“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.
“Better watch out. She’s a barracuda.”
Rand looked to the left. Grace was filling a small plate with hors d’oeuvres. “Who are you talking about?”
“Rand, don’t be so blind. Who do you think? Your precious fiancée.”
“You liked her when I first brought her home.”
“I was still young and impressionable. I hadn’t been to New York and met other barracudas.”
He looked around the room. Anna had stopped to talk with Andy. Then she casually turned and stood in front of Marian. The dislike between the two women would be obvious to anyone watching them. Rand saw it in their posture and in Marian’s expression. He couldn’t see Anna’s. He’d like to hear what they were saying.
“The woman she’s talking to is Chelsea’s friend. I like her. She’s a genuine person.”
“And you know this after meeting her thirty minutes ago?”
“It’s called woman’s intuition. But I met her briefly at the wedding, too.” Grace gave him the once-over. “Men, including my brothers, don’t understand or appreciate our intuition. I’m going to rescue…what was her name?”
“Marian.”
Grace grinned at him. “I thought you remembered. You look at her like a man starving and not for food.” Laughing, she sauntered off in Marian’s direction.
Rand poured red wine in a glass and put some crackers and cheese on a plate. He started across the room to join Anna and his sister, who were both talking with Marian. Marian raised her head, and their eyes connected. She stopped him for a second in midstride. When she looked away, he took a breath and stepped forward. What the hell? I have to be careful. I don’t want to be that attracted to anyone. Not now.
He planned to end his engagement today. He didn’t want another woman in his life except for fun. Not for a long time anyway. As Andy had said, Rand needed to enjoy his freedom. Maybe he could. Marian was here on vacation. They’d enjoy the time she had and say good-bye with no regrets.
Anna turned to walk off. She saw Rand and stopped. “Darling, thank you for the wine and food. I am thirsty and hungry. Let’s go outside and talk while I sip my drink and eat the crackers and cheese. I know just the place. We’ll go to the gazebo. It’s so romantic sitting by the lake.”
“Good idea,” Rand said. He’d have a chance to tell her their engagement was over. “Please excuse us.” He smiled at Marian and nodded to his sister. Anna led the way, taking long strides to the front door. He could almost see the steam coming out of the top of her head. She was pissed. Better to get her far away from the others.
She stomped across the terrace and down the slope to the lake. When they got to the gazebo she went inside, put down her wine, and turned before Rand had time to take a seat. Her hand flew out and hit his cheek.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since the first day you told me about this absurd job. And I saw the way you looked at Marian. She’s barely been here a day from what she said. How many other women have you been with since you moved here?”
Rand seldom got mad, but fury swept through him. He took a deep breath before answering. “Sit down,” he ordered.
“I’ll do as I want.”
“Please sit down.” He kept his voice level but firm. Something in his tone must have got through to her. She sat. “First, I have no idea why you slapped me. If you do it again, this conversation is over before it starts. Second, we are hardly engaged. You wanted time and to end it yourself. I’ve given you months. I’m out of patience. Our engagement is ending now, today.”
“Hah, because I saw what you really are and called you on it. You’ve been cheating on me this whole time.”
“And what do you use as proof? The fact I talked with another woman.”
“I saw the way you looked at her.”
His harsh laugh had her looking at him, puzzled. “I’ve never even kissed her. I wanted to, but I remembered our agreement. I think you’re throwing these accusations around because of your guilt. I’d bet you’ve been hunting for another husband and cheated on me.”
The quick flush on her face gave him her answer. “I didn’t want our talk today to end in an argument,” Rand said. “I’d hoped we might have a civil discussion.”
“I was hurt after you left. And by the things you said about our relationship. Perhaps I did have a short fling with one of the partners. It meant nothing.” She flung her body against his and put her arms around his neck.
“We can make this work. Leave this place and return to the bustling city. We’ll have money, important friends, a good life.”
Rand pulled her arms from around his neck and moved her back toward her seat. “A good life for you. Not for me. It’s over, officially and forever. Keep the ring.” He strode out of the gazebo and back to the house.
If anyone noticed his face, which he was sure they did, they didn’t comment. He walked across the room to where Andy was talking with Clay. “Excuse me. Andy, since you have to leave for the airport soon, would you take Anna with you, now?
“She’s not leaving until tonight.” He looked at Rand, puzzled.
“I’m sure she’ll find an earlier flight. I’ll make this up to you.”
“You’d better. You owe me big. I’m taking a tiger in my car. She may beat me up.”
Rand managed to laugh. “Only with words.”
Andy held his head. “That’s the worst.” Rand and Clay chuckled as Andy mumbled all the way out the door.
“You have a good, loyal friend in Andy,” Clay said.
“The best. I hope he’s making the right decision for him with this move.”
“Why don’t you encourage him to stay in the city? I’ll bet he’s never lived in the country.”
“You never accept people’s decisions if they aren’t what you’d do. I can’t believe it. Now you’re trying to control someone’s life that’s not even family. Where does your butting yourself into something that isn’t your business end?” Irritated, Rand turned to walk off.
