Page 39 of Waiting for Devon
Smitty, who stood nearby, assessed Devon a moment with a speculative gleam in his eyes before he returned to mucking out one of the stalls.
Devon and Reed exchanged a glance as he helped her mount Pale Promise. Swinging aloft Prince, Reed led them away from the stable.
They rode through the countryside in companionable silence. As the midafternoon sun shone high in the sky, Reed found a suitable spot for their picnic and spread a blanket on the ground. Devon unpacked the picnic basket that contained sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and a thermos of sweet tea.
After they consumed most of the food, Reed asked, “Why did you decide on medicine as a career, Devon?”
She gave a tinkling laugh. “I was the one who went around the house putting a bandage on everything that was broken. Mom finally hid the box so I wouldn’t keep wasting them. Seriously, though, I became a doctor because I wanted to help people. I wanted to make a difference. It hurts to see someone suffering.”
“Why did you choose pediatrics?”
“I love children. When my sister Emmaline caught a serious case of pneumonia at seven years old, I wished it had been me instead of her. All I wanted to do was make her well again. When I’m with children, I feel alive.”
“You must have been devastated when you lost your baby.”
Devon’s delicate eyebrow lifted in surprise. “You know about my miscarriage?”
“Shane mentioned it,” he lied. “Talk to me. I want to know everything about you.”
He loved the lilting sound of her voice as she spoke about her ordinary life. Her eyes shone like smooth brown stones, and they enthralled him. When she paused to take a breath, he placed a finger against her soft lips and murmured, “Shh. No more talking.”
Reed pushed Devon back upon the blanket and half covered her body with his. He took the wildflower she held and traced a path from her forehead down the side of her face, across her chin, and up the other side. The erotic gesture caused her chest to rise and fall in tandem with her rapid heartbeat. In a swift, unexpected movement, she pulled his head down to meet her eager lips. Her initiation of their lovemaking thrilled him. It proved she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Each of her intoxicating kisses and the touch of her hands on his back spoke far more eloquently than words.
Reed drank deeply of her sweetness before his lips left hers and moved down her neck. When he lifted her tank top and enclosed a sensitive nipple with his mouth, Devon clenched her teeth to keep from gasping her pleasure aloud.
A moment later, he whispered, “Devon, I…I…” The words stuck in his throat. “I think we’d better go for a swim and cool off. It’s much too hot out here.”
Without another word, he helped her repack the picnic basket, and they returned to the ranch.
When Devon joined him later at the pool, she wore a provocative white spandex bikini. Reed didn’t say a word. His eyes devoured every inch of her perfect body. Flashing a smile at him, she dove into the deepest end of the pool and floated up to the surface. Reed cut the water next to her, and they spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and then relaxing on chaise lounges. Mrs. Peters served them a light supper on the patio toward early evening, and afterward they played tennis.
“You’ve worn me out,” Devon complained as Reed escorted her to her suite of rooms. She placed her small hand on his chest. “Thank you for a wonderful day. I can’t remember the last time I’ve enjoyed myself so much.”
Resisting the temptation to kiss her until they were both breathless, Reed had to be content with kissing the palm of her hand instead. “It was my pleasure. Good night, Doc.”
“Good night,” she murmured, her voice soft.
Chapter Twelve
Feeling rejuvenated aftera relaxing weekend, Devon headed to the clinic on Monday morning. As she glanced in her rearview mirror, she noticed an old pickup following her. She’d seen it before parked on Third Street and didn’t think too much about it. Shrugging, she assumed it belonged to one of the residents.
Midmorning Inez arrived for her appointment with Devon. The women greeted each other with a warm hug before Inez removed the bottom half of her clothes and climbed on an examination table. As Devon began to check the progress of Inez’s pregnancy, a loud commotion outside the room distracted her. She heard Blair yelling, “Sir! Sir! You can’t go in there!” In the next instant an angry young man burst into the room.
“Inez!” Fury turned his dark eyes into fathomless depths. “What the hell are you doing here? Get dressed. We’re going home.”
“Antonio!” Inez gasped in astonishment. “I didn’t expect to see you this soon. No, no, I can’t go. Dr. Brooks needs to examine me.”
Antonio glared at Devon. “No, she doesn’t. Gennaros do not accept charity from rich people.”
“I don’t know who you are, sir,” Blair interjected, “but you have to wait outside.”
“This is my brother, Antonio Gennaro,” Inez clarified. “Tony, this is Dr. Devon Brooks and Blair Barrington.”
“Barrington,” Antonio spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “Do you enjoy slumming, Miss Barrington? Do you get a secret thrill from getting your lily-white hands dirty associating with the poor and oppressed? Do you perhaps want to save us? Spare me.” He flung his hand in a dismissive gesture.
Taken aback by Antonio Gennaro’s savage accusation, Blair stood speechless in her acute embarrassment.
Devon touched Antonio’s arm and ordered, “Wait in the lobby, Mr. Gennaro. You’re upsetting the other patients. Inez will join you in a few minutes.”
