The moment was so magical that Kirsten was afraid to breathe for fear it was all a dream and she’d wake up alone in her bed, her arms wrapped around her pillow.

She was spellbound by his heady scent, by the warmth of his breath and the heat of his touch.

As the kiss deepened and their lips parted, his tongue brushed hers, making her knees go weak. So she reached for his waist to steady herself. As she did so, he slipped his arms around her, drawing her close, kissing her until she was tempted to drag him inside and see what happened next.

Oh, lordy. If this was the way Jeremy kissed a woman goodnight, she wondered what it would be like to welcome him into her bed, into her … life.

Dear Reader,

In this story, you’ll meet Kirsten Allen, who has a lot on her plate these days, including an unemployed brother who needs a helping hand and a baby nephew who needs a mother’s touch. But when she runs into Dr Jeremy Fortune, who is waiting in Red Rock until his missing father is found, sparks fly and love blossoms.

So find a cozy spot and curl up with a little Texas romance.

Happy reading!

Judy

About the Author

JUDY DUARTE always knew there was a book inside her, but since English was her least favourite subject in school, she never considered herself a writer. An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy couldn’t shake the dream of creating a book of her own.

Her dream became a reality in March of 2002, when her first book was released. Since then she has published more than twenty novels.

Her stories have touched the hearts of readers around the world. And in July of 2005 Judy won a prestigious Readers’ Choice Award for The Rich Man’s Son.

Judy makes her home near the beach in Southern California. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she’s spending time with her somewhat enormous but delightfully close family.

Healing

Dr Fortune

Judy Duarte

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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In Memory of

Lydia Bustos, the sister I never had, the friend

I’ll never forget.

My loss is Heaven’s gain.

Chapter One

Dr. Jeremy Fortune stepped out the front door of the Red Rock Medical Center and headed for the parking lot, his mood dark as the storm clouds that gathered overhead.

It had been over a month since his father had disappeared on what would have been the older man’s wedding day, and in spite of all the efforts to find him, there’d been very few leads and the trail had gone cold.

William Fortune had been involved in a car accident that took place a hundred miles from the Red Rock church in which he was to be wed. The other driver, a young woman, had died upon impact. But for days, authorities hadn’t realized a second vehicle had been involved until they spotted William’s silver Mercedes, which had plummeted down an embankment and into a deeply wooded area, where it had been partially hidden by brush and rocks.

There hadn’t been any sign of William, though—no blood and no indication that he’d been injured or … worse. It was as if he’d vanished without a trace.

A photograph of Molly, his first wife, had been found tucked into his visor, which had led some of the tabloids to report that he’d been running away. But Jeremy knew better than that.

William Fortune had been eagerly awaiting the ceremony that would unite him in holy matrimony to Lily, the widow of his cousin Ryan. And he’d been looking forward to spending the rest of his life with the woman he’d recently come to love and respect. Besides, his family and his close friends were important to him, and he wouldn’t have left without telling any of them. Not of his own accord, anyway.

At first, Jeremy had feared that his father had been kidnapped, but there were no ransom notes found, no phone calls demanding money.

So where was he?

As a driven and dedicated orthopedic surgeon, Jeremy relied on logic and reason to solve problems, which he always faced head-on. But there wasn’t anything logical about his father’s disappearance.

Jeremy didn’t usually trust feelings or hunches, but he couldn’t shake the belief that his father was still alive and out there—somewhere.

Maybe that was because Jeremy had lost too many family members already and wasn’t going to accept the possibility that he might have lost another.

Nevertheless, he wouldn’t leave Texas and return to California until his father was found—one way or another. So he’d taken a leave of absence from his medical practice in Sacramento, which didn’t seem to bother him nearly as much as he’d thought it would.

He suspected that had something to do with the fact that, even before coming to Red Rock for his father’s wedding, he’d been reevaluating his life choices. And he hoped that a little distance would help him sort it all out.

Still, to keep himself busy during the day and to make himself useful, he’d been volunteering his time at the Red Rock Medical Center, which the Fortune Foundation helped fund. And today was no different.

He glanced at his wristwatch. It was just past four-thirty and a little too early to head for the restaurant. He was meeting his brother and new sister-in-law for dinner at Red tonight—his favorite local restaurant—and he didn’t want to drive all the way back to the Double Crown Ranch, where he’d been staying.

Maybe he ought to use the extra time to stop by the bookstore and pick up a couple novels before meeting Drew and Deanna. He’d been battling insomnia lately, so he’d been doing a lot of reading.

As his shoes crunched along the gritty, leaf- and twig-littered sidewalk, a somber mood continued to weigh him down, which seemed to happen whenever his mind wasn’t on his work and his patients.

Oddly enough, it had lifted last night—during a dream of all things. He wasn’t one to give nocturnal fantasies much thought, but this one had been especially unusual—and real.

The scene had come upon him during the wee hours, but in his mind’s eye, the afternoon sun had cast a golden glow upon a tree-lined street much like some of those that could be found in the nicer neighborhoods in Red Rock.

He’d pulled into the driveway of a two-story home, which had been freshly painted—white, with green and black trim. The lawn was lush and neatly mowed, the plants and shrubs well manicured. A petite woman sat in a wicker rocking chair on the front porch, near a black window box that was chock-full of brightly colored flowers.

It was, he decided, a typical Norman Rockwell scene, and his heart soared upon envisioning it.

He’d tried to get a glimpse of the woman’s face, but she was looking down at a pink-flannel-wrapped bundle in her arms, her honey-brown hair hanging in a soft tumble of curls that blocked his view.

