A Heart to Heal Read Free Page A

hurt.”
    Her lips twisted into a sardonic smile. “I’m surprised you care.”
    He sighed. “I’ve always cared, Shayla. I stopped offering my advice because you never listened.”
    â€œYou’re the only person I’ve ever listened to,” she murmured.
    He thought back to Homecoming and the night she’d broken his heart. “You didn’t always listen.”
    She stiffened before turning to look out the window. It was a low blow, and hurts from the past weren’t worth stirring up, but he needed to remind them both why they’d never worked out.
    â€œYou know, high school was years ago, can we just say we were young and dumb and move on?” she said still facing the window.
    He relaxed his hands on the wheel. “Agreed.”
    They rode in silence the remaining minutes it took for him to drive to his office. It was a red brick building across from the small county hospital. He pulled into the side parking lot then helped Shayla out of the truck.
    â€œYou really bought a truck. You always said you would. It’s nice,” she said.
    Taken aback that she remembered, he could only mumble his thanks. That was the thing about Shayla, she remembered everything. He couldn’t count the number of times he would mention something he wanted to do and somehow she’d make it happen. Back in high school she’d surprise him with the latest CD he wanted, or do something simple like show up with a can of pineapple just because she knew it was his favorite. She was both caring and selfish. A paradox he never could understand.
    When he placed her arm around his shoulder, her intoxicating scent floated over him, reminding him of cinnamon. He closed his eyes briefly before helping her limp toward the side entrance.
    He pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. They didn’t speak as he helped her through the darkened interior toward an exam room. He unwrapped her arm from his shoulder so she could go into the room first. Her eyes met his and his throat constricted. Shayla Monroe had the looks and body that would fit perfectly in any rap video. Exotic dark eyes that slanted at the ends, full breasts and a butt that even the most devout man couldn’t help but imagine palming. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail. When they were younger she’d worn the thick tresses loose, where they curled around her shoulders. He used to love the way it would brush his face when she braided his hair in high school.
    Shayla shifted and he blinked. Damn, not even ten minutes in her company and he was reduced to staring. Without a word, he lifted her onto the exam table. He spun away to flip on a light and get a bandage from one of the cabinets.
    He brought the bandage to the table and lifted her ankle. It had swollen slightly over her shoe. He slipped off her sneaker and the sock and gently applied pressure to her ankle. She stiffened but didn’t jerk away. He moved her foot from side to side then up and down. Satisfied it wasn’t broken; he placed it back on the table.
    â€œYou’ll live. I doubt it’s even sprained. I’ll wrap it and you’ll need to take is easy for a few days.” He said. When he met her eyes she was smiling with her head cocked to the side. “What?”
    â€œI can’t believe you’re a doctor. I mean, I knew that was your plan, but to actually see you here with your own practice, taking care of me. It’s great. I’m proud of you.”
    Tiny pinpricks of heat crept up his cheeks and he looked away. He was used to receiving praise for being the only black doctor in their small town, but it affected him more coming from Shayla.
    He began to deftly wrap her ankle with the bandage. “I’m fortunate to do something I love.” He lifted his chin in her direction. “What about you? Why are you back in Helena? If memory serves me correctly, you were never coming back to this