The Doctor's Choice (14 page)

She
considered a moment. “I was the first responder. There’s a natural tendency to want to follow through.”

“Not all folks think that way. Some folks just want to do the least they can and wash their hands of a situation. I’m glad to see that you’re not one of ‘em.”

She wondered if he’d driven all the way out there just to pat her on the head. She shrugged. “I try to do the right thing.”

Doc cleared his throat and when he spoke his voice was gravely.
“I understand that you didn’t know anything about Silky’s will. That you didn’t know you’d have to stay here to inherit. Is that right?”

Cami snorted indelicately.
“It hit me like a ton of bricks. I had another plan.”

“I know how it is for young doctors. Most of ‘em are neck deep in debt and scrambling for any job to start digging out from under.” He narrowed his eyes. “But not you. Silky paid your way
, so you’re starting out free and clear.”

“II had scholarships, too,” she said, a defensive note creeping in to her voice. “Aunt Silky bridged the gap.”

“Bridged the gap? Well, that’s what you need to do right now.” He leaned forward, planting his elbows on his bony knees. “You need to step up and take over the ranch. That’s how you can pay Silky back. She believed in you.”

She
stared, open mouthed. A hundred possible responses came to mind, none of them polite. “Doctor” She clenched her fists together in her lap. “My great-aunt was not aware that I’d recently become engaged, but she knew I was going to start a fellowship”

“I know. I know
.” He waved his hand impatiently. “In Immunology. That’s nice and all, but you need to deal with the right here and now.”

A
nger roiled up from her toes to her hair and wrenched her from her chair. “Then why the hell didn’t she tell me? Can you answer that for me? I’ve been tied up in a knot since the will was read. She never once told me she expected me to drop everything and move here to the middle of nowhere and start running a ranch…which I know absolutely nothing about, by the way.” She had been gesturing wildly. She looked at the hand she’d been waving, realizing she’d been jabbing a toothbrush at the doctor to make her point. She tucked it in her shirt pocket and ran her fingers through her tangled hair.

The old man started laughing, a
low, crusty rumbling from deep in his chest. “So you are Silky’s kin after all.” He slapped his knee and laughed again. “I was thinkin’ you were a mite pale to be related to a spitfire like Silky, but you’re showin’ your mettle now.”

“My mettle? I’m just saying, it’s not fair. I have a plan.”

“We all did, Cami. That thing that gets in the way of your plan is called life. The best way to deal with it is to be flexible. You need to gut up and take the reins. Silky’s depending on you.”

She
expelled a deep breath. “My aunt is dead, and I’m not too comfortable with the circumstances.” She tried to match Doc’s glare.

“I ain’t neither.” He stood
up. “I’d like to retire pretty soon. For the record, my plan was to devote my remaining years to fly fishin’ and havin’ fun with my sweetheart, but now she’s gone, so if you’re ready to take up your practice, I’ll be more than willin’ to introduce you to your patients. You took care of one of ‘em yesterday.”

He nodded and
stomped across the floor, flipped his hat off the rack and jammed it on his thick mop of grizzled hair. He gave her a wink as he walked out the front door.

Cami heard him slam the door of his truck and start it.

It felt like someone had sucked all the air out of the room. She sank down onto the chair and reviewed their conversation. It was apparent that he didn’t even want to consider her reluctance to leap into the script they’d written for her.

She called the
restaurant and Frank answered.

“Hey, boss lady!”

“Hey Frank. How’s your part-time job working out?”

“Pretty good, so far. M
r. Rios is doing okay at the hospital and Milita’s uncle is on his way to take over the grill so I’ll be home soon. Is there anything you need from town?”

She
grinned, thinking there was very little that the town of Langston had to offer her. “I’m good.”

“
How ‘bout I bring you a take-out barbeque meal.”

“Now, that would be good.”

#

Breck knocked on her door later. She’d been in the kitchen and hadn’t heard him until Shadow picked up his
ears and emitted one deep bark.

He stood grinning at her when she opened the door. Something about the look on his face made her feel
warm all over. Without preamble, he slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her. He held her like he meant it.

She didn’t pull away.
A swirl of lust roiled low in her belly.

“I hear you
’re off kitchen duty,” he said.

“You, too.”

“We make a pretty good team,” he said.

She
laughed. “I sincerely hope I never do that again. I’d rather work a double shift in the ER than go back.”

His deep laughter resonated through
his chest. “Me too. I’ll take blood and guts over dishes any day.”

“Did you want to come in or are you going to hold me prisoner on my porch all night?”

“In.” He backed her into the house, not loosening his grip. “Did you get some rest today?” He kicked the door closed behind them.

“I tried. Doc
Parker woke me up insisting that I take over his practice.”

“Did he now?” Breck seemed to be examining her. “And what did you tell him?”

“Tell him! That man wasn’t interested in hearing anything I had to say.”

“You c
ould tell him yes.”

“No is also a word. I c
ould tell him no way.”

“Or tell him yes.”
He stood with a big grin on his face and his eyes staring at her all soft and mushy, like she was cotton candy and he hadn’t eaten in a week.

Cami shivered as the tingling sensation start
ing at the base of her neck ran down her spine. “And why would I do that?”

“It’s an excuse to stay here.
That way you don’t have to admit you’re crazy about me yet.”

She
let out a squeal of indignation. “You’re the one who’s crazy.” She shrugged out of his grip.

