Open Heart (Dr. Love): A Steamy Standalone Instalove Romance Read online

  Not every night in our home is blazing with passion. Not at this hour anyway. And not the kind of passion we got used to before the kids arrived.

  It’s still passion though.

  The deep love and affection for family. Belonging. Having each other.

  Something I still give thanks for every single day, even when it’s just a gray sweat pants, daytime TV, and dirty diapers kind of day.

  I love every single second of it.

  My family. My wife. My kids.

  Mine.

  EXTENDED EPILOGUE

  TEN YEARS LATER

  Evelyn

  “He’ll be here,” I comfort Josh. Worried his Grandpa is gonna be a no-show for his presentation in class.

  I admit I do have a flash of doubt myself, but since his surgery, and some shouting matches with Mark over the years, dad’s lightened up about a lot of things.

  He manages our own family practice now, something I thought I’d be doing, but once dad could slot back into the life he wanted it’s been smooth sailing all around.

  The dreams I had when I was studying to be a doctor turned out way better, and none of them included much doctoring after all that.

  I’m a board certified surgeon, a pediatrician that specializes in cardiology.

  Something I’d never say out loud if it wasn’t for Mark asking me to remind him what it is I do again as he beams with pride. Always lifting me up with his words as well as his strong hands.

  My family is my medicine. My husband. My kids.

  I was working full-time and then part-time, then as a consultant. Now, I’m just Mommy and wifey.

  A title I prefer a lot more than Doctor and it means I get to be home a lot more.

  Josh fidgets and gnaws at his lip, while his teacher has been patient enough, she checks her watch and makes a face that tells him it’s now or never for his presentation.

  Just when I’m about to say something, the door swings open, and my dad, along with Mark walks in, Jane in tow.

  “Sorry we’re late,” my dad murmurs, apologizing to Josh, not the teacher before he takes a seat right upfront.

  Josh’s face lights up at seeing the whole family here, not just grandpa and his mom as promised.

  Mark joins me at the side of the room and I take a sleepy Jane from him, he grimaces too at being late but the relief on Josh’s little face is enough to forgive anyone.

  It’s not a test, but just something they do in school now. Having kids prepare a presentation about something important to them, getting them up in front of the class, and speaking to build confidence.

  I thought Josh’s presentation was going to be about building. He’s always talking about what he wants to build next, his blueprint drawings are beyond the cute stage now.

  Mark’s more than impressed but doesn’t feel the need to pressure Josh into making any decisions about what he wants for the future.

  Today though Josh has a big technical-looking drawing up on the board but it’s not what he’s chosen to talk about.

  The teacher smiles primly and gives an encouraging nod in Josh’s direction to tell him he can start.

  There’s an awkward silence, and I feel myself shift nervously as the seconds turn into almost half a minute of silence.

  Mark stands strong next to me, and I can feel him nodding to Josh, letting him know we’re all here for him no matter what.

  He’s not shy or even scared about public speaking but searching for words.

  We all know in a second once he finally does speak that he’s changed his presentation from a talk about buildings to a talk about his family.

  I feel a lump in my throat almost straight away, so proud of my boy.

  Mark’s hand finds mine and by the end of Josh’s shortened speech, there’s not a grown up in the room with a dry eye.

  He talks about his dad and his mom, his sister, and especially he mentions his grandpa, whose here today.

  He talks about how his dad saved his grandpa’s life before he was even born by fixing his heart. How proud he is of both of them and his mom too for all being doctors.

  For helping people.

  He changed his speech at the last minute not because we all turned up, but because he wanted to talk about what matters to him most.

  Building things and drawing them is fine, but like all of us in our family, our tribe, it’s the family unit that matters most.

  What we do, how we help others, it all comes from the love and solid foundation we feel at home. Wanting to spread that out into the world with everyone we have the chance to help out.

  Ten year old’s are sometimes the best audience, and today Josh gets a standing ovation once his presentation is over, nobody minds he went off topic just a little bit.

  Like I said, all the grown-ups just got a free lesson in how to be a better human by listening to the heartfelt thoughts of a ten year old boy about his love for his family.

  I learned how to cry in public and I think Mark did too, but in a way, only a proud parent does when they see their baby all grown up for the first time.

  “Oooh! I didn’t even talk about my drawing!” Josh exclaims, smacking his forehead and rolling his eyes when we go to congratulate him. Me wiping my eyes so he doesn’t think I’m upset.

  I watch Josh’s grandpa, my dad do something he would never have done with me in this situation.

