Page 118 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

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When Trip got to his office at the hospital, he started his computer and scrolled through his emails.It looked like it was going to be a routine afternoon, and he was grateful for that.He was looking forward to getting home to Shelley.

He was glad that Brooke had picked things up so quickly at the clinic, but at the same time, he wasn’t looking forward to the day when Shelley wouldn’t be in there working with him anymore.

He took his phone out of his pocket, intending to shoot her a quick text, but jumped guiltily when it rang in his hand.He was surprised to see Cash’s name on the screen.

“Hey, bud.What’s up?Is everything okay?”

“All good here.I just wanted to check in with you.Are you around this weekend?”

“I am.Why?”

Cash chuckled.“Because I’m dragging the Sunshine Twins home with me.It’s Blane’s birthday, and I told the miserable bastard that even if he doesn’t want to celebrate it, I do.And if that’s not enough, he needs to think about Brookie.How’s she doing?I heard she’s working for you now.She’s a good kid, that one.”

Trip had to laugh.“Yeah, Brooke’s doing great.She’ll be able to take over from Shelley in no time.”

“And I’m guessing you have mixed feelings about that,” said Cash.

“Yes and no.I mean, not really.Like Shelley keeps saying, it’s a win–win situation, and how can you complain about that?The only downside is that she won’t be there in the office, in the clinic, with me anymore.But she’ll be better off doing work that means something to her.And Brooke will be a damn sight better off.”

“Exactly.And now that you have Shelley to go home to, I reckon you can survive the day without her.Gotta tell you—I never thought you’d fall again.Not after...”He paused.“I won’t call her the name I was about to, but only out of respect for you.”

“Thanks—for the respect, at least.And you’re right that I never wanted to find someone new but...”He smiled.“Shelley’s just...”

“She's perfect for you, is what she is.”Cash didn’t miss a beat.“So, are you going to bring her out on Saturday night?I reckon we can all go to Chico and make a good night of it.I booked a big table in the dining room first—pretend we’re a bit more civilized while it’s a birthday—then we can move over to the saloon and let the girls and Deacon dance.”

Trip laughed.Even when they were younger, Deacon had always loved to dance.And since he and Candy had gotten together, the rest of the guys had taken to calling him Twinkle Toes whenever they all went out, since he barely left the dance floor.

“Yeah, we’ll be there,” he said.

“What, you don’t have to check in with the missus first?Get back to me and let me know?”asked Cash.

“Hell no.Shelley’s nothing like Katrina used to be.”

“Glad to hear it.Are you going to make her the new Mrs., then?”

Trip shuddered.“Once again I say, hell no.”

“Shit.Does she know that?I mean, I can see why you wouldn’t want to go there again, but...”

Trip frowned.“I don’t know.But I reckon she’ll understand.”

“I hope so, bud.Might not be a bad idea to talk to her about it before you get too settled.”

Trip inhaled sharply.“Yeah.You’re right.I really should.”

“I didn’t mean to pee in your Wheaties—sorry.And for what it’s worth, she doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who needs you to put a ring on her finger before she’ll be happy.”

Trip perked up again at that.“Maybe that’s what I should do.”

“But I thought you just said you didn’t want to...”

“I don’t want to marry her, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give her a ring, does it?”

Cash laughed.“No, I guess it doesn’t.Can I ask you a favor, though?”

“Sure.What do you need?”