Prognosis: Romance (Doctors in Training 4)

There was a quick scramble for more decorations to glue onto the bags. Shannon laughed again at their enthusiasm, then felt her smile fade when a funny tingling slipped down her spine. Swallowing, she turned slowly to glance toward the house.

James stood in the open doorway that led into the kitchen, watching her.

Slowly cleaning her glue-sticky hands on one of the dampened paper wipes available for that purpose, she was pleased he’d happened to look out just as all the girls were bent industriously over their crafts, obviously having a good time. For only a moment, she wished he could see her at one of her more elaborate parties—the medieval knights and princesses party she’d organized just last month, for example. Now that had been a blowout, few expenses spared by the doting parents for their rather spoiled daughter. She had several parties booked in the next few months as a result of that one, her most successful endeavor thus far.

This was a very simple little party, as Mrs. Hayes had requested, but it was a clear success. She supposed that was what counted, if…er, anyone should happen to be observing, judging her competence.

Seeing she had noticed him, James nodded. Even from where she stood, she could see his lips tilting into that sexy little smile. Her pulse rate tripped in response.

“Miss Shannon, will you help me decide where to put this bow?” one of the little girls asked.

Drawing her attention from James with an effort, Shannon turned back to her job, telling herself she would deal with James later.

Chapter Five

Parents arrived to collect their daughters right on time and it didn’t take long to wrap up the kids’ party. As she began to gather her decorations and supplies, Shannon judged the event an unequivocal success. The girls all seemed to be smiling as they departed, carrying party favors in their lavishly decorated tote bags.

“Let me help you haul some of that stuff to your car,” Connor offered, handing the camera he’d been snapping to Mia, who was helping Alexis take her gifts inside.

“I’ll help, too.” Appearing suddenly at Shannon’s side, James relieved her of the lidded plastic container she’d been holding.

“You guys don’t have to do this,” she protested, even as the men were already moving toward the front of the house with their loads. “Go back and join your friends. It will only take me a few minutes to—”

But they had already rounded the corner of the house, leaving her talking to thin air. Sighing, she began to pack away the last of the supplies she’d brought with her. She’d already gathered the trash. Alexis had begged her to leave the balloons and banner in place for now, to which her parents had indulgently agreed.

With Connor and James helping, it took only a few minutes to pack everything into her little SUV, which was filled almost to capacity. Connor closed the back liftgate cautiously, making sure nothing jutted out to prevent it from latching. “Just barely held it all,” he said with a laugh.

Shannon smiled. “Thank you both for your help.”

“You’re welcome.” Connor motioned toward the house. “Would you like to come in for coffee? We’ve got the game on inside. The last quarter’s just starting.”

Remembering James’s admission that he wasn’t at all interested in football, not even the team most Arkansans cheered for, she glanced his direction. “Go, Hogs,” he murmured, as he had before.

Sharing that memory, they smiled at each other.

“We would all love to have you join us for coffee,” Connor said, glancing from Shannon to James and back again.

She twisted her car keys in her hands. “Thank you, but I’d better be on my way. I still have to get all this stuff unpacked and put away.”

Connor nodded, then shook her hand and thanked her again for her services. “It was a nice party. Alexis had a great time. You really saved a lot of work for Mia and me.”

“I enjoyed meeting you all. Alexis is adorable. She and her friends were one of the best-behaved groups I’ve worked with.”

Connor grimaced humorously. “Yes, well, they have their moments.”

He glanced at James again, then took a step backward. “I’d better get back inside. Thanks again for everything, Shan non.”

James lingered when Connor moved away. “Sounds like your party was a hit.”

“I think so. It was hardly elaborate, but the girls seemed to have fun.”

James lifted a shoulder in a light shrug. “Doesn’t have to be elaborate to be a success. Mia said she would never have been able to put together all the craft supplies and the games and prizes and decorations you provided on such short notice, especially with her schedule. She and Connor are both receiving their advanced degrees in May, so maybe things won’t be quite so hectic for them after that, though with him in residency and her looking for an administrative position in education, they’ll always be busy.”

She grinned. “Busy parents mean good business for me.”

“Sounds like you’ll be getting some calls from Mia and Connor’s friends. They’re impressed with what they’ve seen today. Everyone could see that you’re very good at what you do.”

Pleasure flooded through her. There was no compliment he could give her that would delight her more. She’d spent her entire life as the indulged baby sister or the supportive girlfriend. It felt good to be seen a competent and successful businesswoman. Success, she reminded herself, was not always synonymous with money.