Chapter Fourteen
When they arrived back at the house after their afternoon at the MacFarland Ranch, Trip let them into the kitchen and stopped short when he saw a note stuck to the fridge. The spidery scrawl, written across the page of a legal pad turned sideways, had been Maisie’s preferred method of communication for as long as he could remember.
Hope you don’t mind but I didn’t want to do the whole Sunday lunch with all the family. I came over here and enjoyed the afternoon doing what I love instead.
You’re all stocked up for the week. I made enough for two of everything…
No one’s mentioned anything—and you know I won’t. It’s a miracle that you’ve avoided the rumor mill so far, and I’ll be damned if I’m the one to give you away—but I came by a few times last week, and Shelley’s car was here every time. So, I went ahead and cooked for her, too.
If I got the wrong end of the stick about the two of you, then you can take some to work for her and she can fill her own fridge.
I didn’t though, did I? And I have to say it—I’m thrilled for you; she’s a good girl, that one!!!
I won’t mention it again until you do, but you know me—I couldn’t keep it buttoned. Who knows how many days I have left on this Earth? And I’d hate to die in my sleep without telling you how pleased I am for you.
You’re a good man, Jack, and you deserve a good woman.
Love, Maisie
He had to laugh. It was just so typically Maisie. He loved her like family, and ever since he was a kid, she’d made sure he knew that she loved him as much as if he were her own.
His heart thudded to a stop when he realized that Shelley was right there beside him—reading the note, too. He held his breath and waited for her reaction. Would it be too much for her? He hoped like hell that it wouldn’t scare her off.
He exhaled slowly when she laughed.
“She’s quite a character, isn’t she?”
He nodded, waiting to see what else she had to say.
“I love that she’s comfortable to come over here whenever she likes and just get on and do her own thing.”
He tensed, remembering the way Katrina used to complain about Maisie and say that she should keep strict hours and call in advance if she wanted to come over outside of them. Trip had put his foot down—told her that Maisie was family and she could come and go as she pleased. It had been a source of friction between them, and although Maisie had never admitted it to him, he suspected that Katrina had tried to make life difficult for her when he wasn’t around.
“That’s the way things have always been between us.” He couldn’t keep the defensive note out of his voice.
“I thought as much. I love it. She’s more like family, isn’t she?”
He nodded. He wanted to feel relieved, but he couldn’t help wondering if Shelley had something else to say about the situation—wondering how she’d feel about Maisie’s frequent and unannounced visits if she lived here with him. He knew he was getting ahead of himself, but since he’d become aware this afternoon that there was so much he didn’t know about her yet…
His heart sank when she said, “Mind if I ask you something? I’m probably being nosey, but I’m curious.”
“Go ahead.”
“Does she just buy what she wants and then you repay her?”
He frowned. Katrina had given him a hard time about the arrangement he had with Maisie—maybe Shelley would feel the same way.
She gave him a rueful smile. “I am being too nosey, aren’t I? I’m sorry. I only asked because I’d like to pay her back. I feel awful that she’s cooked everything I’ve eaten for the last week or so, and…”
Trip reached out and curled his arm around her waist. “It’s fine—you don’t need to worry about it.”
He loved that she frowned and said, “Sorry, but I do worry—I don’t want to take advantage of her. Or of you.”
He kissed her forehead. “It’s all okay. She doesn’t pay for any of it. She has a card that she uses—an account, actually—Anita uses it, too. It’s the way my dad set things up.”
“Oh! That’s cool, I didn’t think of that.” She smiled. “Where does she live?”
“Right here on the ranch.”
She surprised him when she laughed. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”
“Why?”
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Because I once knew a man who treated his housekeeper as well as you treat Maisie. He was a very wealthy man, and his housekeeper had worked for his family for over thirty years. They had the same arrangement. She lived in a cottage that he provided on his estate, and she had her own account and cards so that she could buy whatever she needed, whenever she needed. Like you, Franklin Moss was a wonderful man—he was kind, considerate, and generous with people who deserved it.”
