Conflicts of the Heart Read Online Free

his arms across his chest and gazed down into her large dark brown eyes flashing at him. What a delightfully sneaky woman. He would’ve given her a few things to think about before negotiating, had she been a man and pulled this stunt on him.
    “Hi, there.” He sounded more like a blundering bumpkin to himself than an accomplished negotiator.
    “Mr. Patrick Mitchell,” she purred. “We meet again. Sorry we didn't have the chance to formally introduce ourselves yesterday, but you were very busy…”
    An easy smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Dana Claiborne.” She offered a long, slender, perfectly manicured hand.
    Patrick accepted her firm grip. “You caught me off guard. I thought you'd wait until later to make rounds.”
    “I'm an early bird, Mr. Mitchell.”
    H e picked up on the challenge in her smile. “Does that make me the worm?” He laughed. “Please, call me Patrick.”
    “I'm Dana. We should set up a meeting in my office.”
    Her distinctive commanding attitude intrigued him.
    “Make an appointment when it's convenient for both of us.”
    “I'll do that.” There was anxiety in her gaze. First day jitters, maybe, or perhaps it was due to him working in the same unit. She could hit on him now for breaking the rules or wait until they were alone. “Guess I’d better take these flyers down to the cafeteria.”
    She smiled. “Good idea.”
    With his flyers in hand, he walked away from her with a determined stride, trying to appear unafraid she might snag him for breaking the contract. She could get him right now if she chose to. He wanted a contract without a hitch and as soon as possible.
    “I’d appreciate it,” she called after him, “if in the future you’d clear your visits through my office.”
    Patrick neared the elevators. He turned to face her. His gaze connected with hers. “I'm looking forward to sitting across the table from you. Looks like we might be playing a little hardball.” He grinned, then stepped into the elevator and the doors whooshed shut.
     
    * * *
     
    Relaxing at her desk, after a congenial luncheon with the doctors, Dana bobbed a tea bag in a mug of hot water. Her first impression of the medical staff had been positive, as their outward response seemed toward her.
    Gil's magical word “administrator” popped into her mind. If the doctors thought for even a moment that she might one day be their boss, they might have treated her much differently. What started out as just another job, doing the same old thing had become her future. If only Michael could understand and share her enthusiasm.
    The warm herbal tea soothed her tension. Her first day couldn't have gone better if she designed it herself, right down to her unexpected meeting with Patrick. The shocked look on his face made her surprise visit to the hospital on Sunday worth the extra effort. Ruta Morse from the day care center checked in twice already and informed Dana that Michael was fine.
    The intercom at her elbow buzzed, startling her. She let it buzz a second time before pressing the button. “Yes.”
    “Patrick Mitchell is here for his appointment.”
    Without a doubt, she knew he intended to put her mettle to the test. What an unpredictable man. When she asked him to set up an appointment, she meant later in the week, even next week after she had a chance to settle in. This guy had an agenda. “All right, Maria. Send him in. No other appointments today, please.”
    Patrick breezed in, appearing confident, a friendly smile on his bronzed face. Wonder if he goes to a tanning salon, or picks up his color playing golf or tennis? A gray, worsted suit replaced the casual clothes he had worn that morning. He had dressed for business, and his clothes reinforced his already formidable aura. Everything he wore seemed designed to exude confidence, authority, and raw power. PNA knew what they were doing when they put him in the field.
    “Welcome to Ashton,” he said.
    “I was raised here, went