Emergency Engagement. Michele Dunaway

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      “Stripping is work.

      “I’m not a hooker and I don’t strip bare. I’ve only done it a few times. I needed that money.” She swallowed. When was the last time she’d had something to eat or drink?

      She was suddenly so tired, so sick of fighting to eke out an existence. Still, she pressed on. “You wouldn’t know what it’s like to be poor, would you? You wouldn’t know how hard it is to make sure your child doesn’t suffer. You wouldn’t know—” She suddenly saw two Dr. Quinton Searles. How could that be?

      Both Quintons spoke. “Beth, you don’t look so good. You’re pale and—”

      “I’m fine,” Beth said. She was always fine. She couldn’t afford not to be.

      And then, as if fate mocked her, the world went black.

      Dear Reader,

      As a parent of young children, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the emergency room. My oldest daughter once got into my purse and ate my cold medicine thinking it was candy, and my youngest daughter once fell and bit completely through her lower lip. These motherhood experiences of mine provided the backdrop for Beth Johnson and Quinton Searle’s love story.

      Quinton first appeared as a minor character in my July 2002 Harlequin American Romance release, Catching the Corporate Playboy. The minute I wrote him I knew he needed his own book. I decided he’d be perfect for Beth, a woman who’s been through some pretty rough times in her life but is determined to survive. While she doesn’t need a prince in a doctor’s coat to rescue her, her life is a lot more enjoyable and fun once he does. Of course, Beth’s daughter, Carly, has a few ideas of her own about the man she wants to be her next daddy.

      I hope you enjoy reading Quinton and Beth’s tale as much as I did writing it.

      All the best and as always, enjoy the romance.

      Michele Dunaway

      Emergency Engagement

      Michele Dunaway

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      To Julie Picraux, romance reader extraordinaire; Eutana Howard, Susan Benedict, Alexandra Gantner and Joyce Adams Counts. I am honored that I can call all of you my friends.

      And to Kenny Chesney, whose music and dedication to it are inspirations.

      Books by Michele Dunaway

      HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

      848—A LITTLE OFFICE ROMANCE

      900—TAMING THE TABLOID HEIRESS

      921—THE SIMPLY SCANDALOUS PRINCESS

      931—CATCHING THE CORPORATE PLAYBOY

      963—SWEEPING THE BRIDE AWAY

      988—THE PLAYBOY’S PROTÉGÉE

      1008—ABOUT LAST NIGHT…

      1044—UNWRAPPING MR. WRIGHT

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Epilogue

      Chapter One

      He wasn’t supposed to be there. It wasn’t his night; in fact, this week he wasn’t supposed to deal with any emergencies unless they occurred during normal office hours.

      But because of a wedding or something like that, there’d been a shortage of pediatricians to staff the pediatric emergency floor. So when his partner Bart had asked, Quinton had agreed to take Bart’s shift. Even though it was a Friday night, Quinton had had nothing better to do.

      Which, when he stopped to think about it, was pathetic. He, Dr. Quinton Searle, pediatric specialist, should have something to do. At thirty-five, he should have some woman to date, some place to be.

      But the truth was that he didn’t, which is why, when the call came through, he was in the wrong place at the right time. He turned to Elaine, who at fifty-something had seen it all. He liked working with her; she was a model of efficiency, the most reliable nurse in any crisis. “What have I got?” he asked.

      “Four-year-old child. Poison Control just called. The kid ate the mother’s cold medicine. Thought it was green candy.”

      He frowned as he contemplated the situation. “How many?”

      Elaine checked her notes. “The mother thinks it was only two tablets, but she isn’t sure. The container is empty.”

      Great. Quinton hated variables. “Is she here yet?”

      Elaine shook her head. “Any minute. Downstairs knows to buzz me immediately so we can bring the kid right up.”

      Quinton nodded. Downstairs was slang for the main emergency room. As part of the Chicago Presbyterian Hospital’s patient care plan, a separate emergency floor had been set up especially for children. Children were triaged in the main ER, then sent to the pediatric ER. Even admittance paperwork could be done on this floor. He shoved his hand into the pocket of his white doctor’s coat. “Let me know the minute you get the buzz.”

      “Will do,”