  He hugs him close and tells him what a great job he did, and maybe next time he can do a talk about his drawing.

  And that’s when I see it.

  The real healing that family can bring.

  The real benefit of open heart surgery for my dad and for Mark, me. For all of us.

  The past has come full circle, even before my lifetime, and given us all little Josh and Jane. Given us a living lesson on how to be better people by listening, loving, and helping one another and everyone we meet.

  Josh’s talk is at the end of the school day, so it’s perfect timing for us all to go do something as a family.

  “How about we go get some ice cream?” Grandpa suggests, looking to Mark and me for approval before lifting Josh up onto his dad’s shoulders and cheering us all along as we agree and make our way to the car.

  “You’ve got a proud son there, dad,” he tells my husband, glancing back at me as well.

  “And a prouder mom, I’ll bet too,” he adds.

  While Mark buckles the kids into the back seat of the car it gives me a chance to tell my own dad something deep and meaningful, keeping in tune with the theme of the day.

  “Thanks for coming today, Dad. It means a lot to Josh,” is all I can manage though.

  My dad takes my face in his hands and kisses me on each cheek.

  “You don’t know how proud I am of you sweetie, of all of you,” he says suddenly, his voice thick with emotion.

  I feel Mark hovering behind me, maybe uncomfortable at my dad’s rare show of affection for his only daughter, but dad motions him over to us both.

  “And you too, Mark. My brother. My oldest friend,” he adds, taking Mark’s hand with mine and putting them both on his heart.

  “It’s here now. The same magic you’ve given those kids. The same thing you did that day to give me life…”

  He’s choking up, but all Mark and I can do is hug him. Holding each other for a few moments before Josh and Jane wind down the window, and whine to hurry up for ice cream.

  All three of us bunch up in the front bench seat of our car and I hear an echo from a past I was never part of but I know is starting fresh with my dad and Mark.

  “Maybe we should head up to the lake this weekend, all of us,” Mark says after my dad suggests a few places to go grab some ice cream.

  “Maybe we should,” my dad offers, reaching for my hand and squeezing it.

  “I’d like that too, Dad,” I tell them both and in a second both kids are shouting for a lake holiday over ice cream any day of the week.

  We can’t change the past, but once we embrace it for
all it is we can heal.

  Mark taught me that, without even saying a word.

  By giving me his own heart and blessing me with our two babies.

  Maybe when we’re at the lake, I can see just where he and dad used to have so much fun. Share the same with our kids.

  Get Mark on his own so I can tell him Josh and Jane have a little brother or sister on the way now too.

  A new life, adding to the one he’s given me and my dad. The one we all share now.

  I love you.

  Doctor Love.

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  A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS

