Catch a Falling Star (21 page)

“I'm certain many of you know Dr. Kendall Haynes, if not personally, then because of her stellar professional reputation in the community.”

Kendall resisted the unprofessional urge to squirm.

“Kendall, let me introduce you to my team.” He shifted, placing his arm around her shoulder, and began introducing people, going counterclockwise around the table. “Dr. Janice White is an ob-gyn with Springs Women's Clinic. Dr. Tom Clark is a neurologist in town. Tom and I enjoy a good game of handball, too. Then there's Frank Bennett, he's a retired air force colonel. He's on the board because of his business acumen and international experience. Don't know what I'd do without him. Same with Leslie Meyer. She's a lawyer here in the Springs. She's kept me sane during this process.”

Kendall took the time to greet each person one by one, recognizing the two physicians by name. Everyone else was new to her. Four physicians—well, three, because she wasn't on the board. A businessman and a lawyer. There was some sort of joke waiting to be told there. Kendall looked forward to learning more about Heath's plans for his organization. She'd been surprised when he invited her to the combination dinner and board meeting. After insisting he welcomed her insights, he hadn't reissued his invitation to become a true member.

“I've explained to Kendall how I hope to improve health care for third-world countries, with an initial focus on Africa, since that's
where I spent the last five years.” Heath passed her a basket of rolls, encouraging her to indulge. “I'm eager to get past the planning stage and see the organization go from a dream to becoming a reality.”

“I've been doing the research you requested, Heath, and I think your idea of becoming an NGO is the best option.” Leslie tapped a long red fingernail on the black folder beside her plate.

“An NGO? Is that some new term for mission organizations?” As soon as she spoke, Kendall wished she'd sat quiet and listened. This wasn't her meeting. She needed to sit back and observe, not ask unneeded questions.

“No,
NGO
stands for ‘non-governmental organization.' ” Heath handed her a black paper folder identical to the ones everyone else at the table had. “At its core, the organization is grounded in the Christian principle of helping the poor. But securing government moneys enables me to do that all the better.”

Leslie waited for Heath to finish his explanation before continuing. “There are so many countries that are closed to . . . um . . . religious groups. If we go more low-key on that aspect, then we have a better chance of having a wider reach to more countries.”

That made sense. Many missionaries went into countries via tent-making ministries—working within a secular job providing opportunities to develop relationships with the people living around them.

Conversation stopped as the waiter arrived and served salad and soup. Heath moved closer to Kendall and whispered, “I'm so glad you're here. I could hardly concentrate because whenever anyone came in, I hoped it was you.”

As he spoke, Heath rested his hand at the nape of her neck. Warmth radiated up her neck, scorching her face. He wasn't the only one struggling with being distracted.

“I'm
excited to be here. I can't wait to hear more about the organization.”

“Business first, pleasure later.”

Oh.

As Kendall ate her salad of spinach, blackberries, pear, hazelnuts, and French Brie, Tom discussed more details of the program. “I drew up some preliminary objectives as you requested, as well as working on an overall charter for the group. Have you come up with a name yet?”

Heath set aside his house salad. “I've been mulling over a few options. Too bad the World Health Organization is already taken.” Laughter flowed around the table. “I like having the word
health
in the title. Maybe
benefits
or
access
or something else I haven't come up with.”

Kendall tossed word combinations around in her head. “Something like International Health Access?”

“Something
exactly
like that.” Heath reached down and clasped her hand underneath the table, squeezing it. “Maybe we should formally invite Dr. Haynes to join the board.”

“No, no, I don't think so.” Kendall waved away his suggestion. “I'm supposed to be listening. I shouldn't have said anything.”

“Not at all.” Tom gave her a nod of approval. “We welcome your input.”

But when Kendall glanced around the table, Leslie's hard stare contradicted Tom's words. The woman looked anything but thrilled to have Kendall there.

Tom scanned a document beside his plate. “So, the primary objective is to improve the health standards for third-world countries.”

“Yes, although I realize we need to craft that idea into a more compelling vision statement.” Heath tossed a smile her way.
“Maybe I should brainstorm that with Kendall, too. She seems to have a way with words.”

“And one of the ways you want to do that is to sell products made by women, specifically single mothers and widows.”

“Yes. I meant to bring some samples tonight. Kendall let me ship the packages to her office, since I'm still in a hotel until I find a house here in the Springs.” Heath flipped open his folder. “I apologize for leaving them back in my room. But page five of the documents I mailed each of you contains photographs. Baskets. Clay beads for bracelets and necklaces. That sort of thing.”

“These are lovely.” Kendall turned to page five in her folder and admired the color photos of several styles of handwoven baskets and vibrant multicolored beads fashioned into bracelets and necklaces. “Where do you think you'd sell these?”

Janice spoke up. “That's my department. I'm investigating a variety of options. Everything from craft shows to physicians' offices to churches. I have a friend who is involved with a mission organization who has had great success with this type of product.”

Heath nodded his approval. “If Janice wasn't such a successful physician, she could have gone into business.”

The woman almost preened under Heath's praise. “I believe in what you're doing, Heath, you know that.”

Once again, the waiter arrived and began serving dinner. Kendall closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma of fennel mixed with the tangy cranberry chutney served with her meal. Conversation became more casual for a few moments, until Tom refocused on business.

“Since this is a board meeting, I'll keep moving things along.” He shuffled through his stack of papers. “You also want to get moving on that supplement or herb—what did you call
it, Heath?—that you studied over in Africa. What's the financial potential for that?”

