Chapter Twenty-Two
When the phone rang, Shelley pushed her chair back and nodded at Brooke to answer it. She wasn’t surprised that, rather than looking nervous, Brooke smiled eagerly as she picked up the phone.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Harvey’s office. How can I help you?”
Shelley relaxed as she watched Brooke handle the call efficiently, setting Mr. Higgins up with an appointment for next Thursday before chatting with him briefly about his granddaughter — who, it seemed, Brooke had gone to school with.
After she ended the call, Brooke looked over. “Was that okay? How did I do?”
“You did great,” Shelley told her. “I think you’re going to be better at this job than I ever was.”
“No way! I can do it all right, but that’s mostly because people already know me.”
“No — you set him up with his appointment before you chatted with him.”
“Yeah, but…” Brooke shrugged. “I think I’m going to do okay. But you need to tell me if I need to improve on anything. I want to learn.”
“I can tell that you do — and as I said, I think you’re going to be great. Do you think you’ll enjoy it?”
Brooke let out a short laugh. “Am I going to enjoy sitting here in comfort, making appointments, and helping people? Hell yeah, I am. I mean, I won’t say anything against my job at the gas station — that job’s been a lifesaver — but this is so much better. And thanks, Shelley. I appreciate it.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m grateful to you for coming in to take over for me. And the way I understand it, it was Emmett who suggested you for the job. And as he told you this morning, Trip’s thrilled to have you.” She smiled. “This is one of those situations where everybody wins. And you’ve got to love those.”
Brooke laughed. “I love it. I’m just not used to it.”
Shelley was curious about Brooke. From what she understood, her brother Blane was one of Trip’s group of friends, but he rarely came back to the valley. From the way Trip told it, Blane loved Brooke and looked out for her — but Shelley didn’t understand why he wouldn’t come home and be here with her. Why she needed to work so many jobs.
She didn’t feel it was her place to ask, though. Whatever Brooke’s circumstances were, it seemed she’d be much better off now that she was going to be working here at the clinic.
Trip had spoken to her on Wednesday, and she’d been enthusiastic to start as soon as possible. She’d come in today to learn the ropes, although she needed to leave soon for a shift at the gas station. She was planning to hand in her notice — and as soon as she could, she’d be starting full-time here. In the meantime, she planned to come in and sit with Shelley to learn as much as she could so that when she was ready, Shelley could step back and go to work with Jim.
Shelley had been doing as much background work as she could this week, but she was looking forward to being able to dedicate her time to establishing herself, to being able to practice here in Montana — and to getting on with arranging Jim’s affairs the way he wanted them.
They both looked up when the front door opened and Harper came breezing in.
“Hey, Shelley-Bells,” she began, before noticing that Brooke was sitting at the reception desk. “Oh, hi! You must be Brooke. It’s lovely to meet you.”
Brooke laughed. “And you must be Harper. It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”
Harper rested her elbows on the counter and gave Brooke a puzzled smile. “How did you know who I am?”
“Because I know that you’re Shelley’s friend, and I haven’t heard anyone else address her as Shelley-Bells.”
Shelley had to laugh. “She has a point, Harpsichord.”
That made Brooke laugh, too. “Am I right that you two have known each other for a long time?”
They both nodded. “Since college,” said Harper.
“That’s awesome,” said Brooke. “And I love that you have names for each other like that.”
She sighed, and Shelley had to wonder if Brooke even had time for friends. Trip had said that she was the same age as Laney and Janey, but Shelley didn’t think Brooke hung out with the rest of them — probably because she was working all the time. Hopefully that situation would change now that she was working here at the clinic.
“How do you think you’re going to like the job?” Harper asked.
“I love it already,” said Brooke. “This is going to be great.” She turned to Shelley. “Thanks again. Thanks so much.”
“I already told you — this works out well for me too. So, thank you. ” She turned to Harper. “And how’s your day been? Are you heading down to the bakery for the Friday afternoon meet up?”
“I am. I’ve been cooped up in the house all day getting us packed up and ready to go. Well, that and talking to my authors and drumming up some business for myself. There’s no way I’d miss the bakery though—Jim said he’s going to share some Kitty stories, remember?”
“Oh wow, I’d love to be there for that,” said Brooke. “Jim’s such a great old guy. I heard that he’s going to rent you his cottage, Shelley.” She turned to Harper. “And is it right that you’re going to stay here in town too?”
“It is. I like it here. I never dreamed that I’d want to stay, but I think my new motto is becoming never say never. ”
“That’s awesome,” said Brooke.
