Her Grumpy Doctor (Grumps of Appleridge #6)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Raelynn

“I miss you already!” My best friend, Nina, whined over the phone while I steered my car along the curvy mountain road.

“I know. I miss you too. You have to come visit. You’d love it here. It’s so peaceful and quiet, and the spa where I started working is gorgeous. Lacey, the owner, is so sweet. And the men on this mountain…phew.”

Nina giggled into the phone. “Okay, that’s it. I’m moving in with you.”

“And what will you tell Dave? You want to move so you can ogle hot mountain men?”

“No, of course not!” Nina shrieked, but her tone was light and playful. “It’s okay to look at the menu. I just can’t order anything.”

I burst into laughter and pulled into the parking lot of my doctor’s office. I found a space, parked, and flipped down the visor, making sure my hair and makeup were still in place. “Good one. I’m sure Dave would love it.”

“Okay, okay, but not having you in the city is a total bummer. No last-minute lunches, or Sunday brunch, or movie and wine nights.”

“I know. I miss you too. But you know I couldn’t stand all the loud noise and pollution in the city anymore.

Once my parents left, I needed a change.

You and Dave need to move here. Buy a house, raise a family.

It’s beautiful.” Appleridge was the definition of a small town.

But it was super cute, and so was the cabin I rented. I think Nina would love it.

“That sounds amazing. But I doubt Dave would ever go for it.”

“Yeah, I figured. But you can visit me and spend a few days here.”

“Yes, we need to plan a girls’ weekend!”

“I’m about to go into the doctor, but when I get to work later, I’ll check my schedule and text you.”

“The doctor? Are you okay?”

“Yep, just need a new doctor to prescribe my birth control. I used up all the refills I had left from the city clinic.”

“Got it. Well, good luck with everything and have a good day. And make sure to text me the schedule so I can put in a request at work.”

“I will. Love ya, bestie.”

“Love you more!”

I ended the call, killed the engine, gathered my purse, keys, and phone, and hurried inside. I was running a few minutes late and hoped I wouldn’t wait long for the doctor. I didn’t want to be late for work when I had only started a week ago.

But based on the full waiting room, I was afraid it might not be such a quick appointment after all.

I sat on the table, the stiff paper crunching beneath me with every move I made. I adjusted the gown for the millionth time, annoyed I had to even put it on. I was only here for a refill. Was it really necessary to do an exam?

The nurse informed me that the physical was necessary since I hadn’t been a patient there before. I kept checking the time on my phone, wishing the doctor would hurry up already.

Ten minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” I called, and when the door opened, in walked the sexiest, tallest, most delicious-looking beef of a man I’d ever seen before.

I sat up straight and tried to pick my jaw up off the floor while my eyes greedily drank in every inch of him.

He must’ve been over six feet tall, with dark features, a sexy neatly trimmed beard, and muscles that could easily be seen beneath his white doctor coat and button-down shirt. My mind wandered, wondering if any ink was hidden beneath his professional clothes.

“Raelynn, yes? How are you doing today?”

His grumbly voice snapped me out of my trance. A hint of a smirk ghosted across his lips, and my cheeks flushed. Great.

“I’m okay, you?”

“Can’t complain. I’m Dr. Walker. It’s nice to meet you. So you’re here for your annual exam, correct?” he asked me after washing his hands.

“Yes. Well, actually, I just need a refill on my birth control. But since I’m a new patient, the nurse said I required an exam.”

The doctor looked at me with one eyebrow raised. “I’m booked today, so I can make this quick. Anything bothering you?” His tone was a bit sharp, rough almost. He looked between me and the iPad in his hand, his eyes scanning the screen.

Based on the full waiting room, he must’ve been a decent doctor, or maybe it was because he was the only small practice around.

“No, nothing is bothering me.”

He continued through a list of questions based on the electronic chart on his iPad and reviewed my medical history as well as my family’s medical history. He also did the usual exam of listening to my heart and lungs, and checking my ears and throat, all in a speedy manner.

I could barely focus on what he was asking. With his body so close to mine, and his manly scent and the heat radiating off his body, my heart raced.

Stop it. He’s your doctor.

Dr. Walker had to have heard the way my heart beat out of control, but he acted like he hadn’t noticed a thing.

“What birth control were you taking? And are you happy with it?”

I pointed at the note the nurse left on the counter. “It’s written down on the paper. Yes, I’m happy with it.” As he walked over to read the note, I muttered under my breath, “Not like I’m having sex anyway.”

“What was that?” Dr. Walker turned and looked at me, his deep brown eyes intense. I detected some annoyance in his tone.

For someone as hot as he was, he definitely wasn’t the best at being social. Who taught him his bedside manners? He was a tad grumpy, a tad all rough and tumble, but I wondered if it was an act. What was really going on inside the grumpy doctor’s head?”

“Nothing,” I answered, but I could tell he heard me. He heard me loud and clear.

“We’ll request records from your previous doctors, but in the meantime, I’ll refill what you’ve been on since it’s working well for you. No side effects?”

“Nope.”

“Good. It also says your main reason for using birth control is for heavy periods, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Have you explored why that may be with a gynecologist before?”

“Yes. I’ve had all the tests. No endometriosis or anything like that.”

“Good.” He focused on the iPad while swiping through screens. “I’ll have your refill sent to the local pharmacy. Come back if anything comes up. Otherwise, you’re good to schedule next year’s physical. Nice meeting you, Raelynn. Take care.”

Ugh, the dreaded “take care”—basically a fuck off.

He was out the door before I could utter another word, leaving behind a frosty environment. One that gave me chills.

Yet despite the frigidness, I found myself undeniably attracted to him.

And I wondered what made the smokin’ hot doctor so damn grumpy?