Page 101 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

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, thankyou.” 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 becomingnever 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.”