The Doctor's Husband (Colorado Blues) (4 page)

“So tell me, why did you advertise for a wife? Why not just marry one of those bimbos you used to have hanging off of your arm?” He wasn’t used to pulling punches with his brothers and he wasn’t going to start now. Evan leaned against the fireplace mantle and looked at his brother reclining on the couch with his Aussie bride resting in his arms.

“That’s why. They were only out for what they could get and that didn’t appeal to me at all. I wanted a down to earth girl who wasn’t scared to get her hands dirty and loved the ranch life.” He ruffled his wife’s hair. “How was I to know a ‘jillaroo’ from down under would be the one who snagged my interest before laying claim to my heart?”

“That is so sweet. True love, you can’t beat it.” Denver clapped her hands to her cheeks and smiled. “Who would have guessed that it wasn’t love that brought you two together. You fit real snug and cozy like.”

Chance burst out laughing, winking at Evan. “We’re real cozy like, you can believe that. Speaking of cozy, just wait until you catch up with Rory and his new lady. He’ll be here for dinner.”

“Where’s he living, in town?”

“Nope, brought a ranch that backs onto this one. Needed renovating so they stayed with us for a while until the place was livable and now they’re getting settled on their own. You can ride up over the back pasture and down the hill to their place if you have a mind to. Easier to get to it through town though, and eventually we’ll put in a road to save them the round trip. Be handy too if we get snowed in or flooded out.”

“It must be nice having everyone living so close.” Denver stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the mountains.

“Don’t you have a brother, Denver?” Her shoulders stiffened and her head dropped.
What have I said wrong?
He glanced at his brother and received a shrug for his effort.

“Sorry, let’s change the subject. So Tyson, how’s he doing?”

“Still as nosy as ever if that’s what you’re asking.” Callie laughed and slapped her hand on her denim-clad leg. “You should have seen his face when he found out I was a mail order bride. Poor guy just about had a fit and then when Rory showed up here with Gina and Fisher, holy cow, it was hilarious.”

“What? Gina and Rory? You’re kidding me, right? Please tell me he didn’t place an ad too?” Evan stood stunned, his mouth open in shock. Who did that these days? Surely that went out of fashion along with stagecoaches and highway bandits.

Chance and Callie roared with laughter, their bodies a tangle of arms and legs as they gave way to their hilarious mood.
I don’t get it? What did I say wrong?
Evan glanced at Denver standing by the window. She watched the scene on the couch with a slightly raised eyebrow and a twitch of a smile on her lips.

He walked over and placed his hands around her waist. “I’m sorry if that is a touchy subject. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She leaned her forehead against his. “It’s not your fault. You don’t know the story. I’ll tell you one day when we have nothing nice happening. Don’t want to spoil the mood.”

Right.
“These two are crazy. This is a side of Chance I haven’t seen before. He was always the strong silent type, never had much time for horsing around. Always kept his eye on the prize I guess.”

“Looks like that’s one arranged marriage that seems to be working well then. I could really go for a coffee. Want to show me where everything is?”

“Sure.” He led her from the room, leaving his brother and wife cuddling on the couch. At the back door, Callie’s dog stood looking inside at Mr. Blue who helped himself to a bowl of dog biscuits. “Bloody troublemaker.”

He showed Denver the coffee machine and then reached for a bag he’d left on the counter that contained Mr. Blue’s feed bowl and box of cat kibble. Evan poured it and placed it on the floor, calling to his cat. The fat orange bundle looked up, blinked its eyes, and put its head back into the dog’s bowl. “That dog isn’t going to be happy with you, old man. He thinks he owns the place, silly cat.”

“Don’t worry about her, she’ll probably only want to play anyway.” Callie walked into the room and stood looking at her dog, whining now at the door. “Can I let her in and see how she reacts? I doubt she’ll go after him. The chickens have it over her and so does Fisher. She’s the softest thing out unless you’re a cow or a bull that won’t do as it’s told. Then lookout.”

