Page 109 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

She gave a small shake of her head.“You… you know her even better than I do.Or maybeknowher isn’t the way to describe it.Idoknow her well—it’s just that you put her wants and needs at the center of your decisions.She needs to feel free—and independent—and you’re never going to trample that.”

She nodded.“But you know what?She needs to feel loved, too.And as smart as we women are… we can’t always read your minds.Sometimes we need it spelled out for us.”

She met his gaze and held it.“Preferably in words of one syllable—you know, like three of them.”

He had to smile.“I take it you don’t just mean any three random little one-syllable words, right?”

She laughed.“You know damn well what I’m talking about.And I know damn well that it’s none of my business, but I can’t help myself—and I think you know that about me already.”

“I do.And I don’t have a problem with it.More than that—I love that Shelley has you in her corner.”

“I’m glad to hear it.And most of the time Iwillstay in the corner.I’ll never try to interfere between the two of you.”

He tried not to smile, but Harper rolled her eyes.“Okay, I know I just did exactly that.Itriedto interfere.But it was on your behalf as much as Shelley’s.Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” he told her.“You’re her friend—and you’re just doing what friends do.At least, what good friends do.”

He jerked his chin toward the largest of the boxes Banner had brought.“And just to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are no hard feelings—that box is for you.”

Her grin widened.“Just for me?Not a housewarming gift for the two of us?”

“Nope.That one’s just for you,” he confirmed.“The other big one is the housewarming gift—and the small one’s for Shelley.”

“Want to tell me what you got her?”

“As long as you promise not to tell her before she opens it.”

“I promise.”

“She was saying the other day that she needs to buy herself a briefcase—that she hasn’t had one since she left Pennsylvania.But with all the papers she’s starting to accumulate looking into Jim’s stuff, she’s going to need one.What?”he asked, when he saw the way Harper was looking at him.

“Just that you’re exactly what she needs.And I’m happy for you both.”

He was surprised to see the tears shining in her eyes.“Are you okay?”he asked.

She smiled brightly and waved a hand at him.“Of course I am.Or I will be.If you promise not to tell anyone that I may just have an ever-so-teeny sentimental streak.”

He nodded.It seemed to him that what she had was a heart of gold, but he didn’t think she’d thank him for mentioning it.

~ ~ ~

When Shelley got back to the cottage a couple of hours later, she was surprised to see that Harper's rental car was gone.She was glad that Trip’s SUV was still there, though.A rush of warmth filled her chest when she got out of her car and saw Trip standing in the doorway of the cottage, smiling at her.

He came out to greet her with a hug.“Is everything okay?”he asked.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him, resting her cheek on his shoulder.“Everything’s fine.Were you okay here?”

He chuckled.“I was.I enjoyed Harper’s company—I mean, I already knew that I enjoy her company—but she was a laugh a minute this afternoon.What about you, though?Did you get on all right?Is everything okay with Jim?”

She straightened up.“He is.But…” She blew out a sigh.

Trip took hold of her hand.“Damn.Sorry—I shouldn’t be making you stand out here.Come on inside.Do you want a drink?”

She smiled at the way he led her into the cottage.Technically, this was her place, not his.But she loved that he wasn’t waiting around to be treated like a guest—it seemed he’d made himself right at home.

She laughed when she saw a new wine rack standing in the corner of the kitchen.“Let me guess—you had something to do with that?”

He gave her a guilty smile.“I may have.I wanted to get you something.”