Love Rehab

By Theresa Scott

A woman scorned, Larissa Worth wants only to stay away from Rex Delacroix, the man who broke her heart ten lonely years ago. But when her beloved adopted daughter teeters on the brink of death, it is Rex who steps in and saves the girl. Now Larissa is forced to face the past she’d thought she’d buried.
When Rex walked out of Larissa’s life ten years ago, he’d had troubles of his own. Serious troubles. In the intervening years, he’d learned to face his past, to heal, and to build a new life for himself. But when he meets Larissa again, he realizes not only that he still loves her, but that he must make amends for the damage he’d caused.
Together, Larissa and Rex begin the delicate walk that will either lead to healing their lives and hearts, or separate them forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Theresa Scott
• Release date: Jan 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370597598

Theresa Scott

About the AuthorTheresa Scott is a novelist who writes historical and contemporary romance. She is currently working on her “Raven Immortals” series, which follows the adventures of the men and women who spent their lives working in the North American fur trade in the late 1820s.Theresa's books have sold over 600,000 copies worldwide, including the US, Canada, Australia, France, India, Italy, Germany, Holland, Spain, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.She sets her stories in a variety of centuries and cultures, ranging from prehistoric times, to Norse times, to the days of the fur trade, and the wild west.Growing up in a small coastal fishing village, Theresa spent her time fishing for perch, swimming, climbing trees, and hiking the nearby beaches and forests. She has also lived in a small cabin in the woods in British Columbia, fetching water from a stream, and chopping wood for an old iron cook-stove that did double duty for cooking and keeping the cabin warm.These experiences, plus her educational background in Anthropology and summers spent on archaeological digs, filled her imagination with stories. Most of all, she writes about how love gives meaning to one's life. How people treat one another, how they interact with cultural 'rules,' or how they explain the world to themselves: all of it serves the bigger story that Love is a magnificent gift to humanity.Theresa makes her home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she and her in-house Archaeologist--who also happens to be her kind and patient husband--live with their little dog and the joys of electricity and running water."Theresa Scott's stories are distinctive, well-plotted and unforgettable." ~Debbie Macomber“Theresa Scott's captivating writing brings you to a wondrous time and shows you that love itself is timeless.” ~ Affaire de CoeurWebsite address: https://www.theresascott.comSubscribe to Theresa's newsletter: https://www.theresascott.com/contact.html

Book preview

Love Rehab

by

Theresa Scott

Published by Theresa Scott

This book was first published in 2011. This edition was revised by the author in 2015

Copyright © 2011 Theresa Scott

Cover illustration copyright © Rae Monet Designs, Inc.

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 person you share it with.  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to Smashwords and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Reclaiming lives... one person at a time

LOVE REHAB

A woman scorned, Larissa Worth wants only to stay away from Rex Delacroix, the man who broke her heart ten lonely years ago. But when her beloved adopted daughter teeters on the brink of death, it is Rex who steps in and saves the girl. Now Larissa is forced to face the past she’d thought she’d buried.

When Rex walked out of Larissa’s life ten years ago, he’d had troubles of his own. Serious troubles. In the intervening years, he’d learned to face his past, to heal, and to build a new life for himself. But when he meets Larissa again, he realizes not only that he still loves her, but that he must make amends for the damage he’d caused.

Together, Larissa and Rex begin the delicate walk that will either lead to healing their lives and hearts, or separate them forever.

Dedication

With thanks to the following people for their help. Without your help and guidance, this book could never have been written. Writing about addiction is a risky business, fraught with the potential for missteps and raising the ire of any number of people. Kind of like addiction itself. You folks were brave to step up and help me in my efforts to clarify a baffling subject.

Any errors, misconceptions and missteps are mine alone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart:

Andre – Friend of Bill

Vivian, Family Counselor

Ashley

Delwin

Michelle, Midwife

Rick, MD

Christopher, Physician’s Assistant

Sabrina, on chemical dependency

Jane, Nurse

Chapter One

He prowled into the packed hotel ballroom like a tiger looking for his mate. Even in this distinguished crowd of medical professionals tasting wine and socializing, he stood out. A tall, rangy man in a white tuxedo jacket and black slacks, his straight dark hair hung a trifle too long over his tuxedo jacket collar. His rugged good looks caught women’s glances and his movements across the floor could be tracked by their heads turning in his direction.

