Before she knew what was happening he was setting down his guitar and closing the gap between them. His hands were cupping her face, his fingers brushing the nape of her neck, and then his lips were on hers.

He was kissing her, making her melt into his arms in a heady rush of pleasure. And she knew without a doubt that this kiss was not enough. She wanted more.

She wanted his hands on her body, touching her in places that no one else had touched. She wanted him again. She wanted him pressed against her, making love to her, but she couldn’t have that.

She didn’t deserve that.

Vivian pushed him away, placing her hands on his chest. She could feel his heart was racing like hers.

“I think I should go home now,” she whispered, her voice hitching in her throat because her body was protesting.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Reece agreed huskily. He took a step back from her. “Just let me put out the fire and I’ll meet you at the truck.”

Vivian nodded and walked toward the front of the house, the spell broken. She glanced back to watch him throw sand on the fire, breaking up the logs so it wouldn’t keep smoldering, and she wished there was some way to stop the fire that was burning for him inside her.

But when it came to him she knew it wasn’t a fire that could be easily extinguished.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up a copy of Tempting Nashville’s Celebrity Doc.

I grew up watching Hee Haw on Saturday night at my grandparents’ house. The first musicians I was exposed to as a child were Cash, Carter, Jones and Hank Williams Jr. Country was a part of my childhood.

Even though I never really thought much about Nashville when I grew up, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit on my way to RT Booklovers Convention New Orleans in 2014.

The moment I crossed the Tennessee border I fell absolutely in love with the state and the city. I knew that I had to set a book there, and I wanted to incorporate the music I love so much into the story—which is how my neurosurgeon Dr Reece Castle came to be.

He walked into my mind a couple of years ago, when I was in Nashville, and like the true gentleman he was he waited until I could tell his and Vivian’s story.

I hope you enjoy their story—and if you ever get the chance to spend a bit of time in Nashville, or even the great state of Tennessee, I hope you do it. You won’t regret it.

I love hearing from readers, so please drop by my website amyruttan.com or give me a shout on Twitter@ruttanamy.

With warmest wishes,

Amy Ruttan

Tempting Nashville’s Celebrity Doc
Amy Ruttan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is dedicated to all the country greats, new and old, who have touched my heart.

Thank you for the music.

Also to my father, who introduced me to the music of Cash and Hank Williams Jr.

I may not have appreciated it when I was younger, but I get it now. Thanks, Dad.

Born and raised just outside Toronto, Canada, AMY RUTTAN fled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. After the birth of her second child Amy was lucky enough to realise her lifelong dream of becoming a romance author. When she’s not furiously typing away at her computer she’s mum to three wonderful children who use her as a personal taxi and chef.

Praise for Amy Ruttan

‘Amy Ruttan delivers an entertaining read that transports readers into a world of blissful romance set amidst the backdrop of the medical field. Sharp, witty and descriptive, One Night in New York is sure to keep readers turning the pages!’

—Contemporary Romance Reviews

‘I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance reads with amazing, absolutely breathtaking scenes, to die for dialogue, and everything else that is needed to make this a beyond awesome and wow read!’

—Goodreads on Melting the Ice Queen’s Heart

Contents

COVER

INTRODUCTION

Dear Reader

TITLE PAGE

DEDICATION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Praise for Amy Ruttan

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EPILOGUE

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER ONE

“YOU CAN DO THIS.” It was a reassurance she kept repeating over and over to herself. And though she didn’t usually talk to herself in public, saying it out loud made her feel better.

Yeah, right.

Right now, standing here, all her bravado was fleeting as she stared up at the impressive entrance of the Cumberland Mills Memorial Hospital. The hospital where she’d done her first residency, before she’d left for her prestigious fellowship in Munich seven years ago.

Nothing had changed. She closed her eyes and took in the sweet, heady floral scent of the magnolia trees. It made her think of summers running barefoot on the lawn, of her father sitting in the swing on the wraparound porch strumming on his guitar while she played. A jangled memory of a man who’d left her and her mother a long time ago tied to the scent in the air.

She sighed and shook that thought out of her head. There was no room for those thoughts today. No room for memories.

Though that was difficult. Everywhere she went in Nashville she was reminded of the ghosts of her past. The choices she’d made and the hurt she’d left behind. Nashville haunted her, which was why she’d left. Why she’d planned to never come back.

Except here she was. Back at the beginning.

You’re here for Mama. You’re not starting over.

Still, coming back to the place she grew up felt like a second chance. As if karma was telling her she’d made all the wrong choices and was making her start all over again.

She had to remind herself that things were different. She was different. She was stronger. When she’d started here she was so unsure of herself that she had put on an air of confidence, built walls to keep people out. So much so she was considered an ice queen by some, while the seasoned surgeons thought she was too meek to be good at what she did.

Only one person had seen through all that.

Don’t think about him.

Vivian steeled her resolve and clutched the strap of her designer messenger bag. She was no longer that girl from the east side of Nashville, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She was now a world-class neurosurgeon and diagnostician.

* * *

She held her head up high and walked through the doors of Cumberland Mills, taking in the sights of one of the busiest and most affluent hospitals in Nashville.

Nothing had changed on the inside.

Like me.

“Dr. Maguire, it’s good to see you again.”

Vivian turned to see the Chief of Surgery, Dr. Isaac Brigham, walking toward her across the spacious atrium, the heart of the hospital. Other than a bit more gray in his ebony hair, Dr. Brigham still looked like how she remembered. When he’d been an Attending and she’d been a scared resident trying to melt into the background. How quickly she’d changed under his tutelage.

“Never forget you’re a shark. Always moving forward.” That was what Dr. Brigham taught her and she’d taken it to her heart when she’d decided to look forward and go to Germany.

Only today she didn’t feel so much like a shark, standing here at the beginning again.

Vivian took his hand and shook it. “So good to see you again, Dr. Brigham.” Only that was a lie. Dr. Brigham might have taught her to be a shark, might have been a good surgeon, but he was two-faced and stubborn. You didn’t want to get on his bad side.

It was trying for her to play nice with a man she found so annoying. A man she didn’t trust.

“It’s Isaac.” He had that plummy Belle Meade accent, affluent. So different from the accent she’d worked hard to get rid of. The one people looked down their noses at. Judging her as if she was trash and someone who didn’t belong.

She smiled. “I think that will be hard for me. I mean, you did set me on my path to that fellowship in Munich. You were my teacher and I was terrified of you.”

Isaac chuckled and crossed his arms. “Scare you? I’ve heard stories from your time in Munich. Have to say, I knew that you had it in you. Though I had moments of doubt. You were so quiet and shy. You barely spoke above a whisper back then.”

