Authors: Paige Cameron
* * * *
Rand drove slowly back to town. This evening had been fun. In fact, the whole day had been better since Marian Gaenor arrived. She was a pretty, enticing woman. He’d been very tempted to kiss her rosy lips. Her light floral fragrance fit her, and a hint still lingered inside the truck.
He laughed again, remembering her comment about the big truck. He’d like to show her something else big of his. His dick throbbed with the desire to sink into her pussy. This was probably an overreaction to his celibacy of late. But he remembered he’d felt much the same at Dirk’s wedding when he first met her.
Tomorrow, Anna was going to be here. They needed to talk. She wasn’t going to move to Montana, and his feelings hadn’t changed about his job or her since their last conversation. He’d realized just in time that marrying her would be a mistake. Moving home had changed his outlook on his life. He’d given Anna enough time to adjust to what he’d said. He was breaking the engagement. She hadn’t given this place a chance. She’d visited two days since he moved. He was glad it was almost over.
Just as he reached town, his phone rang. Surprisingly, it was his old friend Andy. He answered as he parked his truck by the upstairs apartment he’d rented over his office.
“Hi, what’s up?” Rand asked. He unlocked his door and went inside.
“Are you sitting down?”
“I am now.” Rand sank into his only lounge chair.
“I was going to tell the internist group I interviewed with about a month ago, yes. They’d asked me to return for another meeting and I did. Then I went home to visit my folks.”
“I’m certain they recommended you accept the offer.”
“They did at first. But I told them what I’d really like to do.”
“What?”
“Care to have a visitor? I landed about ten minutes ago. I’ve rented a car, and I’ll head your way.”
“Wow, I’m surprised but pleased you’re visiting me in Montana. Especially since you must be right in the middle of negotiating your future job. I’m anxious to hear all about what you want to do and what your parents said. You remember I’m on the main street. My place is above the office.”
“I know. See you soon.” Andy clicked off.
Within an hour, they were sitting at Rand’s kitchen table drinking coffee. “Tell me all,” Rand said.
Andy stretched out his long legs. “After you left I was at loose ends. We were roommates all through college and medical school. Now you live hundreds of miles from me. Your taking a leap and doing something different appealed to me. I thought, what the heck, maybe I’m ready to do the same.”
“Just like that?”
“Yep. You know I’m a creature of impulse.”
“Which sometimes leads you astray.” Rand refilled their coffee cups.
“True. This is different. I flew here a couple of weeks ago.”
“You didn’t call me.”
“No. I wanted to make my decision on my own. Be sure it was right for me.”
“What decision? Get it out.”
“Can’t you guess? I’m asking for a spot as your partner. Yours and Dr. Neels until he leaves.
”
Andy put his chin up. “I am good at my job.”
Rand had tilted his chair back. At Andy’s words, he fell forward. “You certainly are. We’d be lucky to get you. But you’re not serious.”
“I am. I sent off my application for licensure in Montana a month after you left and put down Dr. Neels’s name as my supervisor and your name second. Dr. Neels called me and said they contacted him. He explained he’d notify them of my exact start date. I told him you didn’t know about the application and I’d rather tell you myself. After I made my final decision. Just in case I decided on changing my direction.”
“What? You didn’t give yourself time to think about it or check out the town.”
Andy shrugged. “I did the checking later. It never hurts to be licensed in two states. Aren’t you pleased? We’ll make a great partnership.”
“Of course I’m happy, but I hope you haven’t made a mistake.”
“I think I suggested the same to you.”
Rand grinned. “You did. But I’m from this area. You’ve never lived in a small Western town.”
“I’m that rich Eastern snob you called me shortly after we met, and I’d had enough drinks to punch you in the nose.” He grinned. “Then we became friends. I do know how to ride. I’ve visited Texas and Wyoming. I like the looks of this area.”
“Boy, you’d better be sure. We’re going to sign you up on Monday before you have time to change your mind. Tomorrow I’m going to take you with me to my mom’s. The family hasn’t seen you in ages. They were asking about you recently.”
“You won’t get a fight from me. Your mom is a great cook. But you don’t have to sign me up. Dr. Neels did that two weeks ago.”
“Then let’s turn in. I have two bedrooms, luckily, or you’d be sleeping on my lumpy couch. Tomorrow will be a hectic day.”
“Are you off?”
“Dr. Neels is filling in. He knows Anna is coming for the day.”
“I’d have thought that would be over by now,” Andy said.
“It is. All but the shouting.” He hoped he was wrong about the shouting, but he doubted it considering Anna’s temper.
Rand hadn’t made a firm decision until today. How much influence did meeting Marian have on his determination to end the engagement? None, he hoped. Andy warned him months ago not to jump back into the fire too soon. He’d better remember his advice.
Chapter Four
Marian got into the back of Dirk’s truck.
“I don’t mind riding in the back,” Chelsea said. “You’re our guest. Dirk can point out places of interest.”
“You said it wasn’t far. I’ll be fine. I’m not going to split up the lovebirds,” she teased.
