Page 62 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Shelley didn’t know what to say to that, but Laney carried on regardless.

“I mean, even Trip.He’s got that big old ranch and no immediate family to leave it to.There are some big money folks in this valley these days.I bet you could find all the work you’d ever want.”

Shelley nodded slowly.She wasn’t sure that she wanted to go back to work.But then, if she were to work for herself and only take on the clients she wanted to work with—and only a few of them at a time—that would be an entirely different proposition from what she used to do, working for a firm where billable hours were everything.

“Food for thought, huh?”Laney asked with a grin.“I’ll go and grab us another beer while you chew on it.”

“No more beer for me—I’m driving so that Trip can have a couple with the guys.”

Laney’s grin widened.“I knew I liked you.Soda or juice?And when I come back, you can give me your number.I’ll give you a call next time we’re all going to Chico—you should come.And do you ride?Or do you want me to teach you?”

Shelley grinned right back at her.If she was honest, she’d felt a little intimidated by the feisty cowgirl the first time she met her, and the way Laney was going out of her way to make her feel welcome here meant even more because of it.

“I rode a little as a kid—I loved it—and I intended to learn while I was here, but I haven’t made the time.”

“Well, now that you’re staying, you’ll have plenty of time—and I’ll be happy to teach you.”

Chapter Fourteen

When they arrived back at the house after their afternoon at the MacFarland Ranch, Trip let them into the kitchen and stopped short when he saw a note stuck to the fridge.The spidery scrawl, written across the page of a legal pad turned sideways, had been Maisie’s preferred method of communication for as long as he could remember.

Hope you don’t mind but I didn’t want to do the whole Sunday lunch with all the family.I came over here and enjoyed the afternoon doing what I love instead.

You’re all stocked up for the week.I made enough for two of everything…

No one’s mentioned anything—and you know I won’t.It’s a miracle that you’ve avoided the rumor mill so far, and I’ll be damned if I’m the one to give you away—but I came by a few times last week, and Shelley’s car was here every time.So, I went ahead and cooked for her, too.

If I got the wrong end of the stick about the two of you, then you can take some to work for her and she can fill her own fridge.

I didn’t though, did I?And I have to say it—I’m thrilled for you; she’s a good girl, that one!!!

I won’t mention it again until you do, but you know me—I couldn’t keep it buttoned.Who knows how many days I have left on this Earth?And I’d hate to die in my sleep without telling you how pleased I am for you.

You’re a good man, Jack, and you deserve a good woman.

Love,

Maisie

He had to laugh.It was just so typically Maisie.He loved her like family, and ever since he was a kid, she’d made sure he knew that she loved him as much as if he were her own.

His heart thudded to a stop when he realized that Shelley was right there beside him—reading the note, too.He held his breath and waited for her reaction.Would it be too much for her?He hoped like hell that it wouldn’t scare her off.

He exhaled slowly when she laughed.

“She’s quite a character, isn’t she?”

He nodded, waiting to see what else she had to say.

“I love that she’s comfortable to come over here whenever she likes and just get on and do her own thing.”

He tensed, remembering the way Katrina used to complain about Maisie and say that she should keep strict hours and call in advance if she wanted to come over outside of them.Trip had put his foot down—told her that Maisie was family and she could come and go as she pleased.It had been a source of friction between them, and although Maisie had never admitted it to him, he suspected that Katrina had tried to make life difficult for her when he wasn’t around.

“That’s the way things have always been between us.”He couldn’t keep the defensive note out of his voice.

“I thought as much.I love it.She’s more like family, isn’t she?”

He nodded.He wanted to feel relieved, but he couldn’t help wondering if Shelley had something else to say about the situation—wondering how she’d feel about Maisie’s frequent and unannounced visits if she lived here with him.He knew he was getting ahead of himself, but since he’d become aware this afternoon that there was so much he didn’t know about her yet…