“I don’t whisper anymore.” Vivian smiled to herself, pleased that her reputation was preceding her, because she knew she had to build up a reputation here. She was after Dr. Brigham’s job. It was no secret that he was planning on retiring and most of the senior surgeons here had an advantage over her. They were known, they had a history. Most came from old Nashville money and she wasn’t a fool. She knew that would be an advantage to them and she was an unknown entity. Something she planned to change.

“Well, I’ll take you around our Neuro department and introduce you to your VIP patient.”

Vivian fell into step beside him. “VIP patient?”

He nodded. “Well, you have to get your feet wet here. Besides, I hear you’re the best diagnostician.”

“So they tell me,” she said. “Tell me about the case.”

“You’ll be working on the case with one of my most respected neurosurgeons. It’s a strange case and what better way to initiate your time here as our top diagnostician.”

“Most respected neurosurgeon” meant one thing to Vivian. Competition.

“Who is the VIP patient?”

“Country star Gary Trainer. He’s a rising star, but has been having the most curious neurological symptoms since he was rushed in two days ago.”

“Has he had an MRI?”

Isaac grinned. “Of course—as I said, he’s a VIP patient and his record label is very anxious to get him back on his tour.”

Of course.

Musicians were always eager to get back on the road. She’d heard her dad say that enough times.

“Stay longer, Hank. Please. Just a bit longer.”

“I can’t, Sandra. I need to be on the road. I have to make it. I will make it, just like Ray Castille. I will be as big as he is.”

Vivian laughed uneasily, trying to shake her father’s voice from her head. “Musicians.”

Isaac nodded and they got on an elevator, riding in silence until they got up to the top floor. The doors opened with a ding and they stepped off. “This is where our VIP patients stay while they’re inpatients here.”

Vivian didn’t respond. It made her stomach knot just a bit. Money talked here. There were times when she was a kid when they couldn’t get the help they needed. And she recalled the hours she and Mama had waited in an overcrowded, dingy ER.

Then there were the medical bills after her mother’s suicide attempt that took years to pay off because the ambulance took her to a hospital they couldn’t afford.

Vivian tried to give back when she could. Still, seeing the luxury of Cumberland Mills VIP wing made her wonder how much old money was invested into this instead of the pro bono fund.

She followed Isaac down the hall toward the end room. She could see a group of eager surgical interns in the room from the open door, obviously on rounds, and she couldn’t help but wonder who her competition was. And frankly she didn’t care. She’d easily push whoever it was out of the running when she diagnosed Mr. Trainer and got him back out on tour in front of his fans.

Dr. Brigham knocked on the door. “Mind if we interrupt?”

“Not at all, Doc. They tell me you brought in a specialist all the way from Germany to deal with my case,” a sweet, deep Georgian voice answered.

Isaac nodded. “Only the best for you, Mr. Trainer.”

Vivian stepped around the door, her smile quickly fading as she met the gaze of the attending doctor who was standing next to Mr. Trainer’s bed.

Those familiar brown eyes, pinning her to the spot. He had a bit of scruff and his hair wasn’t as long. The short hair suited him. And he wasn’t as gangly and lean as he’d been when they’d been residents. That young boyish face had melted away. He was more hardened, mature, but it was still him and he was still as handsome as ever.

Reece.

She’d met him in her final year of residency. He’d transferred in from a different hospital, brought in by Dr. Brigham. He was the only one who’d seen through her walls. He’d been her compass back then. Her foundation.

“Who cares where you came from? It’s where you’re going that matters.”

Don’t think about him. Only she couldn’t help but think about him as he was standing in the same room with her. Even though she’d made the decision to leave, she thought of him every day. She’d wronged him and he knew that. Vivian put her career first and she always would.

She could rely on her talent, medicine and herself. She put no faith in love or hearts, because hearts were so easily broken. Something she’d witnessed firsthand when her dad left.

Relationships were never on her radar but, from the first moment she’d met Reece, she’d forgotten that.

The memory came into her mind now...

“Tired?”

“Yes. It was a long shift. I needed air.” She had closed her eyes and hoped that he would leave, but he’d lingered. “Can I help you, Dr. Castle?”

He had shrugged. “I needed air too. I love the scent of magnolias.”

“Yeah, me too. It reminds me of home.”

“Where are you from?” he’d asked.

“Nashville.” She hadn’t known why she was engaging in a conversation with him.

“Me too.”

Then he’d reached up in the tree and plucked a large blossom. Before she’d been able to protest he’d put it behind her ear. A shiver of anticipation had raced down her spine. His strong hand had rested on her cheek.

“What’re you doing?” The words had been a whisper because she’d lost her voice, embarrassed that he was paying attention to her.

“I don’t know. It just suits you.”

Even now, after seven years, she could still feel the memory of his hand against her cheek, holding her still as he pinned that bloom in her hair. She also remembered how much she had wanted to kiss him in that moment.

How his touch had affected her.

She couldn’t believe he was still here in Nashville. She’d thought he would’ve taken some exciting offer from a bigger city. Even though he’d always said he wanted to stay in Nashville, she’d never quite believed him. He was a talented surgeon. He must’ve had other offers over the years. So she was shocked to see him here. The only person she’d ever opened up to. The man who threatened to steal her heart.

Did he remember? That’s why you left.

Vivian had panicked when she fell so deeply in love with him. She had no control over herself when it came to him. Which was why when the Munich job came up she took it.

Love was not something she ever wanted and after leaving Reece it was not something she deserved. And she couldn’t stay in Nashville, but Reece had made it clear he wanted roots. Permanent roots. And that scared her. She didn’t want roots or permanency, because that didn’t last. She didn’t believe in it.

And she only had to look to her parents to see that.

So she’d slipped away to Germany. She’d left him a note but, by the way those dark brown eyes bored into her with cool disdain, it was apparent to her a note had not been enough.

Distance had done no good. She thought of him all the time, regretted what had happened. She’d never expected to find him still here, still working for Dr. Brigham. He had so much potential. Why couldn’t he see it? He was too damn talented to stay here.

Roots be damned; why was he still here wasting his talent? Not that Cumberland Mills wasn’t a great hospital, but it wasn’t the leading hospital for neurosurgery. If Reece had moved somewhere to specialize he could have done so much more for their field.

“Dr. Castle and Mr. Trainer, I would like to introduce you both to Dr. Vivian Maguire. She’s a specialist in neurosurgery and an excellent diagnostician, having studied under Dr. Mannheim at the Munich Center for Neuroscience.” Dr. Brigham puffed out his chest. “She was one of my residents as well.”

“I remember,” Reece said finally, his voice cold, causing a shudder to run down her spine. “We were in the same class.”

Warmth flooded her cheeks and she nodded. “Yes, Dr. Castle and I were in the same class our last year of residency, Dr. Brigham.”

Dr. Brigham’s brows furrowed and then he nodded. “That’s right. I’d completely forgotten. My apologies. So you two already know each other. That’s wonderful.”

