A Billionaire Dentist for Christmas

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Jude stared after the young woman that was sprinting away from him. What had just happened? He’d been shocked when King jumped her. The dog was usually wary of strangers and went out of his way to avoid them, so Jude had wondered at first if he’d met her before.

But the almond-shaped eyes with sweeping eyelashes that had stared back at him had been unfamiliar yet had managed to seize his attention. She was beautiful and striking with warm brown skin that glowed with the richness of life and had dark luscious hair with a little bit of spring in it. It was like his whole being came alert. Then he’d heard her voice. The lyrical sound had swirled right to his core and turned him inside out. When he’d reached out to help her to her feet, the sparks that he’d felt had been electrifying.

Who was she, and why was she having such an effect on him? For the first time, Jude was glad he was back in Dexington. He and his mom had left many years ago, and he’d spent most of his young life in California where he’d gone to college, dental school, and residency to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon—and a wealthy one at that.

Jude had been lucky to have a college roommate who was fascinated with inventing devices, and together they’d opened a medical device company with their joint creations. Fortunately, they’d held off on selling the company early and had waited until the business valuation had grown. Then they’d taken it public before they were eventually acquired by a leading medical device company. Despite the grueling work to make both the company and his residency training work, it had been worth it, and Jude had netted hundreds of millions of dollars which, through strategic investments, had turned Jude into a billionaire. But the best part of the wealth he’d acquired was it allowed his mom to retire. She’d worked so hard all her life to support him and could now follow whatever dreams she had.

But being rich also brought its share of problems. Jude and his business partner had been featured in newspapers and magazines, and Jude had ended up with more than a few stalkers. So when his mom had suggested a return to Dexington, Jude had been amenable to the idea.

So far it had worked out well, and Jude felt like he had returned to his days of anonymity. The small city gave him the small-town feel he’d missed yet was close enough to big cities like New York and Boston. He’d opened the dental practice of his dreams where patients were guaranteed a wonderful experience. Given the amount of dental work he’d had in childhood, Jude had always wished he’d had it easier. So now, he tried to soften the trauma for others by providing a welcoming environment in his clinic.

His practice had weekly themes based on popular cartoon or TV show characters, and his pediatric patients were allowed to vote on them a month ahead of time. The kids could also make fun suggestions for each week via a suggestions box. Jude tried to incorporate those as much as he could. Once the theme was selected, it got reflected in the staff’s outfit for the week and in the clinic decor—Jude had a team responsible for managing the transitions.

Patients were also treated to surround music, and their choice of either watching a movie or kiddie program using tablets, or getting a foot massage and pedicure while waiting. The kids also had a huge play area in a corner of the lobby. Treatment involved the best dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants he could hire, who then administered care using state-of-the-art equipment fit for royalty. And all of these did not cost extra. Yet Jude managed to maintain an efficient and effective patient workflow. So it was no surprise that even patients from other towns were drawn to his clinic.

But being back in the town had reopened old wounds, memories of his childhood he’d rather have kept buried. He’d bought a house in the wealthy part of town, a far cry from where he’d previously lived with his mom, and that seemed to have helped in avoiding his previous haunts. Even when he’d mistakenly ended up at a grocery store he and his mom used to frequent, no one had recognized him, and for that he was grateful.

But his first Christmas since he’d returned was now approaching. Jude had begun to feel unsettled. Christmas was not his favorite time of the year after his father’s abandonment, and he tried to avoid the festivities as much as possible. Unfortunately, the Dexington community was well-known for them. In addition, his mom hoped to be involved this time around—she’d held off on celebrating Christmas all those years in California because of him. Sure, they’d bought Christmas presents for each other, but that was all they’d done. Since this year promised to be different, Jude wasn’t sure how he would survive the season. So his mind had been preoccupied with those thoughts when King had crashed into the beautiful lady.

There was something about her that called to him, and he longed to know her more. But as she faded out of view, other thoughts assaulted his mind. What if this was all a set up? Anyone who was familiar with Jude would have known that King had a thing for red balls. What if she’d targeted him? Jude had run this route since he’d come back, and anyone tracking him would have known he’d pass this way with King.

Jude let out a sigh. He was tired of gold diggers and stalkers. Jude had been unlucky in relationships so far—they either wanted him for his money or exhibited obsessive behaviors—so he’d closed his heart to love. Even if this woman wasn’t either, he had to remain cautious about who he let into his life. The last thing he needed was a repeat of what had happened in California.

His mood spoiled, Jude figured it was time he headed back home. He had a busy day ahead of him, and that was what he needed to focus on. As well as how to get through Christmas unscathed. Thinking about the beautiful lady didn’t fit into his agenda for the day.

“Let’s go, King,” he said as he put the dog’s leash on and began his run back home.

It was time to forget her.