The Doctor's Valentine Dare, page 1
How To Win A Girl In Five Dates
She says she doesn’t date doctors. Ever. But brilliant neurosurgeon Noah Anson is determined to get Josie Campbell to go out with him. Noah never met a situation he couldn’t control or a woman he couldn’t charm...until Josie. Winning over the beguiling beauty is a challenge he just can’t resist!
Long considered the black sheep of her family, Josie is back in Jackson Hole to try to mend fences. And nothing would bring her parents over to her side like her dating a sexy doctor! But not even Josie can resist Noah’s tempting proposal of five dates to win her over. By Valentine’s Day, Cupid might just have a closer grip on Josie than she’d ever imagined...
“You’re a doctor,” she added for clarification, then flushed.
Perhaps her father had been onto something with all his “think first” admonishments.
“Not for tonight,” Noah said smoothly, taking her arm and moving them in the direction of the back of the house. “Tonight let me be simply the man in the black mask, who you enjoy kissing.”
“I do not, ah, did not—”
One look from those brilliant blue eyes stopped the protest. She couldn’t deny the explosive chemistry between them any more than she could control the shivers his touch elicited.
“Are you suggesting we pretend to be people we’re not for the evening?” Though she found the thought intriguing, Josie knew she must have misunderstood. There was no way this straitlaced, serious doctor would suggest something so daring.
An emotion she couldn’t quite decipher flickered in the depths of those amazing blue eyes. “Interested?”
* * *
Rx FOR LOVE: Just following doctor’s orders...
Dear Reader,
I’ve always loved watching movies (especially those that take place over holidays) where all the “kids” come home and it’s so warm and sweet and wonderful. Yes, many of my favorite movies are of the Hallmark variety. My own exposure to large families (courtesy of my mother’s side) isn’t picturesque or heartwarming. My mom came from a family of eight children (four boys and four girls). She was a lost-in-the-middle-girl. My maternal grandmother blatantly favored her youngest child (a female) to the extent that we were never even invited to stay for dinner unless my aunt happened to be visiting at the time. You would be correct in concluding I wasn’t close to my maternal grandmother. On my father’s side, my grandmother had died young and my grandfather was a stern man who had little use for children. You guessed it, not close to him, either.
Perhaps that’s why I love writing stories about families who go through difficult times but come together in the end. That’s also probably why I enjoy including loving grandparents in my books, whenever possible.
In case you’re starting to feel sorry for me, no need. My parents were wonderful people determined not to follow in the footsteps of their parents, and I had a very happy childhood. I married a wonderful man and inherited a wonderful network of extended family. And we’re close to our daughter and her family.
Yet, even now, I sometimes wish I could pluck one of the grandparents off the pages of one of my books and drop them into my life.
My hope is that whoever you call “family” brings you the same joy and peace that Josie finds in this book.
Happy reading!
Cindy Kirk
The Doctor’s Valentine Dare
Cindy Kirk
From the time she was a little girl, Cindy Kirk thought everyone made up different endings to books, movies and television shows. Instead of counting sheep at night, she made up stories. She’s now had over forty novels published. She enjoys writing emotionally satisfying stories with a little faith and humor tossed in. She encourages readers to connect with her on Facebook and Twitter, @cindykirkauthor, and via her website, cindykirk.com.
Books by Cindy Kirk
Harlequin Special Edition
Rx for Love
The M.D.’s Unexpected Family
Ready, Set, I Do!
The Husband List
One Night with the Doctor
A Jackson Hole Homecoming
The Doctor and Mrs. Right
His Valentine Bride
The Doctor’s Not-So-Little Secret
Jackson Hole Valentine
If the Ring Fits
The Christmas Proposition
In Love with John Doe
Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding?
Betting on the Maverick
The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country
Fortune’s Little Heartbreaker
The Fortunes of Texas: Welcome to Horseback Hollow
A Sweetheart for Jude Fortune
The Fortunes of Texas: Southern Invasion
Expecting Fortune’s Heir
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
To my dear friend Anita Evans, who reads all my books and always has a kind word to say. Who knew when we began working together all those years ago that we would become lifelong friends? Thanks for all your support. It means so much to me.
Contents
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
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Excerpt from Waking Up Wed by Christy Jeffries
Chapter One
“I don’t even know you.” Josie Campbell gazed up at the tall, broad-shouldered man in bewilderment. “Why would I agree to go out with you?”
“How else can you get to know me?” Noah Anson shot her a charming smile showing a mouthful of straight white teeth. With jet-black hair, a just-short-of-olive skin tone and bright blue eyes, the effect was mesmerizing. Toss in the cashmere topcoat, dark hand-tailored suit and red Hermès tie, and, well, it was quite a tempting package.
From his confident demeanor, Josie surmised the man’s past efforts to pick up women had met with great success.
