Blind Tasting 3 Read online

  Excerpt from Blind Tasting

  He sighed. “Back in high school. She dumped me for the quarterback. From there I never wanted to get too close to anyone. It hurt.”

  Becca’s heart ached for him. “And that’s where your reputation began?”

  “Guess so. But I was young and thought I was in love. Not like you. I can only imagine the hurt you felt.” He moved closer to her. His hand gently touched her face. Any hurt she’d experienced disappeared with his touch. His eyes watched her lips part. “May I kiss my lady?”

  Becca smiled. “I’d like that.”

  His lips were as soft as she imagined. The taste of his kiss made her wonder why she waited so long. She wanted to kiss him six months ago at the cafe. His fingers played with her hair and briefly touched the skin on her neck. He deepened the kiss. She followed his lead and moved in closer. She felt his heartbeat against hers. Becca opened her eyes when the kiss ended.

  He smiled. “Hungry?” Chase made her a plate of chicken and salad and fed her the first bite. “Hope my lady likes it.”

  “You are a very talented man.” Becca took the plate from him.

  He grabbed a plate for himself. “I hope that remark includes the kiss.”

  “Oh, the food is great too.”

  Chase laughed. “Thank you.”

  Blind Tasting

  Story 3- The Love List

  Angela Ford

  Blind Tasting

  A Books to Go Now Publication

  Copyright © Angela Ford 2014

  Books to Go Now

  Also published on Smashwords

  For information on the cover illustration and design, contact [email protected]

  First eBook Edition –September 2014

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

  If you are interested in purchasing more works of this nature, please stop by

  www.bookstogonow.com

  Look for Other Stories by Angela Ford

  Forbidden

  Unforgettable Kiss

  Closure

  DEDICATION

  Dedicated to the three women I wrote this series with...Jennifer, Sharon & Joanne. Life’s

  journey is easier when you hear a friend’s footsteps beside you. And always to my amazing

  children, Devon & Shaylyn...Mummy Loves You xoxo

  Blind Tasting – Allow your senses to breathe

  Love is not blind; it just sees what matters. -William Curry-

  Chapter One

  Code Blue Code Blue Paging Dr. Rebecca Miller to Emergency

  “Shit,” Becca said under her breath as she heard the announcement over the hospital intercom. She slammed the door of her locker closed and swung her stethoscope back around her neck. She’d just finished her second straight shift at the hospital. Sure she caught an hour or two here and there in the doctor’s lounge on a cold hard couch, but her body told her it wasn’t enough. All she wanted was to go home and climb into bed beside her loving fiancé. She missed him with these long shifts. Usually she did three shifts, but promised Blake she’d spend less time at the hospital and more time with him. He was completely understanding and patient with her. Time and time again, he told her he was proud of her accomplishments and lucky to tell everyone he was engaged to the sweetest doctor in New York City. Blake always made her smile and spoiled her rotten. He was loving and gentle when needed and an enthusiastic lover between the sheets whenever they had time alone.

  “Who’s the code blue?” Becca asked one of the nurses as she entered the emergency room.

  “Mr. Collins, cardiac arrest,” the nurse announced as she led Becca to the patient.

  “CPR was initiated?” Becca asked and looked up at one of the nurses as she assessed the patient. The nurse confirmed they’d tried CPR immediately. Becca delivered a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the patient’s heart with the defibrillator. Mr. Collins’s heartbeat showed on the monitor. Becca sighed in relief. The patient wasn’t out of the woods yet, but he was alive.

  She felt utterly exhausted and couldn’t wait to get home and crawl into bed with her handsome fiancé. She lived only a block away. The warm breeze filled her lungs with fresh air as she walked home. Becca had lived in New York since college. Her parents retired to Florida when Becca started college. They knew she’d be busy with her studies and Blake. Becca and Blake were high school sweethearts. They were inseparable, until she began her double and triple shifts at the hospital. She didn’t have much time for anything else. She tried to get together with her best friend Janet, from college, once a month if she could. Janet worked on Wall Street as did Blake. Becca was pleased her fiancé and best friend had something in common and got along. She loved them both dearly. As she strolled along, she smiled, thankful for many things in her life that made it complete. Their wedding plans were coming together nicely. Becca and Blake planned to be married in a chapel near Central Park. Her mother hired a wedding planner knowing her daughter’s career took up so much of her time.

  “Good evening Ms. Becca,” her building’s doorman said and held the door open for her.

  “It’s a beautiful evening, Mr. Clarke,” Becca smiled at the man. Always polite, the doorman loved to chat except when she came home after more than one shift.

  “Sleep sweet Ms. Becca.” Mr. Clarke called the elevator for her. Becca smiled and nodded. She felt as though she could sleep in the elevator, but then she pictured Blake in their bed by now. A few more minutes Becca and you’ll be in those arms. She looked up to watch each floor number light up on the elevator wall. Finally it stopped on the eleventh floor and she stepped out and walked toward home.

