The Doctor Who Made Her Love Again

His eyes moved slowly upward to meet her gaze and down her body again. “I doubt that.”

Heat filled her. Was he referring to last night? China didn’t know how to respond or if she wanted to, so she opened the door they’d used the night before and went inside. She placed the food on the counter. Was he trying to frighten her away? She refused to react to his poor behavior.

“Sorry to be such a grouch.” He stepped over and picked up the donut box. “How about sharing these with me? Or I’ll take you home, if you want.”

Why didn’t she jump at the chance? Maybe because she found this proud man interesting? He certainly kept her on her toes mentally. Since he’d come to town it had been one usual day after another.

“I guess I could have a donut since you asked so nicely.”

“Good. Then why don’t we eat these out on the porch? You want something to drink? Coffee’s made.”

“I’d just like a glass of water. I’ll get it if you’ll tell me where to find a glass.”

“On the right side of the sink.” He headed out the door. “I’m starving.”

China found a tumbler, ran water into it and put in a couple of ice cubes. She considered the large kitchen area. She’d not paid much attention the night before, having been more concerned about Payton. The room was beautiful, decorated in a beach motif with a modern twist. It had bright blue round placemats on the oversize table that would accommodate a large family. Yellow and white striped curtains adorned the windows but didn’t block the light. She liked it.

Picking up her glass, she went out to the porch. Payton sat on a settee with his legs stretched out over a table and the box of donuts on the cushion beside him. He had a blissful look on his face.

China took the chair to his right. He picked up the box and offered it to her. She pulled a donut out and gazed out toward the water. This area wasn’t overly populated, like her part of town. She now knew why he had chosen to come out here and eat. The view of the ocean was amazing, wide and unobstructed.

Neither of them said anything. In some ways it was the most pleasant morning China had ever spent but in other ways it was the most disconcerting. The undercurrent of awareness between her and Payton made her feel edgy, insecure.

“I like your view,” China finally said.

“Thanks. I’ve never really thought about it.”

“How could you not?”

“I liked the house because it was far enough out to be private.”

“Well, you sure got a view whether you value it or not. I’ve lived in Golden Shores my entire life and never had one this wonderful.”

“Feel free to stop by and enjoy it any time.”

She wouldn’t be doing that. At least, not when he was home. “The house is plenty big enough for your family to visit.”

“I don’t see them coming down.”

For a second a look of regret cross his face but he soon recovered. The tone of his statement had her thinking that was a subject he didn’t want to talk about any more than he did about having had cancer.

“You and your family are pretty tight, aren’t you?” he asked.

“I am with my parents. I don’t see my sister regularly.” That was an understatement. “Do you see your parents often?”

He looked away and out toward the ocean. “I did when I was in Chicago but now that I’m down here obviously not much. I talk to Mom off and on, though.”

“What about your dad?”

“He’s not really speaking to me these days.” He raised a hand, palm up, stopping further questions. “Which is something I’m not going to discuss.”

So that was a touchy subject as well.

“Payton, why did you decide to move to Golden Shores? Outside of tourists, we aren’t on anyone’s radar.”

“I wanted to make a change in my life.”

“Because you’ve been sick?”

“You can call it what it is, China. Cancer. Lymphoma.”

“Okay, because of the cancer.” She still had a hard time saying the word.

“That and other things. The cancer made me see that I wanted to live life instead of spending my time climbing the career ladder at work or the social ladder outside work.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place for that. The only ladders I know of around here are the ones behind the sheds of people’s houses.”

Payton threw his head back and laughed. China joined him.

He slowly recovered. “That statement is just the reason why I am here.” He looked at her long enough to make her squirm before he said, “You know, I think that’s the only time I’ve ever heard you laugh. You should do it more often. You have a beautiful one.”

Suddenly the conversation had turned personal and China wasn’t as comfortable.

He continued, “I just want to work and put the cancer behind me. I moved down here to make a change for the better. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me and I don’t want to be treated differently.”

“If you are talking about last night, we all need help some times. It isn’t a bad thing to let others in.”

“I had no intention of doing so. I would have never told you if you hadn’t seen...”

Time to change the subject. “I put the chicken soup in the refrigerator. If you don’t want it, just throw it out.”

Payton looked at her. “I thought you didn’t cook.”

“I never said I didn’t cook. I just don’t like to cook.” China took a bite of a donut.

“I see.”

“It’s my grandmom’s recipe, if you must know. I make a batch up and freeze it. So it was no big deal to bring it.”

“I appreciate you thinking about me.”

Warmth filled her. He did sound grateful. There was a first time for everything. “You look like you’re feeling much better. Did you have any trouble last night?”

He pierced her with a look that made her glow inside. Had he thought about their kiss? “Um, do you think you could take me home now? I’m supposed to be at my parents’ for lunch.”

“Sure, give me a minute to change. I’d planned to go sailing today anyway.” He stood and gathered up the donut box.

“Do you think you should? After last night?”

A horrified looked marred his handsome features. “I’m fine, China. I just got a little dehydrated, that’s all. Please, don’t make more of it than there was.”

“I just—”

“I know. You just can’t help yourself.” He moved around the table and passed her in one lithe movement that implied he was in perfect health.

China had to admit that over the past week he look like his skin had taken on a golden hue. As ridiculously aggravating as she found Payton at times, she liked him. He’d added excitement to her rather dull life.

“Let me get my shoes and gear. I’ll drop you by your house on my way to the boat.”

“You own a sailboat??

??

His eyes lit up. “Yeah. A thirty-footer that is so sweet.”

What would it be like to have Payton look at her with that same gaze of happiness? Why would she care? They just barely tolerated each other. The only time they seemed to work seamlessly was while caring for patients, and kissing. She shouldn’t think about that.

“You need to be sure to drink plenty of water and wear your sunscreen. You don’t want to relapse.”

“China...” his gaze locked with hers “...stop it. I’m fine. I’m not one of your projects.”

“I’m sorry. It just comes out sometimes.”

“Forgiven this time. I’ll get my stuff and be ready to go.”

While Payton had disappear into his house, China took her tumbler inside and put it in the kitchen sink. Unable to control her curiosity about the rest of his home, she moved to the archway that separated the kitchen area from the living room. It was the most beautiful room she’d ever seen, with all the glass windows bringing in not only the sunlight but the view of the Gulf.

She ran a hand along the arm of one of the two blue overstuffed sofas accented in red. They faced each other in front of a framed large-screen TV above the fireplace. The high ceiling and slow-moving fans gave it an overwhelming feeling of comfort. Her breath caught as she moved further into the room. Before her was a grouping of comfortable-looking chairs covered in a sand-color fabric that faced the ocean. Stepping over to one, she marveled at the one-eighty-degree view.

The only thing missing to make the room perfect was greenery, something living. In her mind’s eye she placed a Hawaiian ti near the chairs, crotons in a bright spot on the end table and a majesty palm in the corner. She smiled. Perfect.

“Hey, I was looking for you. Ready to go?”

Payton looked healthy in his white knit shirt and navy shorts. He wore docksiders on his feet. The quintessential yachtsman, if she’d ever seen a picture of one.

China glanced down at her pink T-shirt and blue jean cutoffs. They were definitely from two different worlds. She would go shopping this week and do better with her dressing.

“Just waiting on you.”