Page 6 of Storm's Embrace

Everything.

It was too much. Then, to further add to her mortification, she’d realized she was crying.

That was how Eli had found her when he’d walked into the waiting room and stopped short—her blouse ruined and still not buttoned right, pieces of hair hanging around her face from her once-again loosening ponytail, and—unknown to her until she’d gotten in her car later—one eye looking like a raccoon’s with mascara stains streaking down her cheeks.

She’d glanced up at his frowning face with watery, stinging eyes, murmuring. “I’m sorry. I won’t waste your time.” Then she’d let out a loud sniffle she couldn’t hold in as she’d stood and gathered up her purse.

Eli had rushed over and halted her with a light touch on her arm. “Why would you think you’d waste my time?” he’d asked in a quiet, gentle tone—much like the voice she’d later learn he used with his patients. “Aren’t you still interested in the job?”

She’d held in her quivering lips and gazed up into his still frowning but concerned gaze as another tear tracked down her check. Then she’d nodded.

“Good. So, let’s talk.”

And that’s what they’d done. He’d joined her in one of the few other chairs he’d had at the time and conducted the strangest interview she’d ever been on. They hadn’t discussed the job right away, nor did they go over her meager resume.

He’d asked instead about the stain, which led to her telling him about Zoë. Talk of her daughter always managed to cheer her up and soon she was laughing, and so was he, even though the laughter didn’t quite mask the sadness she hadn’t been able to help but notice in his eyes.

When they’d finally gotten around to talk of the job, she’d ended up skimming over most of why she was looking for work. It hadn’t been necessary for him to know all the gruesome details of how her husband had left her for his boss’s daughter, or how he had gotten a sweetheart of a deal when it came to child support. Eli had ended up finding all that out later anyhow, but at the time it had seemed a bit like oversharing.

After over an hour of talking, he’d offered her a job. But not as his receptionist. He’d asked her to be his administrative assistant—something that had her tearing up all over again. To this day, she was still amazed he hadn’t rescinded the offer with all the waterworks.

Now, here she was standing toe to toe with the man and realizing he was much too close for her peace of mind.

“Okay,” she said, stepping back from him and crossing her arms. “But if therewereany patients here, would it have made a difference?” She tilted her head at him when he didn’t answer right away. “Hmm?”

“Well…”

The man didn’t have a sheepish bone in his body, so the innocent look he was trying to pull off wasn’t working. “So, the answer would be no.”

“It’s just easier to call for you.” His hand swept her area. “You’re right here.”

“I know, but it’s more than just the two of us in the office, so we need to be more professional—especially if you bring on another doctor.” She grimaced at him. “I don’t want to have two of you yelling for me.”

“First of all, I don’tcall outfor anyone else but you.”

No, he didn’t. He always used the phones. And there went her pulse rate. What was wrong with her? It was silly, but if truth be told, she actually kind of liked it. It was theirthing. It was also something else that needed to change to put them on a more professional footing.

“Second, if I do bring someone else on board, I’ll make sure they know you’re all mine.” Her pulse ratcheted up some more at his words as he gave an uncharacteristic stammer before saying, “Well, I mean, as far as the yelling goes.”

Of course that’s what he meant.

He ran one hand through his thick brown hair while red slashes inched over his cheeks. Amazing. The indomitable Dr. Eli Storm—embarrassed.

“Anyhow, I get what you’re saying,” he insisted. “But, again, no one else is here right now. So, can’t we just make an exception at times like this?” He also didn’t do humble worth a darn.

“No. Consistency breeds habit.” She held back a laugh at his frown. “I figure if it works on Zoë, it’ll work on you.” Her daughter was actually more trainable.

He raised his dark eyebrows. “I’m not a five-year-old.”

“Uh-huh.” She nodded and winked. “If you say so.”

The start of a smile teased the corners of his mouth. “So, what’s this,” he said, finally looking down at what she’d handed him.

Thank God that bit of awkwardness has passed.

“Logan Powers’ college scholarship recommendation.”

The slight smile went from barely there to beaming at the mention of the high school senior’s name. Eli may have been a grouch on most days when it came to the business side of running his practice—making her at times tempted to toss his butt out the nearest window—but no one could say he didn’t love his patients.

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