Doctor Larrisa Worth almost choked on her Pinot Noir. Who had invited him?

She recognized that firm jaw, that knife blade of a nose, that confident posture. Doctor Rex Delacroix.

Her eyes didn’t leave Delacroix as he circled the perimeter of the room, silently moving closer to where she stood, half-hidden by Sly Coombs, plastic surgeon to celebrities, and Jeffrey Krown, a reporter for a well-known newspaper.

I’m sorry, Sly. You were saying? But instead of focusing on the gregarious Doctor Coombs, Larissa’s gaze continued to linger on Delacroix. Every movement he made held a feline grace. He lifted his head and searched the room for something… or someone. A shiver went through her. Not her. Falling prey to him again was not on her agenda.

Larissa kept a nervous eye on Delacroix as he strolled through the crowd. Another minute and he would spot her. She should leave. Now.

Sly frowned. I don’t like it that he’s talking to Marian Browers.

He’s up to something. You can be sure of that. Jeffrey took another gulp from his tumbler.

Doctor Marian Browers, Larissa’s best friend and roommate from her medical residency days, shook her auburn-streaked mane of hair, her smile showing genuine amusement at something Delacroix said. But then, he’d always known how to capture a woman’s attention.

One part of Larissa’s mind registered the competitive edge to Sly’s voice and the animosity in Jeffrey’s. She supposed Sly was right to feel competitive. Delacroix wore the intervening years well. His tux fit him admirably and his skin looked healthy and tanned against the white jacket. If anything, he looked even better than when she’d known him, she realized in dismay.

He may look good, but he’s still big trouble…

The reporter’s animosity fled her mind when she saw Delacroix veer in her direction. Too late. If she left now, it would look like she was running away.

Ignoring her rapidly beating heart, she assured herself she could handle any encounter with this cold-hearted man. She was older now. Wiser.

He approached. She could smell the evergreen scent of his aftershave and her stomach took another plunge.

Trolling for patients, Delacroix? demanded Jeffrey. Can we expect to see you drag some of these decent men and women off to your rehab center this evening?

Larissa met Rex’s questioning gaze and kept her facial muscles as serene as she could. He wasn’t a guest? What rehab center?

Ah, but she’d forgotten how green his eyes were. How the light in his eyes defied explanation, almost a charisma. She found herself leaning toward him and had to consciously straighten her spine and move a half-step away.

He turned a bland smile on the reporter and she grasped that moment to free herself from his spell and take a shallow breath.

What better place to find alcoholics needing treatment than at a wine-tasting party? Delacroix tossed off the words in counterpoint to Jeffrey’s belligerence.

Alcoholics? Some kind of alcohol rehab then? Oh God, please don’t let it be in Seattle.

Whatsa matter, Delacroix? demanded the reporter. Can’t find enough rich and famous druggies to babysit? Go find yourself some senators’ sons, a has-been celebrity or two, or one of your famous bigwigs who snort their money up their noses. Why do you have to ruin our party?

Jeffrey swayed on his feet, and Larissa wondered if perhaps he might be a candidate for the very services he’d just panned.

Oh, he’s got bigger plans than that, would be my guess, said Sly, taking a sip of his red wine. Saw you talking with Marian. You want that contract her hospital’s recently put out for bids.

Larissa’s unwilling gaze followed the lift at one corner of Delacroix’s mouth. She noticed he didn’t affirm or deny Sly’s accusation. The man was secure in himself. Very.

Delacroix turned his gaze back to Larissa and she felt the room warm by several degrees. Larissa. Nice to see you.

The shiver down her spine told her his voice could still affect her.

Delacroix. His name came out through gritted teeth. She tried to relax her jaw. No point in ruining expensive dental work over this man.

One of his eyebrows lifted as if she’d just issued a challenge. And perhaps she had, by using his last name. Keep your distance, Delacroix. This was no pretend game; she meant it.

Been a long time, he observed. She thought she saw interest flare in those green depths.

Not long enough, Delacroix. Larissa felt a hardness enter her own gaze—and her heart—as she stared back at him. She could handle this situation. She could handle him.

Yes, it was definitely interest. Damn him.

Another slow smile, and she could see his invitation as plainly as if he’d spoken it aloud. Come play with me.

Her gaze answered. No thanks. Not this time. Not ever.

Any chance we can talk later, Larissa?

