Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (7 page)

Marian stopped him with her hand on his chest. “Still, you need time.”

“I’m working and on call the rest of the week. Dr. Neels and his wife are going on a three-day cruise.”

“Good. It will keep you busy.” Marian opened the truck door and ran to the cabin. When she slipped inside, she lay against the closed door and listened to him drive off.

Her body had shouted “yes, yes, yes” at her and ached for his touch. But she didn’t want him this way, on the rebound. Time would tell if she had made the right decision.

She went into the small bath, showered, and put on her nightgown. In the kitchen, she poured a glass of milk and put three cookies on a plate. The food was solace for her disappointment at having to say no.

Marian sat in a soft chair in the living room. She curled her legs and feet up and stared out the window. The moon cast a silver glow across the land. In the distance a dog barked. Otherwise there was silence. She liked Montana and the people.

Like Chelsea, she was tired of the rat race in New York. Tomorrow, she’d go to town and check for jobs. Why not give her and Rand time to see if there was a strong enough attraction between them to last for the long haul? If not, she’d go home to North Carolina and have her family close to her.

After seeing Rand’s family today, Marian realized how much she needed people who cared around her. It was a good plan. She ate the last cookie and finished her milk. She might sleep tonight after all.

* * * *

Rand got in a cold shower. Marian didn’t appear to be anxious to only have fun. Why did they all want practically a commitment before saying yes? It wasn’t like they were young children. He was thirty-one. She must be that age or close.

He stepped out and dried his hair and body then pulled on his jeans. There was beer in his fridge. After popping it open he slouched in his lounge chair. He took a couple of swigs of the cold liquid.

She was right. He was pushy. Hell, it’d been months since he’d had sex. His cock got hard every time he thought the word.

Maybe his attraction to her was just his hunger to sink into her pussy. But he didn’t think so. He’d never been a player who went from one woman to the next.

It was late. He needed to sleep. The next week promised to be very busy. He’d put Marian out of his mind and look forward to the new challenges facing him. This was the first time Dr. Neels had been gone. Rand knew his job. What could happen?

* * * *

At six that morning he wished he hadn’t had the earlier thought. The husband of the woman who handled the office with a firm but gentle hand called.

“Eloise is sick. She’s at the hospital. They think she may have had a heart attack. She’s not going to be in today for sure and probably will be out longer.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Rand assured her husband. When he hung up, it hit him. She was his right hand. How the hell would he manage without her? Dr. Neels and his wife were leaving town early today. He wasn’t going to let them know.

Rand dressed in his wool shirt, jeans, and boots. He grabbed his jacket on the way out. Early mornings were cold.

During the drive to the hospital, he kept trying to think of someone to fill in during the morning office hours. He could take afternoon calls while he was out and about.

Eloise was still in the emergency room when he arrived. She took his hand and held tight. “They say it might be my heart.” Fear showed on her drawn face. “If it’s real serious, I’d have to fly to the city to one of those large impersonal hospitals. I don’t want to go, Dr. Brodie.”

“Wait until we hear the results of your lab work and X-rays. Your problem might be managed by medicine.” Rand shook her husband’s hand. “This must have been frightening for both of you.”

“It was. Eloise has been so healthy. Neither of us expected this.”

The ER doctor came into the room. “Dr. Brodie, good to see you.” He turned to Eloise and her husband. “You were lucky. I’m pretty certain this was an anxiety attack. But within the next few weeks I want you to make an appointment to see a cardiac specialist for a more complete workup. Just to be on the safe side. Is there something going on you’re worried about?”

“Our youngest daughter is in Wyoming. She’s having her first baby. She’s had problems with her blood pressure. Momma here”—Eloise’s husband nodded at her—“is a bit of a worrier.”

“Well, I’m going to start you on some mild medication. I want you to see the specialist within the next month or sooner if you have another episode.

“Also, no work this week. Go home and rest. Next week Dr. Brodie will check you. If you feel all right and he says you can travel, then fly to visit your daughter. Seeing her might work better than any medicine.”

“I agree. Eloise, just come in anytime a week from today,” Rand said. “I’ll see you when you get there.”

“Thanks, but I feel so bad. Dr. Neels is gone and now me. How will you manage?”

“I’ll do fine. Well, not fine. I’ll miss you, but I can manage.”

Rand left and headed for the office. The doors opened at nine. He’d run upstairs to his apartment, eat some cereal, and call Chelsea. Maybe she knew of one of the cowboys’ wives that would like to make some extra money for a few weeks.

He dialed Chelsea’s number as he climbed the stairs. He had twenty minutes before office hours.

“Chelsea, this is Rand. I’m in a fix.” He explained about Eloise being ill and how he’d be without help. “Anyone who can deal with people and answer the phone would be fine. I’m desperate.”

“I’ll see what I can do. If I find someone, I’ll send them to town. If not, I’ll call you back.”

