THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,76

after being in a coma following an auto accident a week ago. Although she had a long way to go toward total recovery, he was pleased with the good news he’d just given her family. Her husband had practically made the hospital his second home since his wife’s accident.

Parker had felt the love the man had for his wife. He’d sat tirelessly by her bedside, holding her hand while telling her over and over how much he loved her, pleading with her not to leave him and their two young sons. It wasn’t often he got to see a love like that.

Before he left her room just now, she had indicated she was hungry. He smiled. That was always a good sign.

And speaking of hungry...

He checked his watch. It was close to lunch time and he’d brought leftovers. Last night he had made spaghetti and had made sure there had been enough to share with Sebrina. He hadn’t seen her since their outing a couple of days ago.

“How are you, Dr. Stanhope?”

He glanced up when Dr. Rosemary Nestor walked up. He hadn’t seen her for a few days and had overheard one of the nurses saying, in a gleeful tone, that Dr. Nestor’s parents had come to town and she’d taken a few days off, so they could all have a break. Parker thought it was pretty damn sad when a doctor couldn’t get along with the nurses. They should be working together as a team.

“I’m fine, Dr. Nestor. How are you?”

“I’m okay. I’d like to talk to you about something, if you have the time.”

He lifted a brow. “About one of your patients?”

“No.” Then in a low voice, she said, “It’s personal.”

Personal? He wondered if he really wanted to get into this. But he might as well get it over with. Glancing at his watch again, he said, “Sure. We can use my office.”

“Thanks.”

They walked side by side down the long corridor, and he noticed she was more quiet today than usual. Opening the door to his office, he stepped aside for her to go in ahead of him and closed the door behind them. He then offered her a seat before going to sit behind his desk. “So, what is this about?”

She smiled over at him. “I’m not sure if you heard but Dr. Mark Winthrop might be looking for a roommate soon. He and his wife are getting a divorce.”

Parker had met the man when they’d been introduced in last week’s staff meeting. “Why should news of Dr. Winthrop’s divorce interest me? Or the fact he might need a roommate?”

“I honestly thought you were kidding the other day when you said you and Dr. Bennett were housemates.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Why would I do that?”

“I wasn’t aware the two of you even knew each other before you moved to St. Paul.”

He picked up a paper clip and tossed it on his desk. It took everything he possessed to keep this conversation civil, especially now that he had an idea just where it was headed. “I’m sure there are a lot of people I know that you don’t. But I can’t help wondering why it’s a concern of yours?”

“You’re new here and I like you.”

No need to tell her the verdict was still out on whether he liked her. “What does that have to do with where I live?”

“This hospital is notorious for gossip and I’m concerned for you. People talk. And I’m afraid they will assume that you and Dr. Bennett are more than just housemates.”

Parker straightened up in his chair, deciding it was time to set Dr. Rosemary Nestor straight about a few things. “First of all, Dr. Nestor, talk doesn’t bother me because it’s nobody business where I live or who I live with. Dr. Bennett and are I friends. But even if we were more than that, it’s nobody’s business but ours.”

“I’m only thinking of your reputation.”

He didn’t say anything for a minute, and then asked, “So, if I was your housemate, would that still cause talk?”

“Maybe some, but not much. Why should it?”

“Then it sounds to me that this conversation is racially motivated. Is it?”

“Of course not!”

“Then why would it not cause a stir if I was your roommate, but it would if I was Dr. Bennett’s? Think about that for a while.” Coming from around his desk, he went to the door and opened it for her to leave. “I don’t have the time or the inclination to deal with