Page 94 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

They both turned when the door opened again.

This time, a rush of warmth filled Shelley's chest when Trip came in and smiled at her.

"Is everything okay?I thought you would have left by now."

"Everything's fine.I was about ready to go, but Ford MacFarland popped in.And then Harper arrived."

Trip smiled at Harper.As he came behind the desk to kiss Shelley’s cheek.

"Do you ladies have plans for dinner?"

Shelley shook her head.

"I do," said Harper.

"You do?"Shelley asked.

She nodded enthusiastically."I do.I have a date at the bistro."

"A date?"Trip asked, looking concerned.

Harper waved a hand at him."Yes, Doctor Dreamy Pants.A date.But not the kind you're thinking of.Don't worry.I'm not trying to get my claws into one of your cowboy friends.This is more of a networking date."

"Who with?"Shelley asked.

"A young woman named Tara Davenport.She's a freelance editor.I was talking to one of my authors this morning, telling her my plans.I know that she self-publishes some of her books, and I wanted to pick her brain about the market for freelance editors.Apparently, she's worked with Tara for a few years and couldn't believe the coincidence that I've moved—or I’m moving—to the place where Tara now lives.She put the two of us in touch, and luckily, Tara’s free for dinner tonight."

She turned to Trip."It sounds as though the Davenports are your neighbors.Did you know that?"

He laughed."I did.The Davenports have been my neighbors my whole life.What you probably don't know yet is that I'm talking about the whole clan."

Shelley raised her eyebrows.

"Tara's married to Reid Davenport, the youngest son of Johnny and his wife, Jean.Then there's Seymour Davenport—and his daughter, Hope, is married to Chance."

He turned to Shelley."Have you met Chance and Hope yet?"

She smiled."Of course I have.Hope’s been in a few times with the children."

"Of course."Trip nodded.

Harper shook her head and turned to Shelley."It sounds like this is the perfect place for you," she said."With people like Seymour Davenport and his daughter Hope around—and I heard that Summer Breese, the country singer girl, lives around here somewhere too—you're going to have lots of potential clients."

"I imagine I will," Shelley said, "if they haven't already got their affairs in order."

"Once you start working with Jim," said Trip, "I have no doubt that word will get out—and anyone who's interested in working with you will know how to find you."

"Maybe so.But for the time being, I'm happy to just work with Jim."She smiled at Trip."And you, of course."

She was relieved when he smiled back.She'd been a little concerned that he might feel like she was abandoning him.

"And you know how happy I am to work with you," he said."But I know it can't last for much longer.Emmett made a suggestion for a replacement that might pan out."

"Emmett?"Harper piped up."How's he?"

Trip chuckled."He's fine—other than having more on his plate than he can handle at the moment."

Harper opened her mouth, no doubt to ask what he meant, but was interrupted when her phone rang.She took it out and frowned at it.