“I’m home,” he’d said, as he’d climbed from the car and shut the door. Then he’d hurried up the sidewalk to greet the mother and child, his steps light. The somber mood that had been plaguing him recently had disappeared completely, leaving him happier and more contented than he’d remembered being in a long, long time.

As the woman turned to face him, so he would finally be able to get a good glimpse of her, the dream had suddenly ended, transporting him from the springtime to winter, from day to night.

He knew that the subconscious did crazy things while the mind and body slept, yet for a brief moment, he’d felt whole and … alive. And when he awoke, he realized what he’d been missing in his outwardly successful life—a wife and a family of his own.

Too bad he couldn’t put a name and a face to the woman he’d imagined in his dream. But it really didn’t matter. Her image had been merely symbolic, a sign of what he’d been lacking.

As he neared the parking space where he’d left his car earlier in the day, he heard footsteps behind him and glanced over his shoulder to see a petite woman approaching. She wore a pair of slender-fit denim jeans, a snug white T-shirt and a pink jacket to ward off the chill. In her arms, she held a baby wrapped in a blue shawl. She was studying the child, so he couldn’t quite see her face.

But damn … With hair the shade of golden honey, she could at least pass for the woman in his dream.

If he were the kind of guy to believe in premonitions, he just might wonder if she was a walking, talking dream come true.

He wasn’t, though. But he turned around just the same, drawn to her for some other reason he’d yet to figure out.

As she looked up and spotted him, her lips parted and her steps slowed. She had the face of a magazine cover girl, delicate features and expressive blue eyes with thick, dark lashes.

“Excuse me,” she said, adjusting the strap of the diaper bag that hung on her shoulder. “Are you a doctor?”

Jeremy, who was still wearing a lab coat over his street clothes, punctuated a nod by saying, “Yes, I am.”

“Oh, good. I was hoping to have the baby examined, and I wondered if … if you could take a look at him.”

“I’m not a pediatrician,” Jeremy said. “I’m an orthopedic surgeon. The clinic is still open, though. I’m sure someone will be able to see him today.”

She glanced over her shoulder, then to the right and the left. “I can’t wait. And I’m worried about the baby. I just want to make sure that he’s okay.”

“What seems to be the problem?” he asked. Did the child have a fever or any particular symptoms?

“Nothing really, I suppose.” She looked at the little guy in her arms, then back to Jeremy. “I just want to make sure he’s healthy.”

That was odd, he thought. But he eased closer to look at the baby, who appeared to be about two months old. On the upside, his eyes were bright and alert, his cheeks were plump and his little arms were filled out. There was no obvious reason to suspect he was sick or had been neglected.

Jeremy looked back at the mother, who seemed a little fidgety. “Like I said, I’m not a pediatrician. And without an actual exam, it’s hard to say for sure. But I don’t see anything that would make me think that he isn’t healthy.”

Her nervous expression melted into one of relief. “Oh, thank goodness.”

Jeremy wasn’t sure why she was so anxious, why she wouldn’t go inside and join the other patients waiting to be seen.

“Just as a side note,” he added, “the services of the clinic are free for those who can’t—”

“Thank you, but it’s not that. I was already inside. I waited for more than an hour, and there were still several people in front of me. But I really need to get home.”

To a husband, he suspected. And he couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed by the realization.

Of course, he wasn’t going to put much stock in a crazy dream and a chance meeting with a woman who bore a slight resemblance to the one he’d envisioned last night. But it wouldn’t hurt to check the baby for bumps and bruises.

He reached out to stroke the child’s cheek, and the little one grabbed his finger, latching on tight and causing his heart to flip-flop. What was that reaction all about?

The woman glanced at her wristwatch, and her breath caught. “I’m sorry. I really need to go.”

Then she thanked him for his time and took off, walking at a brisk pace, heading for the street.

Jeremy stood in the parking lot for the longest time, watching as she turned toward the bus stop.

Was she in some kind of trouble? Was she involved in an abusive relationship?

Had she—or the baby—been hurt?

Each time a question struck his mind, it exploded into several others. Maybe he should have tried harder to get her into the clinic.

Moments later, he glanced at his own watch. He had plenty of time on his hands and wasn’t in any hurry. So, what the hell?

He strode back to the building he’d just left, entered the waiting room and made his way to the registration desk. Millie Arden was on duty today, so he asked if she had a minute.

“Of course, Doctor.” The matronly woman with graying hair, a ruddy complexion and a warm smile looked up from her work. “What is it? “

“Do you remember seeing a mother in her twenties leave here a few minutes ago? She had light brown hair and was wearing jeans and a pink jacket. Her baby was wrapped in a blue shawl.”

“Yes. She signed in as …” Millie glanced down at the list of patients in front of her and ran her finger along the names. “Here it is. Kirsten Allen.”

Was that her actual name? Or a phony moniker for her to hide behind?

Again one question triggered several more.

“Has she visited the clinic before?” he asked.

“Just a moment. I’ll check.” Millie turned to her computer and, after a brief search, said, “It doesn’t appear that she has.”

Jeremy really ought to let it go, but he couldn’t seem to do that. Not when Kirsten Allen had reminded him of the woman in his dream.

Hell, she even had a baby …

Surely it had been a coincidence, a fluke of some kind.

But during the short time that he’d spent with her, his blue funk had actually lifted—and it had yet to return.

After getting off the city bus at the intersection just a few blocks from Lone Star Lane, Kirsten carried little Anthony home, hoping to get back before her brother Max learned that she’d taken his son to the clinic.