  Becca heard music as she opened the front door. It came from the bedroom down the hall. Odd, it was after ten o’clock and Blake usually went to bed by now on a work night. “Blake,” she called out as she walked down the hall. He didn’t answer. She opened the bedroom door and gasped. “Blake! Janet! What the hell is going on here?”

  Chapter Two

  Two weeks later

  “Mom, I’ve already accepted the transfer. There’s nothing here for me anymore. You and dad are in Florida. And well…may Blake and Janet be happy together,” Becca said sarcastically.

  “Oh sweetie, my heart aches for you. I still can’t believe Blake did this to you.” Becca’s mom had adored Blake and thought of him as the son she’d never had. Her mom wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but Becca told her not to waste her time.

  “Don’t forget Janet, Mom. It takes two.” Becca still couldn’t digest the fact that her best friend had done this to her. She was more than happy to accept the first transfer out of Memorial Hospital and away from the man she loved. Not to mention the best friend who’d always been there for her. There was nothing left in New York for Becca. The peace and serenity of a small town in Washington’s wine country was exactly what the doctor ordered.

  She hadn’t waited for an explan
ation that night she walked in on Blake and Janet. She turned and ran out the door. Tears piled down her cheeks as she tried to find the lobby button in the elevator with shaking hands. Mr. Clarke asked if she was okay when she reached the lobby, but she felt too distraught and shook her head as she walked past him.

  Becca walked straight back to the hospital that night and slept in the doctor’s lounge. A nurse she knew from the emergency room mentioned she could stay with her. She went back to her flat and packed after Blake left for work. He never called. Not that she had any desire to speak to him. But Becca wondered how important she’d really been to him. She hadn’t received a call from her so-called best friend. Becca realized Blake and Janet wanted to get caught. Cowards! Why didn’t they just tell me? Becca took the red-eye to Washington State and then picked up a car she’d leased to drive to her new home. She thought of it as her new haven. She found an ad in the local newspaper through the Internet and rented a small cozy older home. The pictures were warm and inviting. She hoped it looked as good when she arrived. The realtor promised to meet her at the house. The realtor told her it was just before the town’s center and would be within walking distance to the hospital. Becca loved to hear that. She enjoyed a walk home after a long shift. The air refreshed her and released the horror of what she witnessed sometimes in a New York emergency room. Now she hoped for less drama in the emergency room of a small town hospital. She loved the hospital’s name: The Country Hospital.

  The drive along the country roads felt exhilarating. The breathtaking views of the vineyards filled Becca’s senses. The open windows filled the car with fresh air. Becca couldn’t believe she’d spent so many years living in a city with smog when this countryside existed. She smiled. She felt at peace. Her heart still ached— she knew it would—but in time it would heal. Becca knew for sure she’d picked the right place—or the right place chose her. She’d found her serenity.

  She pulled into the driveway of her new home. It was surrounded with tall oaks and then opened up at the end to show the cozy little farmhouse she’d rented. She noticed the Weeping Willow at the back side of the home. She thought of her mom and how much she loved those trees. There were flowers planted in front of the sweet little home. She placed the car in park and turned off the ignition. A striking man in a suit jacket and jeans met her at her car window. Becca smiled as he opened the door for her.

  “Dr. Miller?” he asked as he extended his hand.

  “Yes. Please call me Becca.” She placed her hand in his. His handshake was firm yet gentle. The coarseness of his skin told her he wasn’t just a realtor, but a man who worked with his hands.

  “Reece Tanner. I hope you enjoy the home. It’s been empty for some time now and may need a little TLC.” He flashed a smile that almost knocked her off her feet. She wondered why on earth she could even think of his good looks when her heart was broken into a zillion pieces. He then extended his arm for her to loop hers into.

  “Let me show you around Dr. Becca.” He winked and she felt a ripple flutter through her heart. He definitely was a charmer.

  Quit it Becca. The last thing you need right now is a man. They’re all the same. Don’t let his good looks and charm fool you. They climbed the front steps onto the porch of the adorable house that was now her home. The pictures hadn’t lied. Reece was right in regard to a little TLC, but besides a cleaning, it was perfect. Becca smiled.

  “The lady is happy?” Reece asked.

  “Yes, I am.” She smiled as she looked up at the staircase before her. It appeared to be the original stairs but had been stripped and varnished not too long ago. The sunlight hit the steps and shone a bright light to the top. To her right was the kitchen. Becca walked into her new kitchen. A few modern renovations of the old traditional farmhouse kitchen only enhanced its look. The many windows in the large open room blessed it with sunlight. She walked through the kitchen, to the other side of the front entrance, to a small sitting room with a small sofa and two chairs by the fireplace. The décor and antiques that accented the room looked as though it belonged in a country décor magazine. The room gave her a peaceful feeling. Becca could picture herself enjoying this room.

