Page 139 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Trip glanced over at Ford again and wasn’t surprised to see that he was tracking Amelia’s steps with a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

When they reached the bar, Travis turned to slap him on the back.“There you are!Hey, Shelley, what can I get you to drink?”

Trip stood back with a smile on his face as Trav swept her along, taking her with him as he stopped at each little group to chat.Trip knew what he was doing—she’d already met everyone, so she didn’t need introductions, but she didn’t know some of them well yet, and Trav was making her feel at home.Even back when they were little kids, Trav had been the outgoing one—Trip sometimes wondered if he himself wouldn’t have been much more of an introvert if it weren’t for his best friend.

He smiled at Retta when she came to stand beside him and said, “He’s just doing his thing.”

“He is—and we love him for it.”

She nodded happily.“He told me about this morning.I won’t say anything, don’t worry, but …” She waved her fists in front of her and made a little ‘Eee!’sound.“I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, Retta.I’m happy for me, too.”

She glanced around.“Is Harper here yet?”

“I don’t think so.She and Shelley were both disappointed you couldn’t join them this afternoon.”

Retta smiled.“I know—they each told me so.I would have loved to hang out with them, but Callie asked for my help with Levi.”

Trip looked over at Callie and Kolby.“Who’s watching him tonight?”

“Bree—you know the girl who’s working at the bakery for Spider and Rocket now?She’s lovely.I really like her.And she’s so good with him.I was more than a little wary at first—just because she’s new in town, and we haven’t known her for long—but Cash knows her apparently, and he vouched for her so …”

She stopped when Trav and Shelley returned, and Trav handed her a glass of wine and gave Trip a beer.

“I think everyone but Harper, Jim, and Cash is here,” he said.

Trip scanned the room.“What about Emmett?He’s not come and gone already, has he?”

“Haven’t seen him,” said Trav.

“Do you think Cash is all right?”Shelley asked.

Trip curled his arm around her waist.“He’s one person we don’t need to worry about,” he told her.

She nodded but still seemed to look thoughtful.

“And Libby’s not coming?”Retta asked as she glanced over at Mav.

“She said she might come for a drink,” Trip told her.

“But just like Emmett—we know what that means.”Trav shook his head sadly.

“Wait—look,” said Shelley.“Emmett’s over there talking to Deacon and his brother Luke.”

Trip smiled when he saw him, and Emmett lifted his hand in greeting.

“What do you think?”Trip asked.“Should we go and say hi before he leaves again?”

Trav laughed, and Retta nodded her agreement.

Shelley slipped away from him.“I’ll be right over—I just need to …” She gave him a quick smile and turned toward the hallway.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she walked to the ladies’ room.He really should have made a bigger deal of just how good she looked tonight.The dress fitted her in a way that accentuated her curves, and was cut just low enough in front that …

Trav tapped the back of his head, knocking his hat down over his eyes and making him laugh as he said.“You need to watch where you’re going—you’re in danger of tripping over your tongue.Don’t worry—she’ll be right back.”

~ ~ ~