She stared at him, unable to believe her ears. After all she’d been through because of this man? He was delusional; had to be, if he thought she would have anything to do with him ever again.

No. I’m busy. For the next century, Rex. With a brisk movement of her head, she turned to Sly and Jeffrey, catching the reporter staring at her with his mouth open. Reporters shouldn’t shock so easily.

I’ll be going, she announced. I have a long day tomorrow. Delivering more babies.

Sly nodded his acceptance. Jeffrey looked from her to Delacroix and back again.

Larissa caught Delacroix’s now bland gaze. Only a small twitch in his left jaw muscle indicated her refusal may have surprised him.

Lifting her chin, she met his green eyes squarely. Take a good look, Delacroix. This is the last you’ll see of me. Turning on her heel, she walked away, letting her hips sway with each step, knowing if she turned around, he’d be watching.

Never in her life had she thought she’d get the chance to walk away from Rex. She’d replayed his abandonment of her, over and over in her head. Ah, but now, tonight it was Larissa who’d left him behind. Her act of defiance felt good. Never had she dreamed that Fate would give her a chance to abandon the man who had once abandoned her. Now that she’d done it—actually done it!—she realized how truly good it felt.

*****

Twenty minutes later, Larisa was behind the wheel, keeping one eye on the road and one eye on the speedometer inching up. Although exhilarated by tonight’s event, she must drive carefully. She smiled at herself in the rear-view mirror. Warm brown eyes, a strong jawline, full lips in an even, tawny complexion smiled back. Exhilaration? Empowerment? These were not feelings she normally experienced when thinking of Doctor Rex Delacroix.

She stopped at a red light and waited for the light to change. A mist-like rain was falling on the streets of Seattle. She switched on the windshield wipers and they purred into action, washing her SUV’s windows clear, again and again.

The traffic light turned green, and she pressed her foot down hard on the gas pedal. Her SUV leaped ahead into the night. Damn, but life was good!

Larissa turned up the car radio for a moment and listened to the low voice of a woman singing about how she needed only one reason from her ex-lover and she’d turn around and walk right back into his arms. With a frown, she changed stations. Finding nothing else, she turned it off.

As she drove along the freeway and out of the city limits, she floored the gas and felt the surge as the engine kicked into the next gear. The car growled as she headed for the suburbs north of Seattle.

Yes, she’d handled Rex Delacroix. Just fine.

* * * * *

Twenty minutes later, a bleary-eyed fatigue followed that first jolt of euphoric revenge, her mind and body both felt spent from riding an emotional roller coaster. During the drive, she’d recounted the incident tonight, vacillating between the glorious high of joyous revenge that she’d left Delacroix standing in her dust, to the steep plummet of agonizing pain of realizing she’d once thought herself in love with him.

Now she was just exhausted.

Turning down her street, she drove slowly past the dark, shrouded lawns and modest brick houses to swing into her driveway. She clicked the garage door open and drove inside. After stopping the car, Larissa stared straight ahead for a moment. She was home. Safe. No more big bad man from her past. No need to gather her courage to face anyone.

Ten years ago, on a winter night after the evening shift, she and Rex had left the hospital where Larissa had started her medical residency. Rex, already a doctor, worked on staff. She knew those green eyes of his were the talk of several female residents and no doubt a full-fledged doctor or two, but he’d chosen her! They’d been seeing one another every day for weeks, sneaking lunch breaks together, kissing in the broom closets, and more—a lot more.

Every time she’d looked into those eyes, she’d feel the blood pound through her body. Feel alive. And her heart told her: he’s the man for you!

That fateful night, the two of them walked down a quiet, dark street, arms wrapped around one another, laughing in the light of the overhead street lamps. He, relaxed. She, only 27, giddy, in love. He had his arm over her shoulders. She gladly supported his weight. He was so loose-limbed, nuzzling her cheek now and then, and whispering in her ear. His knees buckled once; she didn’t care. Visions of what they would do to one another once they got to his place crept into her mind. Her heart pounded at the thought of making love with him again.

She remembered laughing with him, captivated as always by his maleness, his confidence, his scent. And, she remembered the next moment as clearly as if it was etched in her mind like acid on glass. In the middle of the deserted road, he’d suddenly stopped, glanced down the street, then back to her. Swaying, he had disentangled himself from her arms and growled, It’s over. Get lost.

Staggered, she’d stared at him. Disbelief and shock rippling through her, she’d grabbed his arm. Rex? What do you mean? Rex?

