Page 57 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“It’s okay.I’m at home.”She glanced at Derek’s note again.“At least, I’m at the house.”

“Do I detect a problem?”

“No.It’s just that the man I’m renting from asked if I can vacate a few days early.How long do you think you’ll want to stay?”

“I don’t know.But I can stay long enough to help you find another place, if you’d like.”

“Thanks.”

“Oh my God!I was testing you when I said that.I expected you to tell me that you don’t even know if you want to stay yet.Have you decided, then?You’re staying?And if you are, will you even need a place of your own?Can’t you just move right on in with Trip?”

Shelley blew out a sigh.“Slow down!”

“Sorry.I’m excited, not pushing.”

“I know.I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”

“It’s okay.I get it.You need to do all your overthinking before you admit that I’m right, and you need to stay.Although why you had to go and finally meet a decent guy all the way out inBumfluff, Montana is beyond me.”

“You know damn well it wasn’t my intention to meet someone.And…”

“And what?”

“And maybe I should stick with the original plan and move on when my lease is over.”

“Maybe you should.”

Shelley’s heart sank.She’d expected Harper to try to convince her to stay—to tell her how Trip might be exactly what she needed, that he might be the one for her.

“That made you stop and think, didn’t it?”

Shelley let out a short laugh.“It sure did.”

“And you need to—give it some thought.Some serious thought.I know I’ve been all excited about you and Trip, but I won’t know for sure until I meet him.And even then—even if I think he’s the greatest guy in the world and perfect for you—it won’t matter.You’re the only one who can decide what you want, Shelley.All I can do is support whatever you decide.”

“I love you, Harps.”

“Right back atcha, Bells.Please tell me you’re going to spend the rest of the weekend with him?”

“I am.I’m meeting him back at his place in about an hour.”

“Then go get ready, have a fab time, and I’ll see you Tuesday.You think he’ll mind if I come into the clinic when I arrive in town?If you’re busy, I’ll just take your house key.If you have time, we can get some lunch.And if he has time, I’ll begin my interrogation!”

Shelley had to laugh.“Trip won’t mind, and I can’t wait to see you.We should be able to have lunch and the whole afternoon together.He has his appointments at the hospital on Tuesday afternoons—I can forward the phone to my cell.”

“Oh, that’ll be great.I’ll see you then, then.But call me if you need anything before—if you think of anything I can bring you, or if you want to talk.”

“Will do.You too.”

After they ended the call, Shelley finished everything she needed to do in the kitchen and hurried upstairs to pack a bag.She checked on the guest room—it was all ready for Harper.And knowing Harper, she’d find it cute and adorable for the first day or two… and then want to completely update and remodel it to make it more functional.

Chapter Thirteen

Travis gave Trip a puzzled smile as he handed him a beer.“Are you sure you want another already?”He glanced over to where Ty was working the grill.“If you’re going to have a couple, you should eat as well.”

“I don’t need to worry about it today—I can have as many as I like, since I’m not driving.”

“You’re not?Oh!You mean Shelley’s driving?”