Wonderful.

Yeah, they knew each other, but the way that Reece was looking at her was like she was a stranger. Cold. Detached.

Can you blame him?

She deserved it.

That was not the Reece Castle she remembered but, then again, seven years was a long time ago and she’d changed too.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting my new doctor,” Gary Trainer said, flashing her a smile which was charming and probably just a bit dangerous to all those rabid fans.

Vivian took his outstretched hand and gave it a squeeze, doing her own little test. Gary squeezed back, or he tried, but there wasn’t any strength to his grip, the muscles were rigid and there was a tremble. Slight, but it was there.

Maybe someone not trained wouldn’t notice it, but Vivian did.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Trainer. I look forward to working with your present medical team.” She glanced up quickly at Reece, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was scrolling through the chart on the computer tablet.

Avoidance. She knew it well. He didn’t like to be the center of attention; he didn’t like awkward situations. He avoided them at all costs. He might have told her to be strong and speak out, but he didn’t do the same for himself. He didn’t like the spotlight or change.

His appearance had changed, but Reece was still the same.

* * *

Reece knew that she was looking at him and he didn’t care one bit.

Liar.

He couldn’t believe it was her. He’d known that a diagnostician with a neurosurgery background was being flown in from Germany, but it had never occurred to him that it would be Vivian. And now, looking at her, Reece wasn’t even sure he recognized her. In seven years she’d gone from a shy, cold, detached woman to one with confidence exuding from her pores.

Or arrogance.

Her unruly red hair was swept back and tamed in a bun. She was polished, wearing designer clothes, but, as he stared into her green eyes, the costume couldn’t hide from him that girl who’d grown up on the wrong side of the tracks was there still.

The woman who preferred blue jeans and running barefoot through the grass.

The woman he’d fallen in love with. This facade just reminded him that version of Vivian he loved was gone and this Vivian was a stranger. It pained him to be around her.

When they’d been residents together, she’d constantly talked about working with Dr. Mannheim. It had been her dream, not his, but he’d foolishly thought that love would keep her here, that she wouldn’t go. She’d planned to leave Nashville far behind her. Still, Reece wasn’t the only one who built up walls. He was closed off, but Vivian ran from her problems.

The morning he’d rolled over and found her note had crushed him. Vivian had left, and hadn’t asked him to go with her. What made it worse was the engagement ring he’d bought for her—the one he had to return the next day—because the morning she’d left was when he was going to open up to her. Tell her everything. Things he didn’t tell anyone.

If she had asked him to go, he would’ve gone with her.

Only you wouldn’t have.

Germany was not what he wanted.

At least that was what he’d told himself to justify her leaving. To make himself believe that was the only reason why she hadn’t asked him and why he wouldn’t have gone.

Only he’d been lying to himself. He might’ve gone, but he was never given the choice. The fact was that she hadn’t wanted him to go with her. Plain and simple.

It still stung, even after all this time.

She’d been his best friend. The one person he’d opened up to. The only person who’d been able to get through his walls—and look what happened. She’d left.

He’d learned his lesson well.

He wasn’t going to make that same mistake twice. People didn’t get second chances, if what happened between him and his father was anything to go by.

“Well, shoot, you’re just a sight for sore eyes,” Gary said, smiling again. “No offense, Dr. Castle, but I do get tired of looking at your ugly mug every day.”

Reece chuckled, his residents snickering behind him. When he glanced up at Vivian there was a pink tinge to her cheeks. Vivian was never the one for compliments. She used to think compliments could be confused as a form of weakness or she still didn’t think she deserved them. Only the compliments were valid. She was beautiful. He’d forgotten how much so. His memories didn’t do justice to her.

He’d forgotten about how coppery her hair was in certain lights, how green her eyes were. Like emeralds. The subtle smattering of freckles across her nose against her creamy white skin.

She was tall. Elegant.

Sexy as hell still.

She broke your heart.

He had to keep reminding himself of that. Under all that soft beauty she was just as hardened as he was.

When he’d met her she was shy and timid, but always closed off, but then he’d fallen in love with her. Completely—to the point he didn’t have to hide who he was. He’d adored her and he’d foolishly thought she felt the same. Good thing he didn’t tell her who he really was... Love wasn’t strong enough to keep her. He should’ve known better, given who his mother was. Women couldn’t be trusted.

He knew Vivian came from a very different world to the one which he had grown up in. She was just as secretive about her past as he was and they hadn’t talked much about their childhood, other than he knew they’d both raised themselves and didn’t have much of one. Then again, who needed talk when they had sex?

Now, seven years later, he couldn’t remember why they’d been friends or what they had in common, but they’d been drawn to each other. They’d clung to each other, both starved of love perhaps? He’d let his guard down around her.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Gary.” Then he briefly shared a quick glance with Vivian. “You’re right about Dr. Maguire being easier on the eyes.”

Vivian’s blush deepened and the smile disappeared. She was clearly uncomfortable and he was treading on dangerous ground. That was the last thing he needed, to bandy words with Vivian here in front of his patient and residents. He had to work with her and he was professional. Besides, there was nothing left to say. It was all in the past.

Is it?

“Well, I better make myself better acquainted with the neurosurgical staff and find my office. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Trainer.”

“Gary please, Dr. Maguire.”

“Gary, then.” She shook his hand and glanced up at Reece. “Dr. Castle, I’ll speak with you later, I’m sure.”

Reece didn’t answer; he just nodded quickly. He watched her walk out the door, feeling slightly guilty about how cold he’d been to her.

She’s the competition.

He had to remind himself that, even if he wasn’t particularly interested in going after Dr. Brigham’s job, he hadn’t worked all these years pouring his blood, sweat, soul and tears into the neuro program at Cumberland Mills to have someone like Vivian waltz in and take it over. She had to prove herself to him. He had Dr. Brigham’s ear. And if she wanted to run the surgical program she had to prove to him and everyone else she was here for the long haul.

Vivian had left for greener pastures years ago. Back then she didn’t see Cumberland Mills as much. Just a stepping stone. Reece really knew what this hospital was about. He didn’t know why she was back other than to take Dr. Brigham’s job.

Your job.

He shook that thought away. He’d been offered the job but he didn’t want it. He didn’t need it and didn’t want to live up to Dr. Brigham’s reputation. Some shadows were too big to step out of and Reece’s dad had made it clear time and time again he didn’t have what it took. It wasn’t his job, nor was it hers.

Vivian’s return to Nashville was just a blip. An annoyance. She was not a threat, she was not competition and definitely she was no longer a temptation.

Keep telling yourself that.

CHAPTER TWO

“WELL, I NEVER thought I’d see your face here again.”

