“Did I hurt you?” Rand anxiously asked.
“If it felt any better, you’d have killed me.” She tried to smile. “Sorry about the tears. It was just so…overwhelming.”
He brushed his lips across her mouth and licked the tears from her cheeks. “I know. You are incredibly warm and soft and giving.” He held her close for a few more minutes.
“I hate to, but I’d better get dressed. In case I get a call.” He grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom.
Marian dressed. She was embarrassed she’d cried. She’d never had that reaction before. She hurried into the kitchen and heated the pizza. Rand came out of the bedroom and sat to pull on his boots. When he stood, he walked closer to her.
“I thought we’d better eat. I wouldn’t want you to have to work tonight on an empty stomach.” Marian felt the tension in the air around them. A slight frown marred his handsome face.
“I have to be honest. I’m not looking for anything serious. Not for a long time. I want to be free for a while. I’m afraid we may be in different places in our lives.” He bent his head and kissed her. “I’m sorry. I’d still like to date and have a good time together during your vacation. If you agree. You’re a real sweet lady.”
She forced herself to smile. “That’s what I’m going to have engraved on my tombstone. ‘She was a real sweet lady.’”
He grinned. “I love your zany sense of humor.”
“Let’s eat. We can still be friends, but I think I’ll skip the casual dating.” Marian went to the stove. “Open the bottle of wine. I’ve warmed the pizza. And we can’t waste that delicious chocolate cake.”
Rand studied her for a moment. “We’ll definitely be friends.”
The pizza was good. In spite of her disappointment and letdown, Marian ate. A few glasses of wine helped relax her. As usual, Rand didn’t drink for fear of getting called out.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll take a slice of the chocolate cake with me. I’m pretty tired. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”
“Do you want me to help out again? Just the morning. I want to spend more time with Chelsea.”
“I’d really appreciate it. I’ll pay you.”
“Forget it. I’m enjoying myself.”
“We’ll see how you feel after a few days.”
Although he tried to protest, she sent half the cake with him. Then she stood at the door and watched his truck until the red taillights went out of sight. She was mad partly at herself and partly at him, but mostly she was sad.
No more sex because she was starving for attention or it was just fun. She’d never wanted that. It had taken her a while to realize that the men in her life weren’t looking for what she wanted. So she’d stopped having sexual relationships. She’d had nothing but casual movie or dinner dates for the past year.
Rand was different. After thinking about it last night, she’d resigned herself to having a good time and not taking him seriously. But her body’s reaction to him scared her. She knew, for her, he would never be just a casual date. Her heart was in serious danger, and then he had made his comment.
Marian curled up in a soft chair and sipped on another glass of wine. Tears welled in her eyes. She’d have a good pity cry and go to bed. She had committed herself to work with him. Whether that had been a good move or not, she’d know soon enough.
* * * *
The office phone rang. “Dr. Brodie’s office,” Marian said.
“You sound so professional. Look, I’m feeling good. So I thought we’d go to Wagon Wheel for the rest of the afternoon. It’s bigger than Frontier City. They have a movie theater.”
“We can have a real girl’s day out. I’ll be through here in about thirty minutes.”
“I’ll pick you up.”
Rand had walked up behind her. She sensed anytime he was close.
“Are you going out with Chelsea? Remember, tonight I’m paying you with a fancy dinner.”
“Yes, we’re going to Wagon Wheel. It’ll be fun. I don’t know when we’ll get back. You don’t have to pay me with dinner. I was teasing.”
“I insist. If not tonight, then tomorrow. Thanks for all your help this week. I don’t keep the office open on the weekend, but can you fill in next week, too? Eloise hopefully will be back after that.”
He’d treated her like an employee all week since the night he’d left her cabin. He was pleasant, smiled, and was appreciative of her work, but nothing personal slipped through. Her heart ached. Could she handle another week? Of course, she couldn’t resist being here with him. Talk about being a weakling, that was her. Her annoyance must have shown.
“Sorry I asked. Of course not. This is your vacation.”
“No, no, I was thinking of something else. I’d be glad to help. I love the work.”
For the first time in a week, he gave her that special smile, and her knees went weak. She handed him the last chart.
“See Mr. Mullins and you’ll be finished with office visits.”
Rand nodded. “I’ll call you in the morning about the dinner tomorrow night.” He leaned his head around the reception window and called his patient back. He closed the exam room door, stopping any further protest. Marian rushed to straighten her desk and the waiting room. A girl’s day out was just what she needed.
* * * *
Chelsea chattered on in the background while Marian sat back and enjoyed the drive. She couldn’t decide whether to relent and go out with Rand tomorrow. She was pretty sure where they’d end up. Her determination wasn’t very strong. She stared out at the ranches and farms as the car sped along the highway. Gradually her body relaxed.
“You know, I have to admit if you weren’t such a good friend, I’d hate you,” Marian said.
