Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (13 page)

Lily grinned. “Men run when you start talking about feelings.”

“I’m fine. You are both worried about nothing. I have a dinner date with Tom on Tuesday, and Friday night we’re going to a movie in Wagon Wheel.”

“Good. At least you’re giving someone else a chance,” Chelsea said. “If it’s any consolation, Rand looked as unhappy as you. And he left right after you two danced.”

“I didn’t notice.”

“Liar,” both Chelsea and Lily spoke at once.

“We need chocolate.” Lily went to her counter and uncovered a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. “This and a cold glass of milk will make most any disappointment a little better.”

“Give me a big piece,” Chelsea said. “I’m not disappointed, but I love chocolate.” Soon the conversation turned to babies.

Marian was glad to not be the center of attention any longer. The cake was delicious, but it didn’t make a dent in the ache in her heart.

It had taken all her determined willpower to not throw herself at Rand. When he held her in his arms, she hurt. His particular male scent had desire coiling in her lower abdomen, and she ached to feel him holding her tight.

Their explosive coming together last weekend had frightened them both but him the most. She’d hoped he’d change his mind and call for her to help at the office. When he didn’t, she’d determined to forget him. But one look tonight and one dance touching him, smelling his scent, hearing his voice, had her weak in his arms.

“No feeling sad.” Chelsea shook her arm. “I know we’re boring you with the baby talk, but keep up with us. It’ll help you to stop thinking about him.”

Marian smiled. “Sorry, you’re right.” But not really. She didn’t think anything could get him out of her mind.

Lily patted her arm. “Don’t worry. I thought I’d lost Ty for sure, and then it all worked out in the end.”

“But you knew he loved you, and Chelsea knew Dirk loved her.”

“No, I didn’t,” Lily said. “A lot of the time I thought he hated me or at least wanted me to move away from the ranch.” She gave Marian a quick rundown of her story. “If you love him, don’t give up.” She laughed. “Dating Tom is going to drive him crazy.”

“But is it fair to Tom?”

“You can decide what to tell him after your date. You might be surprised and like him more than you think,” Chelsea said. “Now I’m going to get my husband, and we’ll walk you home. It’s past my bedtime.”

“I’m right here, darlin’. I figured you’d be getting sleepy. She’s usually in bed by nine lately,” Dirk said.

“Sleepiness is all part of it,” Lily agreed. Ty had come in and stood behind her. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You smell good.”

“Our signal to leave,” Dirk teased.

Marian envied the love she saw in their eyes. They were great couples. She swallowed around the lump in her throat and followed Dirk and Chelsea out.

In her cabin the silent phone mocked her.
What did I think, that he’d call? That’s not going to happen.
She made herself some hot chocolate and tried to read a book Chelsea had loaned her. When her eyes crossed, she gave up and headed to bed but doubtfully to sleep.

She tossed and turned, finally going to sleep around five. At ten, her phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Miss Gaenor, you don’t know me. This is Eloise Franklin.”

“The doctor’s receptionist. Rand has mentioned you. I’m sure they’re anxious for you to get back to work. How are you?”

“I’m doing better. But this episode was an eye-opener. I’m retiring. I told Dr. Neels and Dr. Brodie this morning. I intend to spend all my time with my husband and children. We want to travel, and if the cardiologist agrees, as I expect he will, that my attack was anxiety, then we’ll start planning our first trip. But the reason I called is I’m not going back to work at all.

“The office was in chaos this morning. It’s full of kids with colds and adults not feeling good and glaring at the mothers for the noise.” She took a breath. “I’ve been told you did an excellent job the first week I was out. Wouldn’t you consider going in today to help them?”

“They haven’t called and asked me.”

“Well, you know stubborn men. I suspect from the gossip line that you and that handsome Dr. Brodie are attracted to each other and have had a falling out. You just pick yourself up and march in there. Tell them I sent you.”

“There really is a gossip line?”

Mrs. Franklin gave a hearty laugh. “Alive and well. If you want to know anything, you check with one of the girls.”

“Amazing, better than all our modern devices.

“And much more fun. No one ever gets nasty. They’re good-hearted ladies. Well, I’d better hang up. My husband and I are going to drive to Wagon Wheel and have lunch. Have fun.”

The phone clicked off.

Did she dare? She’d seen how chaotic it could get that first day. Yes. They’d welcome her with open arms. She’d do it.

“Chelsea, would you drive me to town? I’ve been informed the doctors need help.”

“I’ll come get you. You can tell me the details on the way.”

* * * *

Marian slipped in the door. All heads turned in her direction. Earsplitting screams filled the air. Some children ran around the room, and others lay sniffling in their mothers’ arms. The few adult patients looked haggard and tired but perked up on her arrival.

She went into the reception area. All exam room doors were shut. The list of patients was long. “Let’s see what we can do to help you folks,” she said. One of the men got up and came to the window.

