Hi, my name is Ashley. I never thought I would get this lucky - to meet a handsome doctor named Adam and fall madly in love. But I did. The only problem is that Adam is blind and I already have major self-esteem issues. Add to that a spiteful ex-wife and a reserved live-in housekeeper, and my story makes for a very interesting read! Go ahead, lose yourself in my adventure; I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
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Chapter 1
As I sat at my usual spot in the hospital cafeteria, alone and lonely, the last thing I expected was to find my one true love, my very own Mr. Right. Yet there he was, unobtrusively eating a cheeseburger and fries, with a rather thick book propped in front of him. Ah, a potential friend, I thought as I studied him with interest. I enjoyed reading myself, and had enough books at home to start a small library. But he was a doctor, and I didn’t have the nerve to actually get up, walk across the room, and sit down across from him for a friendly conversation. I doubted he’d even give me the time of day, if he even had time to spare. I knew how incredibly busy doctors were, since I did work in a hospital, and I also knew that the doctors usually held themselves in some kind of revered awe, as did their patients, as if they were God, or at the very least, God’s right hand man (men?). Such profound respect made the man sitting five tables away all but unavailable to me, unreachable, untouchable. Surely he didn’t have time for such a lowly creature like myself. At the moment I was the hospital’s business office manager, but that still seemed to put me just out of reach of someone like the man sitting across the room. At thirty I was painfully shy, single, and lonely, and although people didn’t retch and scream and run in horror when they saw me walking down the sidewalk, I also knew that I wasn’t going to win any beauty contests anytime soon. OK, definitely not in THIS lifetime, anyway. I wore glasses and wasn’t exactly pencil-thin, and although I took care with what looks I’d been blessed with and tried to dress nicely, the men just seemed to look right through me. I wasn’t into sports and I didn’t drink, and maybe that was why they chose to ignore me. Maybe all the advice in the popular women’s magazines just didn’t apply to me. I didn’t consider myself a guy’s girl or even a girl’s girl; I was just me, thirty, shy, single, lonely, and rather plain looking. Granted, I had positive qualities--I was college educated, nice, and, I hoped, fairly easy to please. I was also a virgin, but at the moment I didn’t know if that could be considered a positive quality or a rather freakish one. Come on, how many thirty year-old virgins do YOU know? Trust me, that quality wasn’t one that had been cultivated by choice. There just weren’t any takers, at least not for the moment. But as I continued to gaze dreamily at the handsome doctor sitting across the room, something told me that things were about to change for me, and for the better. At least I had learned something valuable from all those magazines--I was smart enough to trust my intuition when it stood up and screamed and smacked me across the face. With a determined sigh I got to my feet, emptied my tray, and began walking towards the doctor who was still eating and reading. He didn’t even look up as I approached, which made me reconsider my decision to approach him. I didn’t know whether to be insulted or angry as I neared his table, and after I nervously cleared my throat I politely said, “Hi. What are you reading?”
He glanced up at me and smiled, and I had to suppress a gasp when I noticed his eyes. They were the most brilliant shade of blue I’d ever seen, with a rather intriguing starburst pattern around the pupils. He had a nice smile as well, all straight, white, even teeth, and his voice was actually pleasant as he replied, “I’m reading a book by Dean Koontz. Are you a fan of his?”
I grinned and motioned to the empty seat across from him, then inquired, “May I?”
“By all means, please do.”
I sat down across from him and propped my chin on my hand, then replied, “Which one are you reading?”
“Out of the Corner of His Eye. It’s a rather interesting book. Have you read it?”
“I most certainly have, and I thought it was one of his best.”
“What did you think the book was about?”
“The power of the mind to overcome physical obstacles.”
He smiled then and nodded in agreement, then said, “I think you’re right. Those were my exact same thoughts.”
“What else do you like to read?”
“Anything by Stephen King, Robin Cook, Michael Palmer, Nicholas Sparks, and all kinds of self help books.”
I nodded and said, “I like all of those authors. I also like Danielle Steel.”
He grinned and said, “Of course.”
“So what’s your name?”
“Adam. And yours?”
“Ashley.”
“Well, Ashley, it was nice to meet you. Do you eat in the cafeteria often?”
“Usually every day.”
He nodded and said, “I eat here when I get the chance to eat.”
I nodded, suddenly at a loss for words as I studied his handsome face. He was undoubtedly the most attractive man I’d ever seen, and I was surprised that I was actually sitting here talking to him. Most men gave me the brush off after a few terse sentences, and surprised was actually too mild a word to describe how I felt at that moment. Dumbfounded was more like it, and I hoped there wasn’t a goofy expression on my face as I cleared my throat again and said, “Well. It’s been nice talking to you, Adam. Maybe I’ll see you in here again someday.”