Heath paused for a few moments, then resumed peppering his elk. “Improving nutrition—absolutely part of the plan. But not on the agenda tonight. I forgot to mark out that part of the discussion, Tom. It's really too early to consider.”

“But at the last meeting you seemed quite eager—”

“Yes, I am. But I'm tabling it for now. I'll get back to you on it.”

Tom paused. Met Heath's eyes. Some unspoken communication seemed to flow between the two men—or was she imagining things? This was a board meeting, not some sort of scenario for medical intrigue. Kendall wanted to ask a question. Or excuse herself and go hide in the ladies' restroom so the two men could talk more openly. But all she could do was concentrate on her entrée.

“Heath, I did look into some commercial property, as you requested.” Leslie moved her plate aside and placed a yellow manila folder on the table. “The good news is, commercial property is still a buyer's market here in the Springs.”

“Great to hear. I'm debating how to combine this foundation with practicing medicine—or if I even do that.” Heath focused on Leslie. “Why don't you fill in the board on what you found?”

An hour later, Heath and Kendall lingered at the restaurant after the rest of the group left, enjoying cappuccinos with just the right amount of steamed-milk foam on top.

Heath loosened his golden-yellow tie, releasing a soft groan as he patted his flat stomach. “I overate.”

“Easy to do here.” Kendall enjoyed the quietness of the restaurant after several hours of nonstop talking among the board members.

Heath tapped the empty dessert plate in front of him with his fork. “I should have skipped dessert. But cheesecake is always hard to say no to.”

“Oh, well. Work out fifteen minutes longer tomorrow. That's my plan.”

Good idea, Doctor.” He surprised her by clasping her hand and lifting it to his lips, pressing a warm kiss against her skin. “Thank you.”

Her heart rate skidded. Ah, a thank-you kiss on the back of the hand.

“I felt like the luckiest man in the room, to have you here.”

“Heath, tonight was not about me.”

“I know that. I mean, I wanted you to hear more about International Health Access. IHA—great name, Kendall.” Heath continued to hold her hand. “But having you here was more of a distraction than I bargained for. What perfume are you wearing?”

Kendall shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? Odd name for a perfume. But it's tantalizing.” Heath traced a slow circle on her hand with his thumb.

“I mean, I don't wear perfume, Heath.” His touch unsettled her, making it a challenge to think of tonight as a just a business meeting.

“You don't? Why not?”

“Occupational hazard. So many of my patients have allergies. Or asthma. I can't spend my whole day worrying about whether my perfume is going to bother someone. So I don't wear any perfume.”

“So you're alluring all on your own.”

“I wouldn't say that.”

“I would, Dr. Haynes. I would.” He lowered his voice. “Very alluring. I find it difficult to believe I haven't kissed you. Yet.”

Kendall's breath caught in her throat, her eyes locking with Heath's. There was no mistaking the hint of desire in the blue depths. He wouldn't kiss her here, would he? In the
middle of, well, really in the
corner
of the restaurant? Would she let him?

Heath's smile gentled her emotions. “Don't worry, beautiful lady. When I kiss you, I won't be worrying about a waiter walking by and bringing me the check.”

When
he kissed her . . .

Within a matter of minutes, Heath paid the check, retrieved Kendall's coat, and escorted her outside. They were the last ones to leave the restaurant, having lingered over their coffees and dessert. The air was cold and crisp, a brilliant moon glittering among the tree limbs above them decorated with flowers waiting to bud. The staircase leading down to her car was cast in shadow.

“I'm parked down below.”

“Then I'll walk you to your car.” Heath clasped her hand with his, pulling her to a stop with a gentle tug. “But first, there's only one way to end this night on a perfect note.”

He turned her toward him, pulling her into his embrace. His arm around her back was strong, secure. He tilted her face up, his touch gentle, his eyes cloaked in the night.

“What a surprise you are, Kendall.”

“A surprise?”

“Yes. I came back to the States, planning to concentrate on work . . .” His fingers tangled in her hair. “I didn't plan on falling in love.”

His words caught her off guard. “Is that what this is, Heath?”

“I hope so. Don't you?”

His first kiss kept her from answering his question.

Kendall stilled as Heath cradled her face with both his hands, his mouth a tantalizing taste of warmth and temptation. He followed the first kiss with another one, even more potent than the first, so that she clasped the lapels of his coat to stay on balance.

A breeze. A rattle of tree limbs. Kendall pushed herself away, forcing herself to think. To act rationally. She was standing outside a restaurant—making out like a teenager with Heath Parker.

Enough.

“I-I think you need to walk me to my car.”

Heath's chuckle reverberated against his chest. “All right. One of us needs to think clearly. Although I'd like nothing more than to kiss you again.”

Kendall buried her face in his coat. “I'd like that, too.” Had she just admitted that? Well, why not? Her response made it obvious. “But I still think you should just walk me to my car.”

Heath pressed his lips against the corner of her ear. “And you surprise me again, Kendall. I shall walk you to your car. And look forward to kissing you again . . . sometime soon.”

Heath's kisses lingered in Kendall's mind—on her lips—all the way home. The scent of his cologne had embedded itself in the fabric of her coat, and she turned the collar up and buried her nose in the material, recalling the feel of his embrace. Security. Something she hadn't felt in a long time.

And desire.

That, too.