Tempted in the Tropics Read Online Free

forms.”
    “No, we can’t. What you and my uncle are doing isn’t illegal, but it’s kind of unorthodox. As it is, I’m not in a position to get involved. I’m here for a month. Consider things on hold until he gets back, then you two can pick up where you left off. With the information you already have, I’m sure you can manage until then.”
    She sank onto a nearby chair and hung her head. “Maybe not. The bakery is struggling; every sale is crucial. In a town like this, I lose customers every month. Customers that are like family to me, just so you know. They move away to be taken care of by their children, they go to retirement or nursing homes.” Paige’s eyes welled as she thought of her mom. “They die.”
    She blinked back tears, refusing to get overly emotional in front of him. “A lot of them are on fixed incomes and the price of their medicine goes up, or their taxes, and they just don’t have the money to spend here anymore.” She shrugged weakly. “I wish I could afford to give them their orders for free, but I can’t do that and stay open. It’s month-to-month right now, just like my dad’s barbershop. I desperately need every bit of business, and I desperately want to keep helping the people who depend on me.” She gazed up at him. “Would you rather they just eat Twinkies? They’re back, you know.”
    His mouth quirked up at one corner. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
    “But you don’t understand. Maple Creek is a small town. Most of my Special Recipe customers are seniors who talk to one another a lot . Word will get around fast that you’re not on board with the program, and they’ll stop coming.” Paige took a deep breath and blew it out loudly. “I mean, they like me just fine, but at their age and with their health issues, they trust doctors.”
    His expression turned serious. “I hear what you’re saying, and I’m sorry. But I really can’t get in the middle of this—even for a month.” He headed for the door.
    She stood and followed him. “But it’s working.”
    “Not the way it used to.” He opened the door and stepped outside.
    “Is it the magic thing that bothers you so much?” she asked. “So what if that’s what they want to believe? People I care about are eating what’s right for them, feeling good, and getting better.”
    “They’d do best not to believe in magic.” He scowled. “Yours or anyone else’s.”
    A gust of freezing wind blew into Paige’s face. “That’s quite a positive outlook you have there, Doctor.” She shrugged. “Despite that, I hope you and your wife will be really happy here.” Her tone implied just the opposite. She hoped they’d hate it and leave quickly. Then a reasonable doctor might show up.
    He raised one of his eyebrows. “Where’d you get the idea that I’m married? Because I’m not.” He turned and walked away…
    Treating Paige to a pretty awesome view of his butt.
    …
    So much for sleeping in. Paige had hoped to fall into a long, deep sleep for a change, where she didn’t dream about what her life might be like if she could move back to DC. Her heart told her to stay in Maple Creek with her father, to keep fighting for Sweet Bee’s, and to try to make herself happy even though the town was practically a retirement community.
    Something else had made her restless last night—or, more specifically, some one . She hadn’t been able to get I’m-not-married Dr. Lane Anderson out of her mind. Not because of his serious green eyes or the angles of his face that had looked even sharper as he’d insisted that he wouldn’t help her with her Special Recipe program. Wouldn’t, or couldn’t?
    I’m not in a position to get involved.
    What did that even mean? The guy was a doctor. Didn’t he want to help people? Paige hadn’t seen their patient charts or been privy to their lab results, but Dr. Hartley assured her that some of his patients’ health had improved thanks to her. Sweet Bee’s