He shook her off like she was insignificant, unimportant. Get lost, I said.

He wouldn’t meet her eyes. Instead he lurched away from her touch and headed for the sidewalk, his steps unsteady.

Rex? Stumbling after him, Larissa reached for thin air, groping blindly. Come back…

He kept going, half-running, not looking back. Not even once. She’d stood in stunned silence on that dark street and watched him walk away. How could he do this? the hurt, weeping part of her cried. She’d given him everything! Her body. Her heart. Her love. Everything she could give, she’d given to him. He’d taken it all and thrown her aside. A momentary whim. That’s all she’d been to him. A conquest. An amusement.

Why didn’t he just rip her beating heart out of her chest?

He’d never called her again. When she’d tried to contact him at his apartment and at the training hospital, she’d been met with stony silence. No one would tell her where he’d gone.

That Rex Delacroix thought he could thrust himself back into her life with one sparkle from those green eyes almost made her laugh. Almost.

Her throat aching, she took one hand off the wheel long enough to brush away the tears that unaccountably welled in her eyes.

Still she sat, not moving from her seat. Finally she lifted the garage door opener and clicked the door shut behind the car. Eyes closed, she bent forward and rested her forehead on the steering wheel. What she needed was a good night’s sleep, that was all. By morning, Delacroix would be forgotten. Tomorrow was a new day. She’d put things in perspective.

She picked up her purse and forced herself out of the car.

The moment she stepped into her kitchen, she knew something was wrong.

Chapter Two

Rex watched Larissa walk away, his gaze drawn to her hips. Whew! Her angry reaction at seeing him again shouted he had some unfinished business to deal with. Over the years, he’d often thought of her, wondered how she was doing. Told himself it was for the best that he not call her. Let their past be just that—the past.

But after that smoking interaction, he’d better re-think his decision.

He glanced over at Sly Coombs and the reporter to see they were both regarding him. Coombs with a quizzical, amused air, and Krown with a hard-edged glare.

Rex gave a single nod of acknowledgement to both men.

Sly Coombs and he had attended the same medical school, though Rex had been a few years ahead of Coombs. The playboy intern had turned out to be an excellent plastic surgeon, and well respected.

Rex brought his gaze back to the reporter. The few previous social encounters he’d had with Jeff Krown had left the impression of an ambitious man set on making a name for himself in a cut-throat career. And a man who may or may not have a drinking problem.

Rex decided to downplay the threat he seemed to represent to the reporter. After all, Krown looked buzzed and wouldn’t be a good candidate for rehab tonight anyway. I’m not here to drag anyone off to rehab. Just because someone attends a wine-tasting doesn’t mean they have an alcohol problem.

In truth, he knew that most of the people in the room did not and would never have a problem with alcohol. But there would be a small percentage who could not drink without paying the high price of addiction. He sincerely hoped Krown was not one of them.

The rotund reporter took another gulp and didn’t answer.

You want Marian’s rehab contract, said Coombs.

Rex surveyed the room while he decided whether to answer. No need to confirm for Coombs he was thinking of bidding on the Forest Park Hospital contract. It was none of the plastic surgeon’s business.

Rex’s gaze stopped suddenly as he caught sight of one of his newly released patients—a tuxedo-clad, distinguished-looking orthopedic specialist. Paul was huddled over the wine table, clutching a bottle of red wine in each hand, giving new meaning to the term ‘two-fisted drinker.’

Rex sighed. It was a sad sight to see the doctor gulping back the booze, but Rex reminded himself of the commitment he’d made when he’d first entered this profession. He would be available for alcoholics and drug abusers who wanted help, and he would do all he could to help them, but he would do so within the bounds of holding each of them accountable for their own behavior and recovery plan.

So far, the surgeon hadn’t noticed Rex. Though relapses were common in his chosen profession, that didn’t make it any easier to watch a talented professional self-destruct.

How do you know Larissa? Coombs’ question hovered.

Rex glanced at the faint smile the plastic surgeon directed at him. So Sly wanted to talk about Larissa? Right. She’d looked good. Dazzling, in fact. Full of life.

Known her long?

Buying time, Rex picked up a flute glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon as a waiter carrying a full tray of drinks glided past. Awhile.

Coombs’ frank gaze held curiosity. Larissa is a great obstetrician, and a good person. I’d hate to see her mixed up with the wrong man. He took a sip of his wine, his gaze now holding reproach.

