Page 90 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“Every single night.”He leaned in, brushing his lips along her jaw.“Just don’t forget whose arms you want to fall asleep in.”

She closed her eyes and smiled.“I never forget.Even when I’m alone in bed, I still reach for you.”

His voice dropped to a murmur.“One day, you won’t have to reach.”

She opened her eyes and looked up into his.“Promise?”

He nodded slowly.“Promise.”

Chapter Twenty

Trip was glad to be able to leave the hospital on time on Tuesday afternoon.It had been a busy day, but fortunately, he’d managed to get everything taken care of.He’d checked in with Dawn before he left, and she’d agreed that he could relax this evening—and probably for the next few days.

As he exited the front doors, he sucked in big breaths of fresh air.He was always glad to get out of there.Making his way to his SUV, he scanned the parking lot, wondering if he might spot Emmett again.

It didn’t surprise Trip that he hadn’t called to ask for his help getting Alana up to town for rehearsals for the play.He was a little surprised at himself, though.Normally, he would have followed up with his friend on his offer to help out with taxi duties.

He smiled when he saw Emmett’s truck parked at the far end of the lot.When he reached it, he hesitated at the sight of Emmett, sitting with his head leaned back, hat tipped down over his eyes.As a veterinarian and full-time single dad of two teenage daughters, the man worked hard.If he was catching a nap while he could, Trip didn’t want to disturb him.

Just as he started to turn away, Emmett sat up and pushed the brim of his hat up.When he spotted Trip, he gave him a rueful smile and put the window down.

“Tell me you weren’t watching me sleep.That’s too creepy.Even for a doctor.”

Trip laughed out loud.“If I was watching you sleep, it’s not my fault.I came over to say hi.I didn’t expect to find you catching forty winks.”

Emmett checked his watch.“Make that about fifteen winks.I was up and out early this morning.”

Trip cocked an eyebrow.“Early?What does that mean to you—something like four a.m.?Aren’t you always up and about early?”

“Four fifteen today.”

Trip shook his head.“I don’t know how you do it.”He frowned.“And what do the girls do about getting to school on days like that—when you’re not around?”

Emmett made a face.“They’re all right to get themselves up and ready.That’s not a problem.Tanya’s always been an early bird, and she takes great pleasure in annoying her sister to get her out of bed.Alana used to roll out at the last minute, grab an apple, and be ready to roll.These days… she needs at least half an hour in the bathroom to make herself beautiful.”

He scowled.“Though why she needs to be beautiful to go to school…”

Trip didn’t comment.He’d been about to say that Alana was now the same age that Libby had been when she and Mav first got together—but he figured that really wasn’t something Emmett would want to hear, let alone think about.

“I take it, since you’re here again, that you’re driving Alana up and down the valley yourself—on top of everything else?”he asked.

Emmett nodded.“She’s over the moon about getting the part.”He gave Trip a grim smile.“Of course, I’m happy about it too.It’s just…”

“Just nothing,” said Trip.“I told you—I’ll help with taxi duties.And when I can’t do it, we’ll rope the others in.”

Emmett met his gaze.“Seems to me you’ve got enough on your plate already these days.How are things working out for you and Shelley?And by the way, sorry I barged in like that the other night.”

“Not a problem.You could have stayed and eaten with us, you know.”

Emmett shook his head rapidly.

“You could have,” Trip insisted.“I know you leave the girls at home to fend for themselves when you’re working in the evening sometimes.Why couldn’t you have dinner with me?Why couldn’t you have dinner with us?”

Emmett shuddered.“It’s not the girls I’m thinking about.It’s that woman.She’s a bit…”

Trip chuckled.“You mean Harper?She’s a bit what?”

Emmett shuddered again.“I don’t know.She was just… all… all smiley and… I don’t know.She’s not like us, is she?Janey says she’s from New York City.”