“Probably,” he agreed cheerfully. “I think you’re going to break my heart, but I have to try
to win you anyway.”

She stamped her foot.
“Win? Why is it always about winning?”

“Because you’re important to me.”
He reached for her as she backed away.

Cami shook her head emphatically.
“I know I’m new to this place, but I’ve sized you up, Mister. I know you’re the local heartbreaker. I’ve seen the women who have their sights set on you.”

“I’m innocent
.” He protested, raising his hands in surrender.

She
emitted a less than feminine snort. “I sincerely doubt that.” She turned and stomped into the parlor with Breck close on her heels.

“I was born here,” he said. “I had my first date here. Except for girls I
went out with in college, every girl I’ve ever kissed lives within a twenty-mile radius.”

“Those must have been some great kisses because all your women seem to think they still own your ass.” She turned to find him shaking with mirth. “What?”

“You. You seem to have forgotten all about old what’s-his-name? I’m a lot less encumbered than you.”

Cami
’s shoulders sagged. She turned away so he couldn’t read her expression. He was right. She was the one who was engaged. Why did she seem to forget that little detail when Breck was treating her like she was his girlfriend? A one-sided smile quirked her mouth. He did treat her a lot differently than Clay did.

“Why am I getting the silent treatment?” he asked.

She turned back, carefully controlling her features. “Silent treatment?” she asked.

“I thought maybe I’d made you mad by reminding you about old what’s-sis name.”
Breck was staring at her hard.

“I take it you’re referring to m
y fiancé, Clayton Tremont, IV?”

He
stood with his hands on his hips. “Yeah, he’s the one. You need to call him and tell him.”

“And what am I going to tell him?”
She heard her voice go husky.

“It should be easy because you don’t have to give him a ring back. Just tell him you met the man who will be the father of your children. That should do it.”

She swallowed hard. “The father of my…”

“Children. You do want children, don’t you?”

Cami was laughing now. “I can’t believe your ego. What makes you think I want to procreate with you?”

He smiled and tweaked a strand of her hair between two fingers.
“Because I want to procreate with you. How about it, Cami, a boy and a girl?”

“Are you nuts?”

“Absolutely. I’m nuts about you.” He examined her hair as though it was a rare treasure.

She brushed his hand away.
“What brought all this on?”

“I’m a practical man,” he said. “I think you should consider the merits of the plan Silky and Doc had in mind for you.”

She huffed out a breath. “You’ve spent way too much time studying those animal husbandry charts. I have no intention of providing breeding stock for the Ryan family dynasty.”

He
grinned again. “You say that now.”

She
realized he was teasing her. But she wondered just how much of Breck’s teasing was based on his true feelings. Better to let this slide by as a joke. “Was there some particular reason for your visit or did you just come by to harass me?”

“I wanted to see your
face. It’s as simple as that.”

“You didn’t get enough last night?”
Her smile froze as she caught the expression on his face.

“No, I did not,” he said slowly.

“Breck, I…”

“Don’t worry, Cami,” he said. “I’m not going to pressure you anymore. I know you don’t feel the same way.”

“That’s not it. I’m not going to let my judgment be clouded by any attraction I may feel toward you. The only reason I’m still here is because my great aunt is dead and I’m truly suspicious that it wasn’t from natural causes.”

“So, you’re not interested in the ranch at all?”

“I don’t know anything about ranching. I want to be comfortable in my environment.”

“Is there anything I can do to make you comfortable here?”

“I’m a city girl. I’m a doctor. I’ve spent the past ten years studying for this career. I have an innate need to help people. When we found Mr. Rios, some inner voice was rejoicing. I thought, finally, here’s something I can do.”

His knowing gaze sent
a rush of warmth to her core. “You did a good job,” he said. “You saved his life. Can’t you be a doctor here?”

“Yes, I could, but I’m not sure I want to.”

“Too bad. You’ll be giving up a fortune.”

“Not everything’s about money, Breck. I have other priorities.”

He pressed his lips together in a firm line. “I wish I was one of them. Is there any way in which you want me in your life?” The look he gave her almost stopped her heart.

She drew a shaky breath.
“I need your help. I need to find out who killed Aunt Silky, because it sure wasn’t Red.”

A look of disappointment crossed his face and th
en it quickly became shuttered.

“Let me take you to talk to the county medical examiner. He
may be able to answer your questions.”

“I’d appreciate that. When can we go?”

“I’ll make an appointment and call you.” Breck nodded at her and walked out the door.

That didn’t go well.
Cami knew she’d hurt him in some way she couldn’t fathom. This place was his whole world and he couldn’t understand that it wasn’t hers.

#

Breck stared out the picture window of the home he shared with his father. The sun setting behind the mountain range in the distance spread an array of purples and golds across the sky. He couldn’t stop thinking about the stubborn blue-eyed woman who’d captured his interest.

She’s definitely going to break my heart.

The sad thing was that Cami was right. He’d always had an easy time with females. From grade school on up, he’d been able to attract any girl he’d been interested in.
Up until now.

Cami Carmichael wasn’t just any girl and if he was going to win her heart he’d have to change his strategy. If he could step back and give her some room, maybe she’d be able to
take another look at him.

Damn!
That was hard for Breckenridge T. Ryan to do. He was a head-on kind of guy. He wasn’t used to pussyfooting around about anything, especially something as important to him as the self-sufficient little doctor who didn’t seem to need him for a damned thing.