Winds Of Fortune Part 1

Winds of Fortune.

Radclyffe.

What Reviewers Say About Radcly ffe's Books A Matter of Trust is a ". ..s.e.xy, powerful love story fi lled with angst, discovery and pa.s.sion that captures the uncertainty of fi rst love and its discovery." Just About Write.

s.h.i.+eld of Justice is a "...well-plotted...lovely romance...I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!" Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles "The author's brisk mix of political intrigue, fast-paced action, and frequent interludes of lesbian s.e.x and love...in Honor Reclaimed...sure does make for great escapist reading." Q Syndicate Change of Pace is ". ..contemporary, yet timeless, not only about s.e.x, but also about love, longing, l.u.s.t, surprises, chance meetings, planned meetings, fulfi lling wild fantasies, and trust." Midwest Book Review "Radcly f fe has once again pulled together all the ingredients of a genuine page-turner, this time adding some new spices into the mix..

shadowland is sure to please-in part because Radcly f fe never loses sight of the fact that she is telling a love story, and a compelling one at that." Cameron Abbott, author of To The Edge and An Inexpressible State of Grace Lammy winner ". .. Stolen Moments is a collection of steamy stories about women who just couldn't wait. It's s.e.x when desire overrides reason, and it's incredibly hot!" On Our Backs "With ample angst, realistic and exciting medical emergencies, winsome secondary characters, and a sprinkling of humor, Fated Love turns out to be a terrifi c romance. It's one of the best I have read in the last three years." Midwest Book Review.

"Innocent Hearts. ..ill.u.s.trates that our struggles for acceptance of women loving women is as old as time-only the setting changes.

The romance is sweet, sensual, and touching." Just About Write Lammy winner ". .. Distant Sh.o.r.es, Silent Thunder weaves an intricate tapestry about pa.s.sion and commitment between lovers. The story explores the fragile nature of trust and the sanctuary provided by loving relations.h.i.+ps." Sapphic Reader In When Dreams Tremble the "...focus on character development is meticulous and comprehensive, fi lled with angst, regret, and longing, building to the ultimate climax." Just About Write Visit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.com.

Acknowledgments.

As I complete the fi nal edits of this work, I am fortunate to be staying in the seaside village that is as much a character in these stories as the people who populate the novels. The harbor at sunrise, the sounds of the ocean, and the spirit of those adventurers and artists who have come before never fail to inspire me. I'm sure I have not yet captured more than a glimpse of the beauty, grace, and history that is Provincetown, but it continues to be my very great pleasure to try.

My thanks go to my fi rst readers Diane, Eva, Jane, Paula, and RB, as well as to my editors, Ruth Sternglantz and J.B.

Greystone, and the generous proofreaders at Bold Strokes Books for making this a better book. All the credit goes to these dedicated individuals and the responsibility for any shortcomings to me.

Thanks also to Sheri for yet another standout cover.

To Lee, for sharing the adventure. Amo te.

DEDICATION.

For Lee For weathering every storm.

Winds of Fortune.

CHAPTER ONE.

Dr. Victoria King dropped a chart on top of the eight inch stack on her desk and checked her watch. Ten minutes to two. G.o.d, she was going to be late for her own daughter's fi rst birthday party.

"Why don't you get out of here," a voice said from behind her.

Spinning around, Tory smiled at the trim African-American woman in a white lab coat who stood in her offi ce doorway. Like Tory, her new a.s.sociate, Dr. Nita Burgoyne, was dressed casually, but in contrast to Tory's pressed jeans and boatneck navy cotton tee, Nita's stylish emerald green blouse, sand colored slacks, and tan sling-back, low-heeled shoes hinted at designer labels. She hadn't quite made the transition from big city ER doctor to small town doc just yet.

"You've been here, what-fi ve weeks," Tory said, "and already you're reading my mind?"

"Didn't take telepathy." When Nita shook her head, the gold clasp she used to restrain her shoulder-length, wavy black hair at her nape glinted in the overhead lights, echoing the amus.e.m.e.nt that s.h.i.+mmered in her deep brown eyes. "I could hear your thoughts out in the hallway."

"Well, I'm glad I didn't fi nish what I was thinking, then." Tory grimaced. "How many more do we have?"

"Not enough for you to worry about." Nita lifted a shoulder in the direction of the hallway behind her. "Now go while the coast is relatively clear."

Tory hesitated, torn between wanting to be with her family and knowing she was needed at the clinic. During tourist season, the East End Health Clinic was open seven days a week, and patient hours often stretched well beyond the scheduled times. Here emergencies were the norm, rather than the exception. Minor accidents, fender benders, forgotten medication, common colds, and more serious events ranging from heart attacks to strokes were daily fare. It might be quiet right this minute, but chances were it wouldn't be for long-not on Sunday * 13 *

RADCLY fFE afternoon of Fourth of July weekend in Provincetown-and Nita hadn't worked a holiday alone yet.

