The Doctor's Defender (Protection Specialists Book 3) by Terri Reed Page B

expense report,” he stated as he took his card back from the clerk. They left the store with their groceries. Once the bags were stowed in the cargo space and they were rolling away from the store, Kyle said, “So you race on a team? Why didn’t you mention this before? Maybe one of your teammates has it out for you.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t do teams, so there’s no worries there.”
    “But you do race? Roger asked if you were competing.”
    “I do. In single-person regattas. I have a sweet
Sunfish moored at the Chicago Yacht Club.” Sailing had started as a way for her and her father to bond. But sailing had become her passion. A way for her to let off steam.
    “Tell me about Roger Harmon. How do you know him?”
    Brenda sighed. “I don’t really know him. He was just someone Mom and Dad fixed me up with last winter. I only met him the one time.”
    Kyle lifted an eyebrow as he started the engine. “And he didn’t call?”
    She made a face. “He probably did. I don’t have an answering machine.”
    “Do your parents fix you up often?”
    “Occasionally. They want grandkids,” she stated. They also thought she was lonely and a workaholic. She’d admit to the workaholic charge, but because she spent all of her time at work, in a hospital, with people, how could she be lonely? She didn’t have time to be lonely.
    Kyle’s expression turned thoughtful as he drove. “I’m going to need a list of all the men your parents have tried to fix you up with.”
    She groaned. “I don’t remember them. One uncomfortable dinner was enough, thank you. I’m sure my parents will have names to give you.” She cocked her head. “Why? You don’t think one of them...”
    He shrugged. “Could be. I’ll have Detective Lebowitz
check ’em out.”
    “I can’t imagine that someone my parents thought highly enough of to introduce to me would want me dead.” That just didn’t seem plausible. “I think this has to do with the lawsuit. Especially now whoever is doing this is fine with harming other hospital staff.”
    “Okay. Let’s go with that for a moment.” He turned down the drive toward the cabin. “What exactly is the suit about?”
    “The Hanson family is claiming negligence on my part and that of the hospital killed Mr. Hanson.”
    “Did it?”
    “No. It was a routine procedure. Everything was going perfectly. And then, it wasn’t,” she said.
    He brought the vehicle to a halt. They carried the groceries into the house.
    “How can you be sure there was no negligence?” he asked as he unloaded a bag.
    She blew out a breath and tucked a pound of chicken in the drawer of the refrigerator. “I’ve gone over the chart notes, the reports and medical history so many times I can recite them by rote. The lawyers have gone over everything. Dr. Landsem has gone over every detail. There was no negligence. There was no logical reason for the man’s death.”
    “And everything has to be logical for you,” he said.
    “Yes. Is that so wrong?” She folded the empty bags and put them in the recycle bin.
    “Not wrong.” He shrugged, his gaze holding hers. “Limiting.”
    “How so?” she asked, curious how his mind worked.
    “By putting everything into neatly ordered boxes of cause and effect, you leave no room for the unexpected, the unexplainable. You miss out on aspects of life that could bring great joy and peace.”
    “Like God?”
    “Like God.”
    “You sound like my mom and dad,” she said.
    His eyes twinkled. “I knew I liked them for a reason.”
    “They are likeable.” Like you. She let the unspoken thought tumble through her mind.
    Needing some air, she headed out the kitchen door. Kyle followed her. She could see the lake through the trees. Desperate for the solace found in the gentle lapping waves, in the expanse of blue water reflecting the orange-and-red glow of the setting sun, she kept walking toward the lake. The temperature had cooled. A slight breeze wafted in the