  Book 1: Baby Lust

  Book 2: Veteran

  Book 3: Built

  Book 4: Bambino

  Book 5: Rescued

  Book 6: Leader

  Book 7: Professor

  Book 8: Burned

  Book 9: Worldly

  Book 10: Pistol

  Book 11: Policed

  Book 12: Driven

  Book 13: Lucky 13

  Book 14: Lumberjacked

  Book 15: Protector

  Book 16: Carpenter

  Book 17: Italian Stallion

  Book 18: Gardener

  Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin

  Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter

  Book 21: Cocky CFO

  Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th

  Book 23: Mechanic

  Book 24: SEAL’s Secret

  Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch

  Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée

  Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina

  Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter

  Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy

  Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol

  Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess

  Book 32: Statham

  Book 33: Bodyguard

  Book 34: Greek God

  Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter

  Book 36: Mountain Man

  Book 37: SEAL’s Justice

  Book 38: Royal Romance

  Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery

  Book 40: Crocodile Dan D

  Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby

  Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby

  Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter

  Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door

  Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace

  Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée

  Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny

  Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter

  Book 49: Steamy

  Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend

  Book 51: Possessive Professor

  Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter

  Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby

  Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day

  Book 55: Doctor Next Door

  Book 56: Possessive Policeman

  Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter

  Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter

  Book 59: Virgin in New York

  Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby

  Book 61: Possessive Protector

  Book 62: Possessive Australian

  Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother

  Book 64: Possessive Cowboy

  Book 65: Summer Romanced

  Book 66: Possessive Prince

  Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy

  Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend

  Book 69: Possessive Firefighter

  Book 70: Football Next Door

  Book 71: Doctor December

  Book 72: Possessive Canadian

  Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire

  Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop

  Book 75: Possessive Brazilian

  Book 76: Hockey Obsession

  Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter

  Book 78: Halloween Next Door

  Book 79: Possessive Russian

  Book 80: Baseball Mine

  Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive

  Book 82: Instalove Island

  Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss

  Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor

  Book 86: Possessive Portuguese

  Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop

  Book 88: Russian’s Obsession

  Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas

  Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot

  Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day

  Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker

  Book 93: Italian Mountain Man

  Book 94: Aggressive Russian

  Book 95: Possessive Valentine

  Book 96: Possessive Hunter

  Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend

  Book 98: Russian Teacher

  Book 99: Australian Obsession

  Book 100: Russian Next Door

  Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend

  Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia

  Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad

  Book 104: Basketball Babymaker

  Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian

  Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend

  Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend

  Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend

  Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend

  Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend

  Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen

  Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend

  Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss

  Book 116: Possessive Rider

  Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy

  Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop

  Book 119: Falling For Her Boss

  Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista

  Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 123: Bossy Italian

  Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend

  Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia

  Book 126: Nutcracker

  Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone

  Book 128: Chef’s Kiss

  Book 129: Claimed By The Russian

  Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia

  Book 131: Hot Nerd

  Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss

  Book 133: Mine

  Book 134: Taken By The Thief

  Book 135: Curves Ahead

  Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine

  Book 137: Doctor Valentine

  Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia

  Book 139: Winning Her Curves

  Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend

  Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend

  Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession

  Book 143: Attending Her Curves

  Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia

  Book 145: Priest

  Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession

  Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend

  Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession

  Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss

  Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves

  Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door

  Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger

  Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia

  Book 155: Dad’s Fireman Friend

  Book 156: Russian Mountain Man

  Book 157: Possessive Italian Doctor

  Book 158: Dad's EMT Best Friend

  Book 159: Claimed By The Publisher

  Book 160: Mr. CEO

  Book 161: His Curvy Castaway Obsession

  Book 162: Claiming His Reunion Obsession

  Book 163: Claimed By Dad’s College Friend

  Book 164: Dad’s Detective Best Friend

  Book
165: Attending The Russian Mafia

  Book 166: Dad's Biker Best Friend

  Book 167: My Dad's Russian Mafia Friend

  Book 168: Possessive Landlord

  Book 169: Gardener For The Mafia

  Book 170: Possessive Fighter

  Book 171: Claiming Her Sweet Curves

  Book 172: Possessive Camp Counselor

  Book 173: Claimed By Dad's Italian Best Friend

  Book 174: Possessive Neighbor

  Book 175: 4th of July With Dad's Best Friend

  Book 176: Claimed By Her Enemy

  Book 177: Bodyguard’s Obsession

  Book 178: Falling For The Player

  Book 179: Possessive Alpha Cop

  Book 180: Her CEO

  Book 181: Falling For Her Dad’s Boss

  Book 182: MMA Fighter’s Obsession

  Book 183: Possessive Lawyer

  Book 184: Claimed by the British Rockstar

  Book 185: Summer Obsession

  Book 186: Paris with Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 187: Claimed by the Possessive Fireman

  Book 188: Possessive Trucker

  Book 189: Falling for Dad's Enemy

  Book 190: His Undercover Maid

  Book 191: Her Innocent CEO

  Book 192: Bratva Boss’s Babysitter

  Book 193: Sold to the Bratva Boss

  Book 194: My Dad's Best Friend

  Book 195: His Cabin Obsession

  Book 196: Driver's Obsession

  Book 197: His Unexpected Love

  Book 198: London with Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 199: Hot Neighbor

  Book 200: Maid for the Hollywood Heartthrob

  Book 201: The CEO and the Wedding Planner

  Book 202: Claimed by the Italian

  Book 203: Dad’s CEO Boss

  Book 204: The Mob and His Messenger

  Book 205: Rome with Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 206: Haunted by Her Curves

  Book 207: Her Vampire

  Book 208: Bidding for Her Curves

  Book 208: Claiming His Student

  Book 210: CEO's Dog Trainer Obsession

  Book 211: Pool Girl

  Book 212: Possessive Writer

  Book 213: Maid for the Mafia Informant

  Book 214: Thankful for Him

  Book 215: Madrid with Dad’s Best Friend

  Book 216: My Best Friend’s Dad

  Book 217: Taming Her Beast

  Book 218: All I Want For Christmas is You

  Book 219: Falling for His Captive

  Book 220: My Christmas Carol

  Book 221: Preacher’s Daughter

  Book 222: Her Hitman