Chelsea got in the front, and Dirk went around to the driver’s seat. He glanced in the backseat at Marian.
“You met most of my family at our wedding, but today you’ll have more time to get to know them all.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She sat back to enjoy the ride. Her throat tightened. She tried not to be envious of her best friend’s life. Chelsea was lucky. She had a hunky husband and was expecting their baby.
Chelsea glanced around from the front to see Marian. “It’s quiet back there.”
“I’m enjoying the view. I like this open country.”
“Great. Maybe you’ll settle here.”
“Remember, no matchmaking,” Marian reminded her.
“That’s like asking my darling wife to sew her lips shut. She’ll never be able to keep that promise.” Chelsea laughed and swatted his arm.
The drive didn’t take long. They parked beside several other vehicles and walked toward the front door.
“Mrs. Brodie will be out here before we can knock,” Chelsea said.
Sure enough, she flew out to meet them. “Come right in and sit. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, and I won’t break.” Chelsea hugged Mrs. Brodie. “You know that after having six children.”
“Yes, but let me fuss. This will be my first grandchild.”
“And he or she will be spoiled rotten.”
“That’s what grandparents are for, my dear.” She smiled at Marian. “Hello, we didn’t get to talk much at the wedding. I’m Mama Brodie or Jane to everyone. You are?”
“Marian Gaenor.”
“Ah, yes. Sorry I forgot. There were a number of new people, and we didn’t have much time to talk to all of them. Welcome to my home.” Dirk held the door open while his mother motioned them inside.
Mrs. Brodie walked Marian around and reintroduced her to Sam and Grace, whom she’d met very briefly when leaving Chelsea and Dirk’s wedding reception. Then she led her across to where two of the brothers appeared to be in a heated discussion. They both stopped talking and smiled when their mother introduced her.
Clay was movie-star handsome. But she’d noticed he had frowned once or twice during the wedding activities and again today during his discussion with his brother. Not the best personality of the bunch.
The other brother, Graham, was, according to Chelsea, the eccentric. She saw what Chelsea meant. He looked similar to his brothers, but there were differences. His face was ruggedly handsome, and he had hooded blue-gray eyes. His dark-reddish hair appeared uncombed and longer than the others’. He had the same tall, athletic body, and Marian guessed he might be an inch or so taller than Dirk.
“Everyone is here but Rand. He’s bringing his fiancée and a friend from medical school. They’ll be here any minute,” Mrs. Brodie said. “Excuse me while I check on things in the kitchen.” She rushed off.
“See what I mean about coming here? It’s great and always interesting,” Chelsea whispered. She had walked up behind Marian.
“They are an intriguing family.” Marian heard the door open and looked across the room as a tall, beautiful blonde dressed in a short, slinky, yellow dress and wearing high heels came in the front door. Rand and another man followed her in.
Sam and Grace went to meet them. “I love those shoes,” Grace said.
Sam shook hands with the new man. Rand raised his voice. “You all remember my old roommate, Andy. He’s going into partnership with me.”
“Have you all gone crazy?” Clay’s hard tone had everyone’s attention. “Two fine doctors wasted in the country.”
“You don’t think our local people deserve good medical care?” Rand walked up and stood right in front of Clay.
“Sure. But not from two men who graduated at the head of their class and have unlimited potential. I’m sure your moving influenced Andy.”
“Maybe,” Andy said. “But I wouldn’t have asked for the job unless I was excited about it.”
“Well, I’m glad someone in this family has good common sense.” Anna joined the group around Clay. “I’ve tried my best to change Rand’s mind. He won’t budge, Clay.”
“Too bad we’re all so stubborn,” Clay said. He smiled at his mom. Mrs. Brodie had returned to the room and had a concerned look on her face. “Didn’t we get that trait from Dad?”
“Yes, it was his only fault.” That brought a laugh from them all.
Marian took the time to study Anna, the fiancée. No wonder Rand was hanging on to her. Beautiful, smart, a doctor for goodness sake, and accepted by the family. Mrs. Brodie had hugged her.
I definitely don’t fit the bill for the type of woman Rand likes. Even if they broke up, he wouldn’t be interested in me. At least not seriously.
Rand turned and saw Marian. He smiled and waved. Anna looked to see who he was greeting. Her eyes narrowed. Looking directly at Marian, Anna took Rand’s arm and brushed the side of her body against him. The message was loud and clear. He belonged to her.
* * * *
“Darling, would you get me a glass of wine?” Anna purred into Rand’s ear.
He glanced down at her hands on his arm and her body standing so close. Atypical behavior for Anna. “Sure. White or red?”
She ran her tongue along the edge of her white teeth. A faint flare of desire stirred inside him. “Red wine and some of the slices of cheese.” She nodded toward the table holding hors d’oeuvres. “I’m going to mingle.” Anna gave him a big smile. Her fingers trailed down his arm before she walked away.
Puzzled, Rand shook his head then went to get her food and wine. He still hadn’t had the discussion to finalize their ending the engagement. She’d arrived late this morning. She’d flown in and was flying back late tonight.