She stopped and raised her eyebrows at Shelley when the phone rang. “Do you want me to...?”
“Go ahead.”
“Dr. Harvey’s office. How can I help you? ... Oh, hey, Emmett. Yeah, this is my first day learning the ropes here. What’s up – do you need to make an appointment or … Oh no. Oh, shoot … I’m really sorry. I’m headed to the gas station straight from here. But wait … No, I can give them a call and see if they’ll find someone to cover for me—”
Shelley exchanged a frown with Harper, wondering what was going on. She didn’t like to interrupt, but Harper didn’t hesitate.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Is there anything we can do?”
“Hang on a minute, Emmett.”
Brooke covered the mouthpiece with her hand as she looked up at them. “He’s supposed to be coming up to town to collect Alana from her rehearsal at the theater, but he’s stuck on a job down at Tom Miner. Sounds like he’s going to be down there for hours. I need to call the gas station and see if I can—”
Harper waved a hand at her. “You don’t need to do that. Put him on speaker.”
Shelley raised her eyebrows as Brooke said, “Hang on, Emmett — I’m going to put you on speaker with Shelley and Harper.”
As she pressed the button, all three of them could hear Emmett saying, “There’s no need to do that, Brooke. I can figure something else out.”
Shelley smiled as Harper jumped in.
“Hey, Emmett. There’s no need for you to figure anything else out. I can go pick her up for you, and Brooke can go to work. Problem solved.”
“I ... there’s no need ... I can—” Emmett sputtered.
“Are you saying you don’t trust me, Papa Bear?”
“I’m saying that I don’t really know you. And more importantly, Alana doesn’t know you at all. There’s no way she’d go with you.”
Before Harper could argue, Brooke piped up. “What time does she need to be picked up? I could go with Harper and introduce them before I start my shift, if that helps.”
Shelley wanted to laugh at Harper’s satisfied smile — and at the sound of Emmett muttering grumpily, “That works for me, if it will work for you?”
“Only if it works for you, Papa Bear,” Harper said sweetly. “I mean, I totally understand if you don’t want some floozy from New York City around your daughter, but it seems to me that you’re in a pinch, and I can help. So, the logical thing would be to let me.”
“I never called you any such thing,” Emmett protested.
“Don’t go getting your panties in a wad. I never said you did. I just know the general impression that people have of me around here so far — if that’s what you’re worried about. I just wanted to reassure you.”
“I’m not worried, but I ...”
“Good,” Harper cut in. “Then it’s agreed; Brooke can show me where to meet Alana, introduce us, and assure her that I’m not some unsavory character who’s about to spirit her away. And then I’ll take her home.”
Brooke met Shelley’s gaze, and it was obvious she was trying not to laugh, too.
“What about Tanya?” she asked. “Did she go home on the bus?”
“Yeah, she’ll be there already, but I’ll ask Janey to check in with her when she finishes work. They’ll figure something out for dinner.”
“Relax, Papa Bear,” said Harper. “I’ll take Alana home to Tanya, and I’ll make sure they’re fed. How about that?”
The line was silent for a long few moments before Emmett finally said, “There’s no need for you to do that.”
“I’m aware,” said Harper. “However, I’m here, I’m free, and I really don’t mind. I’m looking forward to getting to know people around this valley. Since Alana’s obviously interested in theater, it sounds like she might be my kind of person.”
She paused. “Unless you have a problem — feel free to say if you do.”
“…Listen, I have to go. If you’re sure you don’t mind — then... thanks, I guess. But wait, I don’t have your number, or—”
“Brooke can give me your number, and I’ll text you. I’ll have the girls text you as well to let you know they’re okay with the strange woman from New York, if you’d like.”
Emmett grumbled in response.
Harper’s tone gentled. “Seriously, Emmett, I’m happy to help. It doesn’t sound like you have many other options right now. I promise you I’ll take the best care of your girls.”
Something about the way she said it made a lump form in Shelley’s throat. She closed her eyes, hoping Harper wouldn’t notice how choked up she was.
Harper and her husband had lived through more than one miscarriage, and Shelley had long believed that’s what cost them their marriage.
Although Emmett couldn’t know that, he responded to the shift in Harper’s tone.
“Thank you, I’ll be forever in your debt.”
~ ~ ~
They arrived at the bakery earlier than usual because Trip’s last appointment of the day had canceled. He smiled at Shelley as he held the door open for her to go in ahead of him.
Her eyes seemed to shine as she smiled back, and it struck him just how comfortable he felt with her—how familiar being together already felt. He took her hand and forged a path through the crowded space to the counter, where Rocket greeted them with a grin.
