The Doctor's Choice (8 page)

He glanced at Cami, his face registering his confusion.

She
shrugged, stating plainly that they were not a couple and he could dance with whomever he pleased. She did feel a little miffed that the vet didn’t appreciate the fact that Breck had said, ‘This one’s mine’. And she experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when he put his arms around the petite redhead and whirled her around the floor.

“Would you like to dance
, Miss Cami?” Frank asked close to her ear.

“Actually, I don’t know how to dance to this. I haven’t
been on a dance floor in a long time.” She glanced down and then smiled up at him.

“
Let’s get a beer?” he said. “We can walk around a while.”

“Yes, I really would
like that,” she said.

He
pulled out her chair and took her arm as he escorted her to the bar and paid for two longnecks. They made a circle of the room. Walking slowly and talking as they sipped their drinks. The next song was slower.

“This must be our dance,”
he said. “It’s a two step.”

“I’ll try,”
she said. They set the bottles on a table and Frank led her onto the floor. She felt the strength in his lean muscles as he wrapped his arm around her. He was easy to follow and she found herself grinning as they circled the floor. She’d forgotten how much fun it was to dance. Clay had never taken her dancing, but it wasn’t his fault. She’d always been too busy working or studying. Of course, he’d never asked.

The two-step ended and a waltz began. She caught a glimpse of Breck standing beside their table
as Frank whirled her around in a waltz. Breckenridge T. Ryan did not look happy.

CHAPTER SIX

When the dance ended
, Frank retrieved their bottles and escorted her to the table. As they neared, Breck stood, awaiting their return.

“Well, I see you can dance,”
he said.

“Frank is really good,” she said, smiling at Frank.

“Apparently,” Breck said. “I didn’t realize you were such good friends.”

“We met the summer we were
fifteen and sixteen respectively.”

Breck shot Frank an appraising glance.
She recognized raw jealousy in his expression. She tried to stifle the tingle of excitement that knowledge stirred.

“My turn.”
he gestured to the dance floor.

Cami felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. She put her hand in his.
As he led her out onto the worn wooden floor, she glanced at Jenna who wore the same jealous expression she had seen earlier on Breck’s face.

“Alone at last.”
He took her in his arms and led her through a two-step, all the while gazing down at her.

She
felt a little lightheaded and she didn’t think it was all due to the dancing. As the song came to an end the lights went down and the band began playing an old Willie Nelson slow song,
Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain.

He
slipped both arms around her, pulling her closer.

She
experienced a surge of heat as she melted against his steely chest. He bent toward her and leaned his cheek against her temple. She expelled the breath she’d been holding and tried to relax against him, recalling high school dances with long forgotten boys.

Breck buried his lips in her hair and kissed her
forehead.

She squeezed her eyes tightly closed.
When she opened them, she was surprised by the tenderness reflected in his eyes. Her lips parted and he kissed her, slowly rocking her in time to the music.

A tear streaked down one cheek as she pulled away. “Don’t,” she said.

“Too late.” He pulled her tight against him.

“I
…I’m engaged.” She gulped hard.

“You know what?”
he whispered against her hair. “I don’t see a ring. Did he give you a ring?”

“No. But I’m sure he will, when the time’s right.”

“This may sound funny to you, but if I were going to propose to a woman, I’d have a ring in my hand and it would be the biggest ring I could afford.”

She
didn’t say anything. She couldn’t speak at all. She leaned against his torso, listening to his deep voice reverberating in his chest.

“So, until I see a ring on your finger, I’m not seriously thinking you’re engaged.” He kissed her forehead again. “Because it just doesn’t work that way.”

The music came to a stop and the band announced a break. The lights came up and recorded music took over.

“In your world,”
she said. “But in my world it does.” She pulled away from him and walked back to the table.

Jenna glared at her and Frank grinned.
She sat down before either Frank or Breck could pull out her chair.

Score one for the independent woman
. She took a sip of her now tepid beer and grimaced.

“Want a cold one?” Frank asked.

“I’m not much of a drinker. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer a soda with lots of ice,” she said.

Breck gestured to one of the waitresses circling
the tables and ordered a round.

Cami excused herself and headed for the restroom.
Glancing in the mirror, she washed her hands and ran her fingers through her hair, reflecting on the fact that Breck had talked her into leaving her handbag at home. She could sure use her lip gloss right about now.

Jenna Lewis came into the restroom. She turned on the tap and washed her hands
, flicking a glance at Cami that clearly stated that she found her lacking. “I didn’t know Breck was into a serious relationship.”

“If he
is, it’s news to me.” Cami turned and pushed out through the door.

“Doctor Carmichael.”

She turned when she heard her name. She was staring up at a tall, blonde man with broad shoulders and eyes the color of the bright blue west Texas skies.

“Do I know you?” she asked.

“Not yet.” His grin widened. “My father would like to visit with you. Will you step over to our table?”

Cami turned in the direction he
gestured and recognized Eldon Kincaid who sat waving at her. He was motioning for her to join him.

The blonde man leaned close to her ear. “By the way, I’m E.J. Kincaid.”

