Page 105 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“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’tneedto 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?