Seducing the Marine. Kate Hoffmann

about nutrition and health insurance and smoking cessation and—and— Well, the clinics will make huge difference. We’ll help people locate the resources they need to lead much healthier lives. And it will all be free. I’ve been able to raise enough money to open ten locations throughout the Upper Peninsula.”

      “You seem very passionate about it.”

      “It’s going to be very important. Because there’s a small population here, we can study the results and how well these wellness centers work, then we can expand to other rural areas. It means I have to commit to staying in the area for a while, but that’s no hardship. I want to stay here and improve the lives of people in this area.”

      Will nodded. “I think it’s a brilliant idea, Liv.”

      “We’re hoping to put our offices in the schools because they’d have the most visibility, and if we don’t find rental property, we’re going to look at trailers.”

      “If anyone can make it work, Liv, you can.”

      She glanced over at him. “Really?”

      “You’ve always been the person who makes things happen. That’s what I admire about you.”

      “It’s good to know you’re on my side. My boss at the clinic isn’t thrilled with the idea.”

      “Why not?”

      “He believes these people should visit their family practitioners for this information. That we can’t keep an eye on their health without a doctor watching over them. I argue that this is a way for people to get good information so they know when to go to the doctor. And if money is taken out of the equation, they’ll come.”

      They spent the hour-long drive discussing the details of Olivia’s plan and at times, the mood in the car turned almost lighthearted. But when she tried to steer the conversation toward him and his health, his mood darkened immediately.

      It pained her to see Will so uneasy with himself. He’d always been a quietly confident guy, but now, faced with the prospect of socializing, he acted like a cornered animal, ready to bolt at the earliest opportunity. She wasn’t sure she understood. “Why is talking so difficult for you?”

      “I don’t know,” Will said.

      “Yes, you do. What are you afraid of, Will? You’re safe here. You don’t have to look out for bombs or enemy soldiers.”

      “There are bombs everywhere,” he murmured. “Just not the kind you’re thinking of.” He drew a deep breath. “After living in that world, I’m not sure I’m fit to live with normal people.”

      “It’s going to take some time,” she said. “You’ve been conditioned to be watchful and suspicious of people. Those feelings don’t go away overnight. We can talk about this.”

      “No,” he muttered. “No, we can’t.”

      “I’m a doctor. Whatever you say to me is just between you and me.”

      “Wouldn’t it be that way if you weren’t a doctor?”

      “Yes, of course. I’m just telling you that you can trust me not to reveal anything that you mention to me.”

      “Let’s just leave the war where it belongs,” Will said.

      They drove the rest of the way in silence. When they reached Copper Harbor, Olivia followed the directions the real estate agent had given her and found the small log building near the waterfront. The place had once been a souvenir shop but was now abandoned and run-down.

      “This is it?” Will asked.

      “Yeah. The agent unlocked it, so we can go in and look,” she said.

      They walked to the front porch, trudging through foot-deep snow. Will reached out and took her hand as they climbed the steps, then opened the front door. The agent had turned on the heat and it was surprisingly comfortable inside.

      “This isn’t too bad,” Olivia said, gazing around. “I can imagine how it would work. A reception desk here, and we’d need to make a wall here. And this whole area would be available for workshops and meetings. Healthy-cooking classes and exercise demos and—” She took a deep breath and laughed. “I get so excited about this.” Olivia glanced over at Will to find him staring at her. “Sorry.”

      “Don’t apologize. This is important to you.”

      “It is. I mean, I don’t want to be the kind of doctor who just stays in the office all day long and runs patients in and out on an assembly line. I want to make a difference. I want to show people that good health is in the food they eat and the miles they walk and in the positive attitude they have about life.”

      “I believe you could do that.”

      “And I want to do it in the UP. There are so many people who need me here.”

      Will caught her hand and pulled her around to face him. “About the other night...” he started.

      Olivia was stunned by the sudden shift in his mood—and the conversation. From the look on his face, it was obvious he was torn about something and that something had to do with her.

      “At the coffee shop? We had a nice time,” she said. “I enjoyed myself.”

      “I meant the kiss,” he murmured. “I wasn’t thinking. It was...unintended. But part of me wishes I’d taken it further.”

      “Old habits die hard.”

      “No, this is different. But I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.”

      “And what idea would that be?”

      He paused for a long moment, and she could see he was having trouble putting together the words he wanted to say. Finally, he shook his head. “I don’t know.”

      Olivia reached out and took his hand. “It was just two old friends reliving a moment from their past. Let’s just leave it at that.” And yet, the kiss hadn’t felt friendly at all. It had been a perfectly wonderful and passionate kiss, the kind of kiss Olivia craved. But falling into a romantic relationship with Will would only complicate the situation. He needed a friend more than he needed a lover.

      “All right, we’ll try it your way,” he said, his tense expression softening slightly.

      She gave his hand a squeeze, then pulled back, turning to look around the room. “I think I’ve seen enough here. There’s one more place to check out, then I’ve got to get home.”

      “Big date?” he said.

      Olivia laughed. “No. Just a few late appointments. But I do have to go to a party on tomorrow night. It’s a hospital fund-raiser thing at the theater. In the old ballroom?”

      “Sounds fun,” he said.

      She seized on an opportunity to try to help him. “It would be fun—if you came with me. It’s a really good cause. There’ll be free food and drinks. I bought six tickets, so we can each drink and eat for three people. There’ll be a band and dancing.”

      “Are they giving you money for your project?”

      “No, that’s a different foundation.”

      “I guess I could come,” he said.

      Olivia nodded. “All right, then. I can pick you up.”

      “No, I’ll meet you there,” he said.

      “All right. It starts at six. Cocktail attire. It’s a date.” She shook her head. “But not a date date.”

      She walked to the door and stepped out onto the snow-covered porch. Getting Will out in society again was an important first step. And putting themselves in a crowd of people was the perfect way to avoid any intimate encounters. From now on, she was determined to treat Will more like a patient and less like an old boyfriend. Or a future one.