, don’t you, Chloe? Pretty, pretty Chloe.”
A tornado of pain, fury and bitterness spiraled through her as Felix’s cruel voice echoed in her head.
“All those men flirting with my beautiful wife. You liked it, didn’t you, pretty Chloe? You like feeling beautiful?”
Hot tears pricked her eyelids. She tried desperately to block the memories, but they barreled into her mind like a freight train. Felix had been so enraged that night, yet again blaming her for something beyond her control.
“Let’s see if men still find you attractive now, shall we?”
A phantom burst of agony exploded in her face, mimicking everything she’d felt when the blade of that scalpel sliced into her cheek.
Sucking in a ragged breath, Chloe forcibly shoved the horrific memory from her mind. She couldn’t fall apart right now. Not in her boss’s driveway, for Pete’s sake.
Exhaling slowly, she moved the gearshift to Drive and steered toward the main house. After she’d parked the car, she grabbed her purse and the apple pie she’d picked up at the bakery in town, then climbed the large porch and rang the bell.
Footsteps thudded. A second later the front door swung open and an attractive redhead appeared before her. Chloe instantly recognized Emma Colton, Derek’s younger sister and a field agent with
