Read Lori Wilde - There Goes The Bride for Free Online Page A

surprised and dropped his stethoscope back into the pocket of his lab coat.
    “Yeah, my life’s a regular soap opera. You’ve heard it on TV, maybe read it in the tabloids. I’m the schmuck who got cuckolded by Gary Feldstein.” It occurred to Nick that he felt as empty inside as those new plastic specimen cups lining the shelf over the sink.
    He’d closed himself off emotionally and he was dead numb. Talking about it was like poking your arm with a needle after it had been submerged in ice-cold water for a long time—you’d already lost all the feeling, it was the perfect time for more pain, before the arm woke up and started throbbing like hell.
    “Ouch,” Van Zandt said.
    “Tell me about it. See why I have to get back to work? My mind’s a mess. I need the distraction.”
    “I see why you’re not healing. Excess stress takes a tremendous toll on our bodies. I’m getting married myself in August, so I do understand the anxiety involved. Although I can’t imagine what it must be like to get dumped on your honeymoon.” Van Zandt tried to appear empathetic, but only succeeded in looking constipated.
    “I would say congratulations, Doc, but I’m sorta soured on the whole subject of marriage.”
    “Understandably so.”
    “Word to the wise. Watch your back.”
    “I appreciate the warning, but I can assure you my fiancée isn’t like that.”
    “Yeah,” Nick muttered. “That’s what I thought.”
    “My fiancée and I have known each other since we were children. She’s sweet-tempered, quiet, and modest. I’ve never met anyone so easy to get along with.”
    “Well, you know what they say about the quiet ones.”
    “I have no cause for concern.”
    The son of a bitch looked so damn smug. Like he had the world by the balls. As if he was so sure that something like that could never happen to him.
    “Whatever you say.” Nick shrugged. “Now that you understand where my tension is coming from, will you sign the form and put me back to work?”
    Van Zandt’s smile was kind, but firm. “Nice try, but no. Now let’s have a look at that leg.”
    He pulled back the paper sheet to study Nick’s injury, his fingers gently probing the knee. The wound was surprisingly tender, the scars still pink and fresh-looking. The kneecap was slightly puffy. Nick sucked in his breath at Van Zandt’s poking.
    “It shouldn’t be this tender two months post-op.” Van Zandt shook his head. “And you’ve still got a lot of swelling. You’re going to have to baby it more. Take your pain pills. I know you’re an intense guy, but for God’s sake, man, try to find a way to relax.”
    Nick sighed. Dammit all. “How much longer?”
    “I’m headed to Guatemala with a surgical team, and I’ll be out of the country for six weeks,” Van Zandt said. “We’ll have Maryanne schedule you for an appointment the day after I get back.”
    “Six more weeks!”
    “I know it seems like a long time, but it’s what your body requires. If I allow you to go back to work too soon, you could have a relapse that would end your career as an undercover detective.” Van Zandt scribbled something on a prescription pad, tore off the top sheet, and handed it to him. “This is the name of a good massage therapist. She’ll teach you some relaxation techniques to get you through your recovery. In the meantime, try to find a low-key hobby to keep your mind busy.”
    Massage therapy? Relaxation techniques? Hobbies? What a load of crap. He needed his job back. It was the only thing that grounded him when the world was shifting beneath his feet.
    “If you require anything more while I’m out of town, Dr. Bullock will be standing in for me.”
    Hmm, Nick thought. Maybe he could talk this Bullock character into signing his release form.
    “And don’t think Dr. Bullock will send you back to work,” Van Zandt said. “I’m making a notation in your chart.”
    Ass wipe.
“You know me too well.”
    “Go ahead and get dressed. You can leave