The Good Doctor (18 page)

O
n Tuesday Violet went along with Peter and waited as he made rounds at the hospital. Then they went to Tumbleweed Terrace Rehab Hospital to have a special lunch with Celeste. They took along with them pictures of Peter's house, and all the joy in their hearts.

When they arrived, Celeste was sitting in a wheelchair by the window in her room, waiting for lunch. “I got a roommate,” she told them happily when she saw them. “Her name's Cindy. She has to use a wheelchair, too. Her mommy and daddy wheeled her outside.”

At the mention of a mommy and daddy Violet glimpsed a sadness that was ever-present in Celeste's eyes. Pulling a chair next to Celeste, she sat and took the child's hand in hers. She glanced up at Peter, and at his nod, she smiled at the little girl who was going to be her daughter. “Peter and I have something we want to tell you.”

“What?” She looked almost scared.

“We're going to get married.”

“And you're going to live together?”

“Yep, that's part of it,” Peter said with a chuckle. “But it's a lot more than that, too. We're going to love each other for always and always.”

“And,” Violet continued, “we want you to be our little girl.”

Celeste was silent for a very long time.

Trying to keep the worry from her voice, Violet asked, “What do you think about that?”

“Will I come live with you?”

“As soon as you're well enough to leave here,” Peter assured her.

After she considered that, she asked, “And you won't give me away? Ever?”

“Not ever,” Violet promised her, her voice tight.

“And you won't leave me all by myself?”

“We will
never
leave you all by yourself. Not until you're old enough to want to be by yourself,” Peter vowed.

“When I'm ten?” she asked, intrigued.

“Maybe when you're sixteen,” Peter muttered, and Violet had to laugh.

Again, silence fell in the room, and Violet couldn't take it. “Do you have any more questions?”

Celeste's dark eyes got very big and her chin quivered a little when she asked, “Can I call you Mommy and Daddy?”

Unable to get any words out, Violet was filled with happiness. Peter stepped behind her and put one arm around Celeste and one arm around his wife-to-be. “You bet you can call us Mommy and Daddy.”

Celeste's face broke into a wide grin and sunshine seemed to fill the room. “Then I want to be your little girl.”

Whether it was official or not, Violet already thought of Ce
leste as her daughter. Squeezing Celeste's hand, she looked up at her husband-to-be. As he kissed her temple and held her tight, she knew they'd found their future. Their love would be the beginning. Each day they'd be thankful for what they'd found.

She fingered the half of the heart that lay against her sweater. They were soul mates, friends, lovers, doctors and partners. She'd found the perfect man to make happily ever after a reality rather than a dream.

Everything you love about romance…
and more!

Please turn the page for Signature Select
^™
Bonus Features.

Author Interview

A Conversation with Karen Rose Smith

 

Author's Journal

Alternative Therapies
by Karen Rose Smith

 

Bonus Read

Home on the Range
by Elizabeth Bevarly

 

Sneak Peek

The Debutante
by Elizabeth Bevarly

 

BONUS FEATURES

 

The Good Doctor

A former English teacher and home decorator,
USA TODAY
bestselling author Karen Rose Smith has written over fifty books published since 1991. Recently, Karen chatted with us as she took a break from writing her latest book.

 

What do you love most about being a writer?

I love the mystery of the writing process—going to a special place inside of myself where my deepest thoughts and emotions reside and feeling them bubble up to create characters and situations. I also love creating worlds where I control everything that happens! My heroes always know what to say, even if it's the wrong thing, and my heroines always know how to respond. The best part of pretending to be them is that I learn from them.

 

What do you like least about being a writer?

I can't turn off the writing process, so my work follows me everywhere. When I want to take a
vacation, I have to make sure I don't have a project pending. If I do, I find myself making notes in airports!

 

What other talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be able to compose music, to have songs play in my head that can't wait to be written and can bring listeners to tears.

 

Who is someone you admire and why?

I admire anyone who has faced adversity and risen above it. There are many ordinary moms and dads I admire, as well as teachers.

 

What book got you hooked on romance?

With This Ring
by Emilie Loring. I used to read her books voraciously. I learned about the integrity of heroes from her.

 

Who is your favorite fictional character?

Anne of Green Gables. She had kindness, gentleness and spirit.

 

What is the one thing you've always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try?

I've always wanted to take a hot-air balloon ride.

 

If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?

Possibly an interior decorator, but I can't imagine not being a writer.

 

 

Don't miss Karen Rose Smith's Silhouette Romance,
Twelfth Night Proposal
.

I
n
The Good Doctor
both Dr. Violet Fortune and Dr. Peter Clark long to cure every patient. They are caring physicians who understand that a patient's well-being can be determined by more than treatment of physical ailments. Developing Violet's and Peter's characters was easy because I created them as composites of compassionate practitioners with whom I've consulted for management of fibromyalgia—a condition that causes muscle pain. Like these specialists, Violet and Peter understand the mind/body connection—our bodies do not perform separately from our mind and spirit, but in conjunction with both. Learning this fact early on, I was drawn to alternative therapies as well as traditional medical treatment. Alternative therapies supplement, encourage and support the healing process. Those listed below have been beneficial in my search for optimal health.

 

Acupuncture—In this traditional Chinese medical practice an acupuncturist uses needles to unblock the flow of Chi-energy throughout the body. Unblocking energy and balancing the forces of yin and yang can bring pain relief and promote healing.

 

Aromatherapy—This holistic therapy utilizes pure essential oils to promote harmony and well-being for the mind, body and spirit. They can be employed in conjunction with baths, inhalation therapy or massage. Examples of essential oils are bergamot, clove bud, eucalyptus, fennel, juniper, lavender, lemongrass, patchouli, peppermint, tangerine, tea tree and ylang-ylang.

 

Creative Visualization—This is the art of using the imagination to create positive thought and reality. It is often used in conjunction with meditation as well as guided imagery for the purpose of relaxation.

 

EEG Neurofeedback—In this form of therapy that can enhance brain function, a computer records and gives immediate feedback to the client and practitioner concerning brain wave activity. This therapy may strengthen cognitive brain function.

 

Hypnosis—When guided by a trained hypnotherapist, a client can reach a deep level of relaxation that can not only reduce tension and minimize pain, but also encourage healing. An
individual can be taught self-hypnosis to continue the process on his or her own.

 

Reiki—A practitioner channels energy (Chi) through the client's body to promote balance and harmony.

 

Therapeutic Massage—This therapy reduces muscle tension and promotes circulation.

 

Water Therapy—Movement in water enables muscles to be strengthened and stretched more effectively and with less stress than exercising on land.

 

Yoga—This discipline of physical and mental exercise can be limited to stretching exercises or as comprehensive as a lifestyle.

 

Always be sure to consult your doctor before trying any alternative therapy and search out trained professionals with credentials, references and satisfied clients!

Home on the Range

by Elizabeth Bevarly

(Part 3 of a 3-part serial)