Time for Love , The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 9 by Marie Force

number.”
    “That’s very nice of you. Thank you.”
    They exchanged numbers, programming them directly into cell phones.  
    Alex came back in, seeming more in control of his emotions. “Sorry to storm out like that.”
    Paul waved his hand. “No worries.”
    “Any word?”
    “Not yet.”
    “What’re we going to do, Paul?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Daisy suddenly felt like she was intruding on an intensely private moment between the brothers. “I’ll wait for David in his office. Please call me if I can help with your mom.”
    “We will,” Paul said. “Thanks again for all you did for her.”
    “I enjoyed being with her.” She left them and went through the double doors that led to the offices, hoping David wouldn’t mind if she waited for him there. Mindful of his privacy and that of his patients, she steered clear of his desk and sat on the small sofa, drawing her legs up under her.
    Spending time with Marion made Daisy wonder about her own mother for the first time in years. She’d been out of touch with her family for a long time now, long enough that she rarely thought of them anymore. However, she would never forget the way her parents had turned their back on her because she’d wanted to marry a man they didn’t approve of. She’d been eighteen and in love for the first time in her life.  
    Thinking about that awful spring, now ten years ago, brought back feelings and memories she’d just as soon not relive. So she decided to think instead about David and the way his eyes had taken in the dress she’d worn for him and how he’d encouraged her to tell Marion she had a boyfriend.  
    When was the last time she’d had a “boyfriend”? With that question putting a smile on her face, Daisy tipped her head back against the sofa and closed her eyes.  
    *

David found her there an hour later, a smile clinging to her sweet lips. His first glimpse of her in the clingy black dress had wowed him after two days of thinking about her. He didn’t know if he should wake her or let her sleep. She was still getting over serious injuries and was working far too hard for his liking while she recovered.
    “Whatcha staring at?” Victoria asked from behind him.
    David turned to her. “Nothing.”
    She looked around his shoulder and gave him a knowing smile. “Oh, I see. Your special friend is waiting for you.”
    David stepped out of the office and closed the door. “Thanks for your help with Marion.”
    “She’s going downhill fast.”
    David sighed as he nodded. “Alex and Paul are in a tough spot, living on an island without a residential facility for her, and tied to the place because of their business. They’re going to need to make some tough decisions soon. They don’t want to put her in a facility on the mainland and then never get to see her because they’re here and she’s there.”
    “Sometimes island life sucks.”
    “Yes, it does. Anything else happen while I was gone?”
    Victoria brought him up to speed on the status of several patients. “I should also mention that Janey Cantrell had her thirty-two-week visit, and her BP was slightly elevated. I’m going to bring her back weekly going forward to keep an eye on it.”
    David hated the twinge of concern that struck him in the vicinity of his heart when he heard that news. Janey wasn’t his concern any longer, and he needed to remember that. “Good plan.”
    “Even though you asked me to keep you out of that one as much as I can, you need to be aware. Just in case.”
    “I know. Thanks for the update.”
    “So what’s up with your special friend?”
    “Nothing. She came in with Marion.”
    “She’s all dressed up.”
    “So?”
    “So where ya taking her?”
    “None of your business.”
    “So you are taking her somewhere.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Come on. Be a pal. I’m living vicariously through you these days.”
    “You need to get out more.”
    “Ain’t that the truth? So you’re not going to give me