The Single Dad Finds a Wife Read Free Page A

outright rejected—his apology.
    * * *
    As Spring tended to Jeremy she thought about his father.
    She wasn’t at all sure what to make of her reaction to the man. Not to mention the little sparring match they’d engaged in. She’d sensed hostility in him, quickly followed by what she could only describe as regret.
    What was that all about?
    With his sandy hair and those worried brown eyes, he was attractive enough—if you went for that type. The type who listened with his whole being, whose gaze seemed to search for hidden and deeper meanings with every glance.
    And do you go for that type?
    She ignored the taunt of the inner Spring.
    â€œAre you my mom?”
    The small voice floated up to her in an awe-filled whisper.
    She smiled at the question from her small patient.
    â€œNo, Jeremy. I’m Dr. Spring. Do you remember me?”
    The boy nodded.
    â€œHow’s that tummy feeling?”
    He made a face. “Where’s my daddy?”
    â€œHe’s right—”
    â€œHey, buddy,” the man said, making Spring start. She hadn’t heard him approach. She edged out of the way to give him room, moving to the other side of the big chair. She watched as he ruffled the boy’s hair. “I’m right here, Jeremy.”
    â€œI wanna go home, Daddy.”
    He looked over to see what she had to say about that. “Is he all clear?”
    Spring nodded.
    â€œI wanna go to our real house,” Jeremy added. “Not the hotel.”
    Spring bit her lip. Her heart ached for them. This father and son needed help, the kind that Common Ground offered, but the man bristled each time she tried to assure him that it wasn’t a handout but a help up that the ministry provided.
    She had had the training offered to every volunteer and knew she couldn’t foist assistance on them. She was on the board of directors and had been one of the people who’d insisted that sensitivity training be a requirement of all Common Ground volunteers. People wanted and needed to maintain their dignity, especially when they found themselves in critical situations.
    â€œYou’ll be feeling like your normal self in a few days, Jeremy,” she told the boy. “Your father is going to give you some medicine to take. Will you promise me you’ll be a good trouper and take it?”
    The boy nodded.
    â€œGood,” she said, smiling at him. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pen and a small card. She scribbled something on the back and handed it to the boy. “If your tummy hurts again, have your dad call me at this number.” Spring patted Jeremy’s leg and then glanced up at his father. “Have a good evening, Mr. Camden.”
    Spring left them then, but she overheard the child’s question. “Daddy, is she a spring angel?”
    Her smile was wry as she made her way to the physicians’ office.
    It took her just a few minutes to log her new patient notes, shed her lab coat, pack up her bag and grab her keys. Shelby would be ready to go, as well, as soon as Mr. Camden and his son checked out.
    â€œThere has to be some mistake,” she heard the man say a few minutes later as she reached the front reception area. “I must have left my wallet at the hotel. I do have insurance.”
    She started to turn and go out the back way, but the boy, in his father’s arm and peering over his shoulder, had seen her.
    â€œDr. Spring.”
    She waved at him. Uncertain about how Mr. Camden might take her overhearing his financial problems, Spring hastened toward the door.
    â€œMr. Camden, don’t worry about it. Really. We don’t need an insurance card or payment,” Shelby said. “All you have to do is take this to the pharmacy. They’ll fill it no questions asked. Here are the directions to an all-night drugstore.”
    â€œBut...”
    Spring’s heart broke for them. She’d heard plenty of hard-luck stories in her