“Sure. I’m keeping out of the way though.” Evan stood beside his date and watched as his new sister-in-law opened the porch door. Sherbet slunk in the door almost on her belly and put her head on her paws as she stared toward her bowl and the cat. A whine came from her mouth and she watched the intruder eating her food, her different colored eyes sad as they focused on the ball of fluff invading her territory.

Mr. Blue totally ignored her much to everyone’s amusement. Chance walked in and leaned on the counter watching them as the coffee heated. Eventually the dog started to make her move. She slid along on her belly looking for all the world that she wasn’t doing anything. It wasn’t until she was within inches of her bowl that the cat looked up and gazed balefully at her. The look of disgust he gave her didn’t dampen her spirits. With one last little shuffle, she reached the ginger cat and flicked out her tongue, swiping him on the side of the face.

Evan held his breath when his pet turned and looked at the dog, lifted its paw and licked it, turning away again. “Phew, looks like that went well then. At least he didn’t attack her.”

“Told you Sherbet was a softy. Okay, let me have a coffee and then we can think about dinner.” Callie opened the cupboard and handed out four mugs before going to the fridge for milk.

“Gina said she’d deal with dinner since it’s such a chore for you. She called earlier while you were out riding.” Chance grabbed a coffee and sipped it black and hot.

“Thank goodness. I love that girl.” She placed a hand on her forehead and sighed dramatically. “That way I can play with Fisher and not have to worry about burning the food.”

“Hang on a minute. Now you two’ve had your fun with me, don’t you think you should fill me in on what happened with Rory? Like the little comment about him doing the same as you, placing an ad.” Evan sipped his coffee and waited to learn the truth about his brother’s marriage.

“He’ll probably tell you anyway, so the short story—he saw how happy we were and decided it was time to get hitched again and wrote an ad. Only thing is, he didn’t know she had a little boy and now he has a ready-made family. Kids the cutest thing out. You’ll see soon.” He gazed at his wife and winked. “Made this woman clucky as all heck. Not that I’m complaining mind you.”

***

Denver knew her cheeks were going red and turned away.

“I think we’re embarrassing her, Chance.” Callie laughed “Sorry, Denver. You’ll get used to us. I promise we’re not really that bad. Just still very much in love, hey cowboy?”

Chance grunted as a car door slammed outside in the driveway.

“They’re here.” Callie put down her coffee and ran to the door, scattering the cat and dog in different directions. She threw the door open and hurried out onto the porch. Denver followed and watched as she opened the back door of the truck. Callie reached inside to bring out a little boy. He wore denim overalls and a check red and white shirt with little red sneakers.

“Isn’t he just the cutest thing ever?” Callie walked back inside with him on her hip. “Fisher, this is Denver. Say hi.”

Denver looked into the big blue eyes and her heart melted just a little bit. She wanted children one day, she really did. But not until she’d made it to the top of her profession and proved to her father she was capable of being more than the society woman he wanted her to be. She brushed the thought aside and gave her attention to the woman walking inside with a covered dish and a big bag slung over her shoulder.

“Let me help you.” Denver reached for the dish, took it, and placed it on the counter top.

“Thanks. That was heavier than I thought. Rory tells me I always try to take too many things at once, but who can help it? Saves going back to the truck again and again.”

“I know what you mean. I’m the same with my groceries.” She held out her hand. “I’m Denver. I came with Evan. I do hope you don’t mind a stranger at your wedding.”

“Pft. Not likely. It’s wonderful to see you and Evan. Chance told me he was bringing a date. I’m very please to meet you. I guess you’ve met the little guy here.” She tweaked his cheek and he turned into his auntie’s neck, his stubby little fingers clenching at her shirt.

“He is pretty cute. Thank you for letting me come to the wedding, you don’t even know me.”

“I don’t even know Evan so I wouldn’t worry about that. The more the merrier in my mind.” She opened the bag, brought out a bottle of wine, and placed it in the fridge to chill. “I made coleslaw and have bread rolls too. I’m guessing you have potatoes in the pantry, Callie?”