Rand thanked her and hung up. A quick breakfast, and then he was going to have a very busy day.

* * * *

Marian had tucked a white cotton shirt into her jeans and pulled on a light-green sweater. She ran a comb through her shoulder-length hair and added pink lipstick for her only makeup. Hearing a knock on the door, she strode out of the bedroom and across the small living area.

“Chelsea, you’re early. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Let’s walk back toward my house while we talk.”

“You look excited. What’s up?” Marian asked as she shut the door and matched Chelsea’s long strides. In a minute they were back in the big house.

“I’ll pour our coffee. Sit.”

Puzzled, Marian did as she said. Chelsea sat a cup of coffee, a piece of coffee cake, and a banana in front of Marian.

“Eat up. You are going to have a busy day. Rand called. He’s in a pinch. His secretary had some type of anxiety attack earlier today. They thought it was her heart at first. Anyway, she’s going to be out for several weeks to a month. He needs help right now until he can find a replacement. You are the answer to his prayers.”

“I’m not sure that’s true.”

“No matter. This is your chance to impress him with your charm and your beauty.”

“Marriage has made you bonkers. Beauty? Did you see his fiancée? She’s way out of my class in the beautiful department. But I don’t mind helping.”

In fact, her heart rate had increased from hearing his name. This might be the best opportunity for them to become better acquainted. But she risked putting her heart out to be trampled on. Hell, she’d taken bigger chances on men who were nowhere near his caliber.

“When does he need me?”

“At nine o’clock.”

Marian laughed. “How do I get there? I’m late already.”

“I’ll drive you. The least Rand can do is bring you home.”

“You weren’t expecting me to resist.”

“I knew my friend wasn’t stupid.” She grinned. “Go show that cowboy what you’re made of.”

“You’re being a matchmaker again.”

“I can’t help it.”

Marian finished her coffee, cake, and banana. Chelsea hurried her out to the car and had her on the way to her temporary job.

“Looks like the doctor is busy,” Chelsea said as she dropped Marian off at the front door. “Have fun.” She waved then drove back toward home.

Marian stopped inside the door. The room was packed. Two children were fighting, and a baby cried. The phone was ringing, and Rand was nowhere in sight. She walked into the room to the reception desk. Six people had signed their names and time of appointment. Marian answered the ringing phone.

“Good morning, Dr. Brodie’s office. You need to cancel? No problem. Yes, you can call back later to make another appointment.” One less for today. She put down the receiver.

She glanced at the tired-looking mother with two boys arguing and a baby crying. The young woman looked ready to cry herself.

“Is there any way I can help?”

The young mother looked at her like she was a life raft thrown to save her.

“Her bottle needs to be warmed, and they’re thirsty and tired.” She motioned to the boys.

“Come back here. We’ll warm her bottle and see what we can find for the boys.” Once the children quieted, the anxiety in the air floated to the ground. Marian almost saw the other patients taking a deep breath and relaxing.

Rand came out of an exam room and darted into the reception area. He came to a halt when he saw Marian.

“What are you doing here?” Rand asked.

If he hadn’t looked so confused, and cute, in his doctor’s white coat, Marian would have loved to tease him. “I heard you needed help.”

“You’ve already created a miracle. Peace and quiet.”

“Take this lady and her children next. I’m certain the other patients won’t mind.” Marian grinned when the others frantically nodded their heads to reassure Rand it was all right.

The rest of the morning went fast. At one o’clock, Marian saw the last patient out.

“Wow, you were a lifesaver. I’ll buy you lunch at the world-famous Hamburger Bar down the street. Let me put my white coat on a hanger. We can walk and enjoy the fresh air.”

Marian straightened the waiting room then washed her hands and got her purse. Rand met her at the front door.

He glanced around the room. “It looks nice. Thanks.”

They strolled along the sidewalk. Everyone they met stopped them to ask him about his receptionist and about how he was managing.

Each time, Rand introduced Marian and explained, “This is Marian Gaenor, a friend of Chelsea’s. She was a big help this morning.” The locals looked her up and down and thanked her for being willing to work on her vacation.

“I love it. It’s different from being in New York. You have beautiful country and nice people here in Montana,” Marian said.
Finally they got to the diner and were seated. Rand stretched.

“You still have patients to see this afternoon?”

“Yes. Two at the hospital. Then I’m going to check on Mr. Nettles. Maybe you’d like to ride along?”

“Absolutely. I find this all very exciting and interesting.”

“After New York, Frontier City is exciting?”

“I live a dull life. I go to work and back home to a small apartment. Especially dull since my best friend married and left me alone.”

Rand shook his head. “You’re a strange lady, Marian.”

“My mother said that all the time I was growing up. ‘You are strange, my darling girl.’”

She made him laugh, and his shoulders relaxed. She picked up her menu. The scent of food floating in the air made her hungry.