Tina Radcliffe - Mending the Doctor's Heart

Rivals Of The Heart

A new job in Paradise, Colorado, seems like the perfect fresh start for Dr. Ben Rogers. Only problem is, Dr. Sara Elliot has been counting on getting the same job. Once they negotiate a shared trial run, Ben expects working with Sara to be less than pleasant. Instead, he finds himself drawn to her. She’s dedicated and compassionate, exactly the type of woman he used to want—when family was an option. Yet Ben is surprised to learn that Sara’s life is just as emotionally complicated as his own. And if there isn’t room for both of them at work, how can they make room for each other in their hearts?

How many medical positions could there be in a community this size?

Though Ben didn’t want to ask, he had to. “What position, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Clinical Director of the Community Outreach Clinic. It’s a new program,” Sara explained. “They’re trying to reach the outlying, underserved rural population and seasonal workers and their families.” Excitement lit her eyes as she spoke.

Ben nodded. Oh, he was well versed in the vision for the new clinic, all right. Sara’s enthusiasm was well-placed. The entire project stirred a professional anticipation and energy he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

“I’ve been waiting years for this clinic to become a reality,” she said.

The earnestness in her voice brought his own doubts tumbling out. Hadn’t the Lord led him to Paradise and this job?

Ben met her gaze head-on. “Um, Sara. There’s something you ought to know.”

She cocked her head in question. “What’s that?”

“I’m in Paradise interviewing for the same position.”

TINA RADCLIFFE

has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a certified oncology R.N. A former library cataloger, she now works for a large mail-order pharmacy. Tina currently resides in the foothills of Colorado, where she writes heartwarming romance. You can reach her at www.tinaradcliffe.com.

Mending the

Doctor’s Heart

Tina Radcliffe

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

—Proverbs 3:5,6

Once upon a time I was blessed to work as an Oncology Certified R.N. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at Camelot, also known as the City of Faith Hospital. This book is dedicated to all the wonderful, Christian nurses, doctors, aides, techs

and support staff who saved lives and shared

the Gospel during their shifts.

To Sharon Medley, thank you for reading

my first chapters and giving me your honest feedback. As always, thank you to my husband, Tom, who never tires of the signs on my office door telling him ‘Do Not Disturb, Writing In Progress.’ Of course it takes a village; in my case that village is called Seekerville: Mary, Ruthy, Debby, Julie, Sandra, Missy, Audra, Janet, Cara, Myra,

Pam and Glynna. Thank you, sisters in the Lord,

for your support.

Many thanks to my editor, Rachel Burkot,

who blesses me with her discerning editorial eye and her cheerful heart, and who makes me

a better writer. A final thank-you to my

supportive agent Meredith Bernstein,

who always makes me feel like a champion.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

W elcome to Paradise.

Ben Rogers stared at the glossy white sign posted in front of a row of tall Colorado conifers.

Paradise? Doubtful.

Salvation? Possibly.

He shook his head and chuckled.

At least he still had a sense of humor. That was pretty much all he’d taken with him from Denver, besides his leather medical bag and whatever fit in his Land Rover. His future lay beyond the welcome sign that boasted a population of seventeen hundred.

Ben guided his vehicle around an enormous pothole and straight into the heart of the small mountain town. Paradise, Colorado, was nestled in the San Luis Valley, with the Sangre De Cristo Mountains to the north and the San Juan Mountains to the west. At eight thousand feet, the elevation of Paradise was even higher than Denver’s fifty-two eighty.

The mountains provided a picturesque backdrop for the shops that lined the main thoroughfare and the sidewalks dotted with wrought-iron benches and masses of bright summer flowers that overflowed sidewalk pots.

Carolyn would have loved Paradise.

Ben winced, then rubbed a hand across his face. Six months had passed since he’d lost her, but he continued to see the world through his little sister’s eyes.

His stomach growled, offering a distraction. After a four-hour drive he was starving. A glance at the clock on the dash confirmed there was just enough time to grab something to eat before he retrieved the key to his rental cabin and headed to an appointment with his new boss, the medical director of the Paradise Community Hospital. He pulled into an open parking spot along the curb and glanced around.

Would it be The Prospector restaurant, or Patti Jo’s Café and Bakery? Ben stepped out of the Land Rover and inhaled.

Cinnamon rolls?

The tantalizing aromas of butter, cinnamon and vanilla lured him to a quaint shop with etched-glass windows.

Oh, yeah. Patti Jo’s won, hands down.

Tinkling bells sounded as he opened the bright crimson door. Before him, customers patiently stood in line at the single cash register, most perusing the glass cases filled with pastries as they waited. Ben scanned the small room, noting that every single bistro table and red leather booth was occupied.

Waiting wasn’t his strong suit. Maybe he’d try the restaurant instead.

He turned to leave just as an elderly man seated at a table to his far left began to cough. Mere moments later, the man stood and clutched his throat before he stumbled back from the table. The coughing stopped, and his face took on a blue tinge.

Without thinking, adrenaline surging, Ben pushed forward through the customers.

But not soon enough.

The man crumpled, striking his head on the table edge as he spiraled down to the floor. Ben reached him and automatically slid his fingers along the victim’s neck.

Pulse still strong. Thank You, God.

He placed his ear to the man’s chest.

Air movement negligent.

Tilting the man’s head, Ben searched his mouth for an obstruction. None evident. Yet something had occluded his airway.

“Everyone step back.” Ben turned to a waitress and nodded toward the silver-haired woman who hovered close. “Can you help her to a chair?”

He made purposeful eye contact with the cashier, a young girl whose face was pale, her eyes rounded.