Startled, Vivian glanced up to see Reece standing in the door of her office, his arms crossed and leaning casually against the doorjamb. Those dark eyes were trained on her, but the sparkle he once shared with her was gone. Still, he was just as handsome as ever. Something about him made her heart beat just a bit faster. She’d thought that being apart from him would dissipate the attraction she’d always had for him. She was wrong.

So wrong.

Which was probably why any relationship she’d had since had been fleeting and not worth a second glance because now, staring at Reece, she knew no man could ever affect her the way Reece had.

She hadn’t heard him come into her office but, then again, he always had a way of sneaking up on her, or nurses, or doctors. As if he moved at the edge of the shadows, unnoticed until he wanted to be seen.

When she’d asked him about it once he’d said offhandedly he’d learned to do that as a child, but never really elaborated further on that. Of course, Reece never did elaborate much on his past. She only knew he was from Nashville. That was it. And she never went on about her past. All he knew was she grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and he didn’t. Though he’d never specified and that was the way they wanted it.

“Past is past, Vivian. Let’s focus on the now.”

“Neither did I,” she answered, folding her hands on the desk in front of her as if that would help protect her from him. “I am surprised to see you’re still here...”

“Well, I wasn’t offered a chance to study under Dr. Mannheim.” There was a hint of bitterness to his voice, but really she wasn’t surprised. Over the years working as Dr. Mannheim’s protégée she’d dealt with a lot of people who were envious of her position.

People who also voiced their opinions that she didn’t deserve it.

That she didn’t earn it.

That she’d slept her way in, but none of that was true. They would know it wasn’t true if they met Dr. Mannheim’s life partner.

Still, there was always an undercurrent of jealousy. Working with Dr. Mannheim had been a huge honor and she wasn’t sorry for taking it. She’d needed to get away from Nashville. She had to protect her heart.

“You could’ve had a similar opportunity, but you never pursued anything. In fact I’m surprised to see you still here. I thought you would’ve moved away. Find a greener pasture for your surgical skill to flourish.”

Reece’s eyes narrowed. “I was needed here. I never wanted to leave Nashville. As I recall, you were the one who was ready to leave this place at a moment’s notice. Greener pastures never impressed me much.”

“I didn’t come back here to argue with you,” Vivian said. “I don’t regret leaving. I came here to work.”

His expression was like thunder and she instantly regretted her words. Reece shut the door and then took a seat in the one and only chair that didn’t have a ton of papers or a box on it.

“Of course. You’re right, Vivian. Whether we like it or not, we’re working together on this. Past is past. Let’s focus on the now and our patient.”

She nodded, relieved but also disappointed...

What was that about?

She was here to work, not dredge up the past. Coming back home to Nashville was bad enough; she didn’t need old feelings getting in the way.

“So why don’t we get to work, then?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said, leaning back in the chair. “What would you like to talk about?”

“Why don’t you fill me in on Mr. Trainer’s case?”

“Signs and symptoms point to Parkinson’s, but...”

“His test came back negative, I take it?”

Reece nodded. “Yes, even though really it’s too soon to tell and hard to diagnose Parkinson’s in the early stages.”

“Do you know when the symptoms first started? Has he given you a history?”

Reece nodded. “He did and the symptoms only started out of the blue the other day when he collapsed on stage. That was two days ago.”

“Sudden onset?” she asked, confused, as the thousands of possibilities swirled in her brain.

“Yes. He collapsed during a performance with what looked like an epileptic seizure. As you can tell from his MRI.” Reece handed her a computer pad, an MRI on the screen. “It’s clear of epileptic seizure activity.”

Vivian stared at the MRI, instantly assessing the images in front of her, like she’d done a thousand times before. Like she’d done about three months ago when her mother’s MRI showed up in her inbox and she could see the clear markers for early onset Alzheimer’s.

“Don’t you worry about me, baby girl. You stay in Germany. Finish your trial. Your work is important.”

It was the tone which had scared her. The shake in her mother’s voice behind the facade of happiness. The same tone she’d used that terrible night Vivian had found her mother bleeding on the kitchen floor. So even though her mother had said she was okay, Vivian knew she wasn’t.

Vivian owed it to her mother to come back home. Her mom had been her only constant in her life. She had sacrificed so much so Vivian could create a future for herself—so she didn’t have to rely on someone else. That was what her mom had always said. In other words, a life where she didn’t have to rely on a man.

“You don’t need a man, Vivian. You’re smart, talented. Don’t let anyone hold you back.”

Her mom’s words had made her decide to go to Germany in the first place. She had wavered over it and for one brief moment she’d thought about putting down roots with Reece. Her mother had changed her mind.

She was very well aware that her mother’s singing career had been held back by her father. A father who couldn’t even be bothered to stick around. Her mother gave up a huge contract because Vivian’s father had been jealous of his wife’s success and then when he was offered a gig he was gone.

And that was the last they saw of him and their savings.

She couldn’t leave her mother high and dry. She couldn’t let her mother, who had early onset Alzheimer’s, live out the rest of her life in a rundown facility while she was halfway across the world.

Vivian might be cutthroat when it came to her career, but she loved her mother. Loved her enough to come back to Nashville.

“Vivian, you okay?”

She shook her head, chasing those thoughts away. “Sorry?”

“You zoned out. I thought perhaps you saw something I might’ve missed,” Reece said, a hint of concern in his voice. She didn’t deserve him. Never had.

“No, sorry. Jet lag.” She passed the tablet back to Reece. “I think I would like another MRI done and an EEG monitor for a forty-eight hour period. Perhaps we can force a seizure in a controlled and monitored environment.”

Reece nodded. “Sounds good, but how do you propose we do that when we don’t know what triggered it?”

“You said he had a seizure on stage at the concert, right?”

“Yes, he did.”

“How about we start with flashing lights, dark room and loud music?”

A small grin crept across Reece’s face. It was good to see him smile. “Good thinking. I’ll get my team of residents on it.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you have the team of residents so readily at your disposal.” It was so easy to talk to him about medicine. She’d forgotten. It was how they’d first connected. How he’d gotten through her defenses.

“Well, all the surgeons do. It’s just I’ve been using them more often for my Alzheimer’s trial study.”

Vivian perked up. “Alzheimer’s study?”

Reece nodded. “Yes, I have a trial running now with some medication therapy and electrotherapy with EEG monitoring for brain activity. I just started it.”

“Have you found all your participants?” Vivian asked.

Reece frowned and cocked an eyebrow. “Why are you so interested?”

“Don’t get on the defensive. Alzheimer’s is not my specialty. I was merely making conversation.”

Reece stared at her in disbelief, but then relaxed. “Yes, my trial is currently full. There is a large pool of people suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s who are more than willing to participate.”

Vivian tried not to show her disappointment, but really it was to be expected. Alzheimer’s trials filled up quickly.

“So not interested in Alzheimer’s, but here to take Dr. Brigham’s job?” he asked.