Trip kissed her back. “I think this is a story that I’d like to hear. I take it he died?”
Shelley laughed. “He did. I worked with him during the last few months of his life, helping him put everything in order the way he wanted. His family and second wife were too busy fighting each other to pay attention—they had no idea what he was up to. They were shocked when the will was read, and the housekeeper ended up with more than all of them combined. But honestly? She was the only one who’d truly been there for him… “What?”
She gave him a puzzled smile. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”
He kissed her again. “Because I love the way you see things.”
“Don’t you think anyone would love that story?”
He made a face, deciding it was time to share a little about Katrina. “There was a time when I would have answered that question with of course . But…”
She shook her head. “Your ex did a real number on you, didn’t she?”
He nodded slowly. “She did. She gave me so much shit about Maisie having her own account and cards. Even more over the fact that I refused to give her oversight. She told me on more than one occasion that I cared more about the staff than I did about her.”
Shelley looked so sad as she reached out to run her hand down his arm. “I’m sorry.”
He gave her a rueful smile. “Don’t feel too badly for me—I think she might have been right. Apparently, I was a really shitty husband, and Katrina had every reason to believe that I should allow her to run things around here.”
“No way!”
He shrugged. “She was probably right about that, too—the shitty husband part, at least. But I should be the one apologizing to you . I was kind of waiting to see if you might feel the same way as she did about Maisie. And if I’m honest, it isn’t the first time.”
She gave him a puzzled look, and he’d started now, so he might as well go on.
“There’ve been a few different things that have come up, and I’ve held my breath—waiting to see if you were going to react the same way she did and make me feel like I’m an asshole. I’m not saying that you would intentionally make me feel that way, it’s just…”
She reached up and cupped her hands around the sides of his neck, sending that now-familiar prickly sensation racing down his spine.
“You don’t need to apologize for feeling a little wary after a bad experience.”
“I do—I shouldn’t judge you because of what she did.”
“You’re not judging me—I don’t think—you’re remembering things she did that were difficult for you and waiting to see if I’m going to act the same way.”
“Yeah, I guess I am. And that’s pretty cowardly of me.”
“I’d say that’s smart, not cowardly.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Now who’s the sweet talker?” he asked with a smile.
She didn’t smile back. “Not me. I’m deadly serious. I think you’re wise to protect yourself. Obviously, I didn’t know Katrina, but from what you’ve told me—and I’ll be honest, Libby told me a little, too—it sounds like she did a number on you, and I don’t like her very much.”
“Thanks, Shelley, honey.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I’m just telling you how I see things. I get it—you’re going to be wary of me, and you should be. You can’t know for sure until we know each other better.”
He was so tempted to ask if she was planning to stick around so he could get to know her better. Tempted to tell her that he wanted to know everything there was to know about her—and to let her get to know him just as well. But that might feel like pressure to her, so instead, he lowered his head and claimed her mouth in a kiss that he hoped could say more than he otherwise dared to.
~ ~ ~
It had been a quieter day at the clinic on Monday, and Shelley was thrilled when Trip had popped his head out of his office a few minutes ago and suggested that she start packing up so they could get out of there on time for once.
She’d shut down her computer and made sure the reception area was tidy, ready for Joan to come in later. Now she was sitting back at her desk with her purse on her lap, waiting to go. Trip was in his office, making his usual end-of-day call to Dawn over at the hospital.
She loved that he did that. He didn’t need to — Dawn and the rest of the staff at the hospital would call him if they needed him — but he checked in anyway. Shelley suspected that he did it partly for his own peace of mind, but also so that the nurses didn’t have to make a judgment call. She knew they all liked and respected him as a person and wouldn’t want to disturb him unless it was necessary. By being the one to make the call, he took the onus of responsibility off them. They didn’t need to decide if something was worth bothering him with, because he called to ask if there was anything at all he needed to know.
As the minutes ticked by, she started to suspect that perhaps this evening there was something he needed to know about.
When he came out of his office a few moments later, the look on his face answered the question for her before he even spoke.