“Afternoon, guys. What can I get you?”
After they’d given him their order, he jerked his chin toward the back of the sitting area. “Most of the gang is already up there if you want to go join them. I’ll bring your drinks over.”
“Thanks, Rocket. How are you doing?”
The big guy nodded happily. “Everything’s great in my world. How about the two of you? It’s good to see you together.”
Trip smiled as he slung his arm around Shelley’s shoulders. “It’s good to be here together.”
He loved the way she leaned into his side and nodded her agreement.
“Is your friend coming to join you later?” Rocket asked.
“Not today,” said Shelley.
“That’s a shame. She’s sticking around, though, right?”
“She is.”
“I’m glad. She’s good people, and she’s a lot of fun. She told me that she didn’t know if people around here would accept her if she stayed, but she wanted to make a go of it.”
Rocket chuckled. “I told her me and Spider felt the same way in the beginning—but look at us now.”
Trip met his gaze and held it. “Folks around here might not be open to outsiders in general, but the two of you earned your place. There’s no question about that.”
He hated to think about what had happened to Janey—and the way Rocket had rescued her, along with the help of her brothers.
Rocket’s smile faded. “We did. But hopefully Harper won’t need to go through anything like that before people accept her.”
Trip chuckled, wanting to lighten things back up. “I hope so, too. And I think she’s already well on the way.”
When they reached the booth up in the back where his friends were sitting, he loved the way they greeted him and Shelley—like they were just another couple, and there was nothing out of the ordinary about them being there together.
Looking around at the guys and thinking about what each of them had gone through—and what their women had been through when they first got together, he tightened his arm around Shelley’s shoulders.
There’d been no big drama around her arrival. She’d just quietly slotted into life in the valley, into his group of friends, and most easily and importantly, into his own life.
As everyone shuffled around to make room for them, Candy turned to Shelley. “Where’s Harper? I thought she was coming with you. Well, I thought she might have come in with Jim, but he’s here already.”
Trip glanced over to where Jim was sitting by the window with a group of older ranchers.
Shelley didn’t get the chance to explain about Harper before Libby cut her off.
“Sorry, Shelley. I want to hear about whatever Harper’s up to as well—but before I forget, I wanted to ask you guys…” She looked around at Ace, Travis, and Deacon before meeting Trip’s gaze. “Did you hear that Jim’s nephew, Gavin’s back in town?”
Trip wasn’t surprised by the way his friends reacted, but he cocked an eyebrow at Shelley when she tensed.
“Where’s he staying?” Deacon asked. “I haven’t heard a damn thing, and I would have thought someone would tell me.”
“No idea,” said Libby. “I ran into Al Delaney at the grocery store this morning, and he told me just that Gavin’s been seen around.”
Travis scowled and glanced over at Jim. “Do you think the old guy knows?” he asked.
Ace shook his head. “We’ll make sure that he does before he leaves this afternoon.”
Trip nodded his agreement. Gavin Sheridan was bad news. He always had been—even back when they were all kids.
Shelley surprised the hell out of him when she leaned forward and addressed Candy. “Okay, so you were asking about Harper. She was supposed to come down here this afternoon, but she had something else come up.”
Trip was surprised that she’d interrupt the conversation like that and change the subject. He looked up over his shoulder when he heard Janey, who had just arrived, laughing behind him.
“Yeah, you’re not going to believe this, guys,” Janey said. “Harper’s gone up to town to collect Alana from her rehearsal—and she’s going to take her home and make sure that she and Tanya get dinner.”
Trip wished he had a camera to capture the stunned look on his friends’ faces.
“What the hell?” asked Deacon. “How did that happen?”
Travis chuckled. “I don’t know how it happened, but I like it.”
Ace shook his head. “Shit. I’ve kept telling Emmett that I want to help—that I could run up to town and pick Alana up whenever he needs.”
Trip blew out a sigh. “I’ve been saying the same thing. But I haven’t followed up on it yet.” He turned to Shelley. “I should have…”
She shook her head. “We’ve both said that we needed to follow up with him and haven’t gotten around to it yet. But I think this works out just fine, don’t you?”
He gave her a wry smile. “I want to think that, but I guess we’ll have to wait until we hear what Emmett has to say about it afterward.”
Deacon chuckled. “I guess we will. But I reckon we’ll have to make sure there are no kids around when he tells us. I have a feeling he’ll be cursing up a storm.”
Trip took hold of Shelley’s hand under the table, wanting to reassure her. He relaxed a little when she laughed—she wasn’t worried about her friend. She knew Harper could hold her own.
