Healing Two Hearts: PAWS for Romance, #3

By Kadee McDonald

Can love be just as lovely…the second time around?

 

Cardiac nurse Tricia Alderson was heartbroken when her workaholic husband died five years ago. She's now helping her brother and sister-in-law plan their Valentine's Day vow renewal and she's also happy to see two of her nieces in loving relationships. But Tricia has no expectations of finding love for herself again.

 

Rone Malloy's stressful management job in radio ad sales lands him in Tricia's CCU on New Year's Eve. Headstrong, and refusing to take his health issues seriously at first, he's told he'll have to change his ways or risk another attack, possibly even a fatal one. Rone finally resolves not to waste the second chance he's been given, but dropping old habits is hard to do.

 

He also really wants to see more of Tricia, the pretty nurse with the lovely blue eyes. Back at work, he's offered a promotion, one which could bring even more stress into his life. Will he accept it? And, if he does, after losing one man she loved to workaholism, will Tricia risk her heart a second time?

 

Author's Promise: This is a shorter, heartwarming, later-in life contemporary romance with a "happily-ever-after" ending. It's a sweet story with nothing more than hugs and sweet kisses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kadee McDonald
• Release date: Jan 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9798224621651

Book preview

~ Dedication ~

HEALING TWO HEARTS continues the stories of the Pearson family, who center themselves around service, hard work, hope, and love. As always, I’m so grateful to those who helped bring Tricia and Rone’s romance to the page.

First, to Nancy and Liz, my critique partner and beta reader, for their hours of reading, advice, comments, catching typos, and just general unwavering support.

Also, hugs to the real four-footeds who’ve enriched my own life beyond measure (Princess, Barney, Mrs. Miniver, Kaitlyn, Lady, Izabella, and Juliana), as well as to the fictional ones that are introduced in this story. Each of you has your own personality, but one thing all pets share is the ability to give their humans much-needed and unconditional love. We are blessed to have you, always.

To my amazing readers:

I hope you enjoy Healing Two Hearts, Book #3 in the PAWS for Romance series. If you’d like to hear from me about the release of my future books, please go to my website below, where you can sign up for a monthly email newsletter from me. To say thanks for subscribing, you’ll get a link via email from the good folks at BookFunnel to download a free ebook collection of my sweet contemporary romance short stories.

~ Kadee

www.KadeeMcDonald.com

Other titles from Kadee McDonald:

Rescuing the Single Dad

(Book #1 in PAWS for Romance)

Catering to Love

(Book #2 in PAWS for Romance)

Gifting Love

(Book #4 in PAWS for Romance)

A Second Chance at Christmas for Jessie & Rick

(Second Chance at Christmas #1)

A Second Chance at Christmas for Courtney & Austin

(Second Chance at Christmas #2)

Chapter One

YOU'RE REALLY THINKING about doing it, aren't you?

Tricia Alderson glanced up at Mimi Lewis, who stood in the doorway to the office that the two of them had shared for the past ten years. Located next to the main nurses’ station, it was barely large enough for their desks, filing cabinets, and a couple of guest chairs.

As nurse managers, they oversaw the planning, budgeting, and staffing of the Cardiac Care Unit, the ‘CCU,’ as well as the Cardiac Step-Down Unit, which occupied most of the Westside Medical Center’s fourth floor. On a normal day, their staff cared for two dozen or so patients. With doctors coming and going at all hours, as well as visitors, when allowed, the floor was a busy place.

Today, though, there’d been a bit of a lull. It was usually quiet the week between Christmas and New Year's. None of the cardiac surgeons scheduled elective procedures this time of year, and there had also been fewer patients than usual who’d come in through the Emergency Department and required in-hospital care.

Taking advantage of being caught up on her work, Tricia had picked up a salad to-go from the hospital cafeteria and, for the last thirty minutes, she’d been pouring over a stack of brochures she’d brought into the office with her.

Thinking about it? Yes. Committed to the idea? No. Tricia refolded the slick, full-color pamphlets. It can never hurt to plan, though, right? I mean, I’m only seven years away from retirement. Maybe less, if I decide to call it a day sooner.

I know. Mimi settled in her own chair and tapped the mouse to wake up her computer. I’m not that far behind you, thank goodness. But you’ve always lived in a large house. How do you think you’ll do, dividing your time between a much smaller place and an RV? It’ll be a huge adjustment.

Actually, it sounds heavenly. I've been on my own in more space than I need for too long, Mimi. After Nels passed away and our boys left home, I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t adopted little Zoey from the PAWS shelter a few years ago. She might only weigh five pounds, but she’s been a lifesaver. I’m more used to the quiet now but, frankly, I've gotten tired of keeping up such a big place when I use so little of it.

Maybe you could hire a housekeeper or a maid service, Mimi said. I love coming home on Fridays to a clean house.

But you’ve got your husband, and your youngest still lives at home. It seems like too much of an extravagance just for me.

Then how about dust covers?

Tricia grinned and shook her head at the idea of rambling around a three thousand-square-foot house every day with half of it draped in white sheets. Not looking to live in a Gothic novel, to be honest. Not my style at all.