The question caught her off guard. “Who told you that?”

“I’m not obtuse, Vivian. I know that’s why you’ve come back to Nashville. Why else would you leave Mannheim’s practice?”

“For your information, I outgrew Mannheim’s practice. I wanted to branch out and expand my horizons further. Start my own trial, perhaps, and I couldn’t do that in Munich.”

“Why Nashville?”

“Why does it matter?” Vivian snapped. She didn’t want him to know about her mother. No one needed to know that, but really if her mother hadn’t been so sick she wouldn’t have come back.

“It matters. So, why Nashville?”

“Why not?”

“Only because you were so hell-bent on leaving. You left like a thief in the night. I don’t even remember getting to say goodbye. All I got was a note.”

She saw the anger in him. The hurt. She couldn’t blame him. She knew leaving like that would hurt him. It was a burden that she had to bear to protect herself.

The one time he’d really opened up ever, just after their first time, he said words which stuck with her to this day.

“I’ve lived a life of constant change. I want permanence. I want roots. Roots here in Nashville.”

He wanted something she didn’t and couldn’t give him.

“I thought past was in the past? Focus on the now, remember?”

Reece stood up, his expression hard and cold. His jaw clenched tight. “Right. You’re right.”

“I’m sorry my coming back is hard on you, Dr. Castle, but I’m here to stay and we have to work together so I suggest we make the best of it.”

“Fine.” Only she had a feeling it wasn’t.

“Fine,” she said.

“It’s not like you’ll be here that long anyways,” he snapped.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” It was like a slap to the face. Reminding her again that she’d left him behind, making her feel the guilt more keenly than ever.

Reece shrugged. “I mean once you don’t get the job, Dr. Brigham’s job, you’ll leave.”

“Who says I won’t?”

“I wish I had your confidence, but you’re going against tough competition. Old money, connections, things you don’t have here.” It was as if Reece was using all her old fears to scare her now. To get her to leave. Well, she was stronger now.

Vivian crossed her arms. “I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. And even if I don’t get it, who says I’ll leave?”

Reece snorted. “You will. You’ll move on to greener pastures. Isn’t that what sharks do?”

The words haunted her because that was what Dr. Brigham had taught her. That was how she’d acted for so long as she’d fought to get surgeries as a resident.

“I’m not a shark.”

Not anymore.

She cleared her throat. “I’m here to explore the potential of a trial on autism, if you must know. One I couldn’t start in Germany. Just part of my working here was working with you on this case because I am one of the best diagnostician neurosurgeons in Europe, next to Mannheim.”

He smirked. “So you’re not after Dr. Brigham’s job?”

Vivian shook her head. “Yes, I am. I have aspirations on Dr. Brigham’s job. Who wouldn’t?”

* * *

Me.

Only Reece kept that thought to himself. No one needed to know he had no desire or plans to run. He had no aspirations on Dr. Brigham’s job. He preferred being on the front line. He liked the OR too much. He didn’t like the spotlight or the PR aspects of running a surgical program. He didn’t crave the spotlight like his parents did. Most people would think so, but he didn’t. He abhorred it. That was why he didn’t use his real surname. Why he’d changed Castille to Castle when he was eighteen. He wanted to hide the fact he was the son of country music royalty. He didn’t want people to know that his father was Ray Castille, one of the biggest artists to grace the halls of the Grand Ole Opry. His mother, Edna, had been a model and preferred the jet-setting lifestyle and Hollywood over him and his father, to be honest. Wealth, fame and prestige destroyed lives.

Ruined people.

The limelight wasn’t for him.

He hated the attention, the world he’d grown up in. Wealth and glamour did not lead to a normal childhood. So he avoided attention as much as he could. Privacy was what he wanted, though if his Alzheimer’s trial was successful that could change. Bringing in money.

And maybe then he could help more people who couldn’t afford health care or specialists.

Don’t think about it.

“I’m sorry. Really, your reasons for returning aren’t my concern. I was just...I was surprised to see you,” Reece apologized.

She was going to say something more when his pager buzzed. It was a code blue on Gary. He turned on his heel and ran. He could hear Vivian following him.

“What is it?” she shouted behind him.

“Code blue,” he shouted back over his shoulder.

As soon as he came into the room the nurse began to fill him in. It was a seizure, but one that seemed to be affecting Gary’s heart as well. It was strange, both monitors showing his cardiac and neurological distress.

Vivian didn’t ask any questions. She just dove right in, ordering medicine and keeping calm as she rapidly fired off instructions beside him. Just like the good old days.

“His pulse ox is down. He can’t breathe,” she shouted over the alarms. “Why is he not getting enough oxygen?”

I don’t know. Only he didn’t say that out loud as he pulled over the crash cart. They worked together over Gary like they’d worked together a long time ago. As if no time had passed at all.

He’d forgotten how calm and collected she was. How she grounded him. How she grounded the whole room in an emergency situation. He’d missed that.

“Charge to ten,” she said above the din as Gary flatlined.

Reece grabbed the paddles. “Clear.” Everyone stepped back and he shocked Gary’s heart back into rhythm.

The heartbeat stabilized, sinus rhythm returning and seizures ended. Reece breathed a sigh of relief as the monitors bleeped in time with a stable heart and his pulse ox rose again.

“Thanks,” he said to Vivian. They shared a smile and it made his heart skip a beat because it was as if nothing had changed.

“No problem,” she said. “That’s what I’m here for.”

He was glad she was here, but she’d left once. She’d leave again. He didn’t need her. And he had to keep reminding himself of that to reinforce the walls he’d built.

“I can take it from here,” he said, looking away quickly. Just working alongside her stirred so many memories within him. It reminded him of the hurt and pain from when she’d left. She’d been the one person he’d opened up to and she’d betrayed him. Broke his heart and just affirmed his belief that you couldn’t trust anyone.

His parents and many so-called friends had shown him that. Even his parents had always been unreliable and never really there when he’d needed them. There was only one person Reece could rely on and that was himself.

“Are you sure?” Vivian asked. “I can stay...”

“No. Go get settled. I’ll let you know when everything is set up to monitor him.”

Vivian nodded and left the room, which he was thankful for. The last thing he needed was to carry on that heated conversation out in the open. One thing was for certain. He had to keep his distance from Vivian, which was going to be impossible to do, the longer Gary was in the hospital, but it had to be done.

For his own good.

CHAPTER THREE

“MAMA?” VIVIAN SET down her briefcase on the floor in the entranceway. She’d been surprised the door had been unlocked when she tried her key. Her mother never left the door unlocked, especially since they’d grown up in a less desirable location in the city. Although her mother’s house wasn’t in a bad part of town anymore; Vivian had taken care of that when she’d gone to Germany by buying this place. Still, it was no reason to leave her door unlocked.

