Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (2 page)

Chapter One

Randolph Brodie dreaded the upcoming date with his fiancée, Anna. He’d been back a few days since the wedding, and because he and Anna were both busy they hadn’t had time for any long discussions. She wasn’t going to be happy with his plans. He parked in front of her apartment building and went inside, up the elevator, and knocked on her door.

“Rand darling.” Anna drew him inside. “I’ve missed you. This past week has been rush, rush, rush. Sit and I’ll pour you a glass of wine.”

She went to the small bar built into an alcove off to the side of the living room and filled a wineglass from an open bottle of zinfandel. “Enjoy. I’ll just be a moment then I’ll be ready to leave.” She started to walk toward her bedroom.

“Anna, please join me. Before we go out I need to talk with you about something.”

She sat across from him on the sofa. “You look worried. Don’t tell me you haven’t decided between the two offices you looked at last week.”

“I’m not going to get an office here in the city.”

Anna frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“As you know, I’ve made several visits home in the past few months. I’ve been stopping in to see Dr. Neels.” He stopped and took a swallow of his wine.

“The country doctor that took care of you and all your family. I remember you mentioning him in the past.”

“Yes. He’s gotten older. He’s going to fully retire in another year or so. I rode out with him on some calls, and I realized I want to be a country doctor. It’s so different. You really know your patients, and every day is interesting and challenging.” The shock on her face did not bode well for him.

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not. I hope you’ll come with me.”

“To live and practice in the middle of nowhere.” Her voice rose to a high pitch. She jumped up and paced across the living room floor.

Anna was a beautiful woman. Her long blonde hair swished around her. She was tall and had lush curves. Any man had to be insane to take a chance on losing her. But he’d thought about his decision for several months and had applied for his Montana license. If he gave up this opportunity for Anna, he wouldn’t be happy. Eventually their relationship would suffer.

She stopped pacing and sat down. Her porcelain skin had turned a rosy red. “I will not live on a ranch or in a tiny town. My job is here. You know I’m considering an offer from one of the top dermatology clinics in this area.” She put her hands out toward him. “I’m sure you enjoyed seeing the old doctor. It’s natural you had a sudden thought that you might like to work with him. In a week or two you’ll realize what a big mistake that would be for your career.” She got up. “I’ll finish my makeup. We’ll go on to dinner.” Stepping in front of him, she leaned down and kissed his mouth. “Wait and see if I’m not right.”

It had not gone as he’d expected. Surprisingly, she had not thrown her ring at him. In a way he wished she had. This was going to be much more difficult.

Still, she might be right. He doubted it. Anyway, he’d wait as she said for a few more weeks. Then, if he still felt the same, he’d call Dr. Neels and accept the job.

* * * *

Rand’s best friend, Andy Joyce, had invited him to lunch in the hospital cafeteria. Andy had chosen a small table in the back of the room. Evidently he wanted privacy. Anna must have asked him to talk to Rand.

“Thanks for the invite to such a luxurious eatery,” Rand said, putting a teasing note in his voice, hoping to ward off any serious conversation.

Andy grinned. “I know it’s your favorite place.”

Rand put his plate on the table and then set the tray to the side. “How are you doing?”

“Been busy as we all have since finishing our residencies. I’m thinking of joining one of the internal medicine groups here in the city,” Andy said.

“They’d be lucky to get you. You’re a damn fine internist.”

“How about you? How long are you going to work part-time in the emergency room? I know you’ve had several lucrative offers.”

“Anna called you.”

“She begged me to talk with you. You know I’m a pushover for any woman who gets tears in her eyes. Have you changed your mind?”

“No, and I’m not going to. When I went home for my brother Dirk’s wedding, I took time to see Dr. Neels again. I went on a few calls with him. I’m convinced the job’s the right one for me. Anna has the perfect job for her here. There isn’t any way to make it work.”

“Bummer. You’ll break the engagement?”

“Hopefully she will. It hasn’t been an easy decision. But I think she and I might have just gravitated together during our medical school years.” Rand took a bite of his sandwich.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure how much true emotion was involved. I took an extra year of residency in gerontology so we’d finish together. We had our plans laid out. It was almost a businesslike decision.” Rand shook his head. “I shouldn’t be able to turn away from it all so easily.”

“Women are different. I doubt she’s going to feel the same.”

Rand took a deep breath. “No. I expect it will get nasty before it’s over.”

“Man, I don’t envy you. I warned you, you needed to take your time before tying yourself down. Play the field, man. Don’t jump into the frying pan for a long time after this.”

“I won’t. Damn, this is a mess. I don’t want to hurt her.”

* * * *

Anna opened the door. She wore a silky blue top, black slacks, and black sandals. Her blonde hair was pulled back into her familiar bun.

“Come in. I thought about suggesting we meet at Manuel’s for dinner, but this is better. We need privacy.” She went to the bar and poured him a bourbon and water and her a martini.

“We’re hitting the hard stuff tonight.” Rand tried to tease and smile, but it fell flat when she frowned.

