The Healing Place by Leigh Bale Page B

the bill, then stuffed the receipt into his pocket.
    “Hey, can we get a hot dog?” Angie asked when she saw the refreshment stand.
    Mark waggled his eyebrows at Angie. “I’ll bet we could get you some fruit to eat.”
    “But I want a hot dog,” she insisted.
    He frowned. “What do you think, Dr. Shields?”
    “Actually, at this point, calories are as important to Angie as nutrition is. If she’ll eat a hot dog and a chocolate shake, let her have it, Mark. She’s losing too much weight.”
    “Okay, Angie, the doctor has spoken. A hot dog it is.”
    “Hooray!” Angie cheered and squeezed Emma’s hand. “I’m glad you’re here, Dr. Shields.”
    Mark felt grateful Angie was interested in eating anything. He left them and the carts to go purchase hot dogs, fruit cups and drinks. Instead of a chocolate shake, he compromised by buying Angie a fruit smoothie but was disappointed when she drank only a quarter of it. He finished off the rest while Angie went to get more napkins and ketchup.
    He kept a close eye on her as she darted through the crowd of diners. “It seems I keep finishing off the food Angie doesn’t eat. At this rate, Angie’s going to get skinnier and I’m going to get a big gut.”
    Emma’s eyes glimmered and she laughed, the sound soothing to his soul. “I highly doubt that. Do you still go jogging every day?”
    He shook his head. “Nah, I haven’t done that for about a year. There just isn’t enough time anymore.”
    “Well, I guess there are times when you’re just too busy to do everything you want. I’m sure it’s a big sacrifice caring for Angie by yourself.”
    “Not at all. It’s no sacrifice when you love your child. I’d give my life for Angie.”
    Biting into her hot dog, Emma chewed thoughtfully and swallowed before speaking. “Yes, I understand that feeling.”
    “You do?”
    She looked away, her eyes filled with sadness. If he didn’t know better, he would guess she spoke from experience. But how could she?
    “Did you ever make it to the Olympics?” she asked. “I know you were training for it in high school. Coach Allen said you were good enough.”
    Mark tensed. She’d hit a raw spot and he took a deep, settling breath.

Chapter Six

    “N o, I never made it to the Olympics,” Mark answered Emma’s question. “I was on the track team in college, but Denise didn’t like it. After we got married, work and family got in the way—not that I regret it.”
    Emma understood that feeling. Brian and David had been her life, torn from her in the blink of an eye. What she wouldn’t give to have her family back.
    She tried not to think about that, enjoying Mark’s company instead. It had been a long time since she’d gone shopping with someone. And this was the best hot dog she’d eaten in years.
    “What about you?” Mark asked. “Did you ever go to Nigeria after medical school? I remember you used to talk about becoming a doctor and taking off a year to help the sick people in Africa.”
    She burst out laughing. “We made such plans, didn’t we?”
    “Why didn’t you go?” He tilted his head to one side.
    Emma stilled. “As you say, life got in the way. After the divorce, I didn’t feel like doing anything. So I threw myself into my work.”
    “To forget?” he asked.
    “To live. Even a doctor has bills to pay.”
    “I’m sorry, Emma. It must have been difficult for you.”
    She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It was, but you of all people understand. You’re going through the same kind of thing.”
    “But I’ve still got Angie.”
    He showed a tender smile, his laughing eyes almost green in this lighting. The buzz of cash registers and chatter filled the air, along with the scent of cooking hamburgers. She couldn’t look away, captivated by the depth of longing she saw on his face. So many words were spoken in those silent moments. The understanding of what it was to fight for someone you loved. Time stood still and Emma’s pulse quickened,