Page 19 of Tempted By the Handsome Doctor

He shakes his head, not accepting the deflection. "It's more than that. You pay attention. You see people."

The compliment warms me from the inside out. "Maybe I just see you."

His eyes squint at that, his gaze dropping briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes. For a charged moment, I think he might kiss me, right here among the pumpkin displays and apple cider stands.

Instead, he clears his throat and gently tugs me toward a booth selling handmade scarves.

"You were shivering earlier. Let me buy you something warmer."

I want to protest that I don't need gifts, that my jacket is fine, but there's something sweet in his concern that stops me. "Okay."

The woman running the booth recognizes Daniel immediately. "Dr. Morrison! How's your grandfather doing? That arthritis giving him trouble?"

"He's managing. How's your husband’s blood pressure?"

"Much better since you adjusted his medication." She beams at him, then notices me beside him, our joined hands. Her eyes widen with interest. "And who's this?"

"This is Maya Sullivan," Daniel says smoothly. "We're looking for a scarf for her. Something warm."

Mrs. Tyra's gaze flicks between us, clearly filing away this new information for the Cedar Falls gossip mill. "Of course, of course. James Sullivan's daughter, yes? Such a shame about him. Wonderful teacher."

"Thank you," I say, used to this reaction even two years after Dad's death. In a town this size, grief has a long memory.

She turns to her display, selecting a soft burgundy scarf with intricate golden threads woven through it. "This would look lovely with your coloring, dear."

She's right. The red complements my pale skin and dark hair perfectly. I finger the delicate fabric. "It's beautiful."

"Try it on," Daniel encourages.

I let him take my purse while I wrap the scarf around my neck. The wool is incredibly soft against my skin, warming me instantly.

"Perfect," Daniel says, his voice gone slightly husky. His eyes linger on my face in a way that makes my cheeks warm.

"How much?" I ask Mrs. Tyra, reaching for my purse.

"Daniel's hand on my arm stops me. "My treat."

"You don't have to—"

"I want to." His eyes hold mine, sincere and warm. "Please."

Something about the simple request, the earnestness behind it, makes it impossible to refuse. I nod, and Daniel pays Mrs. Tyra, who wraps the scarf back in tissue paper with a tiny smile.

"You two enjoy the rest of the festival," she says, handing the package to Daniel. "And tell Lou I said hello, Dr. Morrison."

As we walk away, I can't help but laugh softly. "She'll tell everyone in town we're an item by dinnertime."

"Does that bother you?" Daniel asks, a note of uncertainty in his voice.

I consider the question seriously. "It probably should. But no, not really." I glance up at him. "Does it bother you?"

"Not even a little." He hands me the tissue-wrapped scarf. "Though it might make it harder to break the news about the baby when the time comes. Everyone will think we've been secretly dating."

"Maybe that's not such a bad cover story after all," I admit. "Better than the truth."

"Which is?"

"That we had amazing sex one night after too many whiskey sours, and now we're having a baby together while still figuring out if we even like each other."

---