Clay took hold of his shoulder. “Don’t act like Dirk. I’m not controlling. Just suggesting. He might be happier living in the big city. This appears to be an impulsive move for him. You’ve come home. No one stopped you. You disregarded all of our advice. No one controlled you.”
Rand saw the hurt in his brother’s eyes before he hid it. “Clay, I’m sorry. Anna put me in a piss-poor mood. I took it out on you. Let’s go have a beer.
“By the way, where is your skinny model?” Rand asked, a grin on his face. “She’s usually an ornament on your arm.”
Clay preten
ded to glower. “Don’t start again or the beer will be on your shirt.” Laughing, they headed for the refrigerator.
* * * *
Marian was puzzled by what happened before dinner. Anna didn’t come back in the house, and Andy left. When they gathered at the table, the extra plates had been removed.
Rand spoke from over her shoulder. “You can sit anywhere. But since Andy had to get back to the city and he took Anna to the airport with him, I hoped you might be my dinner companion. May I pull this chair out for you?”
She nodded yes and once she was seated, Rand took the place to the right of her. Chelsea sat to her left. She nudged Marian in the ribs with her elbow and grinned.
Mrs. Brodie was seated at the end. Bowls and plates heaped with chicken, ham, potato salad, baked potatoes, glazed carrots, and baked beans were passed around. Conversation flowed. Although several brothers disagreed, there were no raised voices or anyone getting upset. Laughter went around the room as easily as the food.
“You aren’t eating much,” Rand said. He looked at her almost-full plate.
“I’m fascinated by your family. They’re wonderful.”
“We are diverse in our interests and careers. We all love these dinners Mom has to keep us close together. None of us wants to miss a single one. But occasionally we do.”
“Your mom raised a nice family and a good-looking one.”
“We get our good looks from you, don’t we, Mom?” Rand called down the table to her. Everyone burst into laughter. Rand explained, “Dad said any good looks we had were credited to Mom. He said he’d been surprised when he lassoed such a handsome filly.”
“I’d like to have met him. It’s obvious he was a strong influence in your lives,” Marian said. She was taken back when Mrs. Brodie got out of her seat and came to her chair.
Mrs. Brodie bent over and hugged Marian then whispered in her ear, “Don’t leave too soon, sweet Marian. I like you and expect you to lasso my boy Rand. He needs a woman with a good heart.” Marian blushed when she kissed her cheek.
Mrs. Brodie headed to the kitchen. “Is anyone other than me ready for my lemon meringue pie?” Several hands raised. “I’ll get it. The rest of you take your time finishing.”
Marian ate most of her meal. Though the delicious food couldn’t keep her attention long. Not when so much was going on around her. She did eat her pie. She saw Rand grin at her as she practically licked her lips at the end.
“I have to ask your mother for the recipe. I’ll bake it when I go home for Thanksgiving.”
“She’ll give it to you. It’ll please her that you asked. Look, we’ll be breaking up soon. May I drive you to the cabin?”
“That would be great.”
“I’ll let Dirk know I’ve got you.” Rand strode off to find Dirk.
Chelsea came to her side when Rand left. “He’s showing a definite interest in you. I’m sure the engagement is off.”
“He’s driving me back to the cabin. But, Chelsea, he isn’t going to want anything serious. Not that I’ll turn down a date if he offers. I have to remember that’s all it is. A good time.”
“You never know. Think positive.”
“I think Dirk is feeding you happy pills and you want everyone else to be happy.”
“Not a bad thing to wish for your friend,” Chelsea said. “And for your information Dirk is my happy pill.”
“Ready?” Rand came back to her side. “You don’t mind me borrowing Marian, do you?” he asked Chelsea.
“Not at all. Just handle with care.” Chelsea winked and left them.
Rand put his arm around her waist. “Let’s tell the others good-bye and head out.”
She found herself saying quick good nights. Rand had her in his truck in no time.
“You were in such a hurry. I hope they don’t think I was rude.”
“They won’t. They knew I wanted you to myself.”
“Are you still engaged?”
“No.”
“For sure?”
“Without a doubt.” Rand leaned across the small space between them and kissed her. He grinned. “I’ve been wanting to do that since we first met.”
Marian touched her lips. Rand started the truck. They were both quiet as he drove along the highway.
Dating him for fun is dangerous to my peace of mind. One little push and I could fall right over the cliff into love.
Chapter Five
The lights she’d left on outside the cabin and inside by the front window welcomed them when they arrived.
“Thank you for driving me back.” Her hand went to the door handle.
“Aren’t you going to invite me inside? I’d love a cup of fresh coffee.”
“Rand, tonight you broke your engagement. I don’t intend to be a quick fix for you suddenly feeling lonely and horny. Give yourself some time to regroup.”
“I’ve had months. I tried to end it before I moved here. We waited to give her time to get used to the idea. I had dropped a sudden surprise on her when I decided to be a country doctor.” He leaned forward again.
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?”
Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 4
