Promise Of Forever. Patt Marr

put his hat away. Beth put hers away. Talk about an awkward moment.

      Doctor-nurse romances were as old as medicine itself, but Noah had never been part of that and wouldn’t be now, despite this edgy anticipation he felt around Beth. Had he ever felt this aware of Merrilee when they’d first met? Had he noticed things like how pretty Merrilee’s smile was or that her eyes were the shade of dark honey?

      Blue! Merrilee’s eyes were blue. He waited for guilt to punch him in the gut, but he only felt guilty that it didn’t. “Vanessa kids around a lot,” he said to reassure Beth that he hadn’t taken their young receptionist seriously.

      Beth nodded and spoke with her crisp professional tone. “We might as well acknowledge that two single people working in the same office are going to be teased until people realize we’re just friends.”

      He was surprised she had the guts to say it, but it was true. People had been trying to set him up almost from the day Merrilee died. Beth Brennan was the hot topic of gossip right now, and he would be mentioned in the same breath that she was…for a while.

      “Even if we ignore it, they probably won’t stop until one of us starts to see someone,” Beth said ruefully.

      “It’ll have to be you,” he said dryly. “My daughter is the only woman in my life.”

      Beth sighed very unprofessionally. “I hate to date.”

      She looked so genuinely disgusted that a chuckle escaped. Even disgusted, she looked adorable. His new boss would have no trouble finding someone to date.

      “Hey!” She frowned at his laughter. “That’s going to cost you. Until I find Mr. Right, I might just act as if I don’t mind the teasing. What do you think of that?” she challenged, mischief in her eyes.