Hero by Nature (Reed Sisters: Holding out for a Hero 3) - Page 8

“Very practical,” Autumn murmured. She definitely liked Dr. Cochran.

“Pam, I need you in room three. I’ve got a patient who’s going to need surgery and—Autumn!” Jeff stopped abruptly halfway through the doorway, staring at the young woman in the plaid cotton blouse and khaki pants, the ever-present baseball cap tugged over her auburn braid.

He hadn’t known she was coming. He had given up on her after all. Autumn swallowed her disappointment and tried to look nonchalant, though her heart was beating wildly in her chest. Lord, he looked good in his white coat, which he wore over a pearl-gray shirt with a maroon tie and charcoal slacks. She’d only seen him in casual clothes before. Now, with his crisp black hair neatly combed and his beautiful biceps hidden beneath the uniform of his profession, he looked…different. Dr. E. Jefferson Bradford. Autumn suddenly felt self-conscious, awkward.

And then he smiled, his delectable mouth parting to show his even white teeth and deeply slashed dimples, his blue eyes crinkling a little at the corners, and he was the Jeff Bradford she’d met at his house. Ridiculously young looking, sinfully handsome, even a bit shy. She smiled back. “Hi, Jeff.”

“Here to work on the lights?” he asked, and even his voice had changed. It had been harried, brisk, when he’d spoken to Pam as he’d entered; now it was husky, slightly intimate.

Cursing her light complexion, Autumn felt the color staining her cheeks. “Yes.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you this time,” he told her with a grin. “I’m rather busy.”

“I’ll manage,” she answered dryly.

“I’m sure you will,” he returned softly. He glanced back at Pam, who was watching them with unconcealed, avid interest. “Got time for a consultation?” he asked her, trying to sound stern.

“Of course,” Pam replied, unintimidated.

“Come on, then.” He glanced back at Autumn. “Don’t leave without saying goodbye,” he said, the words phrased like an order but sounding like a request. Particularly when he added, “Please.”

She nodded. He was giving her warning, she thought desperately. He was going to ask her out again. Why couldn’t she make a decision about whether or not to accept?

With Kelly as her helper, Autumn went about her job. Though she stayed discreetly out of his way, Autumn was able to observe Jeff at work, struck again by the change in him when he assumed the mien of physician. He was great with children, naturally. Gentle, patient, indulgent. He should have children of his own, she thought fleetingly, then deliberately blanked her mind as she tried to concentrate on her work.

When she’d finished and had carried her tools and ladder out to the truck, Autumn hesitated before seeking Jeff. As it turned out, it wasn’t necessary. He found her. “All done?” he inquired.

She nodded, fidgeting with her clipboard as she waited for him to issue the invitation she expected. She was not nervous, she told herself firmly. After all, even if she accepted, it would only be a dinner date. Pleasant, unthreatening, completely innocuous. She surreptitiously wiped her damp palms on the legs of her khaki pants, looking up at Jeff through her lashes.

Jeff had been watching her closely, suppressing an urge to chuckle when he realized that she was actually showing signs of agitation. He hadn’t thought it possible that there was any shyness at all within this supremely self-confident young feminist. Suddenly all trace of his own uncertainty disappeared. Would she be shy if she weren’t attracted to him at least a little? he asked himself hopefully.

She was so obviously expecting him to ask her out again. He had intended to do just that. He wondered what her answer would be this time. And then he wondered what her reaction would be when he didn’t ask. He had just changed his strategy.

“Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?” he asked, pleased when she gave a little start at the sound of his voice. She was nervous.

Autumn nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She and Babs had indulged in a frozen turkey breast and steamed fresh vegetables while watching a football game together on television. She had also talked by telephone to he

r parents and to her two married sisters, one of whom lived in California, the other in Arkansas. It had been a nice day, she told herself, ignoring the slight sense of loneliness that remained.

“So did I. Spent the day with my folks in Sarasota. Actually, though, I wanted to talk to you about something else.”

Here it comes. Autumn tried to make a snap decision, failing miserably. “What?”

“I’m considering installing new outdoor lighting, particularly around the pool. What would you recommend?”

Outdoor lighting? Was he serious? “I would have to see it before I could make a recommendation,” she answered slowly. “I haven’t seen your pool.”

He nodded. “Of course. I’ll call your company and try to schedule time with you next Thursday, if you’re not already booked up.”

“Fine.” She waited, but he said nothing more. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something. But what? “I, um, I guess I’ll see you later, then.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

Autumn carefully avoided looking at him as they walked together down the long, bright hallway. If his purpose was to confuse her, he had certainly done it. At the door she glanced up at him to find him looking back at her with a broad smile. “Goodbye, Autumn.”

“Bye, Jeff.” She stepped through the door he was holding for her, then paused when he said her name.

“Autumn?”

Tags: Gina Wilkins Reed Sisters: Holding out for a Hero Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net
readsnovelonline.net Copyright 2016 - 2024