Libby smiled around at them all. “He can get as mad as he likes, but I’m grateful to Harper—that she finally broke through his walls. Maybe now he’ll let the rest of us in, too.”
“In fact,” she added, “I think we should all pile on while she’s opened the door. Let’s figure out a roster between ourselves for picking Alana up from her rehearsals and making sure that Tanya gets home—or wherever else she needs to go while he’s busy. Then we can just tell him how it is, instead of waiting for him to agree.”
Trip and the others all smiled and nodded their agreement.
Emmett had struggled alone for too many years, and none of them had wanted to ride roughshod over his feelings when he protested that he didn’t need help. He squeezed Shelley’s hand again, grateful that her friend had managed to batter down the walls in a way that none of them had been brave enough to.
As the afternoon wore on, Trip started to seriously consider shortening his day on Fridays. He didn’t often make it down to the bakery to hang out with everyone, and he was enjoying himself so much that he decided it might be time to change that.
He had set Friday afternoons aside for patients who needed more of his time, and he wouldn’t want to stop doing that. But even if he gave himself every other Friday afternoon off, he could still meet his patients’ needs—and have a bit more of a life himself.
He smiled as he watched Shelley chatting with Retta and Ari. Since she wouldn’t be at the clinic with him for much longer, it made even more sense to start carving out time deliberately if he wanted to be with her more.
His smile grew bigger when he saw Jim approaching the table, and the old guy caught his gaze and winked.
It was getting later now, and the crowd was starting to thin. Trip had wondered if Jim had maybe forgotten his promise to share some stories about Kitty with everyone. He was glad that didn’t seem to be the case.
Everyone greeted him warmly and shifted around to make room for him. Travis hauled Retta onto his lap to free up a seat. There were even more of them this week than there had been last week. Ty and his girl Shayna had come in a little while ago, and Trip loved that Wade and Tanner had brought Mateo and Ashton.
The little guys had claimed a booth for themselves, where they were sitting and chatting animatedly—though they kept trotting over to check in with their dads now and then.
“How’s everyone doing?” Jim asked as he settled into his seat.
“All the better for seeing you,” said Trip, and the others nodded their agreement.
“How about you, Jim?” Ace asked. “Are you about ready to have your world turned upside down this weekend, when Shelley and Harper move in?”
Jim chuckled. “I don’t know about turned upside down, but I think I’m ready for a bit of a shake-up.” He smiled at Shelley and added, “In more ways than one, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Deacon sat up a little straighter, and it didn’t surprise Trip that he was the one who picked up that Jim was referring to his estate. He looked around at the others, and Travis gave him a slight nod. Personally, Trip would have waited to address the matter until later, but that just wasn’t Deacon’s way.
“Spit it out, Deacon,” Jim told him with a smile. “Then again, if you’re about to say what I think you are, I already know.”
“About Gavin?” Deacon asked.
“Aye. I heard that little shit—pardon my French, ladies, but it’s nowhere near as bad as what I could have called him—has been poking around town again. Have you run into him?”
“I haven’t,” said Deacon. “But I’ll make it my business to track him down.”
Jim looked around at the others, but they all shook their heads.
“I don’t think any of us have seen him,” said Libby. “It’s my fault—I’m the one spreading gossip. Al Delaney told me this morning that Gavin’s been seen around town.”
Jim shrugged. “I don’t think I need to worry about him darkening my door. He knows better than that.”
Trip hoped he was right, but he wasn’t convinced. Gavin should know better than to go anywhere near Jim after some of the tricks he’d pulled in his younger days but...
“Want me to run him out of town for you?” Deacon asked with a scowl.
“I don’t reckon there’ll be any need for that. He won’t get what he’s here for.”
It only dawned on Trip what Jim meant when he smiled at Shelley and added, “We’re making sure of it, aren’t we?”
When she nodded and looked a little guilty, Trip could only assume that Jim’s estate was the reason she’d been so eager to change the subject when Gavin had come up earlier. She’d already told him that anything she discussed with Jim about his estate would be strictly confidential. So it made sense that she might not want the conversation to linger on the reasons Gavin might be here in town.
He didn’t have a problem with her not sharing about her work; he completely understood. But she’d explained that, from what he’d already told her, some of Jim’s plans involved people Trip knew. And she didn’t feel comfortable keeping secrets from him.
He’d reassured her that he respected her need to keep things private, and that not only did he not mind, but as a doctor, he also understood better than most would.
From the way the other guys reacted, he figured they felt the same way he did about Shelley helping Jim to make sure that his affairs were dealt with in the way he wanted—and about making sure that Gavin didn’t try to get his hands on any of Jim’s assets, let alone all of them.