“Sure do. Help yourself while I get my dose of loving here from Fisher. I’ve missed you, little man, since you left us.”

“I hear you’ve only just moved into your own house almost next door, Gina.” Denver watched as she worked in the kitchen with the ease of someone who was at peace in their surroundings.

“Yes, the other day. I’m so happy with how it all turned out. Rory was lucky with the builders, I tell you. They did everything we wanted and so fast too. I couldn’t believe it. All the inside is done now, they just have to finish off outside and it’ll be perfect.” She placed a handful of potatoes in the sink and started to scrub them clean. “You’ll have to come and have a look. Callie can bring you over if Evan is busy. Come for coffee.”

“Oh, well, thank you. I’d like that.” She was lost for words. These ladies were incredibly friendly and Denver wasn’t used to that.

“Kitty.” Fisher turned and leaned down, almost wriggling out of Callie’s arms.

“Wow, big fella.” She crouched down on the floor and let him sit watching the cat wash itself. She glanced up at Denver. “Will it scratch him?”

She shook her head. “No idea. I don’t really know the cat that well to be honest.”
Never known anyone to take their cat on vacation either, so it’s all new to me.

Callie exchanged glances with Gina and a smile touched her lips. “How long have you known Evan?”

Here we go, the inquisition starts.
“About two years I guess, maybe slightly longer than that.”

“How long have you been dating?” The Australian girl had no qualms about diving in and asking her questions it seemed. She wondered if that was a trait from her country.

“Not that long technically. We work together so we see each other every day.”

“Uh huh.”

“Rory, you old dog. Congratulations brother.” Evan slapped him on the back and then went in for a decent hug.

“Thanks. She’s a wonderful woman; we’re very happy.” Rory looked over his brother’s shoulder at the house. “I see you have someone with you. About time isn’t it?” He tipped his hat back on his head and eyed off Evan.

“You have no idea how long I’ve tried to get this woman to go out with me. We work together at the hospital.” He glanced in the window and saw her happily chatting with the girls. Seemed she fitted in well, thankfully.

“So, how did you go with the job you were after?” Chance leaned on the hood of the truck and gazed at him.

“Uh, I missed out. Seemed I’m not really business material.” His lips turned down as he thought about the interview. “I care more about my patients than I do about the running of the hospital and profit lines to be of much use to them.” He chortled a laugh. “Denver loves that kind of stuff though which I find rather amusing. You wouldn’t think so to look at her.”

“What are you going to do then? Sign on for another twelve months, or are you looking for a change?” Rory lifted his foot and rested it on the wheel of the truck, watching him.

“Not sure. I have to make up my mind sooner or later though. The hospital wants to know if I’m going to give them another contract or not. I’ve got to sort it out this week either way.” He glanced up at the mountains behind the house. “I’d forgotten just how beautiful this place is. Kind of miss it being in the city.” He took a deep breath of the air. “Smells cleaner and fresher too. I like it.”

“Well, move back here then.”

He looked at his oldest brother. “Not quite that easy. As much as I’m going to enjoy getting on a horse and chasing your cows this week, I doubt you will pay me to stay here and do that.”

“You know you’re more than welcome. I was thinking of the doctor’s office in town. They reckon they’re going to close it down due to lack of interest. Governments been trying to bring in a new doctor, and since they pay more at the hospital, that’s where the good ones end up at.”

Rory nodded his head. “Which I don’t think is a problem if you don’t mind being a number and waiting your turn. Lots of people would rather get to know their doctor and be treated by the same person every time. That’s just my opinion.”

Evan looked between the two of them, his mind ticking over. Did he want to go into private practice and get away from emergency medicine? “I’ll think about it. Might go into town and take a look. Cute kid, Rory.”

“He is, isn’t he. Had a bit of trouble with his grandparents. Luckily that’s sorted now thank goodness. We can move on with our lives. Tell me about your lady.”

