When One Night Isn't Enough. Wendy S. Marcus
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When One Night
Isn’t Enough
Wendy S. Marcus
Table of Contents
About the Author
WENDY S. MARCUS is not a lifelong reader. As a child, she never burrowed under her covers with a flashlight and a good book. In senior English, she skimmed the classics, reading the bare minimum required to pass the class. Wendy found her love of reading later in life, in a box of old paperbacks at a school fundraiser where she was introduced to the romance genre in the form of a Harlequin Superromance. Since that first book, she’s been a voracious reader of romance often times staying up way too late to reach the happy ending before letting herself go to sleep.
Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband, two of their three children, and their beloved dog, Buddy. A nurse by trade, Wendy has a master’s degree in health care administration. After years of working in the medical profession, she’s taken a radical turn to writing hot contemporary romances with strong heroes, feisty heroines, and lots of laughs. Wendy loves hearing from readers. Please visit her at www.WendySMarcus.com.
This is Wendy S. Marcus’s debut book!
Dear Reader
Thank you so much for picking up this copy of my debut Mills & Boon® Medical™ Romance.
I’ve heard it said, “Men marry women like their mothers, and women marry men like their fathers.” Is it true? I have no idea. But my mother-in-law was a nurse, like me, and my husband is an accountant, like my father.
What if your father was an insincere flirt, a womanizer, the absolute last type of man you’d choose to share your life with? Yet you’re drawn to someone just like him, a man who visits your dreams and your nightmares, a man you crave with an intensity impossible to ignore. What then?
In this first book set in the fictional Madrin Memorial Hospital in upstate New York, meet Nurse Allison “Ali” Forshay who faces that exact situation. Haunted by memories of her childhood, Ali is adamant about not repeating the mistakes of her mother. Unfortunately, Dr. Jared Padget is damn hard to resist.
Sometimes life doesn’t follow the plan. As long as you remain open to the possibility, happily ever after is still within reach.
I hope you enjoy Ali and Jared’s story. Look for Ali’s best friend and colleague Victoria’s story, coming soon.
I love to hear from readers. Please visit me at www.WendySMarcus.com.
Wishing you all good things!
Wendy S. Marcus
This book is dedicated to my mom and dad, who taught me to always work hard and do my best. I wish they were here to see the result. And to my sister Dale, for loving me, encouraging me, and never letting me give up. I love you.
Special thanks go out to:
My editor, Flo Nicoll, who worked almost as hard as I did to get this book published. I couldn’t have done it without your guidance, your patience, and your expertise.
My agent, Michelle Grajkowski. With you on my team I feel anything is possible.
My critique partner, Joanne Stewart, who wouldn’t let me skimp on emotion.
My neighbour, Nancy B., who was the first person to ever read and critique my work.
All my writing buddies who cheer my accomplishments, commiserate over my disappointments, and motivate me to get back to work—especially Susan Wilson, Amy Strnad, Regina Richards, Jennifer Probst and Abbi Cantrell.
And last, but certainly not least in my heart, my husband and children, who have supported this endeavour from the start and have never once complained about eating takeout. They make every day worth living. I am truly blessed.
CHAPTER ONE
FLOAT nurse Allison Forshay glanced at the clock on the institutional white wall of the staff lounge in the emergency room, wishing she could accelerate time with the snap of her fingers. Then the eight hours and six minutes that remained of Dr. Jared Padget’s last shift would vanish in seconds.
Along with him.
Hallelujah!
The chorus of sopranos belting out a private concert in her head came to an abrupt halt when the door opened and chatter from the busy outside hallway overpowered her glee.
Ali cringed, keeping her eyes on the patient chart open on the round table in front of her, struggling to maintain focus on her documentation for little Molly Dawkins, her first patient of the night. The three-year-old, blond-haired, blue-eyed terror had tried to bite the triage nurse and kicked at Ali when she’d attempted to expose the girl’s infected big toe. Then Dr. Padget had arrived, complimented the pink polish on Molly’s tiny toenails, the delicate gold bracelets on her ankle and wrist, and the princess tattoo on her hand. In less than three minutes he’d charmed that little girl right out of her sandal, confirming Ali’s suspicions. Women of all ages were susceptible to the man’s charisma.