Marrying Mallory (16 page)

“When your surgery’s done, you better be ready because I’m
going to be more than your surgeon. I’d like to take you out on a real date.”

“Have you dated other patients?”

“No. And you’re the only one I want to. I believe God wanted
us to meet. We have something special between us, and it’d be wrong to deny our
feelings for each other. I could bring you the vitamin packet tonight. You need
to start taking Vitamin B and C each day for a week before surgery. Then you
continue for a week after the surgery. My office usually sends the vitamins,
but I’d like to see you.”

She remembered the two vitamins helped the tissues heal
after surgery. Yes, they could be sent, but she wanted to see Seth and Josh was
fast asleep. Glancing at the time, she saw that it was nine o’clock. “It’s
getting late. Don’t you have surgery early tomorrow morning?”

“I don’t have any surgery scheduled for tomorrow. There
won’t be much traffic on Sunday night and I can get there before ten. I’ll just
stay a short time. I know you have school tomorrow.”

“Josh’s asleep but what if he wakes up? I’m not sure what to
tell him if he sees you.” How would she explain who Seth was to Josh? She
planned on telling Josh about her surgery after it was over. She wanted him to
have a good time at the lake with his grandparents and not worry about her.

“If he wakes up, tell him that I had something to drop off
for you.”

Obviously, Seth wanted to see her. He’d used the vitamin
packet for an excuse to drive from Toledo when it could be sent to her. She
couldn’t say no to him. “You’re the one doing the driving so if you don’t mind,
then it’s okay with me.”

“If you want to give me a kiss for delivering your vitamins,
I won’t object.”

Thirty-five minutes later, she opened the door to let Seth
in the house. “I’m glad you came.”

After handing her the small vitamin packet, he smiled. “I
have to admit that I’ve never made a delivery to a patient before.”

“I appreciate it.” She dropped the vitamins on the end
table. “Would you like something to drink?”

He shook head. “How about a kiss instead?” Seth didn’t wait
for her answer and pulled her toward him, wrapping her in his arms. Before his
lips touched hers, he said, “This was all I could think about while I was
driving… having you in my arms.”

Feelings of happiness washed over her at his words. Her body
reacted strongly while pressed against Seth’s. He tipped her chin up and gave
her a sweet kiss. Then his lips nibbled on her neck before caressing her lips.
When his tongue swirled in, she didn’t protest. He took her breath away, making
her want more.

When they stopped kissing, he said, “Mallory, I’m so glad we
met.”

“I need to sit down. I feel weak.” On the sofa, she rested
her head on his shoulder. “You’re the first man I’ve kissed since Toby.”

“I’d like to make a habit of kissing you.”

She raised her head, grasping his hand. “Hold on, Romeo. Can
you handle being my doctor when we’re obviously physically attracted to each
other? I don’t know about you, but my emotions are getting pretty involved
here.”

He grinned. “Don’t be afraid to say you’re hot for me.”

“Okay, Dr. Whitman, I’ll admit it. I’m hot for you.” She
sighed. “I guess I better get another doctor. Who do you recommend?”

“You don’t need to go to another surgeon. If I thought I
couldn’t do your surgery, I’d tell you.” His blue eyes met her green eyes. “I
was attracted to you when you came in for your first visit. That’s why I took
you out for coffee. I talked to my friend Henry how I should keep our
relationship strictly a patient-doctor one, but that it was going to be hard.”

“I liked you from the beginning too.”

“I’m confident I’ll be able to operate on you and give you a
nose you’ll be happier with. But if you have any doubt, I understand.”

“I believe you. I want you to do my surgery.” Hopefully,
they wouldn’t make out before surgery. If her body kept responding to Seth like
it was now, she might end up canceling the surgery to smother him with kisses
right in the operating room instead. “I can’t go elsewhere when you’re the best
rhinoplasty surgeon.”

“Channel 13 is coming this week to film a segment about
having plastic surgery. They’re going to tape one of my rhinoplasty surgeries.
I’ll explain how I shape and mold the new nose to fit the patient’s features so
it looks natural.”

“So I’ve been kissing a celebrity. You’ll have to tell me
when they show this on TV. I definitely want to see it.”

Seth gently touched her cheek. “I won’t stay long, but I
need a few kisses before I hit the road.”

