Waiting for You (RightMatch.com Trilogy) by Kathryn Shay Page A

for the hospital children’s party.”
    The chief smiled. “Great idea.”
    “He even lives within walking distance of Strong Hospital.”
    Joe nodded vigorously. “Anything. Give me anything to do.” He meant it. Inactivity about killed him.
    Shelly smiled and the chief stood. “Fine, but stay out of this office until your sick leave is over. Your kind of injury takes longer to heal than you think.” When Joe didn’t respond, he added, “I mean it.”
    “So,” Shelly asked after the chief left and Joe sat down next to her, “how you doing now? When I stopped by your house last week, you were as cranky as a baby needing a nap.”
    “I’m better. Restless, I guess.”
    “Yeah? Heard from that pretty dancer again?”
    He drew in a breath, let it out. “Uh-huh. You won’t believe what’s going on with her, Shell.”
    Joey launched into a full description of what had transpired with Dana. Even to his own ears, there was an excitement in his voice, an anticipation that hadn’t been there in a long time, whenever he’d talked about a woman. Though he was torn about what to do, it was good to experience the feelings again. His inability to make it work with Leona had soured him on relationships.
    Shelly’s feet thudded to the floor when he finished. “Holy shit. You’re considering dating her?”
    “Of course I am. Do you think I’m that shallow I’d ditch her without some thought?”
    God, he hoped he wasn’t. No, he simply needed to think through all the angles.
    “I don’t think you’re shallow. But, Joe, you’re one of the most athletic men I know.”
    Shaking his head, he watched his partner. “Shelly, you’re married to a former professional baseball player.”
    “My standards are high, which is the point I’m making. Having Dana in your life would change your whole lifestyle.”
    “Not necessarily. You and Pete don’t do everything together.”
    “But we could. I vote no on this.”
    “Well,” he said standing because he didn’t want to hear her objections, “you don’t get a vote.”
    His captain, Tom Jenkins, rushed in, cutting off further discussion. He was a small, wiry guy whose gruff exterior kept everybody in line. Joey knew him to have a big heart, though. “There’s a report of weapons at the Civic Center. You’re going in, Banks. Take Adams with you. I’ll follow behind with more backup.”
    Dealing with threats to large agencies was part of Joe’s team’s responsibility. “Shit, I wanna go.”
    The cap glared at him. “I heard you were here, Moretti. Two more weeks off. The chief means it.”
    After Joe finished talking to Shelly, he drove to the hospital and let his mind wander to Dana. It didn’t have far to go, as she seemed to be there somewhere in his brain all the time. He remembered her scent, alluring and sexy. Her hair had felt like thick silk in his hands and she tasted like honey. No doubt about it, the physical chemistry was there. Now he had to decide if he could deal with the limitations in her life.
    He reached Strong Memorial about ten minutes later and made his way up to the children’s ward. It was heaven and hell coming here every year for the party. That the police department could brighten the first day of school for these kids was a blessing, but knowing some of them were here last year and that some would never get out of the place was torture. Yet, the experience made him appreciate his own life more. His father’s condition had taught him that, but he forgot sometimes.
    At the desk, a pretty nurse he recognized smiled up at him. “Hi, Sergeant.”
    “Nurse Baker. You’re looking lovely today.” She was blond and brown eyed, which he found appealing. Or used to, anyway.
    “Your brother came to tell us you were shot. Then it got around the hospital quickly. Thanks for the heads up.”
    “No big deal, Sandy. The bullet went right through.”
    “Stitches?”
    “Yeah, several. I’m off duty for a while.”
    “That must be killing