Deadly Obsession (A Brown and de Luca Novel Book 4) by MAGGIE SHAYNE Page B

covering the rest of her. White scrubs with pink piping. The top was tailored to fit her shape and had a shallow V-neck that revealed nothing, and two big pockets low on either side. The pants fit but were not tight. Her hair was in a neat bun, and if he wasn’t mistaken, there were brownies in that container.
    He opened the door. She sent him a great big smile. “I’m really sorry about this morning. I didn’t know you had a girlfriend. I hope she wasn’t too angry.”
    He lowered his head; this was awkward as hell. He hadn’t expected to see her again. “It’s fine. We’re fine. Apology accepted.”
    “Thank goodness,” she said, stepping inside. “I don’t know what I would’ve done otherwise. I mean, I turned down three other temp offers after you hired me, and those spots have already been filled. I’d be screwed completely if you’d fired me.”
    But he
had
fired her. Hadn’t he? He was trying to recall his exact words when she set the container of brownies on the table and turned to frown at his draping bandages. “My goodness, who did this?”
    “I did. With some help from the boys. I guess nursing isn’t our calling.”
    “Well, sit down. I’ll fix you right up.” She pulled her medical bag from her shoulder, and within a few seconds she was efficiently removing the messed-up bandages and applying a new set.
    “Gretchen, I think I might not have been clear with you earlier. When I said this wasn’t going to work, I meant—”
    “I changed my clothes,” she said. “Isn’t this better?” She left off wrapping, and took a step backward, looking down at herself.
    “It’s much better. And if you’d shown up this morning in this, instead of that other getup, then we’d be fine, but as it is...”
    “It’s your girlfriend, isn’t it?” She sighed, then blinked as if there were tears gathering in her eyes. “She’s insecure and jealous and threatened by me, isn’t she?”
    “Um, no.”
    “I’m so sorry,” she rushed on, as if he hadn’t spoken. “I really didn’t know. But I admit, I
was
trying to get your attention.” She drew a shuddering breath and resumed wrapping his arm. “I mean, you’re a hero. Saving those kids. Risking your life. I read somewhere that you were single, and I just thought...” She shrugged. “Well, what woman wouldn’t try for a man like you?”
    He couldn’t help feeling warmed by her praise. It was flattering, and he was human. “Thank you,” he said.
    “But like I said, I didn’t know about your girlfriend. I mean, I would never even have tried...and it’ll never happen again. I promise.” She finished wrapping and taped the bandages into place.
    “I think that ship has sailed, Gretchen. I’m sorry. I’ll pay you for today. But after that you—”
    “Don’t say it. Please...don’t say it.” She sank into a chair and lowered her head, staring at nothing, sniffling. “If I lose this job, I lose everything. You don’t understand.”
    He looked at the bandaged arm. She’d done a good job, as good as they’d done in the hospital. He could tell it would last all day. He sighed, got up from the table and poured the woman a cup of coffee, because he didn’t know what else to do, and according to Rachel a great cup of coffee could fix a whole lot of things. He set it in front of her, and shoved the cream and sugar closer. “It can’t be all that bad. This was only supposed to be a three-week gig, after all.”
    “I know. But I was counting on the extra money.”
    “Well, what were you doing before this?”
    “Psych nurse,” she said. “But the third time I was attacked by one of my patients, I realized I couldn’t keep it up. I’m too petite. And I was reading this book that said to trust the universe. To take a leap of faith and watch for my net to appear. Some bullshit like that. And I believed it. I believed it. Damn that writer for steering me so wrong.”
    “What, uh...what writer?” he asked, dreading the