The Surgeon's Cinderella

Yet again he felt bad about insisting she come with him, but he needed her. The board members would be at this retreat and he had to give them the impression he was getting close to settling down. “Do you mind if I put the top down? It’s a beautiful day.”

“Not at all. I love a convertible.”

Tanner leaned over her to unlock the roof from the windshield. A floral scent that fit her perfectly assaulted his nose. Maybe the weekend wouldn’t be so bad. He flipped the other lock above his head. When he pushed a button, the roof slowly folded down behind them.

“I like your car. It suits you,” Whitney said.

“Thanks. I grew up wanting one of these and when I finished medical school I bought one.”

“I’ve always loved two-seaters. I’m going to enjoy riding in this one.” She gave him a weak smile.

So at least they had that in common. As Tanner started the car, Whitney pulled a long multicolored scarf out of her purse. With deft efficiency she wrapped it around her head and tied it under her chin. Great, now he had Old Mother Hubbard with him. Why did she dress like she did?

“The only complaint I have about having the top down is that it’s hard on a hairdo.”

He’d never really thought of her as having a hairstyle. Her hair had always been just pulled back behind her neck when he’d seen her. Today was no different. She didn’t seem to make any real effort to stand out where her appearance was concerned. What was she hiding from? Now with the scarf around her head she looked drabber than ever. That was with the exception of when she smiled. At those times she captured his attention completely.

It disturbed him on a level he didn’t want to examine how much time he’d spent thinking about his matchmaker in the past few weeks. Even when he and Racheal had been dating he’d wondered what Whitney would think about this or that, or what she was doing. These were not things his mind should have been contemplating. Racheal had seemed perfect for him, just what he’d asked for, so why had he been thinking about another woman?

Especially Whitney. There could never be any real interest there. They clearly didn’t want the same things out of a relationship. He had no plans to ever love a woman. His parents had seen to that.

Tanner’s attention remained on his driving as he made his way up and down the steep streets of San Francisco lined with houses and businesses. He glanced at Whitney a couple of times. She seemed absorbed in the city life around them. Once he caught her looking at him. She made him feel both uncomfortable and pleased.

As they waited at the toll booth at the Golden Gate Bridge she said, “I love this bridge. It’s like this big smiling sentinel standing over the bay, protecting it.”

“I’ve never thought about it like that. For me it’s a feat of engineering, from the rock foundation to the suspension towers to the length of the wires.”

“Or maybe it’s like a big swing. Either way, it’s amazing.”

Tanner looked at her and grinned. “Agreed.”

“Did you know that as soon as they finish painting it they have to start over again?” Whitney had her neck craned back, looking up at one of the three soaring towers.

He smiled. “I did. That’s a lot of red paint.”

Tanner paid the toll and they started across the bridge.

Halfway over the bay Whitney said, “The thump-thump of the tires reminds me of a heartbeat.” A few seconds later she continued, “It’s mind-boggling to me that I actually know someone who has held a heart in his hand.”

Tanner grinned. “I’m glad I can impress.” He wasn’t sure he had so far during their acquaintance.

Traffic was heavy, even for a Friday morning, as people were leaving the city for the weekend. The road widened and the driving became easier after they were over the bridge. Tanner had been accused of being a fast driver but Whitney didn’t seem bothered by his weaving in and out of traffic. Her hands remained in her lap and her chin up as if she were a flower enjoying the sunshine.

As they headed off the bridge toward the green rolling hills on the way to Napa she asked, “So what’s expected of me this weekend?”

“Mostly to act as if you like me.”

She met his eyes. “I’ll try.”

For some reason it disturbed him that she didn’t already like him. “I know I’ve been a little high-handed a couple of times—”

Her brows rose. “A couple? How about all the time?”

Tanner shrugged a shoulder as he changed lanes. “Okay, maybe I deserve that, but I really need your help this weekend.”

“You could have asked.”

He glanced at her. “Would you have done it?”

“No...” The word trailed off.

Tanner’s focus went back to the black sedan he was following. “So I would’ve had to apply pressure anyway. How about I double your fee for your trouble?”

She shook her head. “Let me think about it. No. That would make me feel like a prostitute.”

He didn’t like her accusation at all. “Whoa, that isn’t what this is about. You won’t be expected to sleep with me. In fact, I don’t expect you to do anything more than hold on to my arm and pretend to be my girlfriend.” Turning left, he followed a sign to Napa.

“Sleeping with you wasn’t what I was referring to. I have no intention of doing that.”

She made it sound as if he wasn’t good enough for her. That was a first for him. Women were usually more than eager to climb into his bed. Why wouldn’t she be? Was she holding on to her favors until she found that “love” she was so fond of believing in? Maybe he was just the person to change her mind.

Wait, that wasn’t what this weekend was about. He’d promised sex wouldn’t be on the agenda. He had no business thinking that way. Whitney was his matchmaker, and only with him because he had insisted. This wasn’t some weekend fling. He had to remember that.

“So what’re the sleeping arrangements?” Whitney asked in the matter-of-fact way he’d come to expect from her.

“We’ll have to share a room but I’ll give you as much privacy as possible. I’ll sleep on the floor if necessary.” That he wasn’t looking forward to. But she was doing him a favor so it was the least he could do to try to make her as comfortable in the situation as possible.

“And what’re the other plans for the weekend?”

“There is a round of golf organized for this afternoon and tomorrow.” The land flattened as they entered the valley, allowing him to look at Whitney more often.

She met his look. “Do you play golf?”

“Not really. But I’ll make a showing just to be a team player.” Why did he feel like she was accusing him of being dishonest?

“I wouldn’t have thought that was your style. Impressing the board really is important to you, isn’t it?”

“It is.” Tanner straightened in the seat a little. He wasn’t ashamed of it. The promotion meant everything to his career.

“Is the department head position so vital?”

He felt her studying him. “Yes. It’s my chance to make a difference in my field. Help people. I can influence the way we do transplants, lead the development of new skills.”

“That’s to be admired.” He heard the approval in her voice.

Tanner glanced at her. He rather liked the glow of respect in her eyes.

* * *

Whitney couldn’t keep the sigh of pleasure from rushing out of her as they drove up a long lane lined with neat row after row of vines for as far as she could see. The contrast of the deep brown of the rich dirt, the vivid green of the grape leaves and the tranquil blue of the sky was almost breathtaking. She glanced at Tanner.

And she was spending a weekend here with him. Her life had become surreal. She was off with a man that she hardly knew, pretending to be his serious girlfriend, and

in a social situation she wasn’t comfortable in. How was she not going to make a mess of it?

“Ever been to Napa?” Tanner asked, without taking his eyes off the road.

“Not really.”