Sweet Southern Nights. Rochelle Alers

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      Chapter 1

      “Levi, do you have anything planned for Sunday afternoon?”

       Leaning back in his chair in the bar of the dimly lit restaurant, Levi Eaton stared at the foam-filled mug of draft beer. It was Friday night in the small Kentucky town less than half an hour from Louisville, and there wasn’t much else to do but hang out with the three men he’d come to regard as friends. He ordered a second round for everyone at the table even though he knew he should’ve gone home after the first.

       He was scheduled to see patients the following day and needed to be alert, especially when dealing with infants and toddlers, many of whom needed booster shots and vaccinations. Unfortunately, in the rural community where Levi practiced medicine, insuring a child’s health was secondary to keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table for most families.

       It had taken almost four months, but Dr. Duncan Chase had helped Levi make the transition from big-city doctor to small-town practitioner. In fact, the town of Maywood Junction was so small the school was one building connected by breezeways separating the kindergarten from the grade school, and the middle school from the high school.

       Duncan Chase, an oncologist, had been involved in a national research study on the effects of the workplace on cancer-related illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control data revealed industrial-related cancers were unusually high in several Kentucky communities like Maywood Junction. And Duncan had received a federal grant to open a clinic there. Additional funding from the state had allowed him to add a staff of part-time doctors, including a pediatrician, an ob-gyn and a dentist. Duncan’s friend Levi had moved from New York to Kentucky to volunteer as the local pediatrician.

       “What do you have in mind?” Levi asked.

       Duncan Chase sipped the head of foam off his beer, and took a large gulp as he stared at Levi over the rim of his glass. “I’d like you to escort my sister to a family wedding.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the two other men at their table pushed back their chairs and stood up to leave.

       “This is where I bid you gentlemen good night,” said Patrick Demorest, the dentist at the Maywood Medical Clinic. He dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “That should cover the tip.”

       “Pat’s driving, so I’m outta here, too,” announced his twin brother, Andrew Demorest.

       Levi sat up straight, staring as they quickly retreated. “Do they know something I should know?” There was a pause as Duncan stared into his mug. “What’s wrong with your sister?” Levi asked, shouting in order to be heard over the applause once the house band returned to the stage for a second set.

       Lines fanned out around Duncan Chase’s large, dark brown eyes when he smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with her.”

       Levi’s eyes narrowed. “If that’s the case, then why did Andy and Pat run out of here as if the hounds of hell were after them?”

       Duncan glanced up, but didn’t meet Levi Eaton’s questioning gaze. “They have issues when it comes to Angela.”

       “What’s wrong with her?” he asked again.

       “Nothing, except…”

       “Except what, Duncan?”

       “Pat went out with Angela a couple of times and…”

       “And what happened?” Levi asked when Duncan’s voice trailed off.

       Duncan stared directly at Levi. He didn’t want to ruin his relationship with his colleague by asking him to escort his sister to a family wedding, but his mother had pressured him to find a date for Angela to avoid a possibly embarrassing situation. “Pat wanted more, and Angela didn’t.”

       Levi gave Duncan a long stare. “Did more have anything to do with commitment?” He didn’t know why, but he felt like a police interrogator.

       Duncan nodded. “Yes.” He held up a hand. “And before you ask, she does like men. She’s just not interested in becoming that involved.”

       Levi took another swallow of his ice-cold beer. He was four months into his six-month commitment, providing care in the underserved community. His cousin, Dr. Mia Eaton-Chandler, had decided to practice medicine in West Virginia, but he’d decided his skills as a physician were better suited to a mining town in northwest Kentucky.

       Duncan’s request reminded Levi that since he’d arrived in Kentucky, he’d only been on one date. Levi had been honest with the woman, telling her upfront that he couldn’t commit to a relationship since he planned to return to New York in a few months. Since she wanted marriage and children, they decided to part amicably.

       He was scheduled to work from nine until two the next day, and his Saturday afternoons were usually spent picking up dry cleaning and shopping for groceries for the week. He saw patients on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and spent Sundays watching sports. He’d always been a fan of baseball and basketball. But since moving to Kentucky, he’d added football, tennis, golf and NASCAR. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he’d become a sports junkie.

       “Where’s the wedding?”

       Duncan carefully concealed a smile as he brought the mug to his lips. “Louisville,” he drawled, taking another swallow.

       “I’ll think about it,” Levi replied.

       Lowering the sudsy mug, Duncan set it on the scarred oak table. “How long do you intend to think about it, Levi? The wedding is in two days.”

       Levi gave him a pointed look. He and Duncan Chase were the same age—thirty-six—but Duncan’s hair was prematurely gray. Despite that, Duncan was still one of Louisville’s most eligible bachelors. Tall, slender with masculine features in a tawny-brown face, his large, deep-set, gold-flecked brown eyes were his most arresting feature.

       “I’ll let you know after I talk to your sister.”

       “What’s there to talk about, Levi?”

       He leaned across the small table. “Is she aware that you’re trying to set her up with a date?”

       Duncan averted his gaze. “Not really.”

       Levi smiled for the first time, angular lines creasing his lean jaw. “That’s what I thought.” He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket, took out his cell phone and handed it to Duncan. “Give me her phone number. I’ll call her and then I’ll let you know tomorrow if I’ll be her escort.” Although he hadn’t had an active social life since leaving New York, he also didn’t want to waste his day off spending time with a woman who was totally incompatible.

       Duncan took the BlackBerry and added his sister’s name and number to Levi’s contacts. “When are you going to call СКАЧАТЬ