Their relationship had always been a little shaky, more so right now. He resented what he called her interference in his life. Truth be told, she knew she’d clearly overstepped her bounds by taking Anthony for a medical evaluation, but she’d been desperate to find out if he was healthy, or if he had any undiagnosed problems that needed to be treated—a condition that could be serious.

Things like well-baby checkups and immunizations could wait until Max decided it was necessary, but her maternal instincts had kicked in and she felt compelled to make sure that Anthony’s mother hadn’t neglected something important.

And that was definitely possible. A couple days ago, Courtney, her brother’s ex-girlfriend, had dropped off the precious little baby at Kirsten’s house, announcing that Max was his father, that she’d grown tired of motherhood and that it was his turn to parent.

Kirsten had never liked Courtney, although she’d always kept her opinion to herself. But it had been difficult to hold her tongue when the flighty young woman handed the baby to a surprised Max, offering him only a car seat, a small package of disposable diapers and a bottle of formula. Then she’d taken off without even looking back.

It was safe to say that Anthony would probably be better off without Courtney in his life, especially since he was young enough not to be traumatized by her desertion. In fact, Kirsten couldn’t understand how Max had gotten involved with a woman like her in the first place—or what he’d ever seen in her.

Still, she had to give her brother credit for stepping up to the plate. He might have been young and footloose in the past, but he had accepted responsibility for Anthony.

And, of course, so had Kirsten, which was why she’d taken him to the clinic today. But since the wait had been longer than she’d expected it to be, she would just have to be content to know that, from a physician’s perspective, the baby boy appeared to be healthy.

Of course, a more thorough exam might reveal otherwise, so she still felt a twinge of uncertainty.

She knew that Max would see reason eventually and come to the conclusion that an appointment for a well-baby checkup was necessary. But that only made Kirsten think about immunizations, a subject Courtney had never even broached.

And that was another reason she’d insisted that Max try to find Courtney and quiz her about those kinds of details. Of course, her insistence had been her first misstep. But old habits were hard to break. They were both adults now, and she really needed to remember not to push Max too hard, not to mother him.

He’d gotten tired of answering to his big sister about every little thing in his life, which she hoped was due to maturity rather than stubbornness. So he’d refused to look for Courtney, claiming that he could take care of the baby on his own.

Kirsten had her doubts, though. And that was why she’d snuck out to see a doctor while Max was job hunting. She knew he’d be upset if he learned that she’d taken on a parental role with the child and that he would accuse her of interfering and running his life again.

Of course that shouldn’t surprise her. He’d been rebelling against her advice and instructions since he’d been a teenager. But this was different. Surely he would see that, wouldn’t he?

When it came to the baby’s health and welfare, he needed to put the past behind him and listen for a change.

As Kirsten reached the front door of her house, she dug in her purse for her keys, then she let herself inside.

“Are you ready for a bottle?” she asked Anthony, as she left the diaper bag in the entryway. The baby had been eating every three to four hours, so she figured he would be hungry soon.

Once in the living room, she put his blue shawl on the carpeted floor, then laid him down. “I’ll be back in a minute, precious.”

Anthony started to fuss, so she hurried to the kitchen and fixed him a bottle out of powdered formula and purified water.

She wished she had more experience with babies, that she’d done some babysitting as a teenager, but she was completely out of her league with that sort of thing.

The first couple days were hard, with her and Max learning through trial and error, but they were both finally catching on. In fact, she was really enjoying having a baby in the house. It made her wonder what it would be like to have a family of her own someday.

After carrying the bottle back to the living room, she picked up Anthony and settled into the overstuffed chair near the window. As she placed the nipple to his lips, he eagerly latched on, sucking and gulping as though he was starving.

Actually, now that she thought about it, he did have a hearty appetite, and that was definitely a sign of health. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try to sneak him back to the clinic again the next time Max would be gone for a couple hours. Hopefully, her car would be out of the shop by then, and she wouldn’t have to ride the city bus, which had taken up way too much time.

Thank goodness she’d returned to the house before Max did.

At least she’d gotten a physician to at least take a quick look at the baby, even if it wasn’t what you’d call a real exam.

She couldn’t believe that she’d actually stopped a doctor in the parking lot today and asked him to look at Anthony. She’d been so anxious—and thinking with her heart instead of her head, which she was prone to do.

But then the handsome physician with surfer-blond hair and soulful blue eyes had looked at her as if they’d met somewhere before, and she’d been knocked off balance. There was no way they’d ever crossed paths. She would have definitely remembered a gorgeous hunk like him.

Looking back, she wished she would have asked his name, but she hadn’t been thinking straight.

In fact, he’d probably thought she was crazy, which was too bad. It would have been nice to have put her best foot forward when meeting the handsome orthopedic surgeon, a man who’d been exceptionally kind to her. After all, he hadn’t needed to take time to talk to her, but he had. He’d even reached out and caressed Anthony’s little cheek, right there in the parking lot.

Too bad she’d had a bus to catch so she would beat her brother home.

As Anthony guzzled down his bottle, Kirsten stopped him long enough to get a burp out of him—an effort he objected to with grunts and squawks.

When he finally let out a little belch, and she put the bottle back into his mouth, she heard the key sound in the lock.

Moments later, Max opened the door and stepped inside.

“So how was the job search?” she asked.

Her brother blew out a sigh. “No luck yet. So I guess you’re stuck with us for a while.”

That might be true about Max staying with her, but she certainly didn’t feel stuck with Anthony.

“It’s not a problem.” Kirsten glanced at the sweet little baby who’d come to live with them. “I’m happy to help out while I can.”

“But what happens when you get a call from another firm looking for an accountant? You’ve got a mortgage to pay, so you can’t continue watching Anthony for me.”

