by Amy Ruttan
“Agreed.” He twisted in the seat again. “I think I would’ve been better off riding strapped to the top. Is this the smallest car ever made?”
Macie chuckled without sympathy. “Pretty much. Keep in mind this is an island and everything must be shipped in. Size matters.”
“Got it. No big SUVs.”
“A few, but mostly for the tourists.” To her great relief his bungalow came into sight. She pulled the car into a short drive and stopped behind another small car. This house had one of the best views on the entire island. It was home for all the hospital administrators, permanent or interim. She’d been there more than once for a social gathering. The porch, with its white wicker rockers and swing, was her favorite. She’d always thought it would be a wonderful spot to sleep on a rainy night. No doubt that would be lost on Landon. He was here for business and nothing more.
The house was situated on a cliff and built out of cinder block like so many of the other homes on Saipan. Coming from a wood-and-brick world, the construction was unusual to her, but she’d soon learned that with the tropical weather and salt water, it was more practical. Surrounding the house was a small grassy yard and on either side of the front door were flowerpots with bright yellow bougainvillea.
She climbed out. Landon did as well with a groan. “Thanks for the torture-chamber ride.”
“Would you have rather walked?” she asked too sweetly.
“No. I was thinking more about calling Mario.”
Closing the door of the car, she headed toward the house. “You’d still be waiting on him. It’s dinner time and he’s with his family. Come on, I’ll show you around, then I must get going.”
He pulled his bag from the back seat. “Where do you live?”
“Close to the hospital.” Macie fished for the key to the place in her scrubs pocket and unlocked the door. Pushing it open, she flipped on the overhead light and moved on into the living area, which ran the length of the back of the house. Thankfully, it was maintained and kept furnished in readiness all the time.
Landon put his bag and satchel inside the door and followed her.
“The bedrooms are through there.” She pointed down a short hall. “And the kitchen is over this way.” She walked to the black-and-white tiled floor. The house was clearly meant for a family.
“This is far more than I need.”
Macie agreed with him. “Perhaps, but this is where the administrators live. They hold a certain position on the island. Need to entertain.” She moved to the French doors that opened off the living room and stepped out onto the screened porch. Taking a deep breath, she looked out over the rocky cliffs at the bright, lush vegetation to the blue-green ocean beyond. The sight always awed her, making her problems feel small.
She felt more than saw Landon come to stand beside her.
“This is magnificent.”
It was nice to hear that he appreciated it. “I couldn’t agree more. When someone asks why I live so far from civilization, I describe this view.”
“Why do you live so far from civilization?”
Macie had no interest in talking with him or with anyone else about why she had run away to the islands. She wanted to forget that time. That was her secret to carry. She had no desire to relive those days. Seeing him again was enough emotional upheaval for one day.
Landon shifted beside her. “Sorry. That’s really not my business.”
On that they could agree. She turned and started toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr. Cochran. The keys to your car are on the hook by the door. If you need anything, call the hospital. They can get in touch with me. I’ll send someone.”
He muttered a bewildered “Okay.”
It wasn’t until she’d backed out of the drive and headed down the road that she took a few deep breaths and settled her racing mind. As if it wasn’t bad enough to have Landon back in her life, he’d done the double whammy by bringing up thoughts of her father. Somehow, every truly painful event in her life had been crammed into today.
Copyright © 2020 by Susan Carlisle
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ISBN-13: 9781488066580
Reunited with Her Hot-Shot Surgeon
Copyright © 2020 by Amy Ruttan
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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