Coombs had as good as said Rex was ‘the wrong man.’ Rex took a sip of his water while he pondered how to answer. It’s not like that.

Oh? How is it then? Explain it to me.

Rex considered Coombs’ big brother-like attitude. The plastic surgeon was astute enough to notice his and Larissa’s interaction and know it was old history. Probably Krown did, too. Rex sighed inwardly. He would have to do something about what had just happened with Larissa. But what?

Meanwhile, the rotund reporter was waving his arms practically in Rex’s face, his eyes focused somewhere over Rex’s left shoulder. A glance behind showed a beefy man with a shiny pate and sunglasses hurrying towards them. Two large bald men—one black, one white—trailed after him. Rex guessed them to be with hotel security.

The beefy man parked himself in front of the reporter. What’s up?

Gentlemen, slurred the reporter, get this guy outta here.

Three sets of stern eyes regarded Rex. Why? asked the leader of the security detail. What’s he done?

He’s an annoyance, said Krown. A serious annoyance. His face was florid now, and there was no sign of the tumbler he’d been drinking from.

Rex felt privately amused as the three large men regarded him and Krown, trying to decide what kind of problem Rex was allegedly causing. Unlike the departed Larissa, they had little evidence to go on.

People like him need to be taken down a notch. Krown was swaying on his feet, an action that seemed to undermine his credibility with the security men. They think they’re better than the rest of us.

The three men of the security detail frowned at Rex. Rex raised his hands, palms up, and shrugged. The leader nodded his head, indicating he wanted to speak with Rex. Alone.

Rex followed him to the side of the room.

What’s going on? asked the hotel security man.

Don’t know, said Rex. He seems a bit belligerent, but not exceptionally so. I’m not sure why he called you over, other than that he seems to want to get rid of me.

Now why’d he want to do that?

Rex glanced back at the reporter, again wondering at Krown’s animosity. The reporter’s heightened color and the slowed reactions of his body’s coordination were tip-offs that there might be at least one good reason why he wouldn’t want to be around a doctor who specialized in addiction.

The security employee regarded Rex out of serious eyes. Hey, I know you. You’re that doctor... He snapped his fingers, obviously trying to recall Rex’s name.

Delacroix, supplied Rex helpfully.

That’s it, Doctor Delacroix. The beefy man’s tough-guy stance relaxed. Name’s Simon Riley. You helped my brother, Bobby.

Rex kept his face impassive. Professionally, I cannot confirm that. I hope you understand.

But he remembered Bobby, a decorated police officer. By the time the younger man had checked into Hope Clinic, his wife had taken their two children and sued for divorce. While Bobby was still in treatment at the clinic, Rex had walked in on him and found him sitting in a chair staring at the service revolver in his hand, the man’s intent obvious. It had taken Rex an hour to convince Bobby to give himself one more chance at life. After taking the gun away, Rex tightened the search procedures at his clinic so his intake staff wouldn’t miss any more smuggled weapons.

But he wasn’t going to tell Simon anything about his brother’s behavior while Bobby was in treatment. He had to respect his client’s confidentiality. The last time Rex had talked with Bobby, he’d said he was staying clean and sober and was now working for a private security firm. He had regularly scheduled visits with his children, and was hopeful he and his estranged wife would reconcile.

Simon stuck out his hand and Rex took it. You do good work, Doc. Thanks. You saved my bro’s life.

Rex smiled tightly. He didn’t know what to say, but he appreciated the other man’s gesture and gratitude.

I’ll get rid of this guy for you. Simon walked back to where Krown appeared to be baiting the other two men on security detail. The reporter had raised his hand, palm down, and it looked as if he was about to rub the shiny bald head of the white agent. The agent’s reaction was swift. He blocked the reporter’s arm and pushed it aside. The quick movement unbalanced Krown and he staggered.

At a nod from Simon, the two security men each grabbed one of Krown’s arms before he could fall. Between them, they escorted him out of the room.

What? said the reporter as he was being marched away. I didn’t do anything. He’s the troublemaker. Let me go, you idiots!

Rex walked back to where Coombs stood watching Krown with a bemused expression. He’s usually a good guy. Just a little out of sorts tonight.

Rex’s gaze followed the departing backs of the large security men with the shorter man in their midst. He shrugged, feeling no obligation to