That was true. And Max would be hard-pressed to job hunt all day and watch over his son without help.

He didn’t seem to be stressed about that, though. Or worried about the fact that he might not be able to afford day care and rent when he did manage to find employment.

“Well,” Kirsten said, “I can watch him for the time being. We’ll just have to take one day at a time.”

And she shouldn’t have any trouble doing that. She’d been taking one day at a time ever since she’d allowed Max to move in with her. But what else could she do? He was the only family she had left, and looking after him was a responsibility she’d always had.

Of course, she’d come to realize that some of her help over the years had bordered on enabling in many ways. The more money she gave him, the more he seemed to need.

Then, about two years ago, she’d read a book on tough love. It made sense that she wasn’t really helping him by bailing him out all the time. So she’d told Max that she was finished taking care of him, that he was an adult and would have to fend for himself. He was twenty-four at the time and had just started dating Courtney, so he’d moved in with her for a while.

Lo and behold, he landed a good job at the feed store and kept it for nearly two years—until the owner sold the business.

Losing his job had been really tough on him—and it had been tough on Kirsten, too. But the layoff hadn’t been his fault. His boss had decided to retire and sell the business, and since the new owner had a large family and planned to hire his kids to work for him, Max was let go.

Of course, that meant he could no longer pay his rent. So she’d offered to let him live with her until he found a new job.

She’d been afraid that they would both fall back into destructive old patterns, yet she didn’t want Max to end up on the street when he’d been clearly trying hard to get his life on track. If she looked at the big picture, he deserved her help and a second chance.

And then Anthony had come along, immediately changing the dynamics of their brother-sister relationship and complicating things. After all, there was no way Kirsten would ask Max to leave or refuse to help him when that meant turning her back on Anthony, too.

She smiled at the child in her arms, his little eyes closed, his lips still tugging at the nipple.

“So how did things go for you today?” Max asked, as he plopped down on the sofa. “Did the baby give you any trouble? “

“We had a good day.” She didn’t dare tell him that she’d taken Anthony to the clinic. She had to tread carefully with Max these days, not make him feel as though she was backing him into a corner. All she needed was for him to resent her interference, bolt and take little Anthony with him.

If he were to leave, where would he live? How would he support himself and a baby?

“How’s your own job search coming?” he asked. “Did you get any nibbles from the résumés you filed with those online applications? “

“I’m still waiting to hear something.” But she wouldn’t actively seek a full-time position until Max found work and knew what his options were for day care.

“So you don’t have any interviews scheduled?”

“No, but I’m really not worried yet.” She had a healthy savings account, so she’d been able to pay the mortgage—so far.

“You know,” Max said, “I’ve been thinking. The Red Rock Medical Center offers low-cost checkups. Maybe I ought to take Anthony one day next week.”

Kirsten nearly jumped out of her chair, but she reeled in her excitement, knowing it was best to let Max think the whole idea had been his all along. Apparently, her hints had sunk in after she’d dropped the subject and let it go.

“You’re probably right,” she finally said in a ho-hum sort of way. “I could …” She caught herself, realizing that Max wanted to do the right thing, but for some reason, it was important for him to make those kinds of decisions on his own. “Well, I could look up the website on the computer and give you a phone number—in case you want to set up an appointment or ask questions.”

He seemed to think on that for a while, then he said, “Sure, that would be okay.”

She slowly released the breath she’d been holding.

Max wasn’t a kid anymore. And he wasn’t as irresponsible as he’d once been. She needed to remember that. She also needed to respect his decisions—whatever they were. And if that meant minding her sisterly Ps and Qs, then so be it.

“Do you think Courtney would have taken Anthony for his shots?” she asked.

He’d refused to call Courtney, but maybe Kirsten could nudge him just a bit.

Max seemed to ponder that for a moment. “She used to hate going to the doctor herself, so something tells me she wouldn’t have worried about taking Anthony.”

Well, Courtney certainly hadn’t appeared to have a very strong maternal instinct, but Kirsten bit her tongue, reminding herself to keep quiet and to let Max come to his own conclusions about his child’s mother.

“I guess it’s good that you’re going to be the one raising him,” Kirsten said. “He’s going to need a daddy like you.”

Max shrugged, although the hint of a smile suggested that her comment had pleased him. And she was glad that it had. Their relationship had taken a real turn for the better today, even if she was the one who’d learned a valuable lesson in dealing with Max, in trusting him to do the right thing.

“Do you want to go with me when I take Anthony to the clinic?” he asked.

The question both surprised and delighted her—but not because she needed to be involved in Anthony’s care. She was happy to see that her relationship with her brother was finally on the mend.

“Sure,” she said. “I can go with you as long as I don’t have an interview scheduled.”

“Thanks. I’d like you to be there. I’m not sure I want to see someone poke him with a needle.”

Kirsten wasn’t excited about seeing that, either.

“You know,” Max said, “since things might change for you anytime on the job front, maybe I ought to schedule that appointment tomorrow. Would that be better for you?”

She bit down on her bottom lip, as though giving her schedule some real thought. “Yes, it would. I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow.”

“Good, then I’ll call the clinic in the morning.”

“All right. Just let me know what they tell you.”

But she already knew. She’d called today, and they’d told her that her best chance of being seen today—when it wasn’t an emergency—was to come in and wait her turn.

The thought of returning to the Red Rock Medical Center turned her heart on end, but not just because they would finally learn whether Anthony was as healthy as he appeared to be.

She was also hoping she’d run into a certain orthopedic surgeon.

Uh-oh. If she did see him again, and if he mentioned to Max anything about meeting her and Anthony in the parking lot … well, that might dash the strides they’d made in healing their relationship.

