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The htened for a second as he looked at her

“Whitney Thomason, I’d like you to meet Jim Wilcox”

“Nice tolady,” Mr Wilcox wheezed as he raised a hand weakly toward her

“You too, Mr Wilcox” Whitney stepped closer to the bed

“So how’re you feeling?” Tanner asked, leaning forward, concern written on his face

Whitney was impressed with the lower timbre of his voice, which sounded as if he truly wished to know She could grow to admire this Tanner

“Oh, about the same alive but I’m still stuck in this bed”

“Well, maybe there’ll be a heart soon”

“That’s what you’ve been tellingout on me” Mr Wilcox offered a small smile and perked up when he looked at her “At least you were kind enough today to bringpretty to look at”

Whitney blushed “Thanks but—”

“Aw, don’t start all that stuttering and blustering I have a feeling your beauty goes more than skin deep”

Whitney really did feel heat in her cheeks then “I think that ht be the nicest compliment I’ve ever received”

Tanner’s eyes ree with Mr Wilcox? Did he see so that others didn’t?

The older man cleared his throat

Tanner’s attention returned to hiive you a listen” He pulled his stethoscope fro Whitney in”

“If I proain?” Mr Wilcox asked with enthusiasm in every word

Whitney touched the older man’s arm “Don’t worry, he doesn’t have to invite ain”

She felt lance at her

“Then I’ll look forward to it So tell me how you know this quack over here?” Mr Wilcox indicated Tanner

Her gaze aze He probably didn’t want thehiether”

Tanner’s brows rose He nodded as if he was pleased with her response

“Where’d you go?” Mr Wilcox rasped

“Berkeley,” she told him

“Then you got a fine education”

Tanner interrupted the any chest pains?”

Mr Wilcox paused “No”

“That’s good You seeh the chart he’d brought in with hi y up”

“I’ll try but nothing tastes good” Mr Wilcox pushed at the bed table as if there was so offensive on it

“Not even ice cream?” Tanner asked

“I’ve eaten all those little cups I can stand I’d like a good old-fashioned banana split that I could share with so lady”

Tanner chuckled “When you get your heart and are out of here I’ll see if I can get Whitney to co you a fat-free split”

“Fat-free,” he spat

“That’s it,” Tanner said with a grin

“Well, if Whitney shares it with me maybe I can live with it She has nice eyes Windows to the soul, they say” Mr Wilcox smiled