The Nurse's Not-So-Secret Scandal

The Nurse's Not-So-Secret Scandal
Wendy S. Marcus

Between family nightmares and a series of lousy guys, nurse Roxie Morano’s life is a disaster zone.But enigmatic (and gorgeous!) new colleague Ryan ‘Fig’ Figelstein is ignoring her hazard warnings – instead, he’s signalling his attraction!Now Roxie’s bulletproof heart is at risk…but dare she dream Fig will stick around when he discovers all her secrets?

Praise for Wendy S. Marcus:

‘Readers are bound to feel empathy

for both the hero and heroine. Each has a uniquely

disastrous past, and these complications help to

make the moment when Jared and Allison are able to

give their hearts to the other all the more touching.’

—RT Book Reviews on WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH, (4 stars)

Dear Reader

This is the third and final (at least for now) book in my Madrin Memorial Hospital series: Roxie’s story. If you’re unfamiliar with the first two books, please check out Book One, Allison’s story, WHEN ONE NIGHT ISN’T ENOUGH, and Book Two, Victoria’s story, ONCE A GOOD GIRL …

For me, a story builds from a few random ideas—usually jotted down on napkins, receipts, and/or scraps of paper that clutter my pocketbook and desk. After I come up with a few key scenes, and figure out the basics of what I want to happen in the beginning, middle and end, I start to flesh out my characters.

This is my favourite part of the writing process. Beyond their physical characteristics, I delve into their pasts. I create their personalities and mannerisms, their goals and motivations. And the more time I spend with them, the more real they become—to the point where they often take on a life of their own, sending my story in a direction different from the one I’d originally intended.

All three women in this series had difficult childhoods, and had to overcome many obstacles on their way to becoming strong, self-sufficient, professional young nurses. I’m happy to have helped each of them find their happily-ever-after.

As I put the final touches on Roxie’s story I realised how much I’m going to miss spending my days (and nights) with my friends at Madrin Memorial Hospital. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Allison, Victoria and Roxie’s stories as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.

I love to hear from readers. Please visit me at www.WendySMarcus.com

Wishing you all good things.

Wendy S. Marcus

The Nurse’s

Not-So-Secret

Scandal

Wendy S. Marcus

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to my dear neighbors,

Grisel DeLoe and D. David Dick, two of my biggest

supporters, and a heck of a lot of fun to celebrate with.

(Although after my 4 star RT Book Reviews celebration I had some trouble getting started the next day!) I love you both. And if you try to sell your house I may have to resort to vandalism. You have been warned!

With special thanks to:

Grisel and her sister, Ivette Vazquez,

who answered my last-minute cries for help

with some Spanish translations. Your e-mails made me

laugh out loud. Even at three in the morning.

You are one hysterical woman. Any mistakes are my own.

My editor, Flo Nicoll, who encourages me,

puts up with me and always pushes me to do my best.

I am so lucky to have you.

My wonderful friends, old and new, who have

purchased my books, written reviews, and/or attended

my book signings. You know who you are.

And to my husband and children for loving me,

cooking for me and making me laugh. (And for

not saying one negative word when I spent a weekend

in my pajamas and didn’t shower for almost

three whole days while under deadline to finish this book.)

CHAPTER ONE

“IT’S not Roxie,” 5E head nurse Victoria Forley insisted. The tiny brunette slammed the file in her hand onto her old metal desk. “She’s one of my best nurses, and a dear friend. I trust her implicitly. This is absolutely ridiculous.”

“Calm down, honey,” her fiancé, Dr. Kyle Karlinsky, said as he wrapped his large arm around her narrow shoulders. “We’ll figure it out.”

Ryan “Fig” Figelstein leaned against the door frame of Victoria’s fifth-floor office, watching the cozy scene. An observer. An outsider in his best friend’s new life.

Kyle shot over the look that more often than not got Fig into some kind of trouble and added, “And Fig will help us.”