The One And Only. Laurie Paige

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      Closing her eyes for a second, she willed the memories to fade back into the hazy mist of the past. What was done, was done. She opened her eyes to find Beau studying her with a somewhat quizzical expression.

      He was probably wondering what made her tick, seeing that she tended to go off into a daze every little bit today. She’d better pay attention if she wanted to keep her job and do her research.

      “Sorry,” she murmured, “I was daydreaming. The mountains are so beautiful I find it hard not to simply stare at them. What did you want to talk to me about?”

      “A job.”

      That surprised her. “Well, I already have one.”

      His smile was quick and somewhat wry. “It’s part-time. I wondered if you might be interested in working at the clinic as my assistant in the mornings.”

      “I’m teaching health classes at the high school three mornings a week. It’s also part of the new program funded by the state.”

      “Yeah, the weight problems of the average American family has hit the national conscience, it seems. Education is part of the solution. Exercise is the other side of the equation, in my opinion. Not that anyone has asked me.”

      His laughter reminded her of soft mornings and quiet walks, of birdsong and the whispers of the wind through the pines, of the peace she’d experienced since arriving in this enchanted valley. She could almost forget she had a mission.

      “A daily activity program will be part of my class,” she told him, glad of an innocuous topic to discuss. “Diets don’t work for most people. Less than ten percent of those who diet keep the weight off a year later while those who stick to a regular exercise program do.”

      “Right. Say, maybe we can incorporate some kind of program for our patients,” he said.

      She realized where her enthusiasm for healthy lifestyles was leading. “I can’t take on anything else at present. But thank you for thinking of me.”

      He shrugged, irritation or disappointment flicking through the thoughtful blue eyes. Well, she couldn’t live her life to please him. She had her own problems.

      Her mom’s worried gaze appeared in her mental vision, her eyes the same deep blue as hers so that most people thought they were truly mother and daughter by blood. Maybe she was wrong to come here, to want to find out what she could about her birth parents.

      Putting the past behind her sounded simple, but if she ever married again, she had to know…before she could chance having other children.

      The heart-hurting love and regret hit her again, as always when she thought of the precious life that she’d once held in her arms—

      “You okay?”

      She blinked and came back to the present. “Sorry. I keep going off the deep end today, don’t I?” She laughed softly to indicate it was nothing serious, only spring fever or something like that.

      Realizing she sounded nervous instead of amused, she took a sip of tea and fought for composure, building the wall around her emotions one stone at a time until she was safe behind it again. Their meal arrived, relieving her of the need for small talk until they were alone again.

      “You’re very good with the children,” she told him. “Putting them on the stool while you sit on a chair puts them on the same eye level. That way you don’t loom over them like some colossus.”

      His face lit up in pleasure. Her heart gave an odd hitch that disturbed her equanimity a bit.

      “I hated getting shots when I was a kid,” he said. “One doctor had my mom sit on a stool and hold me while he sat on another one to do the examination. He told me he had to give me a shot, but it wouldn’t hurt as much as it had before. He was right. It didn’t seem nearly so bad. Since then, I’ve tried to remember what it’s like being a kid.”

      She realized Beau would make a good father. A sigh forced its way past her lips. She hadn’t picked well when it came to a father for her child. Her nineteen-year-old husband had panicked and run when he realized there were serious problems to be faced.

      Her parents had taken her and their grandchild in. Because of them, she’d weathered the storm of anger and grief and regret. Due to their loving support, she’d come through the ordeal a stronger person. With their help, she’d gone on to nursing school so she, too, could assist others in times of need.

      Glancing up, she met the fathomless gaze of her companion. A feeling that all would come right, that here in this rugged country she would find the answers she sought, spread over her like a golden light. She smiled.

      His lips curved in response.

      Her smile grew.

      He chuckled. “That’s better,” he said in a lower tone. “A real smile rather than a polite one.”

      Their eyes locked. Time became suspended between one heartbeat and the next. She hadn’t trusted anyone outside her family since she was nineteen. Ten years. For a moment, caught in those incredibly blue eyes that seemed open clear to his soul, she relaxed her vigil. Warmth swept through her.

      It was such an odd sensation that it took her a moment to recognize what it was and even longer to realize what had caused the acute stir of blood inside her.

      An attraction. One that promised to be intense.

      Her smile wavered. She wasn’t here for either a fling or even something more lasting. Her search for the truth of her past took precedence over everything else. Knowing that, she would then leave and start a new life in a new place.

      Those were her plans.

       Chapter Two

       S helby was tired upon returning to the Lost Valley B and B that evening. After changing to a knit slacks outfit, she went to the large lobby and reception area. Several couples and a family with two children enjoyed the ambience of the common room.

      The owner, Amelia Miller, called out a greeting upon seeing Shelby. “How did your day go with the kids?”

      “Fine but tiring,” Shelby admitted. She chose a glass of iced wine cooler and a plate of fruit, cheese and veggies, then sat at a table for two overlooking the back garden. “You must have a green thumb,” she told her landlady when she stopped by the table.

      “Nope, a dedicated gardener. I can do okay with African violets, but that’s my limit.”

      “Join me if you have a moment,” Shelby invited.

      Amelia nodded. “Let me refill the fruit tray, then I will.” She dashed off to the nether regions of the large Victorian that had been converted to a bed-and-breakfast.

      Shelby watched the shadows lengthen over the lovely landscape. In the carriage house or barn or whatever it was behind the main house, she could see several people moving around. They appeared to be couples. Were they dancing?

      Amelia returned with a glass of red wine. “Whew, I must be getting old or people are eating more. It’s harder to keep up nowadays.”

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