“I’m sorry, Shelley, honey. I’m going to have to head over there.”
She forced a bright smile. Of course he had to go — and she hoped he wouldn’t notice how disappointed she felt. It was just how things went. And how they would always go between them. He was a doctor, after all.
It wasn’t that she minded in general. Far from it. She respected the hell out of what he did — and the way he showed up for the people who needed him. It was just that tonight was going to be their last night together before Harper arrived tomorrow. She’d been looking forward to another cozy evening together.
“That’s okay,” she told him. “Can I be of any help?”
“No. Thanks, but there’s nothing you can do.”
“Want me to lock up so you can just go?”
He shook his head with a frown. “No. Come on, we can leave together.”
When they reached the front door, she rested her hand in the middle of his chest and reached up to press a peck to his lips.
“Go. I don’t want to hold you up. You should get moving. I’ll head home and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Instead of turning to open the door, he wrapped his arms around her waist and crushed her to his chest. “No.”
She raised her eyebrows. “No?”
“I mean — yes, of course I’ll see you tomorrow. But I still want to see you tonight. How would you feel about heading over to my place like we planned?”
She pursed her lips. “You don’t know how long you’ll need to be at the hospital.”
His shoulders sagged. “Yeah, sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t ask you to hang out there by yourself all evening and maybe half the night.”
“I’m not objecting on my own behalf. I just don’t want you worrying about me — not when you’ll have much more important things to deal with at the hospital.”
As they were talking, they stepped outside, and Trip locked the door behind them.
“I won’t be worried about you, honey. It’ll be kind of nice, knowing that you’re there at home — that you’ll be there when I get there.”
All her breath caught in her chest. She liked that idea, too.
He raised his eyebrows. “I have to run. But after tonight, we don’t know when we’ll get another night together. Harper’s coming tomorrow.”
She took his hand and gave it a squeeze, not daring to hug him in the way she wanted to now that they were outside. “Harper isn’t going to be the end of us, you know.”
His smile lit up his face as he said, “I didn’t know — but I’m glad to hear it.”
Shelley nodded. “Go on. Get to the hospital, Dr. Harvey. I’ll see you back at your place whenever you can get there. If it’s after bedtime, I’ll have your pajamas to keep me warm.”
He pressed another kiss to her lips, murmuring, “Thank you, honey,” before turning and jogging to his SUV.
She watched him pull away and raised her hand when he honked his horn before turning the corner and disappearing from her sight.
It felt strange arriving at his place by herself—well, she usually arrived by herself, but most of the time she was either following his SUV or she already knew he’d be there waiting for her.
As the car emerged from the line of cottonwood trees by the creek, she smiled at the sight of the house; it was such a beautiful place.
She parked behind the kitchen and paused by her car when she saw a man coming up the driveway toward her. She relaxed a little when she recognized him — it was Brody.
“Hi,” she called, feeling a little self-conscious. “Trip had to go to the hospital. I ...”
Brody smiled. “It’s okay. He called to let me know. I said I’d come over and give you my number. I won’t intrude on your evening or anything, but if you need any help, just give me a call or shoot me a text.”
She gave him a puzzled smile. “Thanks.” She tapped his number into her phone as he told it to her, then looked back up at him. “I appreciate that. I’m hoping I won’t have any issues, but if I do, there’s no way I’d call Trip while he’s at the hospital.”
Brody chuckled. “That’s what he said — and that’s why he asked me to keep an eye out for you. I suggested I should give you my number.”
He met her gaze and held it as he added, “I imagine there’ll be a time or two when you’ll need it in the future.”
Shelley just stared back at him—she didn’t know what to say.
He gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry if I overstepped. I...”
“No, it’s fine. I appreciate you saying it. I...”
Brody frowned. “Are you trying to say that you won’t be around long enough to need help — mine or anyone else’s?”
She blew out a sigh. “Honestly, Brody, I don’t know. I think I want to stay, but...”
She stopped short, wondering why on earth she’d voiced that thought to him before she had to anyone else.