The door being unlocked had Vivian on alert. Especially as there was no answer to her query when she first walked in. Her mother was definitely home as Vivian had the car now. Her mother’s license had been revoked the day the diagnosis came down.

It didn’t stop her mother from walking, though.

“Mama?” Vivian called out again, a little more urgent this time. She walked toward the kitchen and memories of that horrible day when she was a young girl came rushing back...the moment she’d found her mother in a pool of blood. Painful nightmarish memories that she hadn’t thought about in a long time.

Her mother’s suicide attempt after her father left was the stuff of nightmares for Vivian.

It was something they didn’t talk about. That year, the year her mother checked out, haunted her for so long and in this moment, calling out to her mother, it was overpowering.

“Mama?”

Her mother rushed out of the kitchen, a tea towel in one hand, a dish in the other. She looked surprised. “Vivian? When did you get back?”

“Just now.” She sent up a silent prayer of relief.

Her mother embraced her. “If I had known you were coming for a visit...”

Vivian’s heart sank and she could see that faraway gaze in her mother’s eyes. Her mother wasn’t lucid. “Mama, I came home a week ago.”

“What?”

“I moved back a week ago. Don’t you remember?”

Her mother’s eyes sparked and then there was recognition and the fog lifted. “Right. Oh, right. I remember.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, yes I do.” Her mother shook her head and laughed softly, obviously embarrassed and flustered. “How was your day at work? Back to your old stomping ground.”

A nightmare.

Only she didn’t say that out loud. She didn’t want to upset her mother. Her mother knew about Reece and Vivian didn’t want her to get the wrong idea about her return.

“Good. It was good. How was your day?”

Her mother sighed. “I thought it was good... I’m sorry to let you down. I swear I thought I was doing good.”

“You’re not letting me down and you are doing good. You just had a blip.” Vivian ran her hand through her hair, trying to brush away the stress that was building. “How often do these blips happen, though?”

“I haven’t had one since you arrived. At least I don’t think so.”

Vivian sighed again as her mother headed back into the kitchen. She’d been with her mother since she’d come home, but this was her first day away from her and she’d had a setback. Thankfully, nothing had happened, but perhaps she should look into having a nurse or a personal support worker here when she wasn’t here. Just to help her mother with the blips. Although her mother wouldn’t go for it.

“Don’t go to all that trouble for me. I can take care of myself for now. You’re here to work, not fuss over me.”

Her mother came back and they settled in the cozy living room that was filled with overstuffed furniture, fake floral arrangements and pictures of her from her childhood. All the things that made her mother happy. Or so her mother said when she’d decorated the home. Either way, it was cozy and brought a smile to Vivian’s face.

“So was Dr. Brigham excited to see you again?” her mother asked, excited.

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Her mother smiled. “You suppose so? Well, I’m sure he was happy to see one of his students, one of his best students, back again.”

“I’m not the only former student at the hospital.”

“Oh?”

Vivian stopped herself because the last time she’d talked to her mother about Reece she’d told Vivian to break it off and never look back. Her mother had always stated Vivian had to be her own person. To put her career first and a man second.

“Don’t give up on your dreams, Vivian. Not for Reece. I don’t care if he’s a good man or if you love him. You have to go to Germany. It’s your dream. Go or you’ll regret it.”

Her mother had never approved of Reece. She’d thought he was a distraction and she’d been right. He was.

“Just some old friends. Old faces.”

Liar.

Her mother smiled again. “Well, that’s good.”

Vivian nodded. “Yes. It’s a big change from Germany, though. When I worked for Dr. Mannheim it was in a clinic. A private clinic. I’m not used to being back on rounds again.”

“I’m sure you’ll get used to it. Isn’t it good to be home?”

“It’s good to be home with you, Mama.” Vivian glanced up into her mother’s warm eyes. She did love being with her mother. She’d missed her while she was in Germany, but it had been hard growing up in Nashville. Even if they were far away from the kids who teased her, she would still wake up crying for a mother who wasn’t there. Her mother had to work day and night to keep a roof over her head.

Nashville reminded her that love wasn’t enough. Love made life harder. Everyone she loved left and she’d done her share of hurt too. Reece’s behavior today was proof of that.

Even her mother was leaving. The disease was stealing her away, piece by piece. So young. Life was robbing her mother again.

“You okay, Vivian? Was it a rough day?” Her mother squeezed her knee. The blip was minor, but it was there.

“No, Mama. It wasn’t a rough day.”

“Good. You’ll have to tell me all about it.” Her mother got up and left, heading back into the kitchen.

Hiring a nurse, or at least a companion, would be top priority tomorrow. She’d call her mother’s friend Florence to come sit with her tomorrow while she worked her shift at the hospital. It was too short notice to find a nurse now and Vivian wanted to interview people for the position.

Vivian would have taken the day off, but she’d only just started back at Cumberland Mills. She couldn’t take the time off work. Especially not when she’d been assigned a high-profile case and was trying to vie for Dr. Brigham’s position. If she took time off, it would not look good to those making the decision.

Reece had made it clear that he didn’t think she had a chance at Dr. Brigham’s job. Well, she’d prove him wrong like she’d always done.

There was a ping and she checked her phone. It was one of Reece’s residents.

Gary Trainer was stable and talking. He’d also been cleared by cardio. The resident asked if she wanted to come by and set up the testing.

Vivian groaned. She did, but she also didn’t want to leave her mother. If she told her about the text her mother would tell her to go.

Reece can handle it. Call him.

As much as it pained her to let go of the control, she owed it to her mother. She couldn’t abandon her tonight. Vivian looked up Reece’s number in the hospital directory and sent him a text. She didn’t tell him much. She just mentioned that she was tied up for an appointment. No one needed to know her private life.

That was her business.

Fine, Reece texted back.

No questions—something she’d always liked about him. However, his shortness meant something different now; he was still angry at her. Vivian put her phone away and leaned back against the couch, exhaustion overtaking her. Maybe Reece was right and she was jet-lagged but, after a week, that seemed highly unlikely.

Sleep started to wash over her, warm like a cozy blanket.

A blood-curdling scream made her sit bolt upright and run to the kitchen. Her mother was on the floor, clenching her wrist, which she held up. Vivian had an instant flashback to the day after her dad left... No ten-year-old should have had to see that.

Snapping back to the present, Vivian rushed over to her mother.

“Mama!” Vivian knelt down next to her.

Her mother was in shock, shaking, eyes wild as she looked up at her. “Vivian? When did you get here?”

* * *

Reece cut through the emergency room. It was unusually calm tonight, which was never a good sign. Really he shouldn’t even be down here, but it was the quickest way to the parking lot from where he’d been in the hospital. He hadn’t planned on staying so late, but honestly there was nothing at home anyway.

He’d been surprised that Vivian had asked him to set up the monitors and get her test ready. It wasn’t like her and he couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong with her.

