The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret Read Online Free Page B

alone.

Chapter Three
    K ate leaned back in her office chair and stretched, grateful the hectic Monday was almost at an end. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. The incident in church and then at the café had consumed her thoughts.
    Her feelings for Joel had taken her by surprise. In the quiet of her bedroom, staring up at the ceiling, she’d admitted to herself that she liked the guy. He was intelligent and hard-working and she respected how much he cared about Chloe. If he wasn’t Chloe’s father, she’d be hoping he’d ask her out.
    But he was Chole’s dad and she had more important things to think about, like what was up with her last patient.
    Emilie Hyland. Kate pulled her brows together. She’d seen the sixteen-year-old last fall for a sports physical. No health issues had been identified on that visit. The vivacious cheerleader had been the picture of good health.
    I wonder why she’s coming in today?
    Normally the receptionist indicated the reason for the visit next to the name, but the field had been left blank.
    “Dr. McNeal.” Lydia Albrecht, one of the front-office staff, stuck her head inside the door. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s a woman at the desk who says she’s an old friend of yours. She asked if you might have a few minutes to see her.”
    An old friend? While Kate didn’t have many friends now, she had even fewer that she would categorize as “old.” “Did she give you a name?”
    Lydia glanced down at the paper in her hand. “Mitzi Sanchez.”
    Surprise of the most pleasant kind rippled through Kate. She and Mitzi had been roommates all through medical school. This would be the first time Kate had seen her friend since they’d met in L.A. for an afternoon of lunch and shopping right before Kate had moved to Jackson Hole.
    Kate rose to her feet. “By all means, send her back.”
    Less than a minute later, Mitzi stood in the doorway. Even though she’d once told Kate she didn’t speak a word of English until she began grade school, with her fair skin and blue eyes, she was far from the stereotypical exotic Latina. Her hair, which had once been down her back and dark brown, now barely brushed her shoulders and was definitely a shade lighter. One thing hadn’t changed…the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose that Mitzi loved to hate.
    The most shocking change was her attire. As Kate crossed the room, her eyes skipped past the blue jeans and simple white cotton shirt to settle on her friend’s feet.
    The last time she’d seen her friend they’d lunched at Koi, just off Melrose Avenue. That day Mitzi had worn a darling cap-sleeve dress with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe pumps.
    “Seriously, Mitzi, cowboy boots? ”
    Her friend chuckled. “Hey, you know me. I bloom where I’m planted.”
    It was true, Kate realized as she pulled Mitzi close, enveloping her in a hug. Her friend had always been a master at fitting in, no matter where she found herself.
    “It’s good to see you.” Until this second, Kate hadn’t realized just how deeply she’d missed her friend and confidante.
    “I’m sorry to stop by so unexpectedly,” Mitzi began. “You know that isn’t my style—”
    “Yeah, right.” Kate hugged her for another second before releasing her. “You like keeping me on my toes.”
    Mitzi simply smiled and took a seat in one of the two leather wingbacks facing the desk. Kate slipped into the other.
    “I’m surprised you’re not in L.A. right now, taking care of the rich and famous.” Kate searched her memory. “Didn’t you tell me you’d accepted a position with Beverly Hills Orthopedics and Sports Medicine?”
    “I did, but they don’t need me to start until January.”
    “This is only June.” Kate raised a brow. “You can’t go six months without doing surgery.”
    Mitzi brushed a strand of shiny brown hair back from her face. “That’s why I’m here. I’m going to be a locum at Spring Gulch Orthopedic through