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Chapter One

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, oneso”

—Joseph Priestley

“Excuse n in for ?”

Renae Sanchez picked up a stack of clipboards for the sign-in counter of the opto a professional sreet the man who’d spoken from the other side of the open reception

The clipboards hit the floor with a crash thatrooetic look before gathering the scattered clipboards and atte to collect her composure Only then did she approach the counter—and the man from her past aited there

Except for the slight hint of gray at the temples of his conservatively cut, coffee-colored hair, Evan Daugherty looked much the same as he had the last tio, as a pallbearer at her late husband’s funeral

In his early thirties, Evan’s face was slightlyoutdoors, and the little squint lines that had developed at the corners of his dark eyes only added to the appeal of his ruggedly attractive features He’d had tears in those dark brown eyes the last tih his smile froze when she faced him fully

She had identified hilance, but it seeer to ed so much in the past seven years? She had been twenty-three, six rief when they last parted Seeing hiain—in addition to other complex reactions to Evan himself

Working especially hard to ignore the latter emotions, she kept her expression carefully schooled when she set the clipboards on the counter “Hello, Evan”

Tactfully, heto coht of him “Renae This is a surprise”

“For reed “I didn’t see your name on the appointment list”

She wasn’t usually the one who checked in clients, but as her luck would have it, Lisa was at lunch and Cathy was busy with a phone call

“You’re looking well” Though Evan spoke easily, Renae sensed that he felt as aard as she did about this unexpected reunion

Or was shea forbidden kiss on a tuht that had sporadically haunted her drea moments—for almost a decade?

All too aware that they were being idly watched by the waiting clients whose attention had been drawn by the crashing clipboards, she kept her tone as politely professional as she could, considering the turmoil inside her “What can I do for you, Evan?”

“Oh Right I have an appointive you my insurance information”

He offered her an insurance card and she was pleased—and somewhat surprised—to note that her hand was steady as she took it from him and handed him a clipboard in return “I’ll make a copy of this for your file If you’ll have a seat and fill out this new-patient for will be with you shortly”

He hesitated before turning away, looking as though he found their brief, strictly business exchange unsatisfying “How are the twins?”

“They’re well, thank you Growing like weeds” She al the overused cliché from her own lips, but it was the best she could do just then

“Excuse me, Renae, you have a call on line three”