  “There’s no television or Internet in this house. If you’d like, I can put you in contact with a technician in town who could easily set you up,” Reece offered.

  Becca turned and smiled. “Thank you. No need for a television, but I do use the Internet often for research.” Reece nodded and confirmed he would contact the tech to come by the next day. Becca then met Reece at the bottom of the staircase. “May I see the upstairs?”

  “Ladies first.” He motioned for her to climb the stairs first. She smiled. She liked being called Dr. Becca. It made her feel like it was a fresh start. No one in this area knew who she was, nor of her saddened heart. She liked it that way.

  The upstairs continued to inspire her. The antique four-poster bed accented the white walls as the sunlight poured in through the windows, hitting the white linens that covered the bed. Becca took a deep breath when she entered the bathroom, “Love it”. She turned to Reece. “I’ve always wanted a claw foot tub.”

  “I’m pleased you’re happy with the house. My mother,” he paused and then placed his hand over his heart. “May she rest in peace. She loved this ‘cottage’ as she called it. It came with our property and she had it renovated so my grandmother could live close by. After my grandmother’s death, my mother didn’t want to rent it to anyone outside the family.”

  “Do you think she’d be okay with you renting it to me?” Becca asked with great concern. She knew the woman had passed, but still she didn’t want to create any trouble.

  “I’m sure she would have loved you, Dr. Becca. You’re the right person for this home. That is, if you are still interested?”

  “I loved it when I first looked at the pictures. I’ll take care of it as if it were my own,” Becca reassured Reece. She followed him downstairs to the kitchen to sign the papers. Reece offered to carry her bags into the house for her. He’d been a perfect gentleman. His mother raised a fine man. After Reece left, she thought about a bath in that gorgeous tub and perhaps a nap in her new bed. But first, she wanted to check in with the hospital and pick up a few things in town.

  Becca’s drive into town took only minutes. She’d been looking to her left as she spotted the hospital, when she heard it. She almost jumped out of her skin. It had been so tranquil. She slammed on her breaks. At first it sounded like thunder, or maybe a giant firecracker, but it was a sunny day and it wasn’t the Fourth of July. Startled by the sound, she pulled the car over and parked along the main street. The loud sound drew people out of their shops and she heard them discussing what just happened. Then she heard the sirens and watched as the fire truck raced down Main Street. In the distance, Becca saw flames and a large cloud of smoke billowing into the sky. Her first instinct was to go and help, but then she knew she’d be more help at the hospital. She got back in her car and put it into reverse. Welcome to your peaceful little haven, Dr. Miller, she said to herself as she drove toward the hospital.

  Chapter Three

  “Was it a bomb? I heard the damn explosion from the other end of town,” Captain Sullivan yelled out as he met his men on-site. He stood and looked at Chase Tanner. Chase was the FEO (Fire Equipment Operator); the driver and the one who operated the pump. Chase knew everything about that piece of apparatus. Sullivan ignored everyone else until Chase gave him an answer.

  “Nothing definite, sir. It might be as simple as backdraft. If there was already a fire and someone opened a door and let oxygen in…Boom! We’d have rapid combustion. Besides the fact that this building is one of the oldest in town, it could be electrical.” Chase answered as best as he could without further investigation into the fire. First things first, they needed to get the fire out, or at least under control.

  “Electrical fire wouldn’t
create a damn blast like that. It sounded like a bomb went off.” Captain Sullivan directed his firefighters to get the fire under control. Chase had all systems ready to fight the blaze.

  ****

  “Welcome to Vinegrove, Dr. Miller. It’s usually very quiet but I’m glad you’re here. We’ll need all the help we can get today. The theatre had been playing an afternoon matinee when the explosion happened,” Dr. Withers said. He introduced her to the staff on site in the emergency room. They were busy preparing for the mad rush sure to come. Becca was impressed with their calmness and efficiency. It appeared they were well-prepared for any tragedy.

  Dr. Withers directed her to the staff room, where she could change into doctor’s scrubs, then retrieved her badge and tossed her a stethoscope.

  “Good luck Dr. Miller. Sorry I have to cut your welcome short,” Dr. Withers said quickly as he walked out of the room.

  Becca waved him on. Her only concern was the emergency as well and what she could do to help. She quickly changed and hurried back to the emergency room as the hospital doors opened and paramedics brought in the first victims.

  The next few hours buzzed by as she saw one patient after another. The staff quickly assessed each victim to determine the level of care needed. They were lucky to have only a few critical and potentially fatal risk patients. Most exited the building before the explosion took place. More than half the victims were treated with minor wounds and smoke inhalation. The most serious cases were transported to the closest hospital equipped for burn victims.