He laughed and said, “How does tomorrow sound?”
I couldn’t believe what he’d just said, and in an incredulous voice I stammered, “Excuse me?”
“Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
I resisted the urge to press my hand against my chest as my heart fluttered wildly against my rib cage. Even though I was positively smitten with Adam, the last thing I wanted was for him to rush me to the emergency room and perform CPR. Instead I smiled as I happily replied, “Sure. Same bat time, same bat place?”
He laughed again and said, “Sure.”
“OK, then, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Let me know how you like the book.”
“I will.” He smiled up at me as I got to my feet and slowly walked away, and I spent the rest of the afternoon in a dreamy haze as I fantasized about Doctor Drop-Dead Sexy. Since we’d been sitting down I didn’t know exactly how tall he was, but I’d venture a safe guess that he was at least six feet tall, maybe a few inches more, and every time I glanced down at the paperwork on my desk all I saw was his silky-looking black hair that curled just above his collar and those striking blue eyes. I didn’t know which intrigued me more--his good looks or the fact that he’d actually had a real conversation with me! And I had a lunch date with him tomorrow. I couldn’t help smiling as quitting time finally rolled around, and as I slowly walked to my car I thought I spotted him getting into a sleek-looking sports car with another doctor. I watched them drive off, then sighed and slid behind the wheel of my Mustang convertible. I loved that car like it was a member of my family, and I gave the steering wheel a gentle pat as I sighed and said, “Well, Sally, I finally did it. I actually have a date!”
Sally instantly roared to life as I turned the key in the ignition, and I was feeling so happy that I put the top down and turned the radio up as loud as I could stand it as I drove out of the parking lot. Even though it was only March, it was a nice, warm spring day, and I laughed out loud as the wind caught my hair and whipped it out behind me. I grinned at everyone I passed and waved at all the handsome men I saw, but for me there was only one man on my mind--the handsome, mysterious doctor named Adam.
When I got home I was too keyed up to eat, so instead I went into my bedroom and stood in front of my closet for at least half an hour as I debated what to wear to work the next day. I finally settled on black silk pants and a pink silk shirt, then checked my reflection in the mirror and wondered if I should get a haircut. When it got too long I usually just pulled it back and fastened it with a barrette, but I wanted to look extra nice for my lunch date the next day. Like my mother was always saying, opportunity knocks only once, and you’d better open the door and invite it in when it finally pays you a visit. I knew that fate had finally smiled on me that afternoon, and I wasn’t about to do anything to screw things up. I sighed as I studied the few pairs of shoes I owned, then grinned as I suddenly decided that a shopping trip was in order. I was still grinning as I grabbed my purse and headed for the mall.
Two hours later I returned home, pleased with all my purchases. I’d bought a sexy new perfume, soft vanilla musk, and it made me smell good enough to eat. I’d also bought some new makeup, five new pairs of shoes, and a few CD’s by some of my favorite artists. I was like a little kid as I popped all the CD’s into my stereo and settled down to try out all my new shoes, and I finally decided on the black suede boots etched with a rose pattern that I’d bought. I’d also gotten a haircut, and I was feeling immensely pleased with myself as I finally wandered into the kitchen to get some dinner. But my appetite seemed to have disappeared, and I simply shrugged and wandered back into the living room to listen to my new CD’s. I sighed and glanced at the clock, then sighed again when I realized it was only seven-thirty. Time has a way of dragging when you’re looking forward to something, and it seems to fly by when you’re dreading something. Knowing that I couldn’t make tomorrow come any quicker, I treated myself to a long, hot bubble bath and washed my newly cut hair, then stood naked in front of the bathroom mirror and scrutinized my body. I sighed as I absently patted the little pooch that was my belly, then turned around and studied the backs of my thighs and what I could see of my rear end. At least there was none of that dreaded cellulite, and I sighed again as I figured I may as well just accept myself as I looked at that moment. At least I had no scars, and I wasn’t freakishly hairy. My boobs were nice enough, rounded and still firm, and my skin boasted a pleasant golden glow from my many faithful visits to the beach. Have I mentioned that I live at the beach? My parents really thought I was crazy for moving to the beach, but their main concern was hurricane season. I could understand that, and I’d promised to head inland at the first sign of trouble. I turned away from the mirror and pulled on my nightgown and robe, then padded into the kitchen to see if my appetite had returned. I didn’t want to show up for my lunch date ravenous and make a pig of myself in front of Doctor Adam Sexy, and I finally settled on a salad and some yogurt before I settled down to watch prime time TV. By the time the news came on I was pleasantly drowsy, and with a feeling of anticipation I switched the TV off and went to bed. It was a long time before I finally fell asleep.
