Read Online Summer on Lovers' Island by Donna Alward - Free Book Online Page A

slide into second, made his way over to her.
    God, he looked good. His tanned skin contrasted with his dirty-blond hair, which curled out from beneath his cap just a little bit. Then there were his eyes. It seemed like all the Collins kids had inherited the same clear, blue eyes.
    â€œHey, good teamwork out there, huh?” he asked.
    â€œIt was okay. You still lost.” She kept her tone nonchalant, deliberately misunderstanding his meaning.
    He laughed. “I meant you and me.”
    â€œI know you did.” She couldn’t help but smile now. “That probably really hurt. Hitting Tom had to feel like hitting a brick wall.”
    â€œHe’s a big lad.”
    She chuckled. “When I signed the lease on the cottage, I was like, holy cow, who is this lumberjack dude?”
    Josh really laughed now. “Hold up. Dr. Howard, did you just say ‘dude’?”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo, I didn’t know such vernacular was in your vocabulary. It’s not … um…”
    She shouldered her tote. “Not, um, what?”
    â€œNever mind.”
    She had a feeling she knew what he was going to say. “Are you saying I have a stick up my ass, Collins?”
    He looked shocked that she’d suggested it. “Of course not! Just that you’re very … uh…”
    She knew she’d been short with him at times. Stupid truth was that when she felt awkward she reverted to her professional self. Ian had told her once that she sometimes seemed cold. She wasn’t, not really. She was just … unsure. Of course she’d never admit that to Josh. She didn’t like people knowing about her weaknesses. Especially capable, hunky people she had to see every day.
    â€œGood thing you’re a doctor,” she teased. “Your vocab sucks.”
    â€œI was going to say ‘professional,’” he finished.
    â€œâ€˜Uptight.’”
    â€œMaybe.” She was playing with him a bit, and what was more, she was enjoying it. She let him off the hook. “Hey, I’m new, still figuring out the dynamic and stuff. Cut me some slack.”
    He grinned at her. “You surprised me today. You seemed more easygoing than usual.”
    â€œI take my work seriously. But after hours I like to be more chill. It’s how I balance things out. My day is organized and efficient. My outside-of-work life is more spontaneous. The game was fun. I do know how to have fun once in a while. I can tell you stories that’ll curl your hair.”
    His eyebrows went up. “Really? Like what?”
    She tilted her head to the side. “Well, I think one of my favorites was cliff diving in Hawaii.”
    He blinked. “You did that?”
    â€œSure I did. And walked volcanoes and learned to surf. I didn’t do so well with the surfing. Hurt my pride a fair bit.”
    â€œExcuse me, but that does not seem like the Dr. Howard who shows up at my clinic pressed and dressed for a day of diagnoses.”
    She hesitated for a minute. “You know, I think you aren’t all that you seem, either.”
    He looked over at her. “Me?”
    â€œI think the amiable guy who goes casual in faded jeans and T-shirts might be a bit of a front. You, Dr. Collins, are not as laid-back as you appear. Am I on the right track?”
    That he didn’t look at her this time said a lot; at least she thought it did.
    â€œI’m no workaholic.”
    â€œOkay.” She wasn’t about to press the issue. And he had taken a day off and left her at the clinic on her own earlier in the week. The day he’d cut himself on the utility knife. Maybe he wasn’t a workaholic, but there was an intensity about him, a restlessness. Maybe small-town medicine wasn’t enough for him, either. It was pretty slow compared to a city emergency room.
    Damn, she was all curious now. And it really wasn’t any of her business.
    â€œI’d better check on