She wondered why a movie star would be in the Eagle’s Hall. “I’m pleased to meet you,” she said. He put his hand in the small of her back and guided her to his father. She wondered if he, too, thought she was incapable of propelling herself forward without assistance.

“Doctor Carmichael,” Eldon Kincaid stood up and ext
ended his hand. “I’m so glad to see you here, young lady. Have you met my son, E.J.?”

She
turned to the man standing way too close. “Yes, we’ve just met.”

“Would you
grace us with your company and sit with us for a moment?” He pulled out a chair for her.

“Well, I--” She looked back at Breck
, but he seemed to be engaged in a deep conversation with Jenna. “Sure, I can join you for a little while.”

E.J. sat on the other side of her. Cami could smell his cologne. Not too bad. Masculine
, but not heavy.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Kincaid?”
she asked.

“My dear, we don’t discuss business on a purely social occasion. Tell me about your practice. Are you going to treat patients here in
Langston?”

“I’m just here for the short term,”
she said. The band returned to the stage and led off with a polka. “I’ll be back in Houston in a couple of weeks.”

“Well, son,” Eldon said, “we don’t have much time to change her mind.”

“Would you like to dance?” E.J. spoke close to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

“I don’t know how to dance to this,” she said.

“It’s a polka. Can you waltz?” he asked. “It’s like the waltz, only faster.”

Cami felt herself being sucked into his deep blue gaze. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Trust me.” E.J. took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

A wave of shyness swept over her
as E.J.’s arms encircled her. She found herself staring straight into his chest.

“You’re very prett
y, Doctor Carmichael,” he said.

She
squealed as he swung her into a circle. “You, too.” The music sped up and she felt lightheaded as the room spun around. Her fingers were clutching his shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve got you.”

The music came to an end and he twirled her under his arm and then pulled her close.

She
was laughing as she came into contact with his chest again.

“If
you do start seeing patients here, let me schedule a physical,” he said.

“
Not going to happen,” she said. A slow song started up and Cami started to return to the table.

“J
ust one more, please,” he said.

She
glanced toward the table where Breck and Frank sat with Jenna and discovered all three were staring at her.

“Sure,” she said. When the dance was over,
she insisted on returning to her table. “Tell your father I’m not staying.”

E.J.
walked her back to her table. “I’d like to try to change your mind. Could we have dinner tomorrow evening?”

“I’m not goin
g to change my mind,” she said.

“But you can share a meal with me, can’t you?”

“I’ll think about it,” she said.

“I’ll call you
.” He brushed a kiss on the back of her hand. He met Breck’s glare with amusement as he turned away.

“I thought you got lost,” Breck said.

“I’m back!” Cami took the chair Frank held for her. “I just got sidetracked.” She spent the rest of the evening dancing with Breck, Frank and E.J. in turn. She thought this was much better than high school dances with long-forgotten boys.

A
t the end of the night, as the Eagle’s Hall was emptying out, Breck walked her to the front door and buttoned her borrowed jacket.

“You stay warm,” he said. “I’ll go get the truck.” He
anchored his Stetson and stepped out into blowing snow.

“Doctor Carmichael
,” E.J. spoke close to her ear.

She
rolled her eyes. “Friends call me Cami.”

“I like that,” he said. “I’m going to
give you a call tomorrow. Maybe you’ll decide to have dinner with me.”

“Maybe,” she said. “I’ve got to go.”

“Come on boss,” Frank said. “I’ll walk you out.” He offered his arm and E.J. grinned at her.

“G’night, Cami,” E.J. said.

She smiled and took Frank’s arm. The wind blew the door back against the wall when Frank opened it.

“It’s going to be a cold night
.” He pulled the collar of his jacket up.

Breck drove up in his truck and started to get out
, but Frank opened the door and handed her up into the cab. Breck nodded at him and he slammed the door.

“I thought you were going to wait inside where it’s warm.”
Breck put the truck in gear and drove out onto the road.

“Frank seemed to think t
here was too much E.J. around.”

“Good man
.” He snorted and cleaned the fogged windshield with the back of his glove. “He’s right. I can’t stand that guy.”

Cami considered. “Is that because of his last name or
has he done something in particular to offend you?”

He
expelled a deep breath. “You mean I can’t dislike a guy on general principles?”

“Nope. He seemed okay to me
.” At his sharp glance, she added, “Maybe a little too gorgeous.”

He
made a noise in the back of his throat. “E.J.’s a slimy, double-dealing, land-grabber in league with the devil himself. That would be his old man.”

“Come on,”
she said. “Tell me what you really think. Don’t hold back.”

“I think,” he cast an amused glance in her direction. “You’re sitting too far away. Why don’t you slide over
here a little closer?”

“Because that might be construed as encouraging you, when I’m already spoken for.”

“No ring, no engagement.”

“You hold onto that thought,” she said.

When Breck pulled up in Silky’s circle drive he turned off the motor before helping her down from the high vehicle. The wind had lessened and a light dusting of snow crunched underfoot. Breck followed her up onto the porch and stamped his feet.

“Thanks fo
r a lovely evening,” she said.