Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Shane.
SHANE
Callie was surprised to see me. She gripped the edge of the door, her brow furrowed, her voice shocked.
“Shane?”
God, she was beautiful. But thin and drawn. I prayed it was because she was missing me as much as I was missing her.
I stepped closer. “Miss James, once again, I must beg you for help.”
She blinked. “Help?”
“Yes. I have misplaced something of great value, and I think perhaps you might have it in your possession.”
I saw her eyes drift to the bracelet I had given her. She thought that was the thing of great value. “Not the bracelet, love,” I prompted.
She met my eyes, the pain in hers evident, her confusion clear.
“My heart,” I stated. “I left my heart with you. I’ve come to get it.” I paused. “And you.”
Tears filled those dark eyes of hers. “Me?”
“Yes,” I responded, moving closer so I could wipe away her tears. “I’m empty without you. Nothing is right without you beside me. You have my heart, Callie. Will you take the rest of me?” I paused. “Forever?”
“Forever?” she repeated.
“Yes.”
She was in my arms in an instant. I held her close, feeling complete for the first time since leaving her weeks prior.
I was never letting her go again.
Callie was curled up beside me on her small sofa. “Here? You’re going to be a doctor here?”
“Well, in Grimsby. Only three hours from here. And I’m going to be part of a team there. My hours will be more stable.” I gathered her hands in mine. “I’ll get a place as close to here as I can. We can see each other more. I’ll drive here every chance I get. Evenings, weekends…”
Callie shook her head. “Shane—I’ve had an offer on this place.” She jumped up and hurried away, returning with a thick stack of papers. She thrust them at me, and I glanced at the number.
“This is generous.” I looked up. “What about your store?”
“I can reopen someday if I want, or I was thinking of going back to school.” She looked at me, suddenly shy. “Maybe I could do that in Grimsby.”
I cupped her face and kissed her. “Yes. God, yes. Live with me, Callie. Be with me every day. Please.”
Her breath caught. “I thought you were breaking up with me,” she whispered, holding my wrists. “I’ve hardly heard from you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I was so blown over when Thomas told me about this position. I flew here and interviewed, and they offered me the job right away. I had to go back and settle things in Calgary.” I paused and sighed. “Part of me was afraid to tell you in case you said no. The other part was so excited, I wanted to make it a surprise.” I smiled. “I only told my family last night. And I decided if you said no, I was going to woo you until you changed your mind and decided to love me again.”
“I never stopped.”
I pulled her into my arms. “Good.”
“I’ve missed you so much, Shane.”
“Me too, love.” I kissed her tenderly. “You’re never going to be alone again. Neither of us will be.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“So, you’ll live with me? We’ll get a place together?” I asked, anxious.
“Yes,” she said simply.
“Thank you, love. I don’t ever want to be without you again.” I held her tighter. “God, Callie, when Thomas told me about this job, my first thought was of you. Of us. Of being close to you—being able to see you.”
I recalled my reaction and the way Thomas had laughed at my words. I had basically said the same thing to him, then realized what I had blurted out to my boss.
He waved away my apologies.
“Don’t be sorry, Shane. There is more to life than being a doctor. Find that balance. Be with the woman you love. If you’re happy at home, it will carry to your career. And the same goes the other way. You’ve been adrift for a while, without even knowing it. And since the holidays, you’ve looked downright lost. When David told me about your girl, I knew it was you who was meant for that position.”
He stood and shook my hand. “I’ll arrange the intro and start looking for a new body.”
“Perhaps it won’t work out.”
He shook his head. “You’re too good, and they need you. At least I have Nelson to torture.” He winked and sent me on my way.
“I’ve been working on getting to you ever since.”
She sighed, and I kissed her, studying her face. She looked exhausted.
“I think I got here at the right time. You need looking after, Miss James. And you’re lucky. I have a degree that certifies there is no one better than me.”
“You’re a pediatrician, Shane,” she pointed out with a grin, but she didn’t object as I carried her to her room and laid her on the bed.