Upon a Midnight Clear (Legend, Colorado 2)

She nodded. "Go ahead."

"Do you have anyone that could help you with this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean family."

She shook her head. "My mother is dead. And I'm an only child. So," she said, tilting her head to one side and shrugging, "I'm afraid I'm my father's only family."

He gave her a small, admiring smile. "He's lucky to have a daughter like you."

She blushed. "He's lucky to have a doctor like you." She inwardly winced. What was she doing—flirting?

"I don't know that he'd agree."

Kim glanced at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Tony hesitated. "Your father and I have had our issues."

"He can be difficult," she said diplomatically.

Tony smiled appreciatively. Risson's daughter was very different from her father. Despite her obvious personal strength, there was a softness in her demeanor that Tony found enticing. "He's a damn good surgeon, though," Tony said. "One of the best. He's the reason why I came here. I wanted to study under him."

"Oh," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. "You aspire to be like him?"

He laughed. "You don't sound as though you think that's a worthy goal," he said as the elevator doors opened.

"No, of course not," Kim said vaguely and followed him toward the front door.

He stopped suddenly and looked at her. "Where's your coat?"

"I stuck a windbreaker in my suitcase. I don't really have a winter coat," she said.

"No coat?" he said incredulously. "Where are you from?"

"Florida."

"Wait here," he said, setting her suitcase down. He took off running down the hall.

"I don't need one," Kim called out, but he didn't bother to stop. He returned a few minutes later carrying a warm-looking down jacket. "Take this," he said, holding it out to her.

"What's this?" she asked, looking at it.

"Boy, you do live in Florida," he said, laughing. "This is called a winter coat," he said, holding it open for her.

Kim paused and smiled at him. "I know what it is. Who does it belong to?"

"Me."

"I can't take your coat," she said, putting up her hands in protest. "It's very sweet of you to offer, but if I take your coat, what will you wear?"

"I’ll be fine. I've got a ton of sweaters in my locker, and I've got plenty of coats at home."

Just then a man walked into the hospital and a blast of cold air shot down the hall. It was enough to make Kim reconsider.

"Take it," Tony said, handing her the coat.

"Are you sure?" Kim asked, impressed by his generous and chivalrous offer.