Tempting for most women, Josie reminded herself. Not for her, because of several reasons, including the most obvious. “You’re a stranger.”
“I introduced myself.” Noah spoke with barely suppressed impatience. He gestured with his head toward the counter. “If you require a personal reference, Cole will vouch for me.”
Cole Lassiter, owner of the Hill of Beans coffee empire, stood behind the counter. At the moment, the successful entrepreneur was busy instructing one of his staff.
Josie didn’t need a reference. Once Noah introduced himself, she’d recognized the name. He was the neurosurgeon who’d joined her father’s medical practice last year.
Though she’d been back in Jackson Hole for over a month, this was the first time their paths had crossed.
Just recalling how he’d introduced himself made her smile. Doctor Noah Anson. He’d obviously added the doctor bit hoping to impress her. What he didn’t realize was he’d have had a better chance by leaving it off. In her experience, physicians didn’t make good boyfriends or relatives.
“Thank you for the dinner invitation.” She offered a perfunctory smile and tried to ignore her reaction to the testosterone wafting off him in waves. “But I’m not interested.”
Josie offered no further explanation. She’d learned years ago that having a valid reason often made no difference to a man convinced his way was the right way, the only way.
Noah’s eyes, as blue as the Wyoming sky, sharpened. She swore she could hear the gears in that analytical mind of his whirring.
Finally, he nodded. “Understood.”
Josie was surprised by the easy acquiescence. She’d gotten the distinct impression Noah was cut from the same bolt of cloth as her arrogant father and brothers. She’d expected him to redouble his efforts and turn on the charm. Or, at the very least, press for an explanation.
Feeling oddly disappointed, Josie turned toward the door. “Have a good day, Dr. Anson.”
Before she could take a step, the latte was lifted from her hand. “Not so quickly.”
Josie whirled and found herself staring into those vivid blue eyes. Eyes that now held a hint of amusement.
She suppressed a sigh and forced a stern expression. “Give me back my drink.”
Actually, it wasn’t her drink at all. She still held her own caramel macchiato. Noah had grabbed her employer’s nonfat latte.
“There’s an open table by the window. I’m not through making my case.” Without waiting for a response the doctor crossed the crowded shop with long purposeful strides, Pauline’s latte in hand.
Josie shot a frustrated glance in Cole Lassiter’s direction. The man who, up to now, she’d considered a friend, merely lifted his shoulders. He appeared to be hiding a smile.
There was no reason she couldn’t simply order another drink and stroll out the door without a backward glance. An option certainly, though a rather cowardly one. And, other than running away from her family all those years ago, Josie had never been a coward.
Heaving a resigned sigh, she followed Dr. Anson across the small dining area.
Though dressed for the wintery weather in a red plaid coat, j
Noah grinned. “Of course.”
Her gaze met his. Time seemed to stretch and extend. He really did have a nice smile. Too bad it was wasted on her. Knowing he was associated with her father made her tread carefully.
“Dr. Anson, I’m sure you’re a perfectly likeable man. But I’m not interested in dating anyone at this time.” Josie lifted the macchiato to her lips and a rebellious streak that had been the bane of her father’s existence had her adding, “If you’re interested in meeting someone new, may I suggest the produce aisle at the grocery store on the highway? Word is, that’s a prime place in Jackson Hole for singles to connect.”
Though the smile remained on his lips, his voice took on a clip of annoyance. “I don’t have to prowl the aisles of a food market to find a date.”
“Of course you don’t,” she said with a cheeky grin. “You prefer coffee shops.”
To her surprise he laughed, a pleasant rumbling sound. Yet, when she started to rise, he reached out and grabbed her hand.
In the second it took Josie to jerk her fingers back, heat shot up her arm.
“You said five minutes.” His sexy, deep voice held a hint of the East Coast...and a challenge. “More than enough time to change your mind.”
Intrigued despite herself, Josie chuckled. “Arrogant much?”
“Confident. There’s a difference.” Noah took a sip of the nonfat latte and grimaced. “I have a proposition for you.”
Those blue eyes focused on her again, sending a shiver through her body. If he wasn’t a doctor, wasn’t in practice with her father, wasn’t—
Josie shoved the wistful thoughts aside. Hadn’t she learned long ago that wishing things were different, wishing people were different, didn’t change reality?
“First you ask me for a date. Now you have a proposition.” She settled back in her seat and kept her tone light. “This just gets better and better.”
“And this—” Noah shoved the nonfat latte aside and motioned to Cole for some coffee “—just gets worse and worse.”
His disgust with the drink made her smile.
“It’s not a proposition in the way you think.” He spoke in a low tone, his gaze fixed on hers. “I’ll explain.”
Hoping she didn’t regret the decision, Josie pulled the phone from her pocket and checked the timer. “Four minutes left.”
His dark brows drew together in puzzlement.
