Heal My Heart

By Sara Elliot

Written by a NYT #1 Best Selling children's author who has returned to her roots, this story is the perfect read for Valentine's Day or any day.
Doctor Andrew J. Langley is living the dream. He’s a successful cardiologist, handsome and well respected. Everything in his life seems perfect, but Drew lives alone. So, when he receives a letter from the former love of his life he is intrigued.
Liora Wilkenson needs his help! Eight long years after she’d run from their brief marriage, she has written to him, asking for his help. Her son Jimmy is sick with an undiagnosed heart defect. Drew has been researching heart abnormalities and this is an interesting case. But for Drew the case is even more interesting because it comes from Liora. Drew is on the first available plane to Colorado.
High in the mountains above Denver, Doctor Liora Wilkenson runs a successful health clinic. Patients flock to her ranch to find comfort, companionship and possibly a cure for their ailments. Liora is willing to try almost any method, traditional or non, to help her patients.
Contacting Drew, saying she needed help, was the most difficult admission Liora has ever made. Her healing methods weren’t helping her beloved son. Andrew Langley was her only hope so Liora put her own feelings aside and asked him to come.
The moment they see each other is awkward to say the least. The tension is palatable, the conversation stilted. But the instant their eyes lock, the years melt away. They are once again young and happy, reliving an exceptional friendship and a brief, passionate marriage.
When Drew realizes that Liora had been hiding a secret from him all these years he is furious. Will this secret tear them apart or will they be able to rekindle a love that will last forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sara Elliot
• Release date: Jan 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458009432

Sara Elliot

This NYT #1 Best Selling children's book author is returning to her roots as a romance novelist. Under the pen name Sara Elliot, this accomplished author writes contemporary romance, perfect to read on Valentine's Day or any day.

Book preview

Heal My Heart

By Sara Elliot

Copyright © 2011 by Two Cerebral Corporation

Published by Two Cerebral Corporation at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

The unwelcome chill of a western May wind blew through Liora’s flannel shirt and left a trail of goose bumps. It was dusk and she wasn’t dressed for being outside after dark, but since there were chores still to be completed, Liora shook off the cold. She would settle the mare down for the night and then go inside for dinner before heading out again on her evening rounds.

She had dismounted from her horse, removed the saddle and was nearly finished with her tasks when she heard footsteps behind her.

Jimmy, she called without turning around. Lead Buttons to the second stall. I’ll unsaddle her for you. It’s getting late and you need to wash up for dinner.

I’m not Jimmy, a rich, melodious voice replied.

Liora didn’t need to turn around to recognize the source. That voice had haunted her for years. She wrapped her arms around herself, both defensive and protective as she slowly rotated.

Drew, Liora barely breathed his name.

Hello, Lee, his voice was so soft the whinny of her horse nearly drown out the sound.

Liora neither knew how to respond nor what to say. She was momentarily stunned at his presence. The cool evening breeze seemed inadequate to vanquish the nervous heat prickling in her veins.

The horse! Liora remembered suddenly where she was and what she’d been doing. The reins had somehow fallen to the ground when Drew spoke her name. The horse hadn’t moved, but Liora cursed her own irresponsibility.

I’ll take her. Drew reached out and gathered the reins in his hand. Where does she go?

Liora could only point to the stall. Her vocal cords were stuck together as if she'd swallowed glue.

Drew led the horse to the stall and secured the door. Do I need to leave some extra hay or something?

No. The word squeaked out. She’s fine.

Drew nodded. He motioned for Liora to come with him outside. Silently, she followed him to a bench near the stable doors.

Join me? he asked as he sat down.

Liora could hardly talk and now he expected her to sit on her own accord? The muscles in her legs felt like rubber bands. She could barely move, not to mention sit.

I’ll stand, thanks, she managed to say.

What’s it been Lee? Eight years? Drew asked.

And five months, she replied. And then with small smile, she added, But who’s counting?

I see you’ve kept your hair long, Drew gave her a long assessing once over.

Unconsciously her hand drifted to the brim of her Stetson and she pulled the hat lower on her forehead. Liora smoothed a few stray strands of the long black braid that hung straight down the center of her back. I never can bring myself to cut off more than a few inches at a time.

I’m glad, Drew’s eyes glowed appreciatively. Really glad.

Liora threw a sideways glance down at Drew, she didn’t want to be caught staring, nor was she ready to make eye contact. Raising a child and running the ranch had taken their toll on her, but Drew was as handsome as she remembered, and more.

His hair was brown, not dark, but not light either. Just solid brown. No gray temples, no balding spot. Just brown and close cut. Stylish. Mature. Fashionable.

His eyes were inset, hauntingly deep and hooded, capturing the target of their walnut colored gaze. He had a strong, masculine face. A face that made women stop and stare and made men take a stronger grasp on their wives’ arms.

When Liora had seen his picture in Women’s Style Magazine, she knew the cards and letters would pour into his P.O. Box. She’d briefly entertained the idea of sending a note herself. Just to find out what he was up to. As a colleague, to hear how his new private cardiology practice in Boston was faring. Certainly, she told herself, if she wrote a letter it wouldn’t be because the man chosen best looking bachelor east of the Mississippi had once been her husband.