“My lady...that sounds pretty good actually. We work together and get on pretty well. Her father is the big boss at the hospital.”

“And she couldn’t help you with a leg in then?” Chance shook his head. “Missed a golden opportunity there.”

“It’s not like that. I have the feeling that she doesn’t like to use that connection herself. She works so darned hard, doing extra research and stuff. Almost like she has to prove she’s good enough without falling back on Daddy.”

“Fair enough.” Chance slapped him on the back. “Let’s go and see how the girls are doing. See if they need a hand with anything.”

“Before we do that, I have a question to ask you.” He gritted his teeth and looked at Chance. “It’s about Dad. Are you guys talking yet, or is this going to be awkward?” He ignored the intake of breath from Rory and kept his gaze on his oldest brother.

“Silly old fool.” Chance kicked at the dirt before looking back up. “Insists on helping me out at the ranch. Reckons it’s the least he can do since I took over for him when Mom died and kept you kids from all going feral.”

Rory sniggered and covered it with a cough when Chance growled. “Claims I still need to rest my hip after breaking it. He’s nothing but a meddling old woman if you ask me.”

“I wasn’t so that just about covers it I think.” Evan glanced at Rory and they shared a quick grin. “It’s good to see you back home, Rory.”

“About time too. Don’t see the point of you working somewhere else when you can do the same job in town here.” Chance glanced at Rory, although the look Evan saw wasn’t admonishment for working away from home; it was one of contentment now his brother was back.
This is what I miss, being around my brothers. Working back here could be a good thing.

“You know, Chance, I seem to recall Dad saying something similar when you said you were off to Canada to ride bulls.” Evan heard the beginnings of a laugh from the porch and looked up. Callie stood with Fisher on her hip, glancing at her husband. The smile on her face was directed at Chance.

“Oh baby, are these big bad brothers of yours picking on you? I can bash them up if you want me to.”

***

Denver walked out to stand beside the Australian girl, feeling herself gravitate toward the personality-filled character. She’d regaled the incident when the bull almost killed Chance, leaving the door wide open for Tyson to have a go at her. Callie didn’t seem to be scared of doing or saying anything, including ribbing her husband in front of his brothers.

Chance ignored the catcalls and advanced on his wife. He reached out a hand to hold Fisher’s outreached fingers and slid one hand around Callie’s back, firmly gripping her butt.

“I’ll hold the baby while you whip some ass,” he whispered in her ear loud enough for Denver to hear. He winked at her over his wife’s shoulder. “Guessing they’ll be pretty safe considering there’s another doctor in the house.”

“I don’t know about that.” She stepped forward and raised an eyebrow at the two men. “I don’t fix stupid if I can help it. Might pay them to be nice instead.”

“Oh come on, this is how we are. Not sure I’d go so far as to call us stupid.” Evan clenched his fists. “We always fix out arguments like this, only Chance has never hidden behind a girl before. That’s a new development.”

“And ain’t she a pretty one too.” Chance winked at his brothers and then kissed his wife.

“How about instead, you take me for a quick walk and show me some of the ranch before it gets dark? Then I won’t have to fix anyone’s bloodied faces and life will be peaceful, which is what it should be like considering we came here for a wedding.” Denver reached out her hand to Evan, keen to go and see the ranch.

“Sure.” Evan wound his fingers with hers. “I could take you down to the barn and show you the horses if you like. If it’s nice tomorrow, we could go for a ride. Show you more that way.”

Denver ignored the look between Chance and Callie. “I like that idea and a walk for now would be nice. After that long drive, a leg stretch would be welcome.”
And give us a chance to talk without your family listening in.

She squeezed his hand and Evan shoved his middle finger up at the taunting his eldest brother. She leaned in against him, resting her head on his shoulder, and they headed down toward the barn. “Those mountains are lovely. Just enough snow on the top to look like they should be in a calendar photo. It must have been nice growing up here.”

