Chapter Ten
Shelley woke slowly on Thursday morning. She didn’t want to wake up, her mind was fuzzy, and her eyes didn’t want to open, but something was tickling her cheek. She tried to swipe it away with her hand.
Her eyes popped open when she heard Trip’s low, deep chuckle.
“Sorry, Shelley honey. I didn’t want to wake you, but I needed to let you know that I have to get up. You don’t need to yet—you can stay here for a while. But I have to stop into the hospital before I come to the clinic this morning.”
Shelley stared at him blankly. Her mind was still fuzzy, and it was taking her a moment to process what he was saying.
When she finally understood, she sat up straight.
“I can be ready in a minute. It won’t take me long.”
He gave her a puzzled smile. “It’s okay. Like I said, you don’t need to yet.” “But I…”
He raised his eyebrows. “You don’t want to stay here by yourself? Is that what you’re saying?”
She shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t mind if you don’t.”
She realized her brain was working so slowly not only because she’d just woken up—but also because she may have had a glass of wine too many last night—maybe two too many.
Trip leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.
“You take your time and wake up. I’ll run down and make coffee and bring one to you before I jump in the shower.”
“No way. No, you don’t need to do that. How about I go and make coffee while you’re in the shower? That makes more sense. You need to get to the hospital if you’re going to check in on folks there and still make it to the clinic on time.”
They stared at each other for a moment. Shelley relaxed when she saw his expression gentle.
“I do need to get a move on.”
“Exactly,” she replied with a smile. “So go get your ass in the shower, and I’ll run downstairs and get the coffee started.”
She was taking a sip of much-needed caffeine when Trip came into the kitchen. She was about to comment on how quick he’d been, but the words died on her lips when she saw the way he was smiling at her.
“What?” she asked, feeling a little self-conscious. “Do I look like the living dead? I will admit that I had more wine than I needed last night. Don’t worry, a shower and some makeup will have me looking like normal before I get to work.”
He came to her and rested his hands on her hips. “You look fine—more than fine. You look beautiful. I’ve never seen you look anything but beautiful.”
His words made her feel as though her heart melted in her chest. “Thanks,” she mumbled before looking up into his eyes. “But what were you smirking about?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “If you must know, I was smiling—not smirking, smiling—at the sight of you in my pajamas.”
“Oh!” She looked down at herself. “Sorry, I didn’t even think. I… I…”
“Don’t apologize. I was smiling because I like seeing you wear them. I was thinking that I could get used to mornings like this.”
All her breath caught in her chest as she stared at him. She didn’t know what to say. His smile slowly faded, and he opened his mouth but didn’t get the chance to speak before the sound of his phone ringing cut him off.
“Saved by the bell, huh?” He turned away from her and picked up his phone from the counter. “What’s up, Dawn?”
Shelley exhaled slowly. She really needed to pull herself together and get her brain functioning normally. She couldn’t decide what he’d meant about getting used to mornings like this. Did he mean seeing her in his PJs? Having her make the coffee? Or waking up together—starting their day together?
He ended his call abruptly. Dawn was one of the nurses at the hospital, and her call must have been urgent.
Trip came and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “I have to run.”
“No problem. I’ll open up the clinic and hold down the fort.”
“Thanks, honey. I’ll call you as soon as I know how long I’ll be. Hopefully, I’ll get there on time, but I’ll let you know if I’m going to be delayed, and we need to start rearranging appointments at the clinic.”
“Whatever you need, I’ll handle it.”
He met her gaze and held it, nodding as he said, “I know. Thanks.”
After he’d gone, she finished her coffee and ate one of the muffins from the selection of baked goodies that Maisie had left. She didn’t usually eat sweet things for breakfast, but the muffins were too good not to have one. She’d make up for it at lunchtime with a salad and chicken breast from The Mustang in town.
By the time she reached the clinic, she was feeling almost human again. Not a hundred percent, but close enough that no one else would notice. Once she’d unlocked and got the place ready for the day, she sat down at the computer and listened to the messages on the answering machine. It tickled her that Trip still used a genuine old-school answering machine. His patients had so many other ways they could get a message to him more efficiently. But Trip insisted that some of them were so old school themselves that the only way they’d leave a message was if it was in a format they were familiar with.
He was right, there were three messages. Two were from older ladies who both needed to reschedule their appointments because of a change to the timing of a meeting at the church hall. She smiled when she got to the third message and heard Jim Sheridan’s voice.
“Good morning to you, Miss Shelley. This isn’t anything to do with medical business, so you skip this message if you’re busy and come back to it when you have a quiet minute.”
Her hand came up to cover her heart. Jim was such a kind, considerate man. He was the definition of an old-school gentleman rancher in her mind. From what she understood, he was one of the richest men in the valley—perhaps the richest—and owned one of the largest ranches. People had a lot of respect for him, but she didn’t think she’d ever known a man so humble.