“Really? You’re that serious about wanting to settle down and give up your career?”
“This week has been an eye-opener for me. I love working in a doctor’s office. A small one where you do lots of things. Rand taught me how to take temperatures, pulses, and do blood pressures. If we’re real busy, I fill the rooms, ask what’s wrong, and take their vitals. I love those days. It’s been forever since I’ve been excited about work. In fact, I don’t think I ever was this excited.”
“Maybe the medical gene in your family was there all the time and just came out. After all, two of your brothers are doctors, and your sister is a nurse.”
“Could be. I think I may take a medical assistant's course. Then work for a doctor and see if I want to go further.”
“We have to celebrate your new direction.” Chelsea slowed down as they entered town. “I know a place that has great sandwiches and wonderful pies. It’s right along Main Street. Let me see. There it is, Sweet and Sour, stands for her two most popular items, coconut pie and a Reuben sandwich.”
“I’m starving. Find a place to park.”
It took several trips around the downtown blocks before they caught someone pulling out right close to the restaurant. Luckily one of the two tables left was by the windows.
“Our lucky day,” Chelsea said. She and Marian followed the waitress. Once seated, Chelsea handed her a slip of paper. “Here’s the movies and the times. You get to choose.”
“These aren’t too current.”
“When you live out in the far reaches of Montana, it takes a longer time for them to get here.”
“I always loved Pride and Prejudice. Do you mind seeing it again?”
“We’ve watched your DVD at least four times, but not lately. I’d love to see it a final fifth time.” Chelsea grinned. “I love Darcy, too.”
“I’m a sucker for tall, handsome men,” Marian said.
“Want to tell me what happened between you two?”
Marian started to respond but stopped. Even though she and Chelsea were best friends, she didn’t want to go over what occurred earlier in the week. The feelings were still too raw. On one level she’d known he didn’t want to get serious, but deeper she had had hope he’d feel differently for h
er. Silly girl, it never works that way, at least not in my life.
“Nope, not yet,” she said in answer to Chelsea’s question. “Let’s have a good day. No sad stories.”
The waitress sat their tea and sandwiches down in front of them. “Oh, my, goodness.” Marian stared at the huge stacked Reuben. “I’ll need a knife and a box. Half of this is going home.”
“I brought my cooler. It’ll keep the pie and sandwich from spoiling. I put in lots of ice. Dirk said I couldn’t come home unless I bring a whole pie with me.”
“Great. Let me see if I can open my mouth wide enough to eat this half.”
“Give me a break. I’ve seen how wide your mouth can go when you holler at someone,” Chelsea said.
“I never holler.”
“You do, and then you’re embarrassed and practically give the person you were dressing down a promotion. But I admit it’s very rare.” Chelsea grinned at Marian. “You’re blushing. You know I was teasing. To change the subject, I told you something important on the drive here. You never heard me.”
“My thoughts were on someone else. You know who.”
“I do, so you’re forgiven. Did I tell you I had a second sonogram this week?”
“No, why?”
“I’ve gained more weight than usual for the length of my pregnancy. In fact, my weight has jumped up this past month.”
“I thought maybe you were further along than you thought.”
“Ah, so you did notice.”
“Well, I’d never ask why you were getting so fat.” Marian grinned. “What were the results?”
“We’re having twins.”
“What?” Marian shouted.
“You sound like me at the doctor’s office. I called my mom. She said there had been twins in the family a long time ago, and apparently Dirk forgot to mention his twin aunts.”
“That is really a surprise. How do you feel?”
“Totally shocked, overwhelmed, and excited. Dirk assures me we’ll have plenty of help and manage. His mother is deliriously happy. She’ll be able to teach me all I need to know. And I’m going to need all the assistance I can get in spite of Dirk’s reassurances. The thought of twins both scares me and excites me.”
“I can help. Here goes more vacation to come to Montana. I’ll be an adopted aunt.”
“Yes, you need a job here. I’ll want my best friend close by.”
“I’m not sure about moving. Let’s not plan that yet. It’s time for our movie,” Marian said, changing the subject. “This is my treat." Marian paid the bill, and they walked to the theater. It wasn’t far, and parking places were at a premium. Arms full of popcorn and drinks, they headed in to see the show.
Afterwards, they went shopping. Marian found a lovely gold sweater. She ran her hand across the soft knit.
“You must buy it. We’re having a barn dance next Saturday night at the ranch. It’ll be perfect and keep you warm. The barn’s pretty cold this time of year. This will be our last dance until late, late spring or early summer.”
“All right, I will. The price is reasonable.”
Marian offered to drive, but Chelsea told her to sit back and relax. “This is the most chilled out I’ve seen you in a long time. Maybe this vacation is good for you after all. I was worried whatever misunderstanding you and Rand had had ruined it for you.”
“No. The job has helped. And next weekend I might meet another handsome cowboy.”
