David’s mouth watered as the smell reached him at the same moment the words “pot roast” registered in his brain. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“If you keep forgetting to eat, you won’t be much good to your patients.”

“You sound like my mother.”

Her soft peal of laughter made David feel ten feet tall. “Something tells me that’s not a compliment.”

“She likes to fuss over me, too.”

“Is that what I’m doing? Fussing over you?”

“I’m not sure. Are you?”

“I…I probably shouldn’t have come.” She looked uncertain again, and David hated himself for messing with her hard-won confidence.

“Why did you come, Daisy?”

Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth.

David fixated on her mouth, which was almost too lush for her small-boned face. It occurred to him that he’d thought about that mouth and those lips far more often than he should have over the last few days. What was wrong with him? She was a patient, a woman who’d been battered by the man she thought she loved. She didn’t need him thinking about her mouth, for crying out loud.

“David?”

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

She stood. “I should go.”

He rushed to his feet. “No, don’t.”

“I, um…”

“Please stay. Tell me why you came.”

“Are you listening this time?”

Smiling, David went around the desk and leaned against it so he was closer to her as she settled back into the chair. “Yes.”

“I was saying that I enjoyed talking to you when you came to see me. I thought maybe you might’ve enjoyed it, too.”

“I did.” He glanced at the container she held. “That smells really good.”

She tipped her head and studied him, seeming amused. “Tell me the truth—did you forget to eat again?”

“Maybe. We’ve been slammed with the stomach flu that’s led to lots of dehydrated patients. I admitted several of them, in fact, so I’ll be staying here tonight.” He stopped himself when he realized he was rambling. “But you don’t care about that.”

“Yes, I do. I’m interested in your work.”

“Oh. You are?”

She nodded and handed him the container. “It needs about two minutes in the microwave.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate this.”

“It’s nothing,” she said with a shrug.

“It’s not nothing. It’s very thoughtful.”

Her smile lit up her sweet face, and David was astonished by the wave of tenderness and longing he experienced when he made her smile. “Are you in a rush?”

“Nope. Nowhere to be until next week when I go back to work.”

“In that case, maybe you could stick around to keep me company while I eat?”

“I’d love to.”