If so, she would just have to come clean with Max. And if he blew up about it? Then she’d face the consequences.

He might get angry and tell her to go home, which meant she’d miss out on spending further time with the handsome doctor. And that would be a shame.

Chapter Two

Even after a stop at the bookstore, Jeremy still arrived early at Red, one of the most popular restaurants in town.

Jose and Maria Mendoza, longtime friends of the Fortune family, had converted the old hacienda into a classy, romantic eatery with antique furnishings, woven tapestries and carefully selected pieces of Tejano art that nearly matched the original décor, much of which had been damaged two years ago in a fire which had turned out to be a case of arson. The Mendozas had been forced to close for a while. But with time and a great deal of effort, they’d restored the landmark.

As Jeremy entered, he was welcomed by Marcos Mendoza, who was temporarily managing Red for Jose and Maria. Some might think the handsome and personable young man had landed his position because of his relationship with the owners, but Jeremy knew that wasn’t the case. Since taking over, Marcos had instigated some innovative and productive changes behind the scenes, and the restaurant seemed to be busier and more popular than ever.

“Welcome back to Red, Doc.” Marcos reached out his arm in greeting. “How’s it going?”

“Not bad.” Jeremy shook the younger man’s hand. “How about you? “

“Life is good. I can’t complain.” Marcos scanned the entry before returning his gaze to Jeremy. “Are you meeting someone? “

“My brother Drew and his wife.”

“Then I’ll take you back to the alcove. It’ll give you a little more privacy. And when they arrive, I’ll let them know where you are.”

“Thanks.” Jeremy usually preferred to eat in the courtyard, with the old-world style fountain that had been handcrafted with blue-and-white Mexican tile.

The Mendozas had heaters to make outdoor dining comfortable in the winter months, but it was already sprinkling, and the colorful umbrellas that provided shade from the sun weren’t going to keep the rain off them.

As Marcos grabbed three menus, he asked, “When did the newlyweds get back from Vegas?”

The couple had eloped, and while it wasn’t a secret, some of the details were sketchy. “They flew in last night.”

“Oh, yeah? So they’ll be staying in Red Rock?”

“I’m not sure what their plans are.” Drew ran the San Diego office of Fortune Forecasting—although he’d been overseeing the entire operation in William’s absence. And Deanna was his assistant. There was just so much that could be done via conference calls and email, so they’d both need to go back to work soon. But like Jeremy, Drew had been waiting on word about their father.

A beat of silence stretched between them, as they both considered the words Jeremy hadn’t actually said.

“Still no word about your dad?” Marcos asked.

Jeremy slowly shook his head. “No, not yet.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Isabella came in earlier today to have lunch with some of her friends, but I didn’t get a chance to ask her if there’d been any news.”

Isabella, who’d married J. R. Fortune, Jeremy’s oldest brother, was Marcos’s sister. So Marcos was well aware of the details surrounding William’s disappearance.

As they reached the empty table in the alcove, Marcos stopped and stepped to the side. “How’s this?”

“Great.”

Marcos removed one of the place settings, leaving three. “I’ll have a server bring you some water and chips. Would you like to start off with a drink? “

“Sure. I’ll have a Corona.”

“You got it.”

As Jeremy took a seat, he watched Marcos walk toward the bar. The ambitious young man had plans to open his own restaurant someday, and Jeremy had no doubt that he would do just that—and be successful.

Moments later, a young waitress with her long, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail brought the water, chips, salsa and his beer.

“Marcos said to tell you that the drink is on him,” the woman said.

Jeremy thanked her, and as she went on her way, he got to his feet, stepped out of the alcove and scanned the area for Marcos.

He spotted him near the bar, where he was talking to the bartender and pointing out something on a shelf. When Jeremy caught the manager’s eye, he lifted his longneck bottle and nodded in appreciation. Then he returned to his table and took a seat.

While waiting for Drew and Deanna, he reached for a warm tortilla chip and dipped it into the fresh salsa.

No one knew how to prepare Mexican food like the Mendozas, and Jeremy had made a point of stopping by Red at least once a week. Of course, each time he did, he often ran into one of the Fortunes or a Mendoza or two. The families had become good friends over the years. There also had been a few marriages along the way that bound them even closer—like that of J.R. and Isabella.

Jeremy had just reached for another chip when Drew and Deanna arrived. The two had been staying with J.R. and Isabella at Molly’s Pride, where he assumed they would take up residence again until they needed to return to San Diego.

Drew’s entire life had revolved around Fortune Forecasting, the company William had started. But unlike his brothers, Jeremy had never wanted to take part in the family business. Instead, he’d gone to medical school. And up until the past year or so, he’d been perfectly content with that decision and the life he’d made for himself in Sacramento.

As Drew and Deanna reached the table, Jeremy stood and greeted the attractive redhead with a brotherly hug.

“You look especially pretty tonight,” Jeremy told her.

And she did. Love and happiness radiated on her face, just as it did on Drew’s.

“Thank you.”

Drew pulled out a chair for her. As she took a seat, she flashed a loving smile at her new husband.

Jeremy couldn’t help thinking that falling in love and getting married had made a big difference in his brother’s entire demeanor, and as he made that decision, his thoughts naturally drifted to the mystery woman who’d stepped right out of his imagination and into his life just two hours earlier.

Drew reached for a chip. “We said six, didn’t we?”

“Yes, but I finished early at the clinic.” Jeremy motioned for their waitress, then returned his focus to his dinner companions. “So how was the wedding?”