“Sit down. This is not a joking matter.” Anna sat in a chair beside an end table. Rand took the couch. “I can’t believe you’re going through with this. We’ve planned our lives together. Why are you determined to destroy everything?”

“Anna, did you ever think maybe we’d be better friends than we would be spouses?”

“What? We get along, and we’re good in bed together.”

“Yes, but is there the excitement you expected?” He knew he was on rocky ground and any minute might get her martini in his face. Anna had a temper.

“How ridiculous. Have you been reading romance novels?” She gave a harsh laugh. “All that nonsense about rockets going off and being overwhelmed. It’s all in the writer’s mind. We’re normal, happy people.”

“I went to Dirk’s wedding.”

“I know. I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you.”

“It’s all right. I understood you’d already made other plans. But I watched Dirk and his new wife, Chelsea. They were glowing, and they kept touching each other every chance they got. We’ve never been that way.”

“I’m not a touchy person. You know that.”

“I do. I’ve taught myself to not touch you too much. But I want a wife I can touch. One who’ll glow for me. My hope for you is you’ll find a husband who can make you feel that way. I don’t.”

Anna stared at him, speechless. She gulped her martini and went to her bar and refilled.

“Wait a minute. I thought this started about you wanting to take a job in Montana. Now it’s about us? Is this how you justify ending our relationship?” She took another swig of her drink.

“I want to be honest. I think we both deserve more. I realized it shouldn’t be easy for me to leave you for a job. That made me think about us.” He started to move closer.

Anna waved him off. “Get back on the couch.”

“Look. Let’s wait a few days and talk again. I really don’t want to hurt you. You’re beautiful, smart, personable, everything a man could want.”

“Except you.” Her face hardened. “Get out. I’ll call you when, or if, I want to see you.”

Rand left. His stomach knotted. He hadn’t handled that well. For the first time in his life he felt like an ass.

* * * *

Anna shut the door and freshened her drink. She intended to get soused. She turned on her classical music, kicked off her shoes, and lay on the couch.

She was a planner, and in a few minutes Rand had torn down every block she’d built in the plan for their life. She ticked them off in her head. They’d be successful doctors in their field, busy with work, and making themselves known in the right circles.

In about five years they’d have their one child. Well, she hadn’t discussed that with Rand. He came from a family of six. Anna shuddered at the thought he might want a large family. She wasn’t fond of children, nor sex really. But she was a great pretender. Evidently she hadn’t fooled Rand.

Good grief, she’d never suspected he wanted fireworks and lots of touching. Anna emptied her drink and walked out on her balcony. Twinkling city lights shone in every direction. The beat of the busy metropolitan area hummed through her. This was where she belonged.

When she reentered her living room, Mozart’s music soared to the ceilings. No, Rand Brodie was not the man she thought she knew. He had a firmness she’d never expected. The man she wanted would be easily molded into the right husband.

Anna went in the kitchen and checked her freezer. She grabbed a frozen dinner and put it in the microwave. She’d make a new plan. In the dermatology group she was going to join, she might find just the type of man for her. One of the partners had already made overtures. She’d flirted back.

She got the dinner out of the microwave, poured herself a glass of iced tea, and sat at the small kitchen table. Her appetite was returning. She was back in control.

Still, she’d teach Rand a lesson. She wouldn’t let him out of his engagement. Not yet. Only after she’d found the right person to replace him. Rand was such a nice man. He’d go along with their engagement, for a while, to please her.

And when the time was right, she’d be the one to end their relationship. Rand Brodie was not the man for her to marry. But she’d make him pay first before setting him free.

Chapter Two

Four Months Later

Marian Gaenor shut her office door. She was bone tired and wished she hadn’t promised Bob, the man she’d been dating casually these past three weeks, that she’d go out with him tonight. Maybe she’d call and cancel.

She’d grab the subway home and curl up with a good book. But it was her thirty-first birthday. She should celebrate.

All the way home she debated canceling or going. Her phone was ringing when she got to her door. Rushing inside, she picked up the receiver just in time.

“Hi, girlfriend, have any pizza?”

“Chelsea. It’s great to hear your voice. I have wine but no pizza. Wish you were here.”

“I am. I’m at the airport. I’ll get the cabbie to stop for pizza and be there shortly. You don’t have other plans, do you? I should have checked, but I wanted to surprise you.”

“No. Come on. I can’t wait to see you.” As soon as Marian hung up, she called and cancelled her date. Ah, that felt good and freeing. She’d change into jeans and open the wine she’d been saving for a special time.

An hour later, Chelsea was at her door. “I’m here.” Her arms were full of a large pizza box and a cake box. “I saw a cake place. The cabbie agreeably stopped.”

“Wow, I’m shocked and pleased. This is my best birthday in years. Come on in.” Marian took the cake box, and they walked into her tiny kitchen. She opened the lid. “‘Happy birthday to my best friend.’ Ah, thanks.” She hugged Chelsea, trying to hide her tearful eyes.