“All I’m calling to say –” the message continued “– is that I’ll be doing the rounds this afternoon with my eggs.” She loved the sound of his raspy laugh. “I should probably explain myself there, shouldn’t I? See, my chickens lay more eggs than we could ever use here on the ranch. Even the wranglers can’t eat ’em all. So, I deliver the extras to people who need ’em—or might want ’em. Not that I’m saying I think you’re in need or anything like that.” He chuckled again. “And if you are, you tell me, and I’ll kick young Jack’s ass for him and tell him he needs to pay you more. Anyway, I’ll stop my rambling. I could have just come by the clinic unannounced, I suppose, and brought ’em to you, but I thought I’d call first. I’ll see you this afternoon sometime. You have yourself a good day.”
She sat there smiling to herself after the message ended. He was such a good man. She didn’t know what he meant when he talked about young Jack, though—maybe he was getting confused. She hoped not. He seemed so sharp, and she hated to think of him starting to deteriorate mentally, even though it wouldn’t surprise her at his age.
She turned to the computer and scanned the appointments for the week. It was going to be a busy one. She frowned when Jim’s name came up as the last appointment on Friday afternoon. She didn’t know why he came in to see Trip so often—it wasn’t her place to ask. She just made the appointments. Up until now, she’d had no problem with that. She made a face. Would it be wrong of her to ask Trip about him? She’d never want to offend Jim, though—and if he wanted her to know his business, he would have mentioned it at some point.
Once she was all set for the morning appointments, she went into the back and made a pot of coffee. Trip would no doubt want a cup when he arrived.
After she unlocked the front door, she sat back down at her desk and stared at the computer. She loved that she was helping Trip out, but the job wasn’t exactly demanding—or even interesting—now that she’d gotten everything organized and set up efficient systems.
She blew out a sigh. That was why she’d kept moving on over the last few years—she hadn’t found anything that could hold her attention and give her a sense of purpose since she’d left her career. Even if she decided she wanted to stay here in Montana, she wasn’t going to be happy if she couldn’t find something more meaningful to do.
It was one thing to have no purpose when she knew that she’d be moving on again soon—it was something else entirely to stare down the possibility of living out the rest of her days doing a job that other than meaning that she got to be around Trip didn’t satisfy her in the least.
She reached for her purse and took out her phone, intending to start searching for something—anything—that might capture her interest as a possible second career here in Montana. She wasn’t going to question her reasoning; she was just going to Google around and see.
When she opened her phone, a missed message from Harper put the smile back on her face.
Harper: Tell me no if it doesn’t work for you, but I can be there on Tuesday if you want?
Shelley stared at her phone. Of course she’d love to see Harper and catch up with her, but… As if Harper had somehow read her mind, a new message came in.
Harper: And don’t worry, I’m happy with any scraps of time you have to spare. I know you’re busy with work and Dr. Dreamy! I’ll rent a car at the airport and take myself off to Yellowstone. You know I’m perfectly capable of entertaining myself—and all those who cross my path!
Shelley had to laugh; Harper was definitely entertaining, although Shelley wasn’t sure what folks around here would make of her. She was also most definitely a city girl.
Shelley: Book your flight and we’ll figure it out. And I can probably get to the airport to pick you up if you don’t want a car.
Harper: I do want a car—and you can’t just skip out of work. I land at eleven-thirty so maybe we can have lunch if that works? No problem if not.
She looked up when the front door opened, and Trip came in.
Shelley: I have to go for now, but I’ll call you tonight, okay?
Harper: That’s fine—and don’t worry if you don’t get the chance. I’ll come and hunt you down when I arrive if I don’t hear from you before then.
Shelley just laughed.
Trip gave her a puzzled smile when he reached the desk. “Everything okay?”
“All good. I’m just laughing at Harper. She’s flying in on Tuesday. I don’t know what she’ll make of Montana—or what Montana will make of her! But you’d better get into your office; it’s almost eight-thirty. I’ll bring you a coffee.”
He shook his head and came around the desk, surprising her when he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I can get my own coffee. And I don’t want to go into my office without a kiss.”
She rested her hand on his shoulder and looked up into his eyes. “You need to be careful—if anyone sees us, you know the rumors will start flying.”
He met her gaze. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”
“I don’t mind.” She stared into his eyes, wondering if he meant that the way she hoped—that he didn’t mind if people knew they were together. Or did he simply mean that he could care less about rumors, no matter what they were about?
He took her mug and brought her a fresh coffee before heading into his office. Shelley grabbed her phone when it beeped with a text—Harper again.
Harper: You must tell me if you’d rather I didn’t come. I understand—you need time with Dr. Dreamy!
Shelley: I want you to come! Yes, I’m spending time with Trip, but you’re my oldest friend—I’m not going to let anyone get in the way of spending time with you.
Harper: I love you, too, girl, but I get the impression that Trip isn’t just anyone—he’s someone important, isn’t he?
Shelley: Maybe.
Harper: You’re not fooling me, lady, and I hope you’re not trying to fool yourself!
She stared at the text but didn’t get the chance to reply before Tina Harrington walked through the front door.
~ ~ ~
After he was finished with Mary Ogden, Trip leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. He liked to take the time to check in with himself whenever he had a few minutes free between appointments. He used to go stand in front of his window and just take in the view—he’d taken a leaf out his dad’s book and built the clinic in a spot with a fantastic view of the mountains. Just because he was cooped up inside an office most of the time, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t see and appreciate the beauty of where he lived.