Deacon nodded approvingly, and Ace muttered, “He’d better not even think about it.”
Travis smiled at Shelley and said, “We’re all trusting you to make sure that everything’s watertight.”
Shelley let out a short laugh. “It’s a good thing I have no doubts whatsoever about my abilities then, isn’t it?” She turned to Jim. “But as we already discussed, there’s no way I’d take you on as a client if I didn’t think—”
Jim waved a hand at her. “We already talked about it, Miss Shelley. We know where we’re up to. You don’t need to explain yourself to the rest of them.”
Trip was proud of her as she looked around the table, meeting everyone’s gaze in turn.
“Perhaps I don’t need to explain myself, but I want to. I want you all to know that I care, too. And I’m not taking this responsibility lightly. Far from it.”
Ari smiled at her. “Don’t worry about it, girlfriend. We all know what the deal is. And, you know, if you need a paralegal…”
Shelley sat back in her chair. “You know someone locally?”
Ari chuckled. “She’s never worked as a paralegal before, but she’s certainly qualified.”
Shelley gave her a puzzled look, and Ace laughed. “I think what Ari means is that she’d be happy to help—if you do need a paralegal.”
“You?” Shelley asked. “A paralegal? You’re as highly qualified a lawyer as I am.”
“Of course I am,” said Ari. “But I’m not practicing, nor do I have any desire to. However, I’d be more than happy to help you both out.” She smiled at Jim. “If that’d be okay with you.”
Jim grinned. “You ladies work it out amongst yourselves. If you want to be on the team, I’d be more than happy.”
Ace grinned at Trip while Shelley and Ari agreed to get together and talk about it soon.
~ ~ ~
It was getting dark as they drove back up the valley to Trip’s place after everyone left the bakery.
“How do you feel about having Ari help you out?” he asked.
“I love the idea,” she told him. “But I want to talk to Jim about it privately before I follow up with her. It’s one thing to chat about it like that, but…”
He smiled. “I don’t think you need to worry. If Jim didn’t like the idea, he’d say so—no matter who was there.”
“Good to know.” She reached into her purse and took out her phone when it beeped with a text.
“Is everything okay?” Trip asked.
“I hope so. It’s Harper. Let’s see what she has to say for herself.”
Harper: I just wanted to check in with you and let you know I’m fine. Emmett’s girls are fine. And they’re adorable. I think we’re going to be great friends. And I’ll see you tomorrow. What time do you want to start our move? It’s not as though either of us has much to take, is it?
Shelley: Are you staying there tonight?
Harper: No! I assumed that you’d be staying at Trip’s. I’m going to hang out here with the girls until Emmett texts them to say that he’s on the way home. I don’t want to be here when he arrives back.
Shelley: Why? Is everything okay?
Harper: Ha. Yes. Don’t worry. I just imagine that the poor man’s had a stressful enough day. The last thing he’ll want is to have to deal with me on top of it.
Shelley: You have such a big heart. It might not be a bad idea to let more people know about it.
Harper: You know, and that’s all that really matters. I just wanted to help the guy out. I don’t need his thanks. Or to make him uncomfortable by being in his space when he gets home. Anyway, you should stay at Trip’s. And I’ll see you tomorrow—whenever you feel like making a start on our big move to the cottage.
Shelley: I’ll be there around ten.
Harper: Okay. But remember, if you decide you want to move your stuff to Trip’s place instead of the cottage, I won’t just understand—I’ll be happy for you. Got it?
Shelley smiled to herself as she tapped out her reply.
Shelley: Got it. Thanks, Harps. Love you.
Harper: Love you right back. See you tomorrow.
Shelley slipped her phone back into her purse as Trip asked, “Is she all right?”
“She is. She’s hanging out with Emmett’s girls until he’s on the way home.”
“Not until he gets home?”
She smiled. “No, she’s going to leave before he gets there. She’s actually very insightful about people and what they need. She knows that Emmett must have had a stressful day and that he won’t need the added stress of having to deal with her when he gets home.”
Trip nodded approvingly. “That doesn’t surprise me in the least. She’s a smart lady.”
Shelley was tempted to tell him that Harper was smart enough to know that she’d be happier moving in with him than into the cottage, but he hadn’t mentioned it in a while, and she didn’t want to feel as though she was forcing his hand.
He shot her a quick smile. “She’s smart enough to pick you as her best friend—and that says a lot.”
She laughed. “Aww, there you go, sweet talking again.”
“Nope—just saying it as I see it.”