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Chapter 1
As I sat at my usual spot in the hospital cafeteria, alone and lonely, the last thing I expected was to find my one true love, my very own Mr. Right. Yet there he was, unobtrusively eating a cheeseburger and fries, with a rather thick book propped in front of him. Ah, a potential friend, I thought as I studied him with interest. I enjoyed reading myself, and had enough books at home to start a small library. But he was a doctor, and I didn’t have the nerve to actually get up, walk across the room, and sit down across from him for a friendly conversation. I doubted he’d even give me the time of day, if he even had time to spare. I knew how incredibly busy doctors were, since I did work in a hospital, and I also knew that the doctors usually held themselves in some kind of revered awe, as did their patients, as if they were God, or at the very least, God’s right hand man (men?). Such profound respect made the man sitting five tables away all but unavailable to me, unreachable, untouchable. Surely he didn’t have time for such a lowly creature like myself. At the moment I was the hospital’s business office manager, but that still seemed to put me just out of reach of someone like the man sitting across the room. At thirty I was painfully shy, single, and lonely, and although people didn’t retch and scream and run in horror when they saw me walking down the sidewalk, I also knew that I wasn’t going to win any beauty contests anytime soon. OK, definitely not in THIS lifetime, anyway. I wore glasses and wasn’t exactly pencil-thin, and although I took care with what looks I’d been blessed with and tried to dress nicely, the men just seemed to look right through me. I wasn’t into sports and I didn’t drink, and maybe that was why they chose to ignore me. Maybe all the advice in the popular women’s magazines just didn’t apply to me. I didn’t consider myself a guy’s girl or even a girl’s girl; I was just me, thirty, shy, single, lonely, and rather plain looking. Granted, I had positive qualities--I was college educated, nice, and, I hoped, fairly easy to please. I was also a virgin, but at the moment I didn’t know if that could be considered a positive quality or a rather freakish one. Come on, how many thirty year-old virgins do YOU know? Trust me, that quality wasn’t one that had been cultivated by choice. There just weren’t any takers, at least not for the moment. But as I continued to gaze dreamily at the handsome doctor sitting across the room, something told me that things were about to change for me, and for the better. At least I had learned something valuable from all those magazines--I was smart enough to trust my intuition when it stood up and screamed and smacked me across the face. With a determined sigh I got to my feet, emptied my tray, and began walking towards the doctor who was still eating and reading. He didn’t even look up as I approached, which made me reconsider my decision to approach him. I didn’t know whether to be insulted or angry as I neared his table, and after I nervously cleared my throat I politely said, “Hi. What are you reading?”
He glanced up at me and smiled, and I had to suppress a gasp when I noticed his eyes. They were the most brilliant shade of blue I’d ever seen, with a rather intriguing starburst pattern around the pupils. He had a nice smile as well, all straight, white, even teeth, and his voice was actually pleasant as he replied, “I’m reading a book by Dean Koontz. Are you a fan of his?”
I grinned and motioned to the empty seat across from him, then inquired, “May I?”
“By all means, please do.”
I sat down across from him and propped my chin on my hand, then replied, “Which one are you reading?”
“Out of the Corner of His Eye. It’s a rather interesting book. Have you read it?”
“I most certainly have, and I thought it was one of his best.”
“What did you think the book was about?”
“The power of the mind to overcome physical obstacles.”
He smiled then and nodded in agreement, then said, “I think you’re right. Those were my exact same thoughts.”
“What else do you like to read?”
“Anything by Stephen King, Robin Cook, Michael Palmer, Nicholas Sparks, and all kinds of self help books.”
I nodded and said, “I like all of those authors. I also like Danielle Steel.”
He grinned and said, “Of course.”
“So what’s your name?”
“Adam. And yours?”
“Ashley.”
“Well, Ashley, it was nice to meet you. Do you eat in the cafeteria often?”
“Usually every day.”
He nodded and said, “I eat here when I get the chance to eat.”
I nodded, suddenly at a loss for words as I studied his handsome face. He was undoubtedly the most attractive man I’d ever seen, and I was surprised that I was actually sitting here talking to him. Most men gave me the brush off after a few terse sentences, and surprised was actually too mild a word to describe how I felt at that moment. Dumbfounded was more like it, and I hoped there wasn’t a goofy expression on my face as I cleared my throat again and said, “Well. It’s been nice talking to you, Adam. Maybe I’ll see you in here again someday.”
He laughed and said, “How does tomorrow sound?”