He smiled. “Well, if it’ll tip the scales in that direction, I can tell you for sure — he wants you to stay.”
She raised her eyebrows, wondering if Trip confided in Brody more than she’d realized.
Brody smiled. “But now I really am overstepping. So, I’ll go.” He jerked his chin toward her phone. “You know how to get ahold of me if you need me now.”
“Thanks,” she called after him.
He raised his hand and waved over his shoulder as he walked back down the driveway toward the barn — an imposing, broad-shouldered figure in cowboy hat and boots, silhouetted against the sunset.
She let herself into the kitchen and looked around, smiling as she did so. On the drive over, she’d been concerned that it might feel strange to be at his house without him. Now that she was here, it hit her just how much this place already felt like home.
She went to the fridge and took out the carton of apple juice she and Trip had been sharing at breakfast. She set it down on the counter and opened the fridge door again with a short laugh. Of course it was fully stocked with Maisie’s goodies. She’d known that — she’d just forgotten.
She’d stopped at Deb’s store on the way home, thinking Trip might appreciate something lighter if he came in late tonight. Oh well — at least he had options.
~ ~ ~
It was almost midnight by the time Trip got home. He smiled when he pulled up behind the house and saw Shelley’s car parked near the back door. He loved that she’d left the space closest to the door for him—just as he usually left it open for her when he arrived first.
He let himself in quietly, not knowing if she would have gone to bed already. He was exhausted—he needed sleep himself—and the thought of sliding into bed beside her had him eager to hurry upstairs.
He closed the door as quietly as he could—and then laughed when he turned around to find her standing there, smiling at him.
“I was trying to be quiet,” he told her.
“That’s sweet of you—but as you can see, there’s no need.”
He went to her and slid his arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You didn’t need to wait up. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. It was my choice—and I wanted to.” She gave him a guilty little smile. “I might have gotten a little carried away watching a movie.”
He chuckled. “Good. In that case, I don’t feel so bad—and nope, you won’t have me to blame if you’re dragging ass tomorrow.”
She laughed. “Nope. I take full responsibility for my own choices—I’d never blame you.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips, deciding that he no longer wanted to give any headspace to thoughts of comparing her with his ex-wife. She couldn’t be more different from Katrina—Shelley was her own woman . And as he looked down into her eyes, he couldn’t help hoping that maybe she would become his woman.
Her expression gentled as she looked back up into his eyes and said, “I’m afraid to ask what you’re thinking.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Nothing to worry about—I’m thinking happy thoughts.”
She tightened her arms around him. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Are you hungry?”
He shrugged. “I think I’m too tired to eat. Maybe we should just head to bed, and I’ll make us a decent breakfast in the morning.”
“You need to eat something, and I can make breakfast.”
He took her hand and led her toward the stairs. “I’d rather go to bed.” He tugged on her hand when she hesitated. “We can argue about who makes breakfast tomorrow.”
When they reached the bedroom, he stripped down to his underwear while Shelley went into the bathroom. When she came out wearing just her underwear, he went to her and ran his hands down her sides.
“You’re gorgeous, honey. But I don’t think tonight …”
She looped her arms up around his neck. “I wasn’t expecting us to.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “You need sleep — and besides, I’m not just here for the sex — as great as it is.”
Her words made him feel as though he grew two feet taller. She laughed and patted his ass. “Look at that smile! I should probably tell you more often just how great you are in the sack. But go take your turn in the bathroom. I’ll be right here in bed waiting for you — waiting to snuggle.”
When he climbed into bed with her a few minutes later, he spooned her and pressed a kiss to her neck. “You’re an amazing woman, Shelley. You make me feel at home in my own house, and that’s something that hasn’t happened in years.”
She looked up over her shoulder at him and murmured, “It makes me happy to know that, Trip — and … I feel at home here, too.”
He closed his eyes, hoping that maybe one day …
She reached up and touched his cheek. “Go to sleep, Doctor Harvey. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He tightened his arm around her waist. “Goodnight, honey.”
“G’night, Jack.”