Page 8 of Spilling the Tea

ZOEY MICHELLE PRITCHARD

Orthopedic Surgeon

Johns Hopkins Hospital

(410) 111-1112 (bus.)

(410) 100-1001 (mobile)

Chance blinked several times at the card containing both her business and mobile phone numbers before switching his gazeto her driver’s license. There was no doubt she was the same woman in the photo. She was twenty-eight? She didn’t look it. Yesterday, he’d thought she was no older than twenty-four. All he had to say was that she wore her age well.

He glanced back at her. She wasn’t smiling, but those gorgeous dimples were showing nonetheless, making something rock all through him.

“You’re a medical doctor?” he asked, surprised.

She lifted her chin, and he saw a hint of fire flash in the depths of those gorgeous brown eyes. “Yes.”

“An orthopedic surgeon?”

“That’s what my business card says, doesn’t it?”

Chance lifted a brow at her smart response. Apparently, it didn’t take much to get her hackles raised. She had a backbone and a part of him liked it. In fact, he liked a lot more than her attitude, he thought, staring at her. His gaze seemed drawn to her like a magnet. Because of his injuries from being in combat, he’d seen numerous orthopedic surgeons in his day, but none were gorgeous like her. Her first name was Zoey. He didn’t know another Zoey, but for some reason, he thought the name suited her.

He returned both her driver’s license and business card. Okay, she wasn’t who he thought she was, but still…

“Why are you here, Doctor Pritchard? You’re a long way from Baltimore. The only doctors in these parts who make house calls are veterinarians.”

For a minute, Chance saw the semblance of a smile appear with those dimples, and then she frowned again. “Like I said earlier, I’d like to ask a few questions.”

Now he was back to crossing his arms over his chest. “Why? Doctors don’t normally go around knocking on doors asking questions,” he said, his words laced with sarcasm.

He saw the flash of fire in her eyes again. Why did seeing it do things to him? Like making him want to see more firewithin her. The kind that naked bodies rolling between sheets could ignite. “There is a reason for me doing so, and I would like to explain it to the ranch owners if I may,” she said while glaring at him.

It was on the tip of his tongue to say, no, she may not. He wasn’t sociable and rarely got visitors unless they were family members. Some considered him the unfriendly Madaris, and for that reason, most people kept their distance.

Chance studied her again and had to admit she had him curious.

He then recalled what she’d said about wanting to talk to the ranch owners. Well, he had news for her. “I am the owner.”

She seemed surprised. “You are?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

Okay, he’d deliberately given her a smart-ass response like she’d done to him earlier. Although she tried not to, her lips twitched at the corners in a smile again, and he thought her dimples would be the death of him. He wished he could kiss them right off her face. Of course, such a thing wasn’t possible, but he would love to try anyway.

He dropped his hands by his sides, not liking how his thoughts were going. His resolve had never been weakened by an intense attraction to a woman, and he was determined it wouldn’t do so now. “Okay, I’ll give you five minutes, Doctor Pritchard, and that’s all. This is a working ranch, and I’m busy.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Chance moved aside, and she entered. He watched her scan his living room intently and wondered why. Although his home was neat and clean, he couldn’t see her wanting any decorating ideas.

He was about to tell her she was down to four minutes when he suddenly saw her sway on her feet like she was about to faint. Rushing to her, he ignored the flash of desire he felt the momenthe wrapped his arms around her waist to lead her to the sofa. “Are you alright?”

When she didn’t answer quickly enough to suit him, he called out frantically. “Ms. Cate, come quick.”

His housekeeper rushed into the room. “What’s wrong, Chancellor?”

“She almost fainted,” he said, easing Zoey down into a sitting position on the sofa.

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