"I'm not some green intern," Nita chided good-naturedly, obviously continuing to read Tory's mind despite her earlier denial. "Sally is the best nurse I've ever worked with and better than a lot of the doctors I've known. We'll be fi ne."

Tory considered arguing, but she could tell by the set of Nita's slender shoulders that her mind was made up. She had learned very quickly that in Nita's case, looks were very defi nitely deceiving.

Although Nita's dark almond eyes, sculpted features, and smooth coffee-and-cream complexion gave her a look of exotic, nearly delicate beauty, she was neither delicate nor insubstantial in any way. Ten years Tory's junior, she was a self-a.s.sured, highly capable professional, and wonderful with the patients. Even though she was personally reserved and rarely talked about her private life, her genuine warmth and compa.s.sion were obvious, and Tory liked her.

"You'll call me if things get busy?" Tory asked.

Nita folded her arms beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and pursed her lips.

"Okay. Okay." Tory held up both hands in surrender. "Will you at least stop by the party later? We'll have plenty of food and the adults will out-number the kids, I promise."

When Nita looked uncertain, Tory felt a surge of guilt. As far as she knew, Nita had yet to really meet anyone in the community outside of patients and the offi ce staff. Part of that was Tory's fault. She should have had a welcoming reception for her when she joined the practice, and what she'd greeted her with instead was a crisis. Nita had only been with her a few days before Reese had been reported missing in action in Iraq. With her lover probably wounded or possibly dead, Tory had barely managed to keep her sanity and had foisted all but the major responsibilities of the clinic onto Nita. Everything else had fallen by the wayside. Even now, though she tried not to let it show, Tory still felt as if her life was on shaky ground.

"It'll just be some good friends and family," Tory urged.

Finally, Nita nodded, hiding her reluctance behind a smile. A child's birthday would be harmless, and she only needed to make a brief appearance. "Thank you. That would be nice."

"Good. Then I'll just fi nish up these chart-"

"Tory! Get!"

* 14 *

Winds of Fortune Laughing, Tory shrugged out of her lab coat and tossed it onto the high backed leather chair behind her overfl owing desk. "I'm gone."

Just as Tory stepped out into the hall, their receptionist rushed in from the waiting area and skidded to a halt beside her. Lithe and handsome, Randy's blond hair was uncharacteristically mussed and his big blue eyes were overly bright.

"Sorry," he said breathlessly, looking from Tory to Nita and back again, "but Deo Camara just brought Joey Torres in, and he's bleeding all over the waiting room. Sally's putting them in the procedure room."

"What happened?" Tory inquired sharply, turning back into her offi ce for her lab coat. If Randy was ruffl ed it must be serious, because he could simultaneously handle fi ve emergency calls, three hysterical mothers, and a recalcitrant insurance rep without breaking a sweat.

"Deo said something about a saw."

"Thanks, Randy," Nita said calmly. "Why don't you get the waiting room cleaned up and let the other patients know there might be a little bit of a wait."

"Okay, right." As quickly as he had appeared, Randy was gone.

"I've got this, Tory," Nita said.

Tory drew up short, one arm in and one out of her lab coat. Nita was a board-certifi ed emergency room physician. She was trained to handle anything that might come through the door. Rationally, Tory knew that. Still, it was hard to leave. She had hired on temporary help before, but Nita was the fi rst physician she had contracted for a possible long-term a.s.sociation. The only partner she had ever considered had been KT O'Bannon, the woman she had once considered the love of her life. But KT had left her with a broken heart and broken dreams.

Then Reese Conlon had come along and mended her heart, but until now she'd never really considered sharing her professional life with anyone else.

"You might need an a.s.sistant," Tory pointed out.

"If it's that bad, the repair will need to be done in the OR and we'll transport him to Hyannis. Otherwise, Sally can help me. Now I'd better get in there-and you have a party to go to."

Nita disappeared down the hallway. Tory could either follow her, making a clear statement that she didn't trust her to handle the problem alone, or she could go home where the people who loved her were waiting.

* 15 *

RADCLY fFE She hung her lab coat on a hook behind her door, and with one last glance down the hall toward the patient rooms, she left.

y Nita pushed through the door into the procedure room and stopped short at the incongruous sound of laughter. Their clinic nurse, Sally, stood at the counter on the far side of the room setting up an instrument tray. Two young men in khaki work clothes and dusty boots, one seated on the stretcher and the other leaning against it, faced away from the door toward the pet.i.te blond nurse. Apparently no one heard her enter because the revelry continued.

"We need to make sure this gets fi xed up right," remarked the deeply tanned, curly haired Adonis who nudged the shoulder of a similarly handsome man whose right hand was wrapped in a b.l.o.o.d.y towel. "Otherwise, Joey's s.e.x life is going straight down the toi-"

"Oh I don't know," Sally laughed as she laid out gloves and irrigation solution, "it doesn't look like any of Joey's critical equipment is in danger."

