Page 50 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“Hey, Nessa,” he greeted her.“Not only do I not mind, but I’m also proud and honored to be called your Uncle Trip.It’s not a problem—you’re not late, you’re right on time—and I’m glad you could help the deer out.And I was about to introduce you, but it seems that you two already know each other.”

Nessa gave him a rueful smile.“Maybe you should introduce us properly?”She looked at Shelley.“I know you’re my mom’s friend—one of her group of amazing new friends she’s made since she moved here.And I know you used to be a lawyer like her—but you wised up and left all that behind to move here, right?But I’m not sure we’ve ever been introduced.”

Trip couldn’t help chuckling as he introduced them.Shelley looked kind of shellshocked—and he could understand it.Nessa was like a mini tornado blowing through every room and conversation she entered.

Chapter Eleven

After he was done with Connie Langston, his last patient of the day, Trip forced himself to stay at his desk and finish up his notes.He also needed to call Dawn at the hospital before he left, and he knew damn well that if he went out to see Shelley first, his working day would be over.

Waking up with her this morning had put a whole new spin on things for him.It wasn’t the first time that he’d opened his eyes to find her there in his bed with him, but it felt different on a weekday morning.He stared at his computer, not seeing the words on the screen, but instead seeing Shelley standing in the kitchen in his pajamas.He felt like they’d moved to another level today.

He brought himself back to the moment; just because he felt that way, it didn’t mean that she would.He didn’t need to go getting carried away.They’d agreed that they’d play things by ear.She didn’t even know if she wanted to stay in Montana—he’d be crazy to start thinking about moving her into his house!

He finished up his notes and called Dawn.

“Hey, Trip.Everything’s quiet over here,” she answered.“With a bit of luck, you should have a peaceful evening.”

“Thanks.Nothing at all that needs my attention?”

“Not a thing at the moment.Make the most of it.After the way things went last week, you deserve some down time.”

“True.So do you.I hope you have some days off coming up?”

Dawn laughed.“I do.But it’s okay, Nikki’s standing in for me, so you shouldn’t notice any difference.”

“Nikki’s great; but it’s not the same when you’re not working.”It was true.Dawn made his life a lot easier, and he made sure he let her know how much he appreciated her as often as possible.

“Well, I’m not going to lie, I’m glad to hear that.I have to go, and you should do the same.Shut up shop for the night and head home.Maybe have dinner with Brody and the hands—you know I worry about you spending all your down time in that big house all by yourself—it’s not healthy.”

“You worry too much.I’m fine.Talk to you tomorrow—unless I’m needed tonight.”

“Okay.See you.”

He ended the call and gathered his things together.He’d almost told Dawn that he wasn’t spending all of his down time alone in the house anymore, but he’d thought better of it.Not because she wouldn’t be happy to hear about Shelley, or because he thought she’d gossip—Dawn was the soul of discretion.But it had hit him that if things with Shelley didn’t work out, it was probably better if the people he worked with weren’t already hoping that they would.

When he opened the door and stepped out into the reception area, the sight of her sitting at the desk made his breath catch in his chest.It hit him full force just how much he hated the idea of things not working out between them.

She greeted him with a smile—and it struck him that she almost always did.He couldn’t help comparing that with Katrina, who mostly used to greet him with a complaint or an accusation about something he’d done—or hadn’t done.

He pushed all thoughts of Katrina from his head and went around the desk to join Shelley.She got to her feet, and without thinking he leaned in to kiss her.His heart sank when she dodged his lips.

“Aww, don’t look like that!It’s just …” She inclined her head toward the window.

Following her gaze, he saw two women walking by.

Shelley shrugged.“Before we start kissing in here, you need to decide if you’re prepared for people to start talking.”

He blew out a sigh.“I am.I told you—I don’t care what people think.”Although even as he said it, he was aware that it wasn’t entirely true—otherwise he would have told Dawn just a few minutes ago.

She nodded slowly, and he wondered if he’d sounded snappier than he intended.

He reached out to touch her arm.“Sorry, I’m just disappointed.But maybe it works out better this way.”

She raised her eyebrows.“How?”

“Well, if you won’t even give me a quick peck here, maybe you should come home with me—and stay—so that we have the time and space to do more than kiss.”He frowned when he realized how that sounded.“I mean so that we can have time together—dinner, a movie, hang out, maybe walk down by the creek?”

He stopped when he noticed the way she was watching him.“What?”