“Yeah, I guess. It was a little bit different living in town though; we were always out exploring the hills. At the time I didn’t think it was so good and now, well I rather find I miss it.” He glanced at her and dropped a kiss on her cheek. Denver turned her head and kissed him back. It was nice. He was nice. “We grew up in a little house in town. Dad still lives there. Guess you’re going to meet him after all.”

“What do you mean? It sounds as though you weren’t expecting him to be at the wedding.” She wondered how it would feel if her father wasn’t at her wedding.

“I wasn’t. Him and Chance don’t get on. When Mom died, Dad hit the bottle pretty hard and Chance being the oldest, kind of took over raising us. He did a bloody good job, now he can’t forgive Dad for not being there for us. Claimed he took the coward’s way out when we all lost her. At least that was how it was last time I spoke to him.” A sad faraway look appeared in his eyes that she could relate to. Both losing their mothers gave them yet another connection and she tucked it away for later on.

“Seems the old man has stepped up and insisted on helping Chance on the ranch since he broke his hip. I can see how he still moves stiffly and I guess that will pass with time.” He walked her over to a wooden railing topped fence and looked across the paddock. “See that big old bull over there?”

Denver followed the line of his finger until she spotted the big grey and white bull lying down in the long grass. “Yes, I see him.”

“That’s Terror. He’s the one that threw Chance on the rodeo circuit and tried to have a piece of him in this paddock. According to Rory, Callie rode in all sass and attitude and moved the cranky beast into the yards so she could help Chance.” He smiled. “She seems to be one amazing woman.”

“I like her. She doesn’t seem scared of anything, whether it’s speaking her mind or taking on you and your brothers.”

“Chance lucked out finding her; they’re a perfect match.”

“I hope I get that lucky.” She held her breath.

“You want to get married someday? I thought you were all career woman.” He leaned on the fence and looked at her.

“I want both and sooner rather than later.” She bent down and picked at a wild daisy, the bright yellow flower cheerful and a good time excuse to gather her thoughts before she stood back up and looked at him. “I’ve given a lot to my career and I love it, no two ways about it, Evan. I want what your brother has, actually what they both have. Someone to come home to at night. Someone who will stand up for me and fight for what I want. I want a hero too, someone that wants me for who I am and not someone who will try to change me.”
Like my father keeps trying to do.

She laughed and looked away from his deep penetrating gaze. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to throw that one at you. Ever since you mentioned weddings it’s been on my mind. Please forget it. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable and think I was a mercenary looking for a husband.”

“I didn’t think that at all.” The look in his eyes was hard to decipher and Denver wondered if she’d spoken out too soon. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him away when he would be perfect husband material.

“I’ve shocked you and I’m sorry. The usual calm Dr. Sinclair has shown her true colors.” Forcing a smile, she continued. “She’s a normal woman who wants normal things just like every other woman around. I didn’t mean to sound like I was coming onto you. It was a generalization only brought on by the fact we’re here surrounded by new wives and the cutest toddler I’ve seen in a while.”

“So you wouldn’t marry me if I asked you?” He squinted his eyes and watched her.

He’s not going to ask me, surely not. Her heart pounded.
“Evan, we don’t even know each other. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Not unless you did the asking and then I won’t feel so guilty about using you.

“My brothers have just or are about to marry woman they didn’t know. We’ve worked together for over two years.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked away. “I kind of think we know each other a lot better than they did.”

“Are you asking me to marry you, Evan?” She held her breath.

“I don’t know. It’s not a bad idea, but with everything that’s happened lately, I’m probably not a very good prospect.”

“I don’t follow. You’re a great guy, have a good job, and like kids and animals. What’s wrong with that?” She tapped the daisy against her chin, the soft petals stroking her heated skin.

“I don’t know if I want to go back to the city for work.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Something Chance said. The doctors aren’t staying in the clinic in town, preferring to go to the hospital or the city. I was wondering if it would be a good job for me.”