As a widow and now an empty-nester, with only her little dog to take care of and keep her company at home, Tricia’s work had become her priority. She put in four shifts every week, of ten-to-twelve hours each, and additional overtime as needed. She taught at the hospital’s cardiac rehab program on Saturday afternoons, but she also made sure to take time away to spend with friends and family.

She leaned down to stash the brochures back in her You Can’t Buy Love, But You Can Adopt It canvas tote bag and almost didn’t hear the soft knock on the office door. Excuse me...?

Tricia looked up to see Grace Moore, a young, black nurse who was as lovely as her name. She’d joined their staff earlier that year. Smart and reliable, and with a great bedside manner, she was adept at wrangling even their most difficult patients.

Mimi had said more than once that she wished she had a half dozen more nurses just like Grace. Tricia and Mimi were both managers, but Mimi handled the day-to-day scheduling, while Tricia worked more closely with the hospital administrators, doctor’s offices, and the billing department.

May I speak to you, Mrs. Lewis?

Grace, dear, I’ve told you before, I want you to call me Mimi.

Oh, I know, the younger nurse, originally from Alabama, said in soft Southern accent. It’s just that my mama raised me to be what she called ‘the epitome of politeness.’ It’s a hard habit to break, I guess.

Don’t break it then. Just make an exception for me and Tricia, okay? Now, what can I do for you, hon?

It’s my husband. He wants to go out on New Year’s Eve with some of our friends, but I didn’t know that when I filled out my schedule request last week. Since that’s only two days from now, I told him it was probably too late to change, and that everyone must already have plans, but he insisted I at least ask. So, just to keep peace at home, this is me, asking.

Mimi clicked her computer mouse a few times, then nodded. Well, you do have a floating holiday you haven’t taken, and if you don’t use it, hospital policy says it can’t carry over to next year. Have you checked with anyone about covering your shift?

No, not yet. I wanted to get your okay first.

It’s fine by me, and I wouldn’t want you to lose that day, but we do have to find someone to fill in for you. Let me see who isn’t working that day and who might be willing to step in...

You’re still a newlywed, aren’t you, Grace? Tricia asked as Mimi continued to check the schedules.

Yes, Mrs. Alderson—Grace shook her head—I mean, Tricia. My husband and I got married two weeks before I came to work here, so our first anniversary is coming up next month.

I thought so. Tricia tilted her head, remembering just for a second what it had felt like to be so young and in love. Sometimes that seemed like a lifetime ago to her now. I’ll take your shift.

What? Grace’s eyes widened. Oh, no, ma’am, I couldn’t ask you to do that.

I’m offering. I’d scheduled a few vacation days, but I wasn’t going anywhere during this cold weather. Besides, I’m parked way too many days behind this desk and it’ll be good for me to spend more time with the patients. Gotta keep my skills up, you know?

But you must have plans? I mean, I know you have kids and other family nearby, too, right?

My boys don’t live here right now, and my brother’s the quiet type. Tricia chuckled. If I know Mike, he’ll be falling asleep in his recliner long before midnight. To this day, I don’t know what my sister-in-law, Kate, ever saw in him.

You said you talked him up pretty good back in college, Mimi reminded her.

Oh, yeah, that’s right, I did. Guess I knew what I was doing, too, since they’ve been married almost thirty-five years and they’ve got seven kids. But, no, my only real plan was to spend a few days at home with my little dog and a good book.

You mean, there’s no silver fox wanting you to go out dancing with him on New Year’s Eve? Grace teased.

Tricia smoothed down the edges of her own hair a bit self-consciously. She’d started graying in her early forties, just like her mother, Margie Pearson. Finally, when Tricia’s hair got to the ‘salt-and-pepper’ stage, she’d followed her mother’s lead and had it colored a flattering, pure gray. Now, at fifty-five, she wore it short, with her bangs swept to the side, a professional look that was easy to care for.

No silver foxes in sight, she said. George Clooney was my last hope, but of course he’s happily married now and has twins. That would be way too much work for me.

Mimi snorted with laughter, making Tricia grin as she continued. Besides, I had twenty-six pretty good years with my late husband, so I’m ready to leave all that romance business to you younger women from now on.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, COLLINS decided not to book first quarter? Two days later, Ronan ‘Rone’ Malloy scowled at his assistant sales manager, Trent Zabrinski. I didn’t spend three hundred dollars taking him and his wife out to dinner last week, only to have him pull out of the deal.

Sorry, Rone. That’s what his buyer at the ad agency told me. With everyone tapped out from Christmas shopping, Collins wants to hold off until his spring and summer sales. They said they’ll probably make most of these canceled orders up in the second and third quarters, though.

That’s not going to help us meet budget in January, now is it? I’ll call Collins myself—he reached for his cell phone—and see if I can salvage this.

The buyer said he’d be out of town until the tenth of January. He’s taking his kids skiing in Colorado, I think.

So? Rone scrolled through his list of contacts, then tapped the client’s name to place the call. He sat forward on the edge of his chair as he laid the phone on the top of his desk. "Even if he’s at the airport, he can answer the phone, can’t he? Here...I’ll put it on speaker, so