She’s not your concern.

Still, it wasn’t like her, but then what did he know? He clearly hadn’t known her at all back then as he’d never thought she’d have been the person to leave him like she did.

“Can I have some help?”

Reece glanced up when he heard Vivian’s stressed voice coming across the emergency room. She was holding up a woman, blood over them. And then his blood ran cold when he saw that the woman was Vivian’s mother. He’d never told Vivian he’d met her mother; it had been brief, but that moment had been burned into his soul as the older woman had made it clear in a few words that she didn’t approve of his relationship with her daughter.

“Don’t tie her down, Dr. Castle. Let her soar. She deserves the chance.”

He shook that memory from his mind.

And though he should let one of the ER doctors deal with it, it was instinct to help Vivian. He couldn’t leave her like that. Reece ran over.

“Vivian?”

“Reece?” She shook her surprise away. “It’s my mother. She had an accident.”

He didn’t say anything about knowing her. He just hoped Vivian’s mother didn’t recognize him. “Let’s head over to the pod.”

Vivian nodded and they guided her mother over to the room.

“What happened?” her mother asked, bewildered. “Where am I?”

“You’re at the hospital, Mama. You had an accident in the kitchen.”

“Oh,” her mother whispered.

Vivian shot Reece a pained look and just in that quick moment he understood. He’d been studying the disease for so long he could recognize it easily. And then he knew why she’d come back to Nashville and it surprised him. When she’d left he’d thought she was selfish; maybe she wasn’t after all?

“Mrs. Maguire, I’m Dr. Castle. I’m going to help you.”

Vivian’s mother nodded but she showed no sign she knew him. Reece examined the wound gently. It was deep and would need stitches.

“Do you need me to do anything?” Vivian asked. She was pleading and he understood the need to do something. He wouldn’t be able to stand by and not do something.

“No, I’ll take care of it. I’m going to sedate her, though. Is that okay?”

Vivian nodded. “It’s for the best.”

“Try and keep her calm.” Reece grabbed the drugs out of the locked drawer. Vivian stroked her mother’s hair and whispered to her gently. It took him off guard. He had never had that close relationship with his parents and never would. His father had died on stage, a lifetime of drinking and drugs having taken their toll on him.

His mother had died two years before his father’s death. A car accident had taken her.

They hadn’t been the best parents, and right now, watching Vivian, he was envious of what she had with her mother. It also made his heart melt a bit, seeing her so vulnerable.

Don’t think about it.

“I’m going to give you something for the pain, Mrs. Maguire.” Reece injected the sedative. “It’ll help.”

Vivian’s mother nodded and then relaxed as she drifted off. Once she was out, Vivian started to help him as they inspected the deep laceration.

“How did this happen?” he asked as he began to repair it.

“In the kitchen with a knife, but I don’t know why. She hasn’t had violent tendencies.” He could hear the anxiety in Vivian’s voice. She was not telling him everything. Try as she might, he knew her, knew when she was lying to him, by the furrow of her brow and the fact she wouldn’t make eye contact with him.

“What aren’t you telling me?” he asked calmly.

“I told you all I know. I was in the other room,” she snapped.

“Calm down,” he said gently.

“You want me to calm down?”

“Look, I just think there’s more to this than you’re telling me. You’re a horrible liar.”

“Why do you think there’s more to this?”

“There is a scar here, an old one,” Reece remarked. “That’s why I asked.”

Vivian sighed. “It was a long time ago. I’m sorry. I don’t like to talk about it.”

“Right. I forgot you don’t like to talk about the past.”

“I’m not the only one.”

He shot her a warning look, but she was right. “It’s okay, Vivian.”

“I didn’t think...I mean. I don’t know what I mean.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. Hopelessness when it came to this disease. He knew it well.

“When was she diagnosed?” Reece asked.

“Three months ago. Her doctor sent me the MRI. I finished up my affairs over there and headed here.”

“I’m sorry.” And he meant it. He wouldn’t wish this disease on his worst enemy.

Vivian nodded. “Thanks, and I would appreciate you not saying too much about this. I like to keep my private life and work life separate. I don’t care if people know she’s my mother, just not why she’s here.”

“It’s me, Vivian. I understand about that,” he said gently.

“I appreciate it.”

“Well, that explains why you were so interested in my Alzheimer’s trial,” Reece remarked. “Which makes me feel better.”

“Did you honestly think I would try and poach that?” she asked, hurt in her voice.

“It’s a tough world out there. Lots of people hungry for opportunity.” Reece finished up his work. “You can’t blame me for being suspicious.”

“No, I guess I can’t.” Vivian handed him the scissors. “I’m not interested in Alzheimer’s. That’s not where I’ve focused my papers. I’m a diagnostician. Plain and simple.”

“And you’re here to diagnose Gary Trainer?”

“One of the reasons, though, truth be told, I didn’t know about Gary until today.”

They shared a smile—one he hadn’t shared with her in so long. It was nice. He’d missed it. It was nice just knowing what another meant without having to explain. He disposed of the suture kit and then began to wrap her mother’s wrist.

“Is this what had you tied up when you asked me to set up the test?” he asked.

Vivian nodded. “I couldn’t leave her alone. I’m going to hire her a companion soon, but when I came home tonight she had left the door unlocked and had to be reminded about a few things. It was her first real bad day since I came home.”

“I understand. I respect that.”

He knew about bad days and parents.

His parents had been superstars and ran on a different schedule than the rest of the world. Reece had spent many a day sleeping during daylight hours and up all night, because that was what his parents did.

When he was a young child there were two years he didn’t see the sun. Only the moon and countless strangers passing through their Belle Meade mansion while his parents threw endless parties and get-togethers.

How he’d wished for some stability.

A normal life.

The only stability he’d ever had in his life were the couple of summers he’d spent with his paternal grandfather in Kentucky, up in the mountains. There were regular meals, chores, swimming and stability.

Those summers had ended when he was ten, when his grandfather got Alzheimer’s. Reece’s father had sold the Kentucky cabin and put his grandfather in a home near Memphis, where he’d died alone a year later.

Reece had never seen his grandfather again. It was then he’d decided to dedicate his life to curing Alzheimer’s.

That was all that mattered.

Medicine. Not music.

“She should be fine, but maybe try to find out if your mother tried to do harm to herself in her past. If she regresses it could be a repeat episode.”

Vivian nodded. “I will. She doesn’t talk much about those times. She’s private too.”

Reece chuckled with her. “I know, but I would hate to have to put her on a suicide watch.”

“She’s not suicidal when she’s lucid,” Vivian snapped defensively.

“Okay, but you understand where I’m coming from as her doctor.”

“You’re not her doctor.”

“I will be.”

