Page 61 of After You

She shrugged. “You’re not the only one. I can get you some articles.”

“That doesn’t tick you off?” he asked.

“I don’t need to justify it to anyone,” she said honestly. “I know it helps me and the people I work with, and that’s all that really matters.”

“But I could tell people that I think the acupuncture is hokey,” he commented. “My opinion and recommendations mean a lot around here. If I tell them not to do it, they won’t.”

She crossed her arms. He was trying to start a fight. But she knew there was truth behind what he was saying. “You mean like Frank and Conrad?” she asked.

“Frank and Conrad are only two of my patients. And they don’t listen to anyone, so don’t get your hopes up for somehow changing their habits.”

Well, now she was a little irritated. “I find that when you do things that actually help people, they tend to stick with it. Pain isn’t always something you can fix or heal completely, but there are definite ways to manageit.”

His eyes narrowed and he took a step forward. “Are you challengingme?”

She lifted her chin. “I don’t know, maybe.” She had never done that before either. She’d…gone along. Ugh. She hadn’t really thought of it that way before, but yeah, she’d definitely gone along. No wonder Kyle had this thing about control. He’d always had it. But the truth was, Kyle Ames was not always right. No matter if he believed that ornot.

“So, you’re saying that you can convince Frank and Conrad to stick with your plan and it will help them feel better?” Kyle clarified.

He didn’t know how into it the men already were, but she didn’t mind having a slight advantage. She nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.”

Kyle gave her a grin. “You’reon.”

Hannah managed to stomp out into the bar as if she was annoyed, but she had to admit that she felt more confused than anything. Kyle had rattled loose some major emotions, and annoyance was a very mild one, about seventh down the list. She felt a little excitement at the idea of helping Frank and Conrad, actually. Some of her advice had already helped them, but she hadn’t even started on the acupunctureyet.

And then there was something…fun…about shaking up Kyle’s preconceived notions about, well, everything. Especially her. She hadn’t felt put together for three days, but suddenly that wasn’t bothering her at all. He liked her hair wild and curly and certainly didn’t seem to mind the denim shorts. Atall.

Which brought up the number one emotion on her list. Lust. Pure and simple. She wanted more of his hands and his mouth and his…other stuff.

So she’d been back in Sapphire Falls for sixdays.

Only five weeks and one day togo.

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