Winning the Doctor

by Harmony Evans

  Liza decided that she better change the subject. Though she adored Maisie, once she got an idea in her head, there was no stopping her.

  She fanned her face with her hand. “Is it warm in here?”

  Maisie lowered her magazine. “Not to me. It’s too early for you to get hot flashes. So it’s probably your nerves about this date that’s not a date,” she finished with a sly smile.

  “Speaking of dates, where’s Prentice? Is he going to be paying a visit tonight?”

  The elderly security guard worked at City Hall. A former deacon, his penchant for raunchy humor had gotten him kicked out of the local church. Liza learned through the grapevine that he carried his notorious reputation around like a badge of honor.

  “Who knows?” Maisie replied, sounding annoyed. “I can’t keep up with that man’s schedule. I have my own life.”

  Two can play at this game.

  “So he’s not your boyfriend, then?” Liza teased.

  Maisie laid the magazine on her lap. “He’s a distraction.”

  As Liza roared with laughter, the doorbell rang, and she got up to answer it.

  “Sit down,” Maisie ordered. “Don’t be so rushed to open the door. He’ll think you’re desperate.”

  Liza stayed put and grinned at her host’s old-fashioned thinking.

  Maisie grasped the arm of her chair for balance as she got up. “Plus, I want to see what he looks like before you do.”

  “Why?” Liza asked suspiciously, watching Maisie neatly lay her magazine on a pile of others. “You already know what he looks like.”

  “I want to see if he’s decent.”

  She giggled. “What do you think he’s going to do? Arrive naked?”

  “Lord, let’s hope so,” Maisie replied, a wicked glint in her eye.

  Had the woman gone out of her mind?

  A few seconds later, she appeared at the entry of the parlor with the gorgeous Dr. Marbet as her escort.

  He bowed, a wry smile on his face. “Maisie told me that you wanted to make sure I was decent.”

  Liza blushed as Maisie stood there looking innocent. She wanted to throttle the woman for putting her in such an uncomfortable situation.

  Anthony was dressed in dark jeans and a cream-colored shirt that fit his muscular physique perfectly. The look was casual, yet sophisticated.

  She cleared her throat. “Um. Yeah. You look fine.”

  Oh-so-fine.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  Liza caught his eyes watching her as she uncrossed her legs and smoothed her light pink skirt. It was dressy enough for their meeting without being ostentatious.

  “In just a few minutes,” she replied. “I just need to have a word with Maisie.”

  Anthony patted Maisie’s hand before unlooping his arm from hers. “It was nice seeing you again.”

  He tipped his head in Liza’s direction. “I’ll meet you on the porch.”

  Liza held back a laugh as Maisie turned and appraised Anthony as he walked down the short hallway and out the door.

  When he was gone, Maisie toddled into the room, fanning her hand in front of her face. “Give me your arm. I feel like I’m going to faint!”

  Liza gave her a grateful hug, and then assisted her to her chair. Maisie had tricked her, but she did feel slightly less nervous.

  She grabbed her purse. “Can I get you anything before I leave? Iced tea?”

  Maisie shook her head, and with an innocent smile on her face, picked up one of her tabloids.

  “Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Liza giggled. “It’s just a meeting. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  She took one last look in the oval mirror that hung just inside the B and B’s foyer.

  Tonight she’d chosen to wear her hair down again, out of habit, mainly because it hid her scar. She knew she shouldn’t care what Anthony thought about her appearance, but the truth was that she did. Add in the fact that he was a cosmetic surgeon, and she was more self-conscious than normal.

  She slowly opened the door and held back a low groan at the sight of Anthony leaning against the porch column, his back to hers. Maybe it was the cut of his jeans, but his rear looked mighty tempting to hold on to, for dear life or pure pleasure.

  He turned when she shut the door behind her and gave her a quick hug. She drew in a breath, trying to ignore the shock waves zipping through her body.

  “What was that about back there?”

  She shrugged. “Oh, just Maisie being Maisie.”

  He looked down at her bare legs as she walked down the stairs. “How’s that ankle?”

  Liza felt her face get hot, and she was surprised he remembered her clumsiness.

  “Oh, it’s fine. Thanks.”

  He pursed his lips. “With those shoes you’re wearing tonight, I would hope so.”

  At his playful tone, she looked down at her toes. On a whim, she’d decided to wear heels instead of flats, even though she felt like she was going to take a tumble with every step.

  “If I do end up in the emergency room, at least I won’t have to wait all night to see a doctor. I’ll have one right by my side,” she quipped with a smile.

  Anthony took his keys out of his pocket, and she raised a brow at the mischievous grin on his face.

  She had assumed that they would go to Lucy’s Bar and Grille. It was close, casual, and the only restaurant in town. But not for long.

  Mayor Langston’s extensive redevelopment plan was encouraging more people to choose downtown Bay Point as the location for their small business. As a result, several new restaurants were slated to open in the next few months. Although Lucy’s was well loved, everyone was looking forward to having more local dining choices.