“I’d like to change my appointment to next week. I didn’t want to walk out without an explanation.”

Marian cheerfully helped him change his appointment, and with relief, he hurried out of the noisy room.

“We’ve got toys back here and some reading books,” she spoke to the room in general. A brown-haired, middle-aged woman ignored her at first and then studied the children, who’d begun to push each other.

“Give me the books. I’ll take a group over here in the corner and read them a story.” The children stopped and looked at her. “Of course only the ones who can sit quiet and not fight can join me.” She cast a faint smile at Marian as the boys stood straighter. Two girls and three boys raced to the corner and arranged the chairs.

Marian handed the lady two books. “They can decide. Thanks.”

“Actually, you just caught me. I was going to cancel like that man did and reschedule.”

“You still can. I’ll read to them.”

“And answer the phone and fill the rooms? No, I like to help.”

“You remind me of a schoolteacher.”

“Not far off. I’m the principal of our elementary school. I should have straightened up and given them my professional frown.” She took the books and went to the corner. Soon the noise level had returned to normal.

“I knew when I stepped out of the exam room magic had happened again and you were here.” Rand leaned into the reception area and smiled. “I don’t know how you got here, but I believe you’re an answer to a prayer. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Mrs. Hawkins and her three children are next. I’ll bring them in the exam room while you take a breather.” She brushed by him and took a deep breath. Even at work, he smelled good and sexy. Hopefully he didn’t see the tremble in her hands.

By one o’clock, the patient area was empty. Andy came up to the front and stretched. “At least we don’t need to worry about patients, and when Dr. Neels retires fully, in two months, we’ll be running to keep up.”

“Do you like the job?”

“Sure do.” He smiled, but Marian had difficulty being friendly. She suspected he had been an influence on Rand’s decision to cool it. Ignoring him, she began to arrange papers and put files away.

Andy followed her lead and surprised her by cleaning up the messy waiting room. He carted out the trash from both areas and then came back to her window.

“Thanks for the help. You’re good at managing people.”

“I’m a supervisor at my real job, and I helped my two older brothers in their office when they first started.”

“You come from a medical family?”

“My father’s a retired doctor, and two brothers are doctors. Plus, my one sister is a nurse. The other four of us have different professions.” She picked up her purse. “I’m going to shop the stores for toys, anything to entertain children, and some up-to-date magazines for the adults.” She went to walk by him.

Andy caught her arm. “You don’t like me.”

She pulled free. “I don’t know you. Tell Rand I’ll help out the rest of the week as needed.” She glanced down the hall. The door to the exam room he was in remained closed. Marian started to leave. “Can I borrow your key? I’ll bring the stuff back here and leave the key by the desk.”

“Sure. I’ll have Rand get a new one made for me. Whoever we hire as receptionist ought to have one of their own.”

She nodded and left before having to see Rand again. She wanted him to wonder what she was thinking. A little mystery helped, so she’d heard.

The toy store was fun. All the new gadgets, talking figures, and sirens blowing on cars were entertaining, but many would only add to the noise level she wanted to lower. She browsed further and found games, puzzles, and more books. Something for every age group.

Her arms were full when she left the store. She’d take these back to the office and then get the magazines while she waited for Chelsea to pick her up. She unlocked the front door and stepped inside to put the toys in the back. She called Chelsea and arranged to meet her in front of the local drugstore in about thirty minutes. She’d snapped her cell closed and started back out toward the front when she heard a knock at the back door. Not thinking, she opened it. Two men pushed her back and rushed in.

“Told you she was alone. Lock the front so no one else wanders in,” the tall, bulky man ordered his partner.

“What do you want? Neither doctor is here.”

“We know. We’ve been scouting this place a few days. When we saw you return, we had our opportunity. You”—he leaned into her face—“are going to give us all the narcotics.”

“I don’t know where they’re located.”

The slimmer man shoved her. “For your own sake, you’d better find them fast.” He waved a gun in her face and started to pull her down the hall.

“Help her look for the safe or wherever they might hide the stuff.” The bigger man’s hands shook, especially the one holding his gun. “I’ll keep a watch out. Hurry.”

Marian’s heart pounded. She had lied, hoping they’d leave. But seeing as they were both armed she doubted they’d leave peacefully without the drugs. And even when they found the medicine, they still might shoot her.

She’d seen Rand get pills out of a locked cabinet in the equipment room. She took her time pretending to look. They started at the reception area and walked through each exam room.

“Hurry up.” The man following her grabbed her hair and put the gun to her temple. “We aren’t kidding. Get us the stuff or we’ll kill you and move on to another town.” He sneered. “We’ve killed once, so it doesn’t matter how many times after that.”

A chill ran through her. These weren’t local boys looking for a high. She’d known that at the first. But she feared as soon as she showed them the cabinet and opened it her life would be forfeit.

The clock on the wall told her Chelsea should be at the drugstore. She prayed her friend would call Rand and not come here to look for her.