Doctor, Darling. Jo Leigh

think Helen made a suggestion last time. Isn’t that right, Helen?”

      “That’s right. I want to read that vampire book. The one by Anne Rice.”

      “Any other suggestions before we take a vote?” she asked as she looked around. Everyone in the group was either staring at her or the doctor.

      “I think we should read a love story,” Henry said. “Where they end up happily ever after.”

      Shirley giggled. “I’ll change my vote to that. What do you say, Colonel?”

      “I don’t—” He stopped when all eyes focused on him. “Oh, all right. A love story.”

      “Which one?” Gillian asked, knowing exactly what her friends were up to.

      “Do you know one, Doc?” Helen asked.

      “Hmm?”

      “A love story. A book that’s about romance. You know. And sex.”

      He cleared his throat, and Gillian saw a slight pink hue tint his cheeks. “I’m afraid I don’t,” he said. “But then, I won’t be here for the next session.”

      “You never know,” Shirley said, looking from him to Gillian. “Stranger things have happened.”

      “Ow!” Helen said suddenly, her brow crinkled and her mouth curled down in a frown. She glared at Shirley for a moment, leaned over to rub her leg, then turned to Conner. “I’m sorry, Doc, but I can’t go with you to the dinner dance after all. I forgot. I already have a date.”

      Conner seemed surprised and just a little bit relieved. “That’s okay,” he said. “I appreciate the thought.”

      “Then maybe you’ll appreciate this thought,” Helen continued as she sat up again. “Instead of me, why don’t you escort my friend Gillian? I know she doesn’t have a date, and it’s her party.”

      Gillian’s gaze shot from Conner to Helen then back to Conner. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He seemed utterly flustered and incredibly uncomfortable.

      “That’s all right,” she said hurriedly. “I’m sure Dr. Malloy can take care of his own plans. Now, let’s vote on the next book, shall we? All in favor of Louis L’Amour?”

      No hands came up.

      “All right, all in favor of Interview with the Vampire?”

      Nothing. No votes at all.

      “Maybe we ought to skip the next meeting,” she said, so anxious to get away that she’d already stood. “Or we can take a vote on the phone.”

      Why had she thought he’d jump at the chance to take her to the dinner? Why had she wanted him to? She couldn’t believe how she’d let herself get carried away. She lived her life by certain rules, and no doctor from Houston was going to change that. No matter what color his eyes were or how deep his gaze.

      “I think we should read Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” Henry said.

      At once, all hands except hers and Conner’s shot up into the air.

      “Okay, then,” Gillian said, “see you all next time.” She pushed her chair in and headed for the door, perfectly aware of her own rudeness, but desperate to flee.

      “Wait…”

      It was the doctor’s voice calling after her. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say. Good or bad. Either way, she knew she had to keep her distance from him. He’d stirred something inside her that she thought she’d banished forever. The only sure way not to get into trouble was not to see him again. Which shouldn’t be too difficult. She wouldn’t go to town, that’s all.

      She clutched her book more tightly to her chest, then dashed for the door. Once outside, she slowed, but not by much. How she wished she could forget that look on his face. The bewilderment and confusion when Helen had offered her as a replacement. His dull silence in reply.

      Gillian broke into a run. When she reached her car, she yanked open the door, then got in so fast she bumped her head. Perfect. Adding injury to insult.

      Just as she started the engine, she saw him. He was standing outside the library, scanning the parking lot. She put the car in gear and sped toward the street before he had a chance to spot her. But she couldn’t calm down on the short drive home. His image toyed with her. Her own feelings betrayed her. She wished she’d never gone to the library at all.

      After she turned on to her street and pulled into her driveway, she shut off the ignition and leaned her head on the steering wheel.

      This was a lesson. A reminder of the reason she’d come to Miller’s Landing. Of why she didn’t date. Why she couldn’t date. She was too weak. Too vulnerable, even after all this time had passed.

      When it came to men, Gillian had no self-control. She changed utterly when she fell for a guy. Gave herself over lock, stock, and barrel until there was no Gillian left. She’d been near Dr. Malloy for ten minutes and she’d already made a fool of herself.

      All she had to do was stick to her one strict rule: no men, no matter what. She could do that, right? Right?

      CONNER DIDN’T GO BACK inside the library. He couldn’t face Helen or the rest of them. Not after such a humiliating blunder. Not after he’d let a golden opportunity pass him by like that. Helen had offered Gillian on a silver platter, and what had he done? He’d frozen, that’s what. Sat there like a ninny with his jaw hanging open. Smooth. That was him all over.

      His problem had just multiplied by ten, and it was his own fault. Instead of having a nice, pleasant meeting with the woman and letting nature take its course, he had to undo tonight’s damage, make sure she didn’t think he was a lunatic, then somehow win her over.

      God, the way she’d looked at him! So confused at the beginning, and then…And then she’d given him the most welcoming smile he’d ever seen. He closed his eyes, her image so clear he could paint her from memory.