“Absolutely beautiful.” Deanna’s eyes glimmered. “Your brother outdid himself with all the details, from the strawberries and champagne on the private flight to the long-stem red roses and the bridal bouquet waiting in the limousine to the beautiful little chapel where we were married at the stroke of midnight. It was very romantic.”

A little surprised by it all, Jeremy studied his no-nonsense brother. “Who would have guessed that you had a romantic side?”

“You probably have one, too.” His brother reached across the table and took Deanna’s hand. “All you have to do is find the right woman.”

Jeremy didn’t know about that. He hadn’t thought that he had a romantic bone in his body before, but he found his mind drifting in that direction ever since he ran into Kirsten Allen in the parking lot. Damn, that crazy dream must be making him soft.

As Drew and Deanna shared the details of the actual ceremony, Jeremy found himself drifting off, wondering if he’d prefer a big wedding or a small, intimate one. And that brought his thoughts back to the mystery woman.

He didn’t believe in visions and premonitions, but for some wild reason, he couldn’t quite shake the encounter he’d had with Kirsten or the feeling that he had to see her again.

“Are you listening?” Drew asked.

Jeremy glanced up, a little embarrassed that the couple had caught him gathering romantic wool, when he should have been listening. “I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Dad?” Drew asked.

“Him, too.”

“Is it work-related? Is the medical group pressuring you to come back to Sacramento?”

“In a way, but …”

“Don’t tell me.” Drew leaned forward. “You’ve met a woman in Red Rock.”

“No, not really.” Jeremy glanced at his new sister-in-law, then back at the cocktail napkin he’d been shredding.

About that time, Deanna scooted her chair back and got to her feet. “If you guys will excuse me, I think I’ll powder my nose.”

Drew shot another loving look at his new wife, and something seemed to register between them, some form of silent, two-way communication.

Jeremy had seen his parents do that on occasion. Would he ever be able to communicate with a woman like that?

“What should I order for you?” Drew asked her. “A glass of wine?”

“That sounds good. Thanks.”

As Deanna headed for the bathroom, Jeremy couldn’t help thinking she’d made an excuse to leave so the brothers could talk in private, which was thoughtful but unnecessary. He really didn’t want to talk to anyone about the wild direction his thoughts had been going.

After Deanna was out of hearing range, Drew said, “Okay, what’s going on?”

Jeremy wasn’t so sure he wanted to confide in his younger brother, but Drew wasn’t a kid anymore. So he found himself revealing the dream he’d had and the woman he’d run into in the parking lot.

“Are you going to try to find her?” Drew asked.

Jeremy didn’t know what to say, what to admit.

“Maybe you ought to give Ross a call. I’ll bet he could make fast work of finding anyone.”

Ross Fortune was their cousin and a private investigator, so the suggestion made sense. But Jeremy wouldn’t go that far in trying to locate the mystery woman.

“I don’t want to come off like some kind of stalker,” he admitted. “Besides, Ross probably should focus his time on finding Dad, which he hasn’t been able to do.”

The truth of that statement echoed between them until Drew said, “I think we need to accept the fact that he’s gone, Jeremy.”

“You might be right, but I’m not able to do that yet.”

“I know.”

A pall fell over the brothers as they each tried to deal with their father’s disappearance in their own way—Drew letting go and Jeremy refusing to give up.

When Deanna returned to the table, the conversation turned more upbeat, but Jeremy found himself sliding back into that blue funk that had been haunting him for months—even before he’d come to Red Rock for the wedding.

The only thing that seemed to help his mood was thinking about Kirsten Allen—if that was even her name.

Who was she?

What was her story?

And why in the world did it even seem to matter? Jeremy had never met a woman who could compete with his patients. He was a driven and dedicated physician, and as a result, he’d never married.

Maybe the dream and his interest in the mystery woman were just signs that his subconscious—and his hormones—were trying to rectify the situation.

Either way, something told him that he was going to have to find Kirsten Allen.

And if it took calling Ross and asking for help, then so be it.

The rain had moved on by morning, leaving a rainbow in the cloudy sky and puddles on the streets and sidewalks.

Over breakfast, Kirsten had admitted to Max that she’d taken the baby to the clinic yesterday. And she’d been right about his reaction; he’d bristled.

“I can’t believe you’d do that without talking to me first,” he’d said. “I don’t want you to take over.”

“I’m not trying to do that. I was just worried about his health, and … well, you’re right. I shouldn’t have gone over your head. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

“When is it going to stop, Kirsten? You’ve been mothering me for years, and I’ve always resented it. Now you’re trying to do it with Anthony. The way I see it, if you want a baby, maybe you should have one of your own.”

She’d tensed at his harshness, but what he’d said was true. Even though she hadn’t been around kids, she had always wanted to be a mom, to have a family. But that was not why she’d fought so hard to take good care of Max, to make sure he grew up happy and responsible.

It was not as though she wanted him to stay some kind of pseudo kid forever. Or that she’d needed someone to mother. “You’re the only family I have left, Max. And I feel an obligation to make sure you’re happy and able to support yourself.”

“I’m doing fine on my own. I’ve just had a little setback with the job and all.” He raked a hand through his hair. “You’re my big sister, and I get that. But I’m sick of you constantly trying to tell me what to do, how to feel, what to say. It’s my life. And I want to make my own way—right or wrong.”

Before she could respond, he added, “I’ve been on my own for two years—paying my rent, being a man. And you have no idea how it grates on me to have to live with my sister again, to accept your handouts. Believe me, all I want to do is land a new job and get out of here.”

In her heart of hearts, she knew that when Max moved out, it would be the best for her, too. She needed to let go of him and focus on creating a place for herself in Red Rock.