“I can’t be late for work.”
“Tell Pauline you were with me.” Noah waved a dismissive hand. “She’ll understand.”
Now it was Josie’s turn to be confused. “You know my employer?”
“Pauline Bettinger is my grandmother.”
Two weeks ago, Josie had not only accepted a part-time position as the wealthy widow’s personal assistant, she’d taken a room in the woman’s gorgeous home. While Josie knew that Daffodil Prentiss, a local hairstylist, was related to Pauline, she couldn’t recall Noah’s name ever being mentioned. “Does that mean you and Daffy are related?”
“Daffodil is my sister.”
With long straight blond hair and an ethereal quality reminiscent of a flower child from the 1960s, Daffodil could not have been more different from her brother. The hairstylist had arrived in Jackson Hole during the years Josie had been away. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you with Daffy.”
Noah’s expression remained guarded, his blue eyes intense. “We’re estranged.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Josie’s sympathy was sincere. She knew all about dysfunctional family dynamics and the pain of estrangement. That was why she’d come home to heal her relationship with her father and oldest brother.
“I’m determined to bridge the gap between us.” Noah’s jaw lifted in a determined tilt. “To do that, I require your assistance.”
Something in Noah’s eyes told her, regardless of the reason for the rift, the wall that existed between him and his sister brought him great pain. Josie steeled her heart at the tug it produced. “I make it a point not to get involved in family matters.”
“All I’m asking is you vouch for me. I’m hoping if you plead my case that might make a difference.”
Josie didn’t bother to hide her confusion. “I don’t even know you.”
“Exactly.”
Before she could ask for clarification, a young high school girl brought his coffee. Noah slipped the girl a twenty and told her to keep the change. The teen’s wide smile and effusive thanks made Josie give Noah the benefit of the doubt. Generosity wasn’t something that could be learned.
Her heart softened, but not enough to reconsider. She began to rise. “Well, I need to—”
Noah put a restraining hand on her arm. “I still have two minutes.”
A quick glance at the phone’s screen confirmed that fact. Resigned, Josie sat back down.
“Five dates.” Noah paused for a sip of coffee before continuing. “That should be enough time for you to get to know me. That way, when you plead my case with Daffy, you’ll feel confident I only have her best interests at heart.”
Though Josie knew this man’s family problems were none of her concern, she liked Pauline and Daffodil. And she was sympathetic to anyone who wanted to mend broken family ties. After all, wasn’t that the reason she’d returned to Jackson Hole?
“Why don’t you have your grandmother put in a good word for you?” Josie had seen firsthand how close the two women were and knew Daffodil respected her grandmother’s opinion.
“Gram attempted to mediate but her efforts caused a slight rift between her and Daffy that’s only recently mended. I won’t put her in the middle again.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Daffy—well, let’s just say she needs Gram to be on her side.”
“Even if that means Pauline can’t be on yours?”
“Yes.”
Her heart flip-flopped as she realized she and Noah had something in common. He was as much an outsider looking in as she was in her family.
She brought the cup to her lips and took a thoughtful sip. “I’d be willing to mention to Daffodil that I ran into you and you seemed nice.”
He shook his head.
“I promise to leave off the part about you stealing Pauline’s drink.” A smile tugged at her lips as she strove to lighten the mood.
His expression remained somber. “Daf would say you don’t know me. She’d be right. At this point, you and I are strangers.”
The misery in his eyes pulled at Josie. She had to resist the urge to reach over and give his hand a squeeze. “I hope you and Daffy resolve your differences, I truly do.”
“But you won’t help me.” His voice turned as flat as his eyes.
Though she told herself he didn’t deserve an explanation for her refusal, she felt as if she owed him something.
“It’s just I have enough family issues of my own.” Josie’s voice grew thick and she cleared her throat. “I simply can’t get in the middle of yours.”
* * *
Josie thought of Noah often over the next few days. She couldn’t stop thinking how he’d looked at her as if she was the only woman in the world.
She’d spoken with Pauline about the encounter with her grandson and his unusual request. A sadness had filled the older woman’s eyes as she’d confirmed the estrangement between her two grandchildren.
Pauline had surprised her by adding, “In her own way, Daffodil is as mule-headed as her brother.”
When Josie informed her employer she turned down Noah’s odd request, Pauline had nodded and said that was her choice. Josie was left with the uneasy feeling her employer wished she’d agreed.
They hadn’t spoken of the matter since that day. Pauline kept Josie busy with errands, correspondence and dress fittings. A prominent member of the hospital board, Pauline had been invited to attend a New Year’s Eve masquerade ball thrown by Dr. Travis Fisher and his wife, Mary Karen, and was eager to look her best.
The couple’s parties were well known. According to Pauline, the Fishers normally preferred casual events but this year they’d decided to go formal. Pauline insisted Josie attend as her plus one.