I couldn’t believe what he’d just said, and in an incredulous voice I stammered, “Excuse me?”
“Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
I resisted the urge to press my hand against my chest as my heart fluttered wildly against my rib cage. Even though I was positively smitten with Adam, the last thing I wanted was for him to rush me to the emergency room and perform CPR. Instead I smiled as I happily replied, “Sure. Same bat time, same bat place?”
He laughed again and said, “Sure.”
“OK, then, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Let me know how you like the book.”
“I will.” He smiled up at me as I got to my feet and slowly walked away, and I spent the rest of the afternoon in a dreamy haze as I fantasized about Doctor Drop-Dead Sexy. Since we’d been sitting down I didn’t know exactly how tall he was, but I’d venture a safe guess that he was at least six feet tall, maybe a few inches more, and every time I glanced down at the paperwork on my desk all I saw was his silky-looking black hair that curled just above his collar and those striking blue eyes. I didn’t know which intrigued me more--his good looks or the fact that he’d actually had a real conversation with me! And I had a lunch date with him tomorrow. I couldn’t help smiling as quitting time finally rolled around, and as I slowly walked to my car I thought I spotted him getting into a sleek-looking sports car with another doctor. I watched them drive off, then sighed and slid behind the wheel of my Mustang convertible. I loved that car like it was a member of my family, and I gave the steering wheel a gentle pat as I sighed and said, “Well, Sally, I finally did it. I actually have a date!”
Sally instantly roared to life as I turned the key in the ignition, and I was feeling so happy that I put the top down and turned the radio up as loud as I could stand it as I drove out of the parking lot. Even though it was only March, it was a nice, warm spring day, and I laughed out loud as the wind caught my hair and whipped it out behind me. I grinned at everyone I passed and waved at all the handsome men I saw, but for me there was only one man on my mind--the handsome, mysterious doctor named Adam.
When I got home I was too keyed up to eat, so instead I went into my bedroom and stood in front of my closet for at least half an hour as I debated what to wear to work the next day. I finally settled on black silk pants and a pink silk shirt, then checked my reflection in the mirror and wondered if I should get a haircut. When it got too long I usually just pulled it back and fastened it with a barrette, but I wanted to look extra nice for my lunch date the next day. Like my mother was always saying, opportunity knocks only once, and you’d better open the door and invite it in when it finally pays you a visit. I knew that fate had finally smiled on me that afternoon, and I wasn’t about to do anything to screw things up. I sighed as I studied the few pairs of shoes I owned, then grinned as I suddenly decided that a shopping trip was in order. I was still grinning as I grabbed my purse and headed for the mall.
Two hours later I returned home, pleased with all my purchases. I’d bought a sexy new perfume, soft vanilla musk, and it made me smell good enough to eat. I’d also bought some new makeup, five new pairs of shoes, and a few CD’s by some of my favorite artists. I was like a little kid as I popped all the CD’s into my stereo and settled down to try out all my new shoes, and I finally decided on the black suede boots etched with a rose pattern that I’d bought. I’d also gotten a haircut, and I was feeling immensely pleased with myself as I finally wandered into the kitchen to get some dinner. But my appetite seemed to have disappeared, and I simply shrugged and wandered back into the living room to listen to my new CD’s. I sighed and glanced at the clock, then sighed again when I realized it was only seven-thirty. Time has a way of dragging when you’re looking forward to something, and it seems to fly by when you’re dreading something. Knowing that I couldn’t make tomorrow come any quicker, I treated myself to a long, hot bubble bath and washed my newly cut hair, then stood naked in front of the bathroom mirror and scrutinized my body. I sighed as I absently patted the little pooch that was my belly, then turned around and studied the backs of my thighs and what I could see of my rear end. At least there was none of that dreaded cellulite, and I sighed again as I figured I may as well just accept myself as I looked at that moment. At least I had no scars, and I wasn’t freakishly hairy. My boobs were nice enough, rounded and still firm, and my skin boasted a pleasant golden glow from my many faithful visits to the beach. Have I mentioned that I live at the beach? My parents really thought I was crazy for moving to the beach, but their main concern was hurricane season. I could understand that, and I’d promised to head inland at the first sign of trouble. I turned away from the mirror and pulled on my nightgown and robe, then padded into the kitchen to see if my appetite had returned. I didn’t want to show up for my lunch date ravenous and make a pig of myself in front of Doctor Adam Sexy, and I finally settled on a salad and some yogurt before I settled down to watch prime time TV. By the time the news came on I was pleasantly drowsy, and with a feeling of anticipation I switched the TV off and went to bed. It was a long time before I finally fell asleep.
