Their Forever Family: Her Family for Keeps / A Father for Poppy / His Little Christmas Miracle. Abigail Gordon

Stunned, he froze in place.

      “Kidding.” She gave a sly grin over her shoulder. “Got it. Important stuff around here.”

      “And, besides that, it tastes really, really good.”

      “Okay, can we get some, then?”

      “Absolutely. Your orientation would not be complete without a sampling of green chili cheese fries.” Another sign of her adventurous spirit if she was willing to try an unknown food on his recommendation. That was very attractive to him. But he remembered his fiancée had also had an adventurous spirit and look where that had left them. Her dead. Him with a broken heart.

      Minutes later, they had a pile of steaming French fries in front of them, topped with green chili sauce and shredded cheddar cheese. The consistency of gravy, the sauce was absolutely amazing, as far as Duncan was concerned, and he was an expert.

      “If you don’t like this, I’m afraid your contract will have to be terminated.”

      “Oh, give me a break, it will not.” She gave the first natural-sounding laugh he’d heard out of her since they’d met. That was a good sign. This was fun, showing her something she’d never seen or even heard of before. Gave him new appreciation of it, too, to experience it again through her eyes, and his heart lightened.

      Duncan watched as Rebel took a fry, dripping in chili sauce and cheese, and put it in her mouth. She closed her eyes as she chewed. What was it about eating a meal with some people that was so erotic? He didn’t care as he took in how Rebel’s face changed and her eyes popped open, surprise filling those incredible green eyes of hers. His mouth began to water and it wasn’t for food but a taste of her. Even against his better judgment, the longer he spent with her, the more intrigued he became. Could he engage in a casual relationship with her, knowing she’d leave in a few months? Could they have a simple, sexual relationship and let the rest go? It was worth thinking about.

      “That is spectacular. You’re gonna have to get your own, pal, ‘cos I’m not sharing.” She slid the plate closer to her.

      “I’ll tell Herm you cheated.” He slid the plate in front of him.

      “I did not.” The plate returned to Rebel.

      “Who’s he gonna believe, you or me?” Duncan reached for the plate but Rebel narrowed her eyes and held on to it. “You are evil. And I believe that’s blackmail.”

      “Then you have to share.” He slid the plate into the middle again. “And it’s actually extortion.” He shrugged at her look. “Got a cousin who’s a lawyer.”

      “Fine. But you know what they say about payback.”

      “I do. And it is.” He grinned and dug his fork into the bliss on the plate, deciding to shove away thoughts of a casual sexual relationship for the moment.

      “So you have a hobby farm?”

      Duncan tried not to choke at her description. “If you can call ten thousand acres a hobby farm.” That was in Hatch, New Mexico alone. Cousins in surrounding areas worked ranches half that size, but every acre produced quality chili in dozens of varieties.

      “Shut. Up.” Disbelief covered her face.

      “I will not. I’m highly offended at that.” Not.

      “I mean, really?” She paused and looked at the chili on her fork. “Is this from your…ranch?”

      “Probably. We ship all over the world.”

      “I’d love to see this place.”

      “I’d love to show it to you.” Showing off the family estate was a piece of cake, and he’d taken a few lady friends there. Unfortunately, once they’d seen the size of his family holdings, they’d changed, expected more out of him and offered less. Sharing the money was part of the reason he enjoyed it. He was just a regular guy whose family had created wealth by working hard. His fiancée hadn’t cared, and it hadn’t changed their relationship, but she’d been an exceptional woman. She’d been his friend as well as his lover. And he missed that, wanted it again. But was he as appealing on his own without the draw of the wealth? With some women he hadn’t known, but it had been a factor over and over again, enough to make him hesitate, less likely to take risks on a woman. Especially with a woman who might not even be around in a few months.

      He wanted a woman who had heart and soul and a passion for living that equaled his own. So if he was honest with himself, he wanted the whole package, the soulmate deal, not just a sexy roommate he had nothing else in common with.

      “It’s obviously not here in town.” Rebel’s statement brought him back to the conversation.

      “No. South of here. Just follow the river and stop before you hit Mexico.” A place his heart lived.

      “Cool. Maybe someday I can see it. I love to take day trips when I’m on my assignments to see places I never would be able to otherwise.”

      Just as Duncan put a forkful of the heavenly stuff in his mouth, his phone received an emergency text. He looked at it quickly, then back at Rebel. “Grab the fries. We gotta go.”

      Rebel took her newly discovered dish with her as they raced back to the ER and back to saving lives.

      Two hours passed before Rebel surfaced from the trauma room. What had come in had been a tractor trailer versus motorcycle. Neither had won.

      Rebel combed back the hair of the young man lying on the gurney while awaiting the arrival of his parents. He was only twenty-five and brain dead. She hoped his parents would consent to organ donation as there was no indication on his driver’s license.

      “How are you?” Herm entered the room.

      “Okay.” She sighed and looked at him. “I was thinking about how many people this one person can help, and he won’t even know it.”

      “It’s true.” Herm pursed his lips in contemplation for a moment. “If it’s a match, it’s a match.” He rubbed his eyes and turned away from the patient, who was being kept alive on a respirator. “Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many young folks like this.”

      “You’d think that it would get easier over the years, but it doesn’t. We just learn to get through it, shake it off, and do it all over again.” Fatigue swamped her. Herm was a very observant man, and he didn’t miss that.

      “You’re sure you’re okay? I can have someone else monitor him for a while and give you a break.”

      “Nope. I’m good.”

      “His folks are on the way. Should be here within the hour. You can finish your orientation materials in here and keep an eye on him at the same time, can’t you?”

      “Sure.” Nurses were forever being tasked with multiple duties at one time. Part of the job and part of the way nurses were built.

      “Is there something you need to tell me about? If there is, I’m a good listener.” He turned his full attention to her.

      “No.” She placed a hand on his arm. “I appreciate the offer, though.” A sigh escaped her. “He reminds me a bit of my brother, Ben. He died a few years ago. Now and then the memories spring up for me.”

      “I’m sorry, Rebel. If I had known…”

      “You couldn’t have, and I’ll be all right.” With a nod, Herm left her to her thoughts.

      After the situation was tended to and the parents had given consent, the patient was taken to the operating room. It was a somber time, and she needed some fortitude to get through the rest of the shift.

      She entered the staff lounge and poured herself a cup of coffee, wishing for something strong to put into it, like Irish whiskey or coffee liqueur Kahlua. After the last couple of hours she could use a stiff drink.

      Just as she was about to have her first sip,