Page 13 of The Seal's Promise
“If Max wants to do any extra training camps or needs new gear and I can’t swing it, I’ll ask you.”
A big, charming smile spread on his handsome face. “Perfect, and if you’re still cool with it, I’ll pick Max up after school to play catch and get dinner at the diner.”
“You’re a good uncle, Miles.”
He just nodded. “I’ll have Max home by eight and make sure he does any homework he’s assigned.”
“Thanks. He really loves his evenings with you, and I could use the extra time to get through some things at work.”
“Are you considering asking Dalton to take that vacant physician’s job in the hospital? If you haven’t had any applicants, maybe he’d consider it.”
“No, he’s only in town to help his grandmother with a few things, and then he’ll be gone again.”
When they arrived outside the hospital, Brooke turned to look at Miles. “Thanks for the coffee and help with Max.”
He leaned in and gave her a quick hug. “Have a great day. I’ll see you tonight.” His spice and woodsy scent lingered in the space between them. He’d always been attentive in a polite, gentlemanly kind of way. But he’d never been so affectionate.
“Bye,” she said, and bolted inside before she thought too much about why Miles was asking her about Dalton or hugging her.
“My my, your ex-brother-in-law sure is one gorgeous piece of man,” Nora said from her perch at the front desk of the hospital.
“Nora, there are patients who can hear you.”
“I don’t care! They’d know I’m right if they were watching that stud walk away. I mean, is there a better example of virile manhood?”
Before Brooke could respond, Dalton walked through the sliding doors.
“Sweet Jes—” Nora started, but stopped when Brooke slammed her hand on the counter.
“You left before I could say I was heading here to see if Dr. Tommy was in,” Dalton said with a big grin.
Brooke sighed. She had a strong feeling that wasn’t the reason Dalton had followed her to the hospital, but it didn’t make any sense after all these years that he would care what she did or with whom.
“Nora, can you please help Dr. Hart? I’ll be in my office all day if I can help it,” Brooke said, walking away.
She hadn’t thought about Dalton Hart in years, and now he was everywhere. It was annoying, and unsettling. The sooner he left town, the better.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dalton
He Never Stood a Chance
“Gran, if youwon’t agree to these tests, then Wes and I will have no choice but to hog-tie you, and that will make for a very uncomfortable hour-long drive into the city,” Dalton said.
“Grandson, if you think you can bully me into anything you’ve got another think coming. I didn’t say Iwon’tdo the tests; I just won’t do them today,” she said, hands on her hips. She was wearing blue jeans and a matching blue jean shirt, with short cowgirl boots polished to shine and several rhinestones gleaming on the backs.
“Why?”
“Because tonight is bunko and I’m hosting.”
“Bunko? A game night is the reason why you won’t go with me into town tomorrow for your tests?”
“Bunko and whiskey,” she said, opening what he thought was an old antique bureau, but behind two doors were shelves with different types of honey-colored booze, an ice bucket, impressive crystal rocks glasses, and a mirrored interior. As if on cue the doorbell rang. “Oh, the girls are early. Be a good grandson and go answer that door while I get the music on. Then come back and help me set up a few card tables.”
He couldn’t help but laugh until he found not one but five women from town at the door, and saw that more were still parking.
“Dalton, we heard you were back in town—did you take that job at the hospital yet? I’ll be needing to have my pulse checked regularly if you’re going to be the new doctor,” Mrs. Ross, his former elementary school principal, said as she opened the screen door and passed by, giving his cheek a pat.
