Page 31 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

He entered the barn and made his way down the aisle between the stalls, greeting each of the horses as he went.It was quiet in here, but a completely different kind of quiet than up at the house.Here, the sounds of the horses broke the silence, making the place feel alive and welcoming rather than empty.

He tensed when he sensed movement behind him and spun around quickly.

Brody, the foreman, stood silhouetted in the entrance to the barn.He held his hands up.

"Hey, Trip.Sorry, I didn't realize it was you.I thought there was someone prowling around."

Trip chuckled."Yeah, sorry.I suppose I am prowling.I was trying to stay out of the way.What are you doing here, though?Shouldn't you be at Chico tonight?"

"I gave myself the night off," Brody said."I'm thinking about giving it up."

"Why’s that?"Trip asked.

"Because I don't need to do it anymore.I used to enjoy it.I used to enjoy the work, and I used to enjoy the team we had behind the bar.But since Tanner quit, and a couple of the others, it's not the same.

"The new staff we've brought in are fine—they're good people—but I feel like the old era is over, and I don't want to be part of the new one."

"I can understand that," Trip said."I just wanted to make sure you're not feeling overworked.I can give you more time if you—"

"It's not that; I've managed the bar over at Chico and worked this place during the day for the last couple of years.Nothing's changed in that respect.I'm just ready to have more time to myself.

"Like I said, with the old team, it used to feel like that was my social life.It's different now."He smiled."I think I might be about ready to get myself a real life."

"There must be something in the air," said Trip.

Brody raised his eyebrows."Mind if I ask?"

"Ask what?"

"About the car that was parked outside the big house for most of the weekend."

Trip had to smile."Are you telling me that you didn't recognize it?"

Brody laughed."I wouldn't even try to pretend; I know it was Shelley.Did you two finally get together?"

"Finally?"

"Yeah.I had a feeling that was going to happen from the first time I met her.You two just seem like a good match."

Trip considered his words carefully.Not because he thought Brody would repeat anything he said, just because he was trying to get clear on how he saw things himself.

"We had a good weekend," he said eventually."I think we'll be seeing more of each other.But..."

"But you're not such a good match?"Brody asked.

"It's not that.She's leaving soon."

"Well, shit.She still plans to go?"

Trip nodded.

"That's a shame."

"I think so," Trip agreed.

"And you're not going to try to persuade her to stay?"

He shrugged.He'd been considering doing just that, but he didn't know if it was the right move.