She smiled mischievously at Seth. “I guess I’m up for some
kisses.”

***

Monday morning, Mallory texted Elizabeth and Heather between
classes about her Sunday night visitor. Immediately, both friends texted back,
wanting to know if Seth was said visitor.

During her planning period, Mallory pulled her cell phone
out of her bag when she heard the ringtone. She glanced and saw it was
Elizabeth. She answered, laughing. “I knew you’d call first. I’m sure Heather’s
call will follow. It’s all your fault, Elizabeth. The dinner party started
everything.”

“Hey, you wanted to invite Seth. I was trying to fix you up
with Jeremy, but I really like Seth. He’s a sweetie. Just the kind of guy you
deserve. Give me details fast about last night.”

“Things got a bit heated between us. I’m a little concerned
about him working on my nose now that we have strong feelings for each other.
But he insists that it won’t be a problem.”

“Truthfully, I don’t think it will be. Seth’s a
professional. But it’s your nose. If you feel uncomfortable about him doing the
procedure, then go to another doctor.”

She tapped her pen on the desk. “I have another problem. I
can see us getting serious but I’m struggling with the whole idea of ever
getting married again.”

“It’s okay for you to fall in love. You’re not married to
Toby any longer. Thank goodness. God understands that it was out of your
control. If you hadn’t divorced him, he’d be cheating on you again. You did the
right thing and it’s time for you to go on with your life. Toby certainly has.”

“I hope so because I’m already crazy about Seth.”

Chapter Sixteen

Seth missed Mallory. Sure, they had talked by phone daily to
each other. But unfortunately, he hadn’t seen her in person. They hadn’t been
alone since he’d taken her vitamins to her. Last weekend she took her mom and
her friends to the spa for a girls’ time together before the wedding. And he’d
had more than the usual amount of surgeries scheduled because his annual trip
in June was coming up soon. Mallory’s teaching load increased with tests and
essays to grade before the end of the school year.

He glanced down at his arm. He definitely couldn’t see her
now. But maybe it was just as well. When he was around her, it was too hard to
keep his hands off the lovely Mallory.

Seth positioned an ice pack on his right elbow.
Unbelievable, his first injury from playing racquetball and it had to happen
now.
Only a few days left in May, then it’d be June and I operate on
Mallory. Well, at least my arm’s not broken. Hopefully, the pain will leave if
I follow doctor’s orders about icing it and wearing a sling as much as possible
for the next five days. 

He didn’t want any distractions from his elbow tendonitis
while performing the rhinoplasty procedure on Mallory. He glanced down at the
pack.
Please, Lord, heal my elbow completely before Mallory’s surgery. And
bless me with the skill to create a natural nose for her. One that she’ll love.
Of course, Lord, if she changes her mind, that’s okay with me.  

The phone rang and he saw it was Henry. His friend knew he’d
gone to see the doctor before going to work. Seth answered, “You better check
up on me after you insisted on playing racquetball again yesterday.”

“I’m sorry. I think we played too long. We aren’t twenty-one
any longer.” 

“No, it’s my fault. I was kidding you,” he said. “I had a
sharp pain while we played and should have spoken up, but I didn’t want to
appear a wimp.”

“I bet you made a wrong move and pulled something. How did
work go?”

“Pretty easy. I just had a nose splint to remove and saw a
few patients.” He’d taken the sling off for a short time while working. “I
didn’t have any surgeries scheduled for today. Monday will be a light day because
a couple of patients called in today to cancel their surgeries.”

“Are you going to mention your injury to Mallory?” Henry
asked.

“I doubt I’ll talk to her. Her mom’s getting married
tomorrow. And Mallory doesn’t need to know. She might worry I’ll cancel on
her.” How would Mallory react if he told her? He guessed she’d be concerned
about getting her nose reduced in time to go to Las Vegas.

Henry chuckled. “I don’t know. From what you’ve told me
about Mallory, I think you should call her. I bet she’ll rush to your place to
take care of you. Don’t blow an opportunity to get her to play nurse.”

After he got off the phone with Henry, he didn’t call
Mallory. Sure, he’d love to see her but it was better this way. He needed to
concentrate on keeping his arm iced. But after the surgery, he planned on
things being different. He wanted to see Mallory all the time. Maybe he should
move to Findlay. He knew deep down she cared about him, but that she worried
about getting serious. She  was afraid to get married again. Toby had hurt her
deeply. Personally, he thought Toby was crazy to have an affair while married
to Mallory. 

