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“I’m on vacation”

“Why Hart’s?”

“I didn’t want to stray too far froton”

Wilton It wasn’t too far A couple hours’ drive at most “At one of the hospitals?”

“No, actually; at a women’s prison”

Again, not what he expected Being a doctor wasn’t exactly easy Being a doctor in a prison was just adding challenge on top of challenge Had to take a certain kind of person to want that kind of job He just wasn’t sure what kind of person that made Jessica “That’s different”

She gave a huff of laughter “I suppose it is”

“So what makes someone want to work in a women’s prison?”

“What makes someone want to own a bar?” the doc countered

It was his It was his vision His hard work And the locals were his faot to have a business they loved like he did “This place is home”

The doc tilted her head to the side, a lively humor in her hazel eyes “Well, I can’t say the same”

“So why a wo time since he’d been this curious about someone

She considered his question for a ot even softer “Even people whoover them When I became a doctor I took the Hippocratic oath I said I would help people and do no har someone no matter who they are or what they’ve done I take that oath seriously”

A flash of sadness, so personalcrossed her eyes and Cooper knew there wasthat oath seriously and then there’s working in a prison”

“I believe everyone deserves coot offered the job I was concerned that if I didn’t take it then soht take it out of necessity rather than interest There’s no guarantee such a doctor would have the right bedside uarantee they feel safe co to me for treatment”

Cooper stilled at her words

Was she for real?

He knew kindness existed After his dad left, he’d grown up in a house full of it But unfortunately, he’d also seen a lot of selfishness lately A complete and total lack of compassion, too

There was soton thatup a list of positives that were hard to ignore

“Is that a bartending trick?” she said suddenly, her cute little nose all wrinkled up in annoyance “Getting people to talk to you?”

Cooper grinned, liking the idea that the doc didn’t usually share soit, toosome kind of connection between them “I’m just easy to talk to”

Jessica grinned back and he felt that hard tug of attraction deep in his gut “Maybe so”

The door opened and Cooper’s cook, Crosby, strolled in, distracting hihtness in his jeans

Crosby saw Jessica but didn’t acknowledge her “Morning, boss”

“Morning,” Cooper said as his cook disappeared into the kitchen Crosby wasn’t really the social type any after his eeous eyes

Those eyes swung back to his and she suddenly stood up “Well, I better let you get on Thanks again for the shelter and the hot drink”

He felt disappointment flood him and if it wasn’t for the fact that he had a bar to open in an hour he would have convinced the doc to stick around

“Do you know of any bookstores nearby?” she said as she grabbed up her purse

“Emery’s next door”

“Great Thanks”

He stood up, too He needed to knoas going to see her again “You staying at the Paradise?”

She hesitated, as though she wasn’t sure she should tell him Cooper didn’t like that so much When she finally answered, “Hart’s Inn,” he smiled Not only because he liked that she’d chosen Bailey’s hohn’s hotel, but because he liked that she’d told hi

Cooper hoped that et to know hi “Nice choice Bailey’s a good woman”

“Yes, I’ that,” Jess said and walked around the table to hi to you”

It was htened on hers and he stepped in close, so she knew for sure he wanted to see her again “You, too, Doc You staying here long?”

“A feeeks”

That was plenty of ti you”

Her cheeks flushed a little and her eyes grew round with surprise at the obvious intention behind his words She tugged on her hand, h

So damn cute

“I guess so,” she said in that soft way of hers

Cooper watched her leave, hoping that hint of vulnerability he saw behind her confidence didn’t mean he’d have to track her down to spend more time with her

He wanted her to come to him

He’d done a lot of chasing around, especially after Dana, and look where that had gotten hi to tell Aydan in as diplomatic a way as possible, there hadn’t been anyone serious or special since Dana The women he messed around with always ca hiet burned o;I’m on vacation”