Page 4 of The Sheriff & the Nurse

Why wouldn’t he go away? Let her wallow in her misery alone.

She slid into the seat, her wet scrubs sticking to the leather. She’d have to wipe it down when she got home.

“You’ll be all right?” Clint stared down at her as he held the door.

“Fine. Goodnight.”

He studied her, obviously knowing she was leap-years from ‘fine’.

“Night,” he finally murmured and then closed the door.

She leaned her head back against the headrest and let the tears come. Wiping at her cheeks, she glanced out the window. Clint hadn’t moved. The parking lot had a dim overhead light, and she could clearly see the compassion in his eyes.

Please, Lord, just kill me now.

Facing forward, she started the car and hurried to put it into gear and drive away. As she raced toward her parents’ ranch, she could see in her rearview … the Sheriff’s truck following her.

Clint. Of course he was too much of a gentleman to not make sure she got home safe.

She touched the side of her mouth where his lips had lingered.

She should be full of regrets about tonight, most especially how she’d clung to him, all but begged for him to kiss her, let him see her cry.

All she could focus on was the feel of him surrounding her and his soft but firm lips on her skin.

She slammed her palm against the wheel. It was a no.

She vowed to never tell anyone about tonight—especially not her sisters. She would focus on Miles and be ultra-loyal to him. And she would never let down her guard around the devastatingly enticing Sheriff Clint Coleville.

Never again.

Chapter

One

Two YearsLater

Lily sat in the women’s center staff break room, staring at her phone. Her hands were clammy.

Call me!Daisy’s text yelled at her.Now!

Working, she managed to tap out with shaking fingers.

As soon as you’re off!

Her sisters, mom, church friends, nursing friends, exercise friends, pretty much everyone she knew, had sent her texts asking how she was doing, including links to pictures of her former boyfriend, Miles Coleville, with the famous actress Eva Chevron in his tough arms. One of the world’s most beautiful women stared up at Miles with deep-brown eyes full of love. Miles had told Lily there was someone else. Wow. Miles was moving on with style. Good for him.

A week ago, she and Miles had officially broken up. She knew it was past time to not drag him along any longer and keep up their farce of a relationship. She’d also stressed every day since about how she would keep Dr. Brad Hampshire at bay when he somehow found out she wasn’t dating her Navy SEAL any longer.

The break room door opened. She scrambled to her feet, not wanting to be caught here alone with Dr. Hampshire.

“Hey, Lily.” Jacob Wildman, a friendly and good-looking anesthesiologist walked in. He’d moved here recently from the East Coast and asked her out on day two. Thankfully she could say no. Miles had protected her from a lot of unwanted advances over the past twelve years. She owed him many thanks and wished him every happiness. “I need a Diet Coke if I am going to make it through this shift.”

“I hear you.” Lily smiled and tried to act normal. She clutched her phone. “I’m headed out. You can have some peace and quiet with your caffeine.”

“You’re better company than my own thoughts.” He grinned. He had a boy next door or surfer kind of look with longish blond hair and greenish-brown eyes.

She managed an uneasy smile. There was nothing wrong with Jacob, but she wasn’t in the market for a new man. Unless Sheriff Clint Coleville was volunteering. She pushed that longing away.

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