"That's just the problem, he needs that hand to take care of his main business," the Adonis smirked.

"Come on, Deo," Joey said, "I'm in pain here." He glanced over his buddy's shoulder and, spying Nita, instantly looked chagrined.

"Besides, there's a lady present."

"Oh, well, excuse me," Sally said archly, rolling the metal instrument stand up to the table. "Now you two decide to get some manners?" She waved to Nita. "We're all ready for you."

"Thanks." Nita crossed the room briskly. "I'm Dr. Burgoyne.

What happened?"

"Joey here picked a fi ght with a table saw and lost," the uninjured member of the pair replied, turning in Nita's direction. Deep-set eyes so dark they verged on black did a slow survey of Nita's face, fl ickered lower for an instant, then returned to lock on Nita's. "Well, h.e.l.lo."

Nita blinked, bombarded by a series of quicksilver images-wide, sensuous mouth; midnight curls tumbling onto a broad forehead; thick, almost straight black brows; and skin, she realized-not tanned-but a rich natural bronze. An Adonis, no doubt. But very much not a man. For one second Nita completely lost focus and everything else * 16 *

Winds of Fortune in the room receded from her consciousness except her awareness of this woman. How she hadn't realized immediately that Adonis was a woman, despite the nondescript work clothes, she couldn't imagine.

Even partially turned away, her sharply-carved profi le was just a little bit too exquisite to be male, despite its strength. And not even the well-developed shoulders and thighs could diminish the undeniably feminine nature of her body. The subtle swell of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the narrow waist, the slight curve of hip all screamed woman. Beautiful woman.

Nita felt her skin warming as the woman continued to stare at her with a mixture of amus.e.m.e.nt and frank appreciation. Nita knew the look. Not just beautiful, beautiful and arrogant. This one knew she was gorgeous and no doubt knew the effect she had on women. Women and men, probably. She was looking at Nita as if she expected Nita to melt.

Nita mentally shook herself-that wasn't going to happen. Not now, not ever again.

"Perhaps the patient would like to fi ll me in," Nita said, dragging her gaze away from the dark hypnotic eyes. She knew she sounded irritated. She was irritated. And disturbed. Irritated at herself for even noticing how striking the woman was, and defi nitely disturbed for being intrigued-if only for an instant-by the admiring look in the woman's eyes. Being stirred by any woman's attraction was something she had thought she'd expunged from her mind and body, but apparently she'd been wrong.

"If you could step back, please," Nita said, "I need to see to your friend."

"By all means," Deo said with a slightly mocking tone and a sweep of her arm, "be my guest."

Deo Camara wasn't surprised by the doctor's initial consternation.

She was used to that. Strangers often took her for a guy, especially in her work clothes, or confused her with one of her many cousins.

The anger that had quickly surged in the piercing, raw umber eyes was unexpected, though. What was even more unantic.i.p.ated was that the doctor's antagonism bothered her. She didn't know the woman, so why should it matter what she thought? Annoyed at being off-balance, she shrugged and s.h.i.+fted a few inches, folding her arms across her chest and rocking back on her heels.

"Thank you," Nita said dryly, edging around the stranger when she failed to make room. Apparently she was as rude as she was good- * 17 *

RADCLY fFE looking. She smiled at the patient. "Hi. Joey is it?"

"Yeah. Uh, yes ma'am." He dropped his eyes and blushed.

"I'm going to need to examine your hand. Why don't you lie down." She looked to Sally. "Gloves?"

"Here you go." Sally handed Nita a package of sterile gloves and then pulled on her own pair. "I've got a basin and sterile saline when you're ready."

Nita glanced over her shoulder at Deo, who still stood so close Nita could smell a faint mixture of salt air and sawdust clinging to her.

For some reason that struck her as more alluring than a fi ne perfume.

Nonplussed at the thought, she said edgily, "This will probably take awhile. You might want to have a seat out front."

"I'm staying."

"As you wish."

Once Joey was settled comfortably with his arm extended on a narrow arm board canted out from the table, Nita removed the b.l.o.o.d.y towel from his right hand. As she worked, she was disconcertingly aware of Deo's presence just behind her. She could almost feel the heat coming off her body.

"Would you step back just a little," Nita said without turning, frustrated that her concentration was affected by a stranger this way.

"Sure thing."

Nita didn't hear her move, and she could still sense her nearness.

This is ridiculous. Determined to banish the exasperating distraction from her consciousness, Nita focused on Joey and immediately her discomfort abated.

"This might be just a bit uncomfortable," she said, gently supporting his wrist in her palm.

"It's okay, Doc," Joey said, his eyes fi xed trustingly on her face.

The bleeding had slowed to a trickle, but his small fi nger drooped and angled unnaturally. Nita noted an irregular laceration through the layer of caked-on blood. Saw blade. Another laceration slashed across the mid-portion of his ring fi nger. She carefully repositioned his hand on a sterile towel.