Page 48 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

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—perhapstherichest—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.”

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