“That’s the idea. Make him jealous.”
“Whoa, Chelsea. I appreciate you wanting me to have a good man and marriage, but please, no more trying to fix me up or trick Rand into spending time with me.” She turned toward her friend. “We’re in different places in our lives. He wants to play the field, have a good time, no commitments. I want a husband, a home, to have babies.”
“You two actually talked about what you want?”
“Sort of, and not at the best time.”
“I won’t ask what that means. But I will back off. Knowing you like I do, I wanted to see you happy like me. You really don’t want to stay in New York, do you?”
“Not a bit. Being here has helped clear my head. I’m changing my life. Perhaps I’ll return to North Carolina. My mother would be overjoyed. I’m the only one who moved more than fifty miles away.”
“This is happening fast. You might want to wait until you’ve been back at your job a few months. Then see if you still want to move.”
“It wasn’t a fast decision. I’ve been thinking about doing something different, somewhere different for the last six months.”
Visiting Chelsea, meeting Rand, and seeing how it was to live in a small town like Frontier City had made Marian realize what she really wanted. She wanted it with Rand, but he wasn’t available. There had to be another good, handsome man who’d excite her body and make her dreams come true. She would not admit defeat.
A year from now I am going to have a husband, a job I like, and hopefully be starting a family. But I’ll probably have to leave Frontier City to find him.
Chapter Seven
Chelsea left Marian at the cabin. “Sure you don’t want to join us later?”
“Thanks, but I’m tired. See you tomorrow.”
Marian had barely put on her lights when the phone rang. “Hello.”
“You’re back.” Rand’s deep voice vibrated from her ear down her body. “I wondered if you were too tired to go for a ride. Unless you’d rather do a late dinner tonight.”
“I’d like the ride.”
“I’ll be right there.” The phone went dead.
She rushed to shower and changed into casual slacks and a white sweater. She’d save the gold one for the dance. The truck door slammed as she finished combing her hair out. A spritz of perfume and she was ready at his knock.
Her mind told her she was a fool. But her body didn’t listen.
When she opened the door, Rand stepped inside and pulled her to him. He kissed her mouth like a thirsty man taking his first drink in a long time. His tongue tangled with hers as his fingers slid through her hair.
He pulled back and looked down into her face. “I’ve been over her for months. Honestly. I was letting her get used to the idea of the breakup. No one has aroused me like you do. Not for years, if ever.
“I don’t know where this will go, but it’s driving me crazy seeing you every day and wanting to touch you. I want to smell your hair, touch your soft skin, and sink into your hot, sweet pussy. Will you take a chance on us?”
Was she dreaming, or did he really want them to have a relationship? She knew it was too soon. If she was smart, she’d push him away. But his warm, sensuous smile curled her toes, and her body wanted to stay cuddled against his hard frame. All her thoughts from earlier today flew out of her mind. She didn’t want to resist him.
For an answer to his question, she brought his head back down and kissed his lips, along his neck, and at the curve between neck and shoulder. “Your pulse is beating fast.” She glanced at his face.
Rand smiled. “I expect it’s going to beat much faster before tonight is over. I hope so. But first we’re going on that ride. We’ll date and do this right.”
“Be still, my beating heart. The doctor may be a romantic.”
His laugh, and the arm he put around her waist to escort her to his truck, warmed her heart. “I have a blanket in the backseat and a cooler full of soft drinks. In case we find a good place to stop. Do you mind?”
“What are you waiting for, doctor? Let’s go.” He swooped her into his arms and onto the passenger seat, kissed the tip of her nose, and went around to get in.
Marian glanced at the star-studded sky. “If this is dream,” she whispered, “don’t wake me.”
A night sky full of stars and a handsome cowboy who made her heart race, what more could a woman ask for? Marian glanced at Rand as he drove through town and went on following the two-lane highway south.
“I’m thinking of buying some property and building a h
ouse,” he explained. “Yesterday after work, our local realtor showed me several properties. I thought you might enjoy seeing my two favorites.”
“Sounds like fun. What do you like best about each one?”
“Good question. Let me see. The first one you’re going to see has more flat land but a nice stream toward the back of the property. It’s about five acres bigger. Farther down the road, we turn east and drive about five miles then turn south again. The last place has more trees and is a little hilly but still has flat grazing land. Near where I’d build the house is a small stream that meanders through the property.” Rand slowed and turned onto a two-lane dirt road. “This is the first property.”
An almost-full moon shone across the vast prairie. They stopped, and Marian got out.
“Would you raise cattle?”
“A few and two or three horses. I won’t have time for keeping up with too many animals.”
“This is the closest to your office.”
“Yes, but in the afternoon I could be anywhere in the county.”
Rand took her hand and led her around the area near the car. “You can’t tell as much at night, but I’d probably build the house a little farther on and off to the side of the road. I’d definitely put up a fence