Lone Wolf Read Online Free

mystique if not credibility to the project. Thomas wasn’t sure how comfortable he was with either option. He understood both sides, but hated even the semblance of racial bias. The ideal worker had to be passionate and well-qualified, not just look the part. He hoped they could come to a consensus. The last thing they needed was to delay the opening over politics. He’d had enough of that—from all sides.
    Thomas sat down with his tray and proceeded to unwrap his sandwich. He was just about to take a bite when he felt rather than saw someone approach the tiny circular table.
    â€œHello. Mind if we join you?”
    Thomas looked up and his eyes opened wider. It was Dr. Ducharme. She was holding her own tray with a cup of coffee, a juice, and two donuts on it, and there was a little girl beside her. He stood instantly, awkwardly. “Yes, please do.” He gestured to the empty chairs across from him. His initial instinct was right: Dr. Ducharme’s body was even more appealing minus the lab coat. Form-fitting jeans hugged her narrow hips and a deep purple V-neck sweater dipped just low enough to catch his attention. Her raven-black hair hung loose down her back. He swallowed a lump, remembering how he’d loved Rhea’s long hair. He waited until the doctor and her companion got settled before sitting again himself.
    â€œThanks. This is my daughter, Maggie. Maggie, this is Mr. Lone Wolf.” She arranged one of the donuts and the juice in front of the girl.
    Thomas’s eyebrows rose. He had never considered that she would have a child. Perhaps that meant she had a husband, too. The little girl was wearing a pink shirt and jean jumper dress. Her hair was much lighter than her mother’s, almost blonde, and it was tied up in two high ponytails at the sides of her head. Her father must be white—not that it mattered—but her eyes were a warm brown and had a distinctive slant. “Hi, Maggie. I have a little girl around your age. Well, maybe a bit older. Her name is Whisper.”
    â€œI’m five,” was all Maggie said. She bit into her donut.
    â€œFive. That’s pretty big. You must be going into kindergarten,” Thomas said.
    Maggie nodded vigorously, her mouth full.
    â€œI’m surprised to see you here.” The doctor smiled at him as she added some cream to her coffee.
    â€œI’m in town for a meeting. Thought I’d grab a bite before it starts.”
    â€œI see.” She took a small bite of her donut.
    Thomas gestured at the donut in her hand. “I’m surprised to see you eating a donut. Can’t be good for your teeth.”
    She smiled and raised an eyebrow until she finished chewing. “Dentists eat things that aren’t good for them, too. Besides, I carry a toothbrush in my purse.” Her gaze held his over the rim of her cup as she took a sip of her coffee.
    â€œOf course you do.” He grinned before taking a bite of his own sandwich.
    He was still chewing when she stuck her hand out. “By the way, my name is Nicole. We weren’t properly introduced and Dr. Ducharme is much too formal for a place like this.”
    He grasped hers across the table. “Right. And I’m—”
    â€œThomas,” she finished for him. “I know.” Their eyes locked for moment before he let his hand go limp and she withdrew hers.
    Thomas blinked and looked down at his sandwich. He picked it up with two hands and took another bite. A bit of mustard plopped onto his fresh white shirt. With a grunt of dismay, he set the sandwich back on its plate and tried to wipe at the stain with a napkin.
    â€œHere.” Nicole dug in her purse and came up with something that looked like a marker. “This is actually a purse-sized stain remover. Just rub it on and the stain will fade away right before your eyes.”
    â€œWow. You come well stocked. A toothbrush and stain remover.” He took the pen and did as