Page 132 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

From the window in the laundry room, she could see the barn—and Brody, sitting on a bench behind it.It looked like he was working on something, but she couldn’t tell what it was.

Seeing him there made up her mind.She’d been considering going for a walk this morning before heading to see Jim and Harper, and seeing Brody felt like a nudge to do just that.She knew she wouldn’t start feeling completely at home until she was comfortable wandering around the property by herself—and her curiosity over what Jim had said about getting Brody to come out with everyone tonight was motivation enough to get her out the door.

She enjoyed the feel of the warm sun beating down on her back as she walked along the driveway toward the barn.Brody spotted her long before she reached him and raised his hand in greeting.A couple of cowboys came out from the bunkhouse and climbed into a truck, tipping their hats at her as they passed.She smiled and waved, feeling bad that she didn’t even know their names.She’d have to change that.

Brody got to his feet and came to meet her.

“Hey, Miss Shelley.Is everything all right?Do you need anything?”

“No, thanks.I’m sorry to disturb you.I don’t need anything—I just wanted to come out for a walk.”

“That’s good.I mean, that you’re happy to wander about the place while Trip’s not here.”He frowned.“I know he’s not here because I saw him and Trav leaving this morning.They’re spending some time with the guys today, right?”

“That’s right,” she said.“And did you know everyone’s meeting up at Chico tonight?Cash and Mav and Blane are here, and everyone’s going out for Blane’s birthday.”

She was surprised when he chuckled.“Yeah, I know.Trip already told me.And don’t worry—I talked to Ford.I think he planned to go anyway, but we’ll hang out and have a beer.”

She gave him a puzzled look.“I wasn’t worried.I don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh, right.”He smiled.“I know.I can tell you because Trip said there are no secrets from you.What it is, is that Cash wanted to make sure Ford wouldn’t back out tonight—since he’s bringing Amelia.”

“And why would that be a secret?”she asked.

“I guess you don’t know Cash that well yet, then,” Brody said with a smile.“He likes to play puppet master.Only with the best of intentions, but he tends to pull the strings from behind the scenes.”

Shelley smiled.“So Ford likes Amelia?”

Brody rubbed a hand over his chin.“I don’t think I can answer that one.See, Trip doesn’t mind me sharing any of his secrets with you—but Ford?I don’t reckon that’s my business to tell.”

“Yeah, that sounds fair to me.In fact, it’s more than fair.I like your approach.Thanks for being so upfront about it.”

He nodded.“It’s just the way I work.”

“Would you mind if I ask you about one of your own secrets?”Shelley ventured.

He smiled.“I don’t reckon I have any.What makes you say that?”

“It’s just a guess—and I may be wrong.I’m curious, and I know it’s none of my business, but…”

“Go on,” he encouraged when she didn’t continue.“You can ask anything.If it’s a secret, I’ll say so.”

“That’s fair.”She hesitated, then said, “When I was at Jim’s place last night, he and Banner were talking about coming out with everyone tonight, and Jim said Banner should make sure that you know about it.That it’s Blane’s birthday.And… that Brooke will be there.”

Brody smiled through pursed lips, and his eyes seemed to twinkle as he nodded.“You gotta love the old guy.”

“Absolutely,” Shelley agreed.“I haven’t known him all that long, and I won’t deny that I’ve fallen in love with him.”

“I reckon you’ve spent enough time with him to know just how sharp he is.He doesn’t miss a trick.”

“I’m aware.”

Brody chuckled.“How about this is one of my secrets that you keep?”

She raised her eyebrows.

“I don’t think many people know,” Brody explained.“Even Trip.”He shrugged.“Brooke’s an amazing girl.And…” He frowned again.“She’s too good for the likes of me.And then there’s the small matter of her big brother, Blane.And Trip and the rest of them are all like big brothers to her.She calls them the Big Brother Brigade.”His smile faded.“Anyway, like I say—I’ve got nothing to offer a girl like her.She’s going places.”

He sighed.“So, yeah.Jim wasn’t wrong.I like her.But there’s nothing to worry about.”