Possessed by Passion (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 9)

Ethel stood. “Let’s get this show on the road, Patrick. Gretchen and I have a lunch date with Betty to go over the Summer Solstice festivities.”

Dustin smiled. “So much for taking it easy.”

Ethel stepped forward and gave him a hug. “Thank you, Doc. For everything.”

“Sam, just call me when you are done here,” Patrick said.

“I don’t need a ride, brother. I’ll walk home when Dustin and I are finished with our meeting.”

Patrick gave him two thumbs-up, and walked out with Ethel.

Anxious to get started, Dustin led Sam to his office. He bent down and picked up the paperwork he’d thrown to the floor last night to clear off his desk so he could make love to Paris. Thankfully Kelley had canceled all his appointments for the day, so he and Sam would be uninterrupted for as long as they needed.

“Sam, I picked up some donuts from the bakery and got a fresh pot of coffee brewed so I could be just as cordial for you as you were yesterday with me.”

“I’m really not hungry, Doc, but coffee would be wonderful.”

“Coming right up.” He poured them both a cup, handing one of them to Sam. “I’m sorry to ask you to move up our appointment, but this is a bit of an emergency.”

“That’s saying a lot coming from a medical doctor. Tell me what’s going on.”

“She’s a doctor, Sam. A surgeon. Paris got her medical degree and license in secret. Even her dad doesn’t know. Why would she keep such a thing from everyone?”

“Don’t you really mean why would she keep such a thing from you, Doc?”

“I guess so. Yes. That is the question. I love her. I don’t get it. I only ever wanted the best for her. I knew she would have no trouble with medical school and would make a great doctor.”

“And I bet you told her that, too, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I screwed up again. Like I always do. I don’t understand her. She’s holding back something. There’s more to it than she’s told me. I can feel it.”

“Maybe so, but you came to me before you found out about Paris’s medical degree, didn’t you? Something else was troubling you.”

“Mind reader or psychiatrist?”

Sam laughed. “A little of both, I suppose. But tell me why you sought me out in the first place, Doc. You said something about me helping Dr. Cottrell, Paris’s dad, and that you wanted the same kind of help. What did you mean by that? It may be the key you need to figure out this other problem you’re having with Paris.”

Dustin closed his eyes, bringing up the image of the woman who haunted all his nightmares. “Where to begin?”

“At the beginning, son.”

“I’ve never been through that kind of day before or since. Crazy. I was still an intern in Phoenix. Paris and Mick had come down from Destiny to visit me. I was about to finish my shift when a little girl was brought in who had been in an automobile accident. At the very same time, a drug addict bolted through the door and grabbed Paris.” He reco

unted all the details of that day, including how Paris had been heroic in saving the little girl. “My mind kept replaying the gun to Paris’s head as I tried to help the woman who had been beaten severely by her husband. I thought I had all my focus on my patient, but I keep asking myself if I really did. Was there anything I could’ve done to save the poor woman? She died, Sam. What if I’m to blame?”

“Aren’t you blaming yourself already? Haven’t you been blaming yourself ever since that day?”

“Yes.”

“Was there any cause for an investigation into negligence on your part?”

“No.”

“Being an intern, I’m certain the case went through a rigorous review process, yes?”

“Yes.”

“How many times have you gone over the woman’s records?”