Page 65 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“I won’t be worried about you, honey.It’ll be kind of nice, knowing that you’re there at home — that you’ll be there when I get there.”

All her breath caught in her chest.She liked that idea, too.

He raised his eyebrows.“I have to run.But after tonight, we don’t know when we’ll get another night together.Harper’s coming tomorrow.”

She took his hand and gave it a squeeze, not daring to hug him in the way she wanted to now that they were outside.“Harper isn’t going to be the end of us, you know.”

His smile lit up his face as he said, “I didn’t know — but I’m glad to hear it.”

Shelley nodded.“Go on.Get to the hospital, Dr.Harvey.I’ll see you back at your place whenever you can get there.If it’s after bedtime, I’ll have your pajamas to keep me warm.”

He pressed another kiss to her lips, murmuring, “Thank you, honey,” before turning and jogging to his SUV.

She watched him pull away and raised her hand when he honked his horn before turning the corner and disappearing from her sight.

It felt strange arriving at his place by herself—well, she usually arrived by herself, but most of the time she was either following his SUV or she already knew he’d be there waiting for her.

As the car emerged from the line of cottonwood trees by the creek, she smiled at the sight of the house; it was such a beautiful place.

She parked behind the kitchen and paused by her car when she saw a man coming up the driveway toward her.She relaxed a little when she recognized him — it was Brody.

“Hi,” she called, feeling a little self-conscious.“Trip had to go to the hospital.I ...”

Brody smiled.“It’s okay.He called to let me know.I said I’d come over and give you my number.I won’t intrude on your evening or anything, but if you need any help, just give me a call or shoot me a text.”

She gave him a puzzled smile.“Thanks.”She tapped his number into her phone as he told it to her, then looked back up at him.“I appreciate that.I’m hoping I won’t have any issues, but if I do, there’s no way I’d call Trip while he’s at the hospital.”

Brody chuckled.“That’s what he said — and that’s why he asked me to keep an eye out for you.I suggested I should give you my number.”

He met her gaze and held it as he added, “I imagine there’ll be a time or two when you’ll need it in the future.”

Shelley just stared back at him—she didn’t know what to say.

He gave her an apologetic look.“Sorry if I overstepped.I...”

“No, it’s fine.I appreciate you saying it.I...”

Brody frowned.“Are you trying to say that you won’t be around long enough to need help — mine or anyone else’s?”

She blew out a sigh.“Honestly, Brody, I don’t know.I think I want to stay, but...”

She stopped short, wondering why on earth she’d voiced that thought to him before she had to anyone else.

He smiled.“Well, if it’ll tip the scales in that direction, I can tell you for sure — he wants you to stay.”

She raised her eyebrows, wondering if Trip confided in Brody more than she’d realized.

Brody smiled.“But now I really am overstepping.So, I’ll go.”He jerked his chin toward her phone.“You know how to get ahold of me if you need me now.”

“Thanks,” she called after him.

He raised his hand and waved over his shoulder as he walked back down the driveway toward the barn — an imposing, broad-shouldered figure in cowboy hat and boots, silhouetted against the sunset.

She let herself into the kitchen and looked around, smiling as she did so.On the drive over, she’d been concerned that it might feel strange to be at his house without him.Now that she was here, it hit her just how much this place already felt like home.

She went to the fridge and took out the carton of apple juice she and Trip had been sharing at breakfast.She set it down on the counter and opened the fridge door again with a short laugh.Of course it was fully stocked with Maisie’s goodies.She’d known that — she’d just forgotten.

She’d stopped at Deb’s store on the way home, thinking Trip might appreciate something lighter if he came in late tonight.Oh well — at least he had options.