Vivian looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Even though he shouldn’t do it because it would mean that he would be further getting involved in Vivian’s life, he couldn’t see her suffer like this. Her mother was a good candidate anyway—given that Vivian had said she was early onset and was diagnosed only three months ago—and he had to keep telling himself that he was going to make the offer because it made sense for his trial...not because of his past with Vivian.

“I mean I’ve decided to take your mother in my trial.”

Vivian was stunned. “What?”

“That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it? Your mother can start my Alzheimer’s trial tomorrow.”

This is not distancing yourself from her.

CHAPTER FOUR

“I THOUGHT YOU said your trial was full?” Vivian asked.

Reece shrugged. “There’s room for a good candidate and I think your mother is a good fit.”

“You don’t have to make room for her because it’s me.” In fact she didn’t want him to. She’d taken so much from him already. She didn’t deserve this kindness and didn’t want any handouts.

She didn’t need them.

Except, her mother needed to be on his trial. It was a shot.

“I’m not. Don’t mistake my offer for anything but the fact your mother is a good candidate.” His eyes were dark, cold and it sent a shudder down her spine. “This has nothing to do with our past relationship. It’s purely medical.”

Vivian tried not to blush. Of course he wasn’t doing it for any other reason and she felt foolish for saying it. What did she think—that he would still care for her seven years after breaking off their relationship with a note?

“Of course. I’m sorry. You don’t deserve that. It’s been a trying day.”

His expression softened. “I’m sorry too.”

“So why don’t you tell me what you need for this trial?” Vivian asked, trying to steer the subject away from apologies for something that was no longer there. Something she never really deserved since she’d thrown it away.

“Well, first things first. I will get her admitted up into the neuro floor and we’ll go from there.” Reece turned to the computer and began to do the paperwork.

“Admit her?”

“Yes. All my trial patients are admitted until after I administer the medicine and they recover from the procedure so I can keep a close eye on the protocol. Will that be a problem?” Then he frowned. “I know you didn’t want this spread around...”

“You’re right, I didn’t, but it’s okay. She’s more important. Besides, she has a different last name from me.”

“Not Maguire?”

“No.” And she didn’t elaborate that her mother had kept Vivian’s father’s name, but Vivian had taken her mother’s maiden name when she’d turned eighteen. She’d wanted to wipe her father’s name from hers. She didn’t need to be reminded she was the daughter of Hank Bowen, failed country singer, liar, cheat and drunk.

“So your mother’s surname is...?”

“Bowen. Her name is Sandra Bowen.” Vivian sighed and gave Reece the rest of the info he would need to admit her.

“Vivian?” her mother moaned as she woke up.

“Right here, Mama.” Vivian gripped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Where am I?”

“Cumberland Mills,” Reece reminded her gently.

“Why?” Then her mother winced and looked at her bandaged wrist. “More than a blip?”

Vivian nodded. “Dr. Castle wants to admit you.”

“I’m not suicidal,” Sandra snapped. “Please believe me. The knife slipped.”

It broke Vivian’s heart because Reece had seen the old scars. Scars from a long time ago when her mother had been just that. Another reason why Vivian had wanted to sever the ties between her and her father.

“We know, Mama. It’s not that at all...”

“I’m running an Alzheimer’s trial. Your daughter, Dr. Maguire, will be helping and you’re a perfect candidate, Mrs. Bowen.” He smiled at her, one of those charming smiles which could win over any woman with a pulse and it worked like a charm on her mother.

“Oh, well, that sounds great. What’s the trial testing?”

“Medication, Mrs. Bowen, that will hopefully cure Alzheimer’s.” He smiled again, but wouldn’t look at Vivian. “I take it Vivian is your medical power of attorney now?”

“I am,” Vivian said. Then she looked at her mother. “What do you say, Mama? Do you want to be part of the trial?”

“Of course.” Her mother grinned. “Besides, I’ll get to see you in action.”

Reece smiled and patted her mother’s arm. “That’s the spirit. I’ll get a porter to take you up to your room. Dr. Maguire, can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Sure.” Vivian kissed her mother’s head. “I’ll just be a moment.”

“Of course, darlin’.”

Vivian shut the door to the trauma pod. “What do you need, Dr. Castle?”

“I just wanted to clarify something.”

“Okay.” Now she was confused. She thought everything was fine. Maybe he’d changed his mind.

“I said you were involved with the trial to ease her, but since you want her connection to you kept quiet you can’t have any involvement.”

“I assumed as much,” she said, trying to not let her anger take over. Did he think she was so obtuse?

“I also want her MRI. The one her GP sent you.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

Reece shrugged with indifference. “No, I’ll update you as I know more.”

“Okay. For what it’s worth, thanks.” She didn’t wait for an answer. He’d made it quite clear why he was doing this for her mother. It was purely medical and she was fine with that. She expected that. Whatever they had in the past was long gone. And really all she wanted now for their working relationship was tolerance and professional indifference.

* * *

Reece regretted his demeanor toward Vivian the moment he uttered those words, but it was for the best. He knew bringing Vivian’s mother on his trial was not going to distance himself from Vivian. Far from it. So he tried to delude himself. Tell himself the only reason he was doing it was because Vivian’s mother was a perfect candidate for the trial. It had nothing to do with old feelings.

Keep telling yourself that.

It was hard to remind himself of that because every time he looked at Vivian he remembered every kiss, every touch.

The scent of her hair, the taste of her lips.

That was why he’d never had a long relationship after her. Vivian haunted him.

She’d taken his trust, something that was so hard for him to give, and crushed it. He knew he’d never feel that way again. Never open up again. So he didn’t bother after a handful of bad dates and failed attempts at a relationship.

They always broke it off, saying he was never there.

And it was true.

His heart was in Germany.

I have to get away from here.

Reece turned and shut the door to the office. He was overtired and maudlin. Past was in the past. Focus on the now.

“Dr. Castle?” Reece turned to see one of his interns run toward him.

“Yes, Dr. Brody?”

Dr. Brody caught her breath. “Have you seen Dr. Maguire? She’s needed in the ICU.”

“Is it something I can help with?”

Dr. Brody shrugged. “I don’t know. Dr. Brigham told me to find Dr. Maguire. He heard she had come back to the hospital and was in the ER.”

Reece nodded. “I’ll get her. Tell Dr. Brigham we’ll meet him in the ICU.”

Dr. Brody nodded and ran back the way she came.

So much for going home to have some sleep.

He didn’t knock when he opened the trauma pod. “Dr. Maguire, you’re wanted in the ICU. Dr. Brigham is specifically requesting you.”

Vivian quickly looked down at her mother. There was such love and tenderness between them. Reece envied it. His parents had never shown much interest in him. Except when he’d walked away from the musical career they had wanted for him in order to go to medical school.

“You were invited to sing at the Opry. Singing at the Opry will launch your career. You can’t say no.”

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