When Morning Comes Read Online Free Page B

would put an end to those crazy thoughts she was having about him.
    Yet as seconds passed, his expression remained unchanged. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his tailored slacks, his direct gaze on her, and remained silent. She waited for his gaze to flicker over the scars she’d carried since her mother, high on meth, spilled boiling water on her. Nothing. His expression remained impersonal. For some odd reason, that annoyed her.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” she snapped.
    â€œI rang the doorbell and no one answered,” he said by way of explanation.
    â€œThat didn’t give you the right to enter private property.”
    â€œThe Goldens said I should. They said to tell you hello.”
    She didn’t doubt him. She and Kara were the only single women in their neighborhood association. A few of the older couples had made it no secret that they’d like to see them married.
    â€œAren’t you going to ask?” she questioned. Her voice carried a note of irritation. There was no reason to explain further.
    His gaze flickered over her, detached and clinical. “Third-degree burns on the left side of your torso and upper thigh. Extensive skin grafts from your right leg.” One hand motioned toward her. “It would be my guess that you were swimming to keep the full range of motion in your left arm.”
    He’d said it so clinically, so remote, but at least there hadn’t been revulsion in his face or in his voice. Even a coworker had stared transfixed last week when Sabrina had taken off her jacket. Underneath had been a sleeveless blouse. Sabrina had slipped the jacket back on.
    Yet, for some odd reason she was beginning to feel uneasy with him looking at her. She wrapped the large towel beneath her arms, and used a hand towel to partially dry her hair and keep water from dripping in her face. “Why are you here?” she repeated.
    â€œTo find out how we can work together without the conflict,” he told her.
    â€œI’m not sure that’s possible,” she said honestly.
    â€œI refuse to believe that.” He took a step toward her. “Surely we can find common ground.”
    She studied the narrowed, determined eyes. He probably wore the same expression when he was in surgery. He didn’t have to come. One word from him and she’d probably have to look for another affiliate. “Why don’t you just report me? The board thinks you walk on water.”
    â€œOne, I fight my own battles. Two, although you’re misguided, you care about patients. Since we have a common goal, there should be no reason we can’t have a respectful working relationship.”
    â€œWhy bother?”
    Annoyance flickered in his beautiful black eyes and across his handsome face, then it was gone. His other hand came out of his pocket. “Conflict is counterproductive. I prefer working in a calm environment.”
    Sabrina wrapped the small towel around her neck and continued to study him. Her scars didn’t bother him. She wondered what did. “Have you had this conversation with anyone else at Texas?”
    One eyebrow lifted in annoyance. “It hasn’t been necessary.”
    Sabrina smiled, feeling a small amount of pleasure that she was the only one at Texas that got to the great Cade Mathis. Seems he did notice her—if only that she annoyed him.
    â€œI see nothing laughable about this,” he said, clearly ticked.
    Sabrina’s smile widened. “I’ve never seen you smile or laugh.”
    â€œWhat? What has that got to do with our discussion?”
    Everything, she thought, but this time she kept her thoughts to herself. “You are pragmatic and straightforward. You point out the risks. I look for the endless possibilities, for the positives. Like having you for a surgeon.”
    â€œI don’t walk on water,” he said, as if the very thought irritated him.
    No one could say Cade Mathis was