  “You do know that we could just walk there,” she teased, noticing his truck idling at the curb. After the shadow of confusion in his eyes, she asked, “We are going to Lucy’s right?”

  Anthony shook his head. “I have something different in mind. Are you up for an adventure?”

  Liza hitched in a breath at the feel of his hand cupping the small of her back and knew she could easily get used to his gentle touches.

  “Yes,” she blurted. “As long as food is involved. I’m starved.”

  Anthony grinned. “Food and more.”

  She raised a brow, perplexed at his comment, and his smile widened.

  “Let me help you. I’d rather not ruin our evening together with a trip to the hospital.”

  He kept his hand on the small of her back as he guided her down the steps and over the aging redbrick front path. He opened the door for her and waited until she was safely inside.

  As he rounded the truck, Liza looked toward the B and B and saw the edge of the parlor room curtain fall back into place.

  If it were anyone else other than Maisie, she would have been annoyed at the intrusion, but it felt good to have someone watching out for her.

  Maisie reminded Liza a little of her grandmother. Her overbearing nature was often mistaken for lack of faith in others, when in reality she just didn’t want anyone she cared about getting hurt.

  Anthony got in, started the car, and cranked up the air conditioning. He put his hands on the steering wheel and turned to her. She noticed how his upper lip was a bit fuller than his lower and decided she liked it.

  “Do you mind the change in plans?”

  Liza was starting to love her new hometown, and she also enjoyed seeing new places.

  “Not at all. I’ll try anything once.”

  As long as I’m with you.

  He looked in his side-view mirror before pulling away from the curb and easing onto Magnolia Avenue.

  “Good. I wanted to go somewhere more private. There are some p
eople in town who don’t agree with what I’m trying to build here, and I’m not ready to have the details of this project blabbed all over Bay Point.”

  Liza looked over at him, and her insides tensed. Controversy stirring among the locals before they even broke ground? That wasn’t a good sign.

  “Who doesn’t agree with you building the clinic?”

  He exhaled, hands tightening on the steering wheel. “Some of my colleagues at the hospital. They think I should just stay in a managed system like they are going to do for the rest of their lives. But I want more.”

  She couldn’t help but wonder if the “more” also meant a special woman in his life. Then she frowned inwardly, remembering how earlier in the week, he’d hinted that he was recently off the market.

  “You don’t strike me as the type of man who cares what anyone thinks.”

  He gave her a sidelong glance. “Let me guess, you think I’ve got a case of doctor’s ego?”

  Liza bit her lip, not sure how to answer. He did have a big ego, but she guessed that was to be expected given the level of his success.

  She found his confidence attractive, even sexy, which made her interactions with him even more confusing. She had to keep reminding herself that he was a potential business partner and nothing more.

  She gave him a reassuring smile. Not that he needed it.

  “I never said that. Confidence suits you.”

  He shrugged. “It’s part of the job.”

  “A necessary evil?” she offered.

  He nodded. “As a doctor, I have to be self-assured even under the worst of circumstances.”

  Liza wasn’t about to ask for any further details. She couldn’t stand the sight of her own blood, let alone that of others.

  “But you’re right, I don’t care what people think. Most of the time.”

  The slight hesitance in his voice made her wonder if the opposite could be true.

  “It hardly matters anyway,” he added. “I’ve got the backing of people who count. Folks like the mayor and others.”

  Liza had seen Mayor Langston and his wife, Vanessa, who owned a flower shop called Blooms in Paradise, around town on occasion, though she’d never formally met the couple. Vanessa was pregnant with their first child and looked absolutely radiant. Even from a distance, they had the aura of a couple in love.

  She sighed deeply, yearning for that same kind of love for herself.

  Anthony turned onto the entrance ramp of Highway 101, which meant they were heading out of Bay Point.

  He swiveled his head toward her. “Anything wrong?”

  Her cheeks warmed under his quick gaze, and she rubbed her arms.

  “I just hope that I’m not overdressed again for wherever we are going.”

  He glanced over. “Let’s see, you’ve got a skirt, a fancy blouse, heels high enough to trip but low enough for dancing. I’d say you’re just about right.”

  She crossed her legs and smiled. “I’m not going to argue with that diagnosis, Doctor.”

  “Drop the doctor bit, and we’ll have a great time,” he said with a grin.

  “Okay, Anthony. Where are you taking me anyway?” she asked.

  “Hold on,” he said, as he crooked his arm into the back seat and rummaged around, without taking his eyes off the road.

  “Does this give you a hint?”

  “A cowboy hat?” She watched him place it onto his head, one-handed. “Where are we going? A rodeo?”

  “Would you actually go to a rodeo?”

  With you, I’d go anywhere.

  But she didn’t tell him that. If she did, she could pretty much kiss her chance at the project goodbye. She wanted to earn it based on her talents and experience alone, not on her ability to charm her way into the job.

  She shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I’ll pretty much try anything once.”

  “Like commercial design?” he replied.

