Page 16 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

I haven't heard from you for a while.How are things?Are you still in Montana?

Still working for that sexy doctor?

Give me a call when you can—I want to talk to you.

I've been thinking… if you're still there, maybe I could come visit?

What do you think?

Everything’s fine here.I’m just ready for a break.

I’d love to see Yellowstone.And I’d love to see you.

Give me a call and let’s catch up soon.

Love you, girlfriend.

Harper.

oxoxo

Chapter Four

When she arrived back at Trip’s place on Saturday evening, Shelley turned off the main road and into the driveway.Althoughdrivewaywas such a small word for the road that led across Trip’s ranch to the house.

It was such a beautiful place.She’d fallen in love with it the first time she came here.She’d fallen in love with the whole area, but Trip’s place was something special.The driveway traversed open meadows before reaching and following the creek.For months the whole place had been a beautiful white snowscape.Now, the cottonwood trees that lined the creek were starting to come back to life.

When she rounded the corner, the sight of the house made her smile.Of all the places she’d been on her travels, this had to be the most beautiful.And if she were honest about it, Trip was the most amazing person she’d met.

She’d be gone soon enough, and after she left, she wanted to be able to look back on this time fondly.There was no point in getting in her head about what might have been.She just needed to enjoy the time she had left.

She parked by the kitchen door and cut the engine, staring up at the house for a few moments.

Wherever she went next would have a tough time living up to this.

When the kitchen door opened, and Trip appeared, she knew that all she could do was be grateful that she’d had this time with him.She’d probably always regret that they hadn’t had anything more, but his friendship was something special in itself.

She climbed out of the car and greeted him with a smile.Butterflies took to flight in her stomach when he smiled back.He was so freaking handsome; he took her breath away.

At work, he always looked sharp.But right now, dressed in jeans and a blue Henley, he looked even sexier.His hair was damp, as though he was fresh from the shower.

“Hey,” he greeted her as she trotted up the steps.

“Hi.”

She closed her eyes when he leaned in to kiss her cheek.That was something new.When he’d done it last night, she’d hoped for a moment that it might lead to more.

She opened her eyes when he stepped back and gave him a rueful smile.There wasn’t going to be anything more between them.She had to get that into her stubborn head.

He was a friend.That was all.And when she left, he’d be nothing more than a memory.

“Come on in,” he said.“I hope you’re hungry.”

She laughed.“I am.I know you only invited me over to help with the food, so I made sure to have a light lunch.”

When he reached the counter, he leaned back against it and gave her a puzzled smile.“I hope you don’t mean that.”

“Mean what?”