Life Begins In Arizona by Lee Morrison

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Claire Stevens, an Emergency Department physician who escaped a violent marriage, is living proof that abuse can happen to anyone. New to Wickenburg, Arizona, she is settling into her home when her ex-husband is released from jail...and finds her. Waking up in the hospital, bruised and battered, she discovers she is married to her neighbor-who happens to be her new boss. At least that's the story people believe.

Jake Cooper is the first man who has stirred Claire's pulse in five years. She finds his charm hard to resist, but in hindsight realizes she has emotional scars that are getting in her way. If her fear of relationships doesn't strangle her, her ex-husband, who is out on bail, just might.

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Claire attempted a smile, but her head still hurt.

"Your husband hasn't left your side the entire time you've been here. You're a lucky woman."

Claire's weak smile froze on her face.

The nurse chuckled. "Believe me, there aren't many men who would sit at the bedside and be as vigilant as your husband has been." She moved around the room checking her chart and making notes while she rattled on. "In fact, some of the girls are actually jealous. We've seen dedicated husbands before, but your husband tops them all. Why, I don't even think he's had a wink of sleep since you came in."

Husband? Claire looked at Jake. He seemed to sink into his chair. She could feel the color draining from her face. Surely they weren't married! What had he done?

The cardiac monitor picked up the beeping pace.

"Aw, how sweet! Look, Doc, you're making her heart beat faster!"

Jake stood, coming to his full height. Lord, he was tall. Claire estimated he stood at about six-two or -four. At the moment, though, she had other things on her mind, and she could see that Jake knew it.

"My wife isn't feeling the greatest yet." He smiled, gently leading the woman to make her exit.

Laura immediately took the hint.

"Certainly, Doctor Cooper," she said. "Mrs. Cooper, you just rest now. I'll be back to check on you again in a little while."

Mrs. Cooper? This was getting to be a bit too much for Claire to handle.

Jake cleared his throat. "My wife kept her own name. She goes by Claire Stevens. Dr. Claire Stevens. You'll actually be seeing her around. She's taken a position in our emergency room."

Laura's eyes flew open.

"Oh!" The woman wasclearly stunned. "Oh!" she said again, her voice raised an octave higher. "Well, then, uh, Dr. Cooper, uh, I mean Dr. Stevens, you just lay back and rest now."

Laura made a fuss over straightening the covers and making sure there was water in the pitcher. She asked if there was anything else she could get before she left and then made a hasty retreat.

When the door closed, Claire threw a suspicious glare at Jake.

"Mrs. Cooper? I'm your wife? I think you have some explaining to do," she said indignantly. "We're married?" Her voice was practically a shriek.

"Yes and no," he returned in a maddeningly even tone.

"What does yes and no mean?"

"It means that I sort of told some people you were my wife."

"Am I?"

"You don't want to be my wife?" There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.