It was more than wanting to see how the years had treated him. If she wrote to him, it would have been because after all the years, Liora still harbored a certain fondness for Drew. She’d been the one who’d left, and yet, she had hundreds of happy memories of conversations and good times they’d shared. In fact, with the passing of time, Liora could hardly recall a bad night spent in Drew’s company - with one major exception.

No, she thought, the reason she hadn’t written had nothing to do with the way she felt about Drew, it had entirely to do with what she’d done to Drew.

You look so pensive, Drew broke in, his gaze sharp.

Liora quickly lowered her eyes in a self-conscious move. Every action, from her largest hand movement to the most minute blink of an eyelid, suddenly felt over exaggerated and comical.

You were aware that I was coming, weren’t you? he asked, continuing to gauge her reaction with eagle-eyes.

When I told Dr. Whitehouse to send the file, it was an act of desperation. I told her you were the only one who... Liora thought back to the meeting when Dr. Whitehouse reviewed the latest test results. With collegial honesty, Sylvia Whitehouse told Liora that she wasn't certain how best to proceed with treatment. As if expecting this news, Liora blurted out Drew’s name as the solution. Then, Liora hovered while Dr. Whitehouse wrote a personal letter to Drew and insisted on waiting in the office until she emailed the file.

I guess I never really thought you’d come, Liora told Drew. She had a million reasons she believed he would turn down the invitation, ranging from the practical to the personal. You’re so busy. You live far away in Boston. I never expected you’d come all this way - for me. For my son. Liora put a hand against her mouth and shook off a wave of nerves. There’s so much to say. I should have called- Liora’s confessional was interrupted by the sound of approaching horse hooves.

Whoa. Whoa, the diminutive voice called as the pint-sized pony ground to a stop merely a foot in front of where Liora and Drew stood.

Jimmy, Liora said with a frown of disapproval. She consulted her wristwatch. You were supposed to be back fifteen minutes ago. It’s going to be dark soon.

Sorry Mom. The boy leapt down from his spotted pony. His boots landed to the ground with such force that a small dust cloud rose around him. He pushed back the brim of his hat to judge his mom’s anger before explaining. Langley ran down to the river and refused to come home.

As if on cue, a golden retriever puppy came bounding across the field. He made a beeline for Drew, lunging exuberantly up and onto the front of Drew’s suit pants. One muddy paw fell on each of Drew’s finely pressed legs.

Langley, down! Liora grabbed the dog’s collar and tugged the pup away from Drew’s soiled suit. She thrust the dog toward her son.

Jimmy took hold of the runaway pup, a collar in one hand the horse’s reins in his other. Sorry, the boy apologized to Drew with a guilt-ridden chocolate brown gaze.

It’s okay. I wore a suit because it’s all I had. Jimmy looked surprised at Drew’s statement. I work a lot, Drew finished with a sigh.

Drew went on, giving the boy a warm smile, I did however make time to stop at the western wear shop on my way up. I bought jeans, a hat, and even some boots like yours. Drew stood up and swiped at the mud with his hand. I’ll change clothes in a little while.

Jimmy let out a big breath of relief. Like mine? he asked, looking down at his own dusty black and white cowboy boots.

Pretty darn close, Drew said. We have the same good taste.

Drew swore he could feel warm pride radiating off the child. Just then, the puppy let out a yelp and struggled to get free, so with one last look at his own boots, Jimmy let loose the dog’s collar and commanded, Langley, go home! The dog ran off toward the house.

Drew watched the retriever disappear over the hill before he asked, At first I thought you were joking, but since you’ve repeated it a number of times- he pointed his question to Liora. The dog’s called Langley?

Liora shrugged. So I’ve thought about you once or twice these past years.

Drew bit the inside of his cheeks in a vain struggle to suppress an enormous grin.

Jimmy, this is Dr. Langley. Liora introduced Drew to her son.

Jimmy held out his hand for a man-to-man shake.

Your mom and I are old friends, Drew explained, taking the boy’s palm in his. Apparently, she named your dog after me.

She told me about you. You’re a heart doctor for kids. Did you get the email? It was Mom’s idea. She says you’re the best heart doctor in the whole wide world. Drew raised his eyebrows at Liora with an appreciative smirk.

Liora simply shrugged.

Jimmy pumped the doctor’s hand firmly, but not too tightly - just like he’d been taught. My mom likes you, she told me.

Thanks. Drew looked to Liora and finding a hint of laughter in her eyes exclaimed, Once, she liked me a lot.

Welcome to the Bar WW, Jimmy released Drew’s hand. In an impulsive gesture, Jimmy slipped his free hand around Drew’s waist and gave him a big hug before running into the barn, horse in tow.

Slow down, his mother called after him. Walk the horse or you won’t ride him again tomorrow.

Aw, Mom, came the disgruntled echo from within the barn.

Drew turned to Liora and said, Cute kid. I know it said in the file, but I seem to have forgotten, how old is he?

Liora took her time in answering, staring