He smiled and pushed to his feet. Lately, he’d been making the most of any spare moments he had to pop out and see Shelley—she was a beauty who he truly appreciated. He paused before he opened his office door. Unlike the mountains, her presence here wasn’t guaranteed or timeless. He had to keep reminding himself of that, especially since it seemed that he was already starting to see her as part of his life. A much bigger part than just his receptionist. He’d loved hanging out with the guys last night, knowing that when they went to pick the girls up, he’d be going to get her and bringing her home with him—not just giving her a ride to her place as a friend like he had in the past. Waking up with her this morning had felt so … right. There was no other word for it.
He opened the door. He didn’t need to go complicating things—not yet—all he had to do for now was go out there and enjoy her company for a few minutes before his next patient arrived—simple as that.
Except when he stepped out into the reception area, he could see that he wasn’t going to get to enjoy her company, not all to himself anyway.
Seeing Jim Sheridan leaning on the counter grinning as he recounted some tale, and the way Shelley’s eyes shone with laughter as she leaned toward him, listening eagerly, Trip couldn’t even feel upset that he didn’t get a few moments alone with her.
“Hey Jim. I don’t know why but I had it in my head that I wouldn’t see you until next week. Time must be flying faster than I thought.”
“No, you’re right. My appointment’s not till next Friday. I’ve not come to see you. I’m here to see Miss Shelley.” Jim winked at her, and Shelley nodded enthusiastically.
“Should I be worried?” Trip asked. “Are you trying to steal my girl from under my nose?”
It was only when he saw Shelley’s wide eyes that he realized he’d given himself away, but he wasn’t worried if she wasn’t.
Jim grinned. “If I thought I stood a chance, I might try.” He turned to Shelley. “There’s something about you that reminds me of my Kitty.”
Trip inhaled sharply. The whole valley had mourned the loss of Jim’s wife when she died. She was a wonderful woman with a huge heart and a backbone of steel. Jim and Kitty Sheridan had been his parents’ contemporaries. Though while his parents had moved here from California, Jim and Kitty’s families had arrived in the valley before Montana was even a state.
Trip had felt Kitty’s loss more keenly than most; he’d been close with them his whole life, and he’d been the one to lose the medical battle she fought over her last few years.
He was shocked that Jim had mentioned her name; he rarely did anymore. But then, he had a point—Trip could see that Shelley shared many of Kitty’s qualities. They were both strong, intelligent, practical women, who also had a gentle, loving, giving side.
By the time he recovered from the shock, he was relieved to see that Shelley had carried the moment forward; she thanked Jim, but didn’t question him about his late wife.
“Anyway. I’d better be on way,” said Jim. “I still have more eggs to deliver. You know anyone who needs some, young Jack?”
Trip rolled his eyes, and Shelley gave him a puzzled, slightly worried, look.
“If the Dillinghams aren’t on your list, I know they’d appreciate some eggs. The kids could use more protein in their diet.”
“Aye. I already stopped at their place. They’re some of my regulars. I take ’em some of whatever’s in season in the garden and greenhouse, too. I’ll be seeing you next Friday if not before.” Jim tipped the brim of his hat and headed for the door. When he reached it, he turned back with a smile. “It’s not my place to say a damn thing, and I won’t outside of this office. But for what it’s worth, I reckon you two are made for each other.”
He turned and left, leaving them staring after him. Trip slowly turned toward Shelley, afraid how she might have reacted to Jim’s words. Her eyes were wide, and he couldn’t read her expression—was she afraid? And if so, of what?
He opened his mouth to ask—he had to know. But he ducked his head when he heard the door open behind him and a high-pitched voice cried, “Hey, Uncle Trip! I’m so sorry I’m a bit late. There were some deer waiting to cross the highway and I was worried about them, so I parked my car to help and … well, shoot, you don’t need to know all about it, just that I’m sorry I’m late. And hey, you don’t mind me calling you Uncle Trip, do you? Uncle Trav doesn’t mind but I haven’t officially asked you yet and … Oh, hi, Shelley!”
Trip tried to hold back a laugh as he met Shelley’s gaze. He didn’t think she knew Ari’s daughter, Nessa, all that well yet.
“Hey, Nessa,” he greeted her. “Not only do I not mind, but I’m also proud and honored to be called your Uncle Trip. It’s not a problem—you’re not late, you’re right on time—and I’m glad you could help the deer out. And I was about to introduce you, but it seems that you two already know each other.”
Nessa gave him a rueful smile. “Maybe you should introduce us properly?” She looked at Shelley. “I know you’re my mom’s friend—one of her group of amazing new friends she’s made since she moved here. And I know you used to be a lawyer like her—but you wised up and left all that behind to move here, right? But I’m not sure we’ve ever been introduced.”
Trip couldn’t help chuckling as he introduced them. Shelley looked kind of shellshocked—and he could understand it. Nessa was like a mini tornado blowing through every room and conversation she entered.