  Liza’s breath caught in her throat, and she hugged her small purse to her stomach. She couldn’t tell if he was teasing or trying to learn more about her.

  “I thought you were okay with the fact none of my commercial designs had ever been built. Has something changed?”

  “I don’t recall saying that I was okay with it,” he said, his tone serious.

  Liza felt her heart drop into her stomach. Was he reconsidering her for the role?

  “I have no control over what design a client chooses. When I was at my former company, they either didn’t pick mine for the reasons we discussed or the deal fell through, not because I don’t have the talent.”

  He touched her thigh briefly. She could feel the heat from his skin through the thin fabric of her skirt and ripples of pleasure slid down her legs.

  “Calm down. It’s true that I’m not happy that none of your designs were built. However, I’m willing to let it go. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here with you right now.”

  She exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, relieved to know that he was willing to look past something that she was powerless to change.

  They reached for the air-conditioning knob. Her hand brushed against his, and she felt a jolt of awareness run through her body at their simultaneous touch.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, jerking her hand back. “I always turn the air conditioner off when I’m driving on the 101.”

  “Me, too,” Anthony said, turning the dial to the off position, before opening the windows.

  “I love the smell of the ocean breeze. It makes everything seem so fresh and clean.”

  He nodded. “Cliffs on one side of the road, the Pacific Ocean on the other, and somehow, I don’t feel hemmed in.” He glanced over. “You look kind of wild with your hair like that.”

  Liza frowned, trying to tuck her hair behind her ears, yet she refused to shut the window.

  “Is that bad?”

  He patted the top of his cowboy hat as if to indicate his own playfulness.

  “No. I like it that you aren’t overly concerned about your appearance.”

  She furrowed her brow. “That’s an interesting statement coming from someone who specializes in making women beautiful.”

  “I guess I meant to say that you don’t really need to care. You’re a natural beauty.”

  His eyes danced over her, and her body warmed in response. Something electric transpired between them and hung in the air. It buzzed around their heads, and her heart skipped a beat.

  Liza smiled and looked away, not knowing how to respond to his compliment. Somehow she knew in the depths of her being that he really thought she was beautiful.

  She watched the jagged edges of cliffs roll by as his truck twisted around the curves and bends in the road. About twenty minutes later, they pulled off the highway.

  “The Pickled Egg?”

  Liza was barely able to suppress a giggle as he rolled up both windows with the push of a button.

  Anthony eased his truck into a spot and smiled as he turned off the ignition.

  “The name of the restaurant is odd, but somehow it suits this place.”

  The one-story structure had a weather-beaten look. The wood siding was aged and gray, the tin roof was brown and rusty, and the stairs leading up to the porch sagged in the middle. Foot-tapping bluegrass spilled from the open windows, enhancing its charm.

  “The parking lot is packed,” she said. “That’s always a good sign.”

  Once inside, a blond-haired hostess greeted them, and Liza noticed she couldn’t keep her eyes off Anthony.

  “We’d like a table away from the music, if possible,” he said.

  “The farthest place would be the patio deck. Is that okay?”

  He glanced at Liza, and she nodded in approval. “Lead the way,” he instructed.r />
  The restaurant’s bar was long, the tables were close together and the music was loud. As they squeezed their way through the packed dance floor, she was glad to see that the customers were a mixed crowd of couples and families.

  Many of the women looked up as they made their way to the patio. Maisie had informed her a week ago that Anthony’s elusive personality and reputation as America’s cosmetic surgeon for the Hollywood elite made him one of the most talked about residents in Bay Point. Even if they didn’t know who Anthony was, it was obvious they appreciated his good looks and muscular physique.

  She wondered if the cowboy hat, which looked totally adorable on him, also served as a disguise and if he’d chosen the restaurant because it was a place where he wouldn’t be recognized.

  Liza felt his hand gently grab and hold on to hers, making her feel protected as he led her through a throng of dancers.

  Moments later, they stepped out onto the deck and were shown to a table in the corner, which had a fabulous view of the ocean.

  Anthony let go of her hand, and they both sat down.

  “Two drafts,” he said. “Whatever you have on tap.”

  The waitress nodded, handed them their menus and left.

  “How do you know I like beer?”

  He grinned. “I don’t. Those beers are for me.”

  Liza opened up her menu. She felt like bopping him over the head with it, and on impulse, she did.

  “Don’t twist those pretty lips to the side,” Anthony said. “I was just kidding. You can have one.”

  The waitress brought their beers over in two frosty mugs, and they placed their orders.

  Anthony held up his mug. “To life, love and bulldozers.”

  “That’s a strange toast, but okay!” She laughed, and they clinked mugs.

  The beer was cold and crisp and tickled her throat as it went down.

  “So, what made you choose our little town to build your house?”

  She shrugged. “I have a few residential clients in San Francisco and Los Angeles, so the location was ideal.”

  “And that’s all?”

  Liza squirmed in her seat. She wasn’t ready to get personal with Anthony, even if the temptation to confess every secret she held in her heart was growing stronger each time she was near him.