From Doctor...to Daddy by Karen Rose Smith Page A

well. He has a sore throat.” Her arm went around her son’s shoulders.
    Dillon felt Kevin’s forehead, then he took the boy’s pulse. It only took a few seconds for him to be able to tell Kevin’s heartbeat was fast. It was possible he could have strep, or it could simply be a virus. There was no way to know without a culture.
    â€œI can’t really do a proper examination here,” Dillon said. “I’d like to make sure he doesn’t have strep throat.”
    â€œOh, but we don’t have any insurance,” she said, looking embarrassed.
    â€œDo you have transportation?”
    â€œYes, my brother’s pickup truck. Why?”
    Erika came over to them then and asked curiously, “What’s going on?”
    â€œKevin isn’t feeling well,” Dillon explained. “I’d like to take him to my office so I can examine him properly.”
    â€œWhere’s your office?” Sue asked.
    â€œThunder Canyon Resort.”
    â€œYou’re kidding! You want me to drive up there?”
    Dillon could see she was uncomfortable with the idea.
    â€œYou really should get him checked out,” Erika advised her. “If you’re not comfortable going up there alone, I’ll come with you. I really should drop off Emilia first then we can meet you there.”
    Sue looked from her son to Dillon, then at Erika. “I can’t pay him,” she said, her eyes becoming shiny.
    Erika’s gaze settled on Dillon.
    He made a quick decision on how to handle this. “You made that black-bean soup, right?” he asked Sue. She nodded.
    â€œI thought it was great. How about if the next time you make it, you drop off a serving for me. The restaurants are great at the resort, but the truth is I get tired of restaurant food. Your soup would make a great lunch.”
    â€œYou’re serious? I mean I could easily make you some next week.”
    Dillon held out his hand to her. “It’s a deal.”
    A smile came to Sue’s lips and she shook his hand again. “Okay.”
    â€œWe need about twenty minutes,” Erika told her. “Then head up to the resort.”
    â€œI’ll wait in my car until you get there,” Sue told them, obviously not wanting to go inside by herself.
    Dillon didn’t try to convince her otherwise. “We’ll meet you there,” Dillon assured her, then he pushed Kevin’s bangs across his forehead, remembering too vividly doing the same thing to Toby.
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    A little over an hour later, Dillon and Erika stood outside the side entrance to the main lobby of the Thunder Canyon Resort and watched the taillights of Sue’s truck pull away.
    â€œI’m glad it wasn’t strep,” Erika remarked as she watched the truck wind down the hill away from the resort.
    â€œIt will just have to run its course. But the vaporizer I gave her to use should help.”
    â€œWill the resort mind you giving that out?”
    â€œShe’ll bring it back when she brings the soup. There are plenty more in the supply closet.”
    Erika turned to Dillon then, placing her hand on his arm. “That was a nice thing you did tonight.”
    â€œWhat? Acting like a doctor? She had a sick child. I had to do what I could for her…for Kevin.”
    The way Erika was looking at Dillon made him feel as if he’d accomplished some great feat. What she did next totally surprised him. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek.
    Before he could stop himself, his arm went around her. She was slim but curvy and felt just right in his arms. She didn’t pull away and he took that as a sign that she was as interested in him as he was in her. The light from the entranceway illuminated the area so he could see she was willing to stay just where she was. The wind lightly pulled a few strands of her hair fromits mooring in her bun and they blew across her cheek. Her dark eyes sparkled.
    â€œYou’re a