The Doctor and the Single Mum. Teresa Southwick

      “Health screenings were more what I had in mind.”

      “Taking blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes checks. Eye exams,” he said, thinking out loud.

      “We could set you up between the pumpkin pies and corn dogs,” she teased.

      “That’ll make folks love me,” he said ruefully. “A terrible warning.”

      Loretta laughed. “Just a healthy reminder. It would be great exposure and a good way for people to get to know you.”

      “Sounds like an idea, Madam Mayor. Who should I talk to about setting it all up?”

      “Calvin Johnson.” She pointed out a man across the room who had his arm draped across one of the teenage football players. “I’ll take you over there right now and make introductions.”

      “I’d like that. I actually came over here to give you a donation for the team,” he said to Maggie. “Give me a couple minutes and I’ll be back with a check.” Then he looked down at Jill. “See you later.”

      Speechless, Jill smiled and nodded, then watched him walk away. The information about contributing his medical expertise to the kids was new, unexpected and something the last doctor hadn’t done. She understood that the money he’d spent tonight was about buying town approval and it was for a good cause. But free physicals was time-consuming, not to mention above and beyond the call of duty. That made it awfully difficult not to respect the gesture. And like him for it.

      It was a disconcerting realization. How could she hold out against the new doctor who went out of his way for the high school football team and was extra nice to a pregnant war widow? What could a girl do to put up a defense against a man like that?

      Somewhere between talking to the mayor and sweetening her disposition, Jill had misplaced the hostility that was her best weapon.