The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ though it would have been easy for him to answer for his daughter, to Joel’s credit he merely offered the child an encouraging smile.

      Chloe’s eyes dropped to the clear plastic cup in her hand. “I got an Italian soda.”

      “I almost ordered one of those this morning,” Kate said, surprising herself by jumping into the conversation. Perhaps because she’d been a shy child and knew how hard it was to have all eyes on you. “My favorite flavor is watermelon.”

      Chloe lifted her gaze, her eyes wide. “Mine, too.”

      “Watermelon.” Although Joel shook his head in apparent disgust, a smile tugged at her lips. “Must be a girl thing.”

      Chloe giggled.

      For a second, Kate basked in the warmth of the child’s pleasure. As Chloe’s doctor she’d seen only the little girl’s serious side. She’d even spoken with Joel after that first visit about his daughter’s reticence, thinking it might be related to her mother’s death. But Joel said Chloe had always been shy around strangers.

      “Would you like to join us?” Lexi asked. “We could pull up a couple chairs.”

      Kate remained silent.

      Chloe looked up at her father.

      Kate held her breath, hoping he would say no, but at the same time wanting them to stay.

      “Thanks for the offer,” Joel said, sounding sincere. “Unfortunately I have a potential client to meet, so we need to hit the road.”

      Joel built high-end custom homes in Jackson Hole and from everything Kate had heard, his business was booming despite the economy.

      “If that person wants references,” Lexi said, “feel free to give them our number. I know Travis and Mary Karen would also be happy to sing your praises.”

      “Thank you for that. Much appreciated.” Joel shifted from one foot to the other, as if embarrassed by the compliment.

      Since Joel’s Montana-based company had established a presence in Jackson Hole almost five years ago, he’d built homes in the mountains surrounding Jackson not only for Lexi and her husband, but for Mary Karen and Travis Fisher, as well. Kate knew he was in the process of building one for Cole and Meg Lassiter, the couple who owned the shop where they were seated.

      “Daddy.” Chloe tugged on his arm. “You promised we’d stop and pick up my new ice skates before your meeting.”

      “You ice skate?” The question popped out of Kate’s mouth before she could stop it. If she truly wanted them to leave—which she did—she was doing a poor job of hurrying them on their way.

      “Since I was a little girl,” Chloe said with a nine-year-old’s maturity. “Do you like to skate?”

      “I used to,” Kate said. “When I was your age.”

      For her, skating had been a way to forget her troubles at home. She hoped it wasn’t that way for Chloe.

      “That’s cool,” Chloe said, then ducked her head, staring down at her hot-pink sneakers.

      Joel pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at it. “We better get going.”

      From the distant look in his eyes, his thoughts were already on his next appointment.

      Kate kept the disappointment she had no right to feel from showing as she watched them walk out the door.

      Or at least she thought she’d hidden her disappointment.

      “His wife hasn’t been gone all that long. From what I understand they were childhood sweethearts.” Lexi took a sip of her latte, a look of sympathy in her eyes. “Give him time. He’ll come around.”

      Kate blinked. “I’m not interested in dating Joel.”

      “Really?” A tiny smile played at the corners of Lexi’s lips. “Could have fooled me.”

      Even though Kate was absolutely, positively certain she didn’t want to date the handsome contractor, she could see where he could catch a woman’s eye. “I’ll admit he’s a good-looking man.”

      “Oh, you noticed.” Lexi looked as if she was trying to keep from laughing. “Even though you’re not interested.”

      After a second Kate chuckled and took a sip of her drink. It was probably best to let Lexi think what she wanted. If she protested too much, her friend’s curiosity radar might be activated and she’d ask even more questions.

      Questions Kate had no intention of answering.

      For now her secret was safe, held close and tight against her heart. And that was just where she intended to keep it.

       Chapter Two

      Sunday morning, Kate rose early and flung open her closet doors, searching for just the right dress to wear to church. She’d promised herself at the first of the year that she’d start attending services on a regular basis. January had gone well, but by February she’d already fallen off the churchgoing wagon.

      She was ready to try again. After all, she couldn’t build relationships or meet new friends sitting home alone.

      After donning a simple slip dress in a wild swirl of colors, she pulled out a pair of dangling earrings that had been an impulse buy. Even though at the time they seemed a little bold, today they fit her take-charge-of-life mood.

      The decision on what shoes to wear took way too long. By the time Kate waltzed through the front doors of the church she usually attended in Jackson, the congregation was already on their feet for the opening hymn.

      There was space for her in the back pews, which were normally reserved for parents with babies and small, noisy children. While Kate loved kids, this morning she didn’t feel like being surrounded by them.

      Instead she strolled down the center aisle looking for a place to sit. As she reached the midway point, a sick feeling had taken up residence in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps this was a sign for her to casually pivot on her designer heels and head for the door.

      The escape was already in progress when the sound of her name aborted the flight plan and had her turning back toward a pew she’d just passed.

      Chloe gave her a shy smile. Joel motioned to her.

      His brown hair, which normally looked like he’d just run his fingers through it, had been carefully combed and the stubble on his cheeks had been shaved away. He looked very business casual this morning in a navy blazer with a blue-sapphire plaid shirt and tan chinos. He also looked very handsome.

      While Kate took a hesitant step toward him, he and Chloe moved over. Joel gestured to the tiny space he’d opened up next to him. A space so small that if she accepted his offer, she might as well be sitting on his lap.

      Her heart skipped a beat. Her breathing quickened.

      Kate rapidly considered her two options. Sit down. Or make some lame excuse and walk СКАЧАТЬ