“I’m sorry,” she’d said, repeating the apology she’d made earlier. “I only meant to be helpful. And you’re right. Anthony is your son, your responsibility. I’ll do my best to back off.”

The fight had seemed to fizzle out of him at her acquiescence, so she’d gone on to say, “I’m trying, Max. Really, I am. You’re not a kid anymore. And I need to trust you to make the right decisions for yourself and now for your son. But you’ll have to be a little patient with me. Old habits are hard to break.”

“I still can’t believe that you took him to the clinic without my permission. What did you tell them? That you were his mother? “

“I wouldn’t have lied. But truthfully, I hadn’t really thought that far.”

He’d scoffed, and she realized just how impulsive she’d been.

“I can make a hundred excuses for what I did,” she’d admitted, “but I’m not going to do that. You’re Anthony’s father. And you’re right. I overstepped my bounds. From now on, I’m going to step back and let you live your own life—right, wrong or indifferent. Those decisions are yours to make—not mine.”

Max kept quiet all through breakfast, and about the time she’d decided that he wasn’t going to let her go to the clinic with him, he relented.

“Okay, Kirsten. I need you more than I’m comfortable admitting. Maybe that’s why I’m fighting you so hard.” He blew out a sigh. “I’d really like you to go with me—as a second pair of ears—but not as my spokesperson.”

A part of her wanted to back off completely and let him handle it all on his own, but after Courtney had arrived with the baby a couple days ago and announced that Max was the father, they’d both been caught off guard. And together they’d scrambled to buy diapers, formula, bottles and a little bed for him to sleep in.

It had been almost overwhelming, yet at the same time, there had been moments where she and Max had actually been a team for the first time in ages. And that had given her hope that the troubles they’d had in the past would soon be behind them. That they were on their way to becoming the family they’d been before their father had abandoned them, before their mother had died.

Through trial and error, frustration and smiles, she and Max had been learning how to take care of Anthony.

So the baby’s arrival had turned out to be a good thing, forcing the two of them to work together for a change.

“All right,” Kirsten had agreed. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

An hour later, they found themselves back at the clinic, checking in with a matronly receptionist whose badge announced that her name was Millie.

“Just take a seat,” Millie said. “It shouldn’t be too long. You arrived here early today, which is good. We always get backed up in the late afternoon.”

Max shot Kirsten a glance, but she bit her tongue. She’d apologized for bringing Anthony yesterday, but she certainly wasn’t going to grovel. What was done was done.

When they took seats in the waiting room, Max held the baby, so Kirsten picked up a magazine and thumbed through it. She feared that she was enabling Max again by being here, by babysitting Anthony and by offering them both a place to stay. But she couldn’t very well throw out him and the baby.

She’d meant what she’d said about boundaries, though.

So how did she go about encouraging Max to find a job and to help out around the house, when he’d probably see that encouragement as interference?

She stole a glance at her brother, who held little Anthony with stiff arms and a tender expression. Anyone looking at him could tell he had feelings for the baby, even though he’d only known about him for a short time. It was obvious that he wanted to do right by his son. That, she decided, counted for a great deal.

As the door swung open, and a nurse called an elderly woman for her appointment, Kirsten found herself scanning the back room of the clinic, trying to spot the handsome orthopedic surgeon she’d met yesterday.

But what if she did see him? What then?

A man like that was probably only interested in sophisticated, stylish women with high-profile careers and social connections.

Still, each time the door to the exam rooms opened, each time someone in a lab coat walked by, Kirsten couldn’t help searching for the doctor with sun-streaked hair and intensive blue eyes who had consumed her thoughts.

Jeremy was looking over an X-ray of a fractured scaphoid bone in a teenage boy’s hand, a break that had actually occurred years earlier.

Last night, the kid had fallen during a basketball game and twisted his wrist. And since he was still complaining of pain this morning, his mother had brought him into the clinic, suspecting that he might have a serious sprain or a break. But the fall had only aggravated an old injury. And it was a good thing that it had brought him in today. If the original break had continued to go untreated, the teenager might have eventually lost the full use of his hand.

As it was, he would need surgery and a bone graft to correct it.

“Dr. Fortune?”

Jeremy turned to see Millie, the receptionist, standing in the doorway.

“I’m sorry to bother you, Doctor, but Kirsten Allen is here again. You know, the woman you were asking me about yesterday?”

Jeremy’s pulse rate spiked at the news, but he maintained an unaffected facial expression. “Thanks, Millie. Where is she?”

“In the waiting room.”

As much as Jeremy would like to go out and talk to her, he had to discuss his findings with the teenage patient and his mother who were waiting for the results of the X-ray.

“Do me a favor,” Jeremy said. “Can you have Kirsten called into an exam room? And then let me know where I can find her? “

Millie’s brow twitched, as if she found the request a little unusual, but she didn’t ask his reason for it. Instead, she nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Jeremy didn’t usually ask for favors, like moving people up in line. But Kirsten had left yesterday without waiting to be seen, and he didn’t want that to happen again. Not before he had a chance to see her and talk to her again.

While Millie went to do as she was asked, Jeremy returned to the exam room to tell the teenager and his mother about the fracture and explain the surgery and healing process.

Ten minutes later, he made his way to room four, which had been assigned to Anthony Allen, Kirsten’s infant son.

He knocked lightly, then opened the door, eager to see the attractive woman again, to get a chance to talk to her. But when he spotted a man in the room with her, his heart slammed against his chest.

Damn. She was married—or at least involved with someone.

Well, of course she was. What made him even think that she might not be?

A striking resemblance to the dream woman, that was what. And an overactive imagination for another. See what happened when a man read too much into a random dream and followed a hunch?

Trying not to stammer or to reveal his surprise, Jeremy reached out his hand to introduce himself to the baby’s father. “Hello, I’m Dr. Fortune.”

“Max Allen. Are you here to examine Anthony?”

“No, I …” Jeremy glanced at Kirsten, wondering if she had any idea why he was actually here.

Hell, how could she? He was still struggling to make sense of the thoughtless blunder himself.

He returned his focus on her husband and tried to make light of it all. “Actually, I met Mrs. Allen in the parking lot yesterday. She’d spent a lot of time in the waiting room and hadn’t been seen, so I wanted to make sure she got in quickly today.”

Max stiffened. “Yeah, well, she shouldn’t have done that.”

Done what? Left without seeing a pediatrician? Talked to a man in the parking lot?

“Excuse me?” Jeremy pressed, picking up some negative vibes and hoping he hadn’t gotten her in trouble.

“Kirsten brought Anthony here yesterday without my permission.” Max tossed a frown her way.

Now it was Jeremy’s turn to tense and give out some negative vibes. What kind of man controlled his wife like that?

“Maybe I’d better explain,” Kirsten said. “First of all, I’m Max’s sister. And I was babysitting his son yesterday.” She turned to the young man beside her. “I shouldn’t have taken it upon myself to bring the baby for a checkup without getting Max’s okay.”

Jeremy was still struggling to understand what Max’s problem was, but that didn’t stop him from realizing that Kirsten wasn’t married to Max and being relieved at the news.

Just then, the door opened, and Jim Kragen, a pediatrician, stepped into the now crowded room. “Sorry. I was told to come to exam room four.”

“You’re in the right place,” Jeremy told his colleague. “I just stopped in here for a minute. I’ll leave you to your patient.”

As Dr. Kragen stepped inside, Jeremy made his way to the door.

“Excuse me a minute,” Kirsten said to her brother and to the pediatrician. “I’ll be right back.”

Was she following Jeremy out?

Apparently so. And he couldn’t help feeling a rush of pleasure. That was, until he glanced at Max, who seemed to be annoyed at her departure.

If Jeremy didn’t know better, he’d think that Max was sizing him up and finding him lacking. But maybe that was only his imagination.

When Kirsten and Jeremy left the small room and shut the door behind them, she said, “Thank you for coming to check on us.”

“No problem. I knew you were worried about the baby, so I wanted to make sure you finally got to see a doctor.”

“Actually, I kind of panicked yesterday, thinking Max wouldn’t get around to making an appointment for the baby himself. But Anthony is really sweet, and he’s eating well. So Dr. Kragen will probably say he’s doing fine.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a small diamond stud. “You probably think I’m a worrywart, but I’ve never really been around small children before. And up until a few days ago, Max didn’t even know he was a father. His ex-girlfriend just dumped the baby on him—well, on us, actually. Max is living with me for the time being. So we’ve had a crash course on child care and still have a lot to learn.”

“How long will your brother have Anthony? “

“Permanently, I guess.” Kirsten blew out a soft sigh. “And I’m sure that’s for the best. His girlfriend isn’t very maternal.”

Was Kirsten maternal? Was she the kind of woman who’d make a good partner for a man like him?

It was hard to say without knowing more about her.

“If I’d done more babysitting as a teenager,” she added, “I might not feel so out of my league. But I’m … well … my brother and I are both novices.”

“I’m sure you’re doing fine.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She flashed him a pretty smile. “You should have seen us shopping that first day. We had to buy just about everything other than a car seat, and we didn’t have a clue what we were going to need. It must have been comical to anyone watching us.”

“You’re a good sister,” he said.

Her smile faded some. “I try to be.”

Something told him that Max didn’t always make it easy for her, but that was only a hunch. And Jeremy rarely went with his gut feelings, even though that was exactly what he’d done when he had first spotted Kirsten in the parking lot.

They stood like that for a moment, studying each other in the narrow hallway.

She gave a little nod toward the closed door of the exam room. “I guess I’d better get back in there and make sure I don’t miss anything important.”

Jeremy didn’t want to let her go without having some way of getting in touch with her, so he reached into the pocket of his lab coat and pulled out one of his cards. Then he took the pen he kept handy, jotted his cell number on the back and handed it to her. “If you need anything, give me a call. Like I told you before, I’m not a pediatrician, but I’ll try to answer any questions you or your brother might have.”

She took the card, then blessed him with a smile. The light in her eyes and a single dimple in her cheeks just about turned his stubborn heart on edge. “Thank you, Dr. Fortune. I really appreciate this. I’ll try not to bother you, though.”

“You won’t. And call me Jeremy.”

Her hand lifted to the silver necklace she wore, and she fingered the delicate heart charm that lay against the soft cotton fabric of her light blue T-shirt. Her head cocked slightly to the side, as if she was considering whatever might be brewing between them.

Of course, there wasn’t anything going on between them. At least, not yet.

“So you’re not married?” he asked.

“No, I’m not.”

A grin tugged at his own lips. He realized that now wasn’t the time to ask her out, but he wondered if her thoughts were drifting in that direction, too.

The attraction seemed to be mutual, although his interest in her had been heightened by that crazy dream he’d had. And while his rational nature knew there hadn’t been anything prophetic about it, he didn’t want to let her slip away again without at least having a deeper conversation with her.

If he had her number, he’d give her a follow-up phone call tomorrow. Then he might even ask her to dinner. But he didn’t have her number and wouldn’t go as far as to ask for it.

If there’d been anything to his dream, if his attraction to her was due to something bigger than either of them, then she would have to call him.

And he’d just have to wait and see if she did.

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