But Toby’s loss might be his gain. Hey, he had to think
positive because he realized something important. He loved Mallory. 

He’d just put the ice pack back into the freezer when his
phone rang. Before answering he glanced at the caller ID and couldn’t believe
it. Mallory was calling him. With her surgery only a few days away, was she
having second thoughts? Was she going to cancel?  

“Hi, Seth. Did you eat yet?”

“No. I thought about ordering a pizza.”

“We’re leaving for Toledo soon. We just had the wedding
rehearsal. Alan made reservations at a swanky restaurant. And I thought it was
time to feed you again.”

“Here I thought you were calling to cancel your surgery.”

She laughed. “I did have one of those moments where I
considered stopping payment on my second check. I kept staring at myself in the
bathroom mirror and thought maybe I should keep the nose God created for me,
but then I talked to my mom. She said it was time I did something for myself.
And she’s right.”

The money part bothered him. He’d seen the older car she
drove. He needed to somehow lower the price of her surgery, but she’d balk at
him giving her a lower price. Or maybe he could make sure Sharon didn’t cash
her check. The second half was due a week before surgery, so his office manager
might have already handled it. “About the price of your surgery, if your check
hasn’t cleared yet, I’ll hold it and—”

“Mom gave me money for it. She didn’t mention helping me
before because she’d loaned several thousand to her sister. But Aunt Corrine
recently paid her back.”

“That was really great of your mom.” 

“Back to our dinner plans. Mom wants to meet you since she
won’t be here when I have my surgery. I think she’ll feel better about
everything once she sees you in person.”

Oh, crap
. Seeing her daughter’s surgeon wearing a
sling might not be reassuring. “She probably wants to see if I’m worth my fee
which I understand. I don’t think I can meet you for dinner, but—”

“Please try. She’ll feel even more guilt about leaving on
her honeymoon if she doesn’t get to talk to you. She might decide to delay
their trip. You don’t want to be responsible for that, do you?”

“Okay, I’ll tell you why I’m hesitating. I hurt my arm
playing racquetball yesterday. It’s no big deal and isn’t broken but I need to
wear a sling and ice it for a few days.”

“I’m sorry you got hurt.” She gave a little laugh. “That’s
one way to try and get out of doing my surgery.”

“I’ll be able to do your surgery. No problem. I just have
elbow tendonitis.” He did want to go to dinner and meet Mallory’s mom. “I’ll go
to dinner and not wear my sling.”

“Is it your right or left arm?” she asked.

“It’s my right. I don’t want your mom to see my arm in a
sling so I won’t wear it. It won’t hurt not to wear it for a few hours.”

“No, it’ll be fine. I don’t want you to leave it off.”

“Is Josh going?” He’d enjoy meeting her young son, but
before she hadn’t wanted to explain to Josh that he was her surgeon. He
probably wouldn’t get to meet Josh this time.

“He’s going to eat pizza with my future stepfather’s
grandchildren. Hold on a sec. I’ll check and see if we can pick you up.”

Seth started to tell her that he didn’t want to be any
trouble, but he wasn’t fast enough.

A couple of minutes later, she returned. “It’ll be easier if
I pick you. I just need directions to your place.”

***

After the rehearsal dinner, Mallory drove Seth back to his
house. Once inside, she pointed to Seth’s couch. “You sit while I get you an
ice pack for your arm.”

“I can get it.”

She looked over her shoulder before walking into the
kitchen. “Nope. That’s why I decided to drive, so I could make sure you take
good care of your injury. I want you in top form on Wednesday.”

“I enjoyed dinner. Your mom and Alan are great people.”

Mallory put a small towel around the pack before placing it
under his elbow. As she bent over him, her dress tightened at the movement. He
saw the outline of her nipples through the purple fabric. And that wasn’t all.
The view of her lovely breasts suffocated him. He yearned to touch them. When
her fingers touched his arm, he felt another jolt of passion. Henry had been
right about using his injury to get special attention from Mallory. Would he be
too obvious if he patted the spot next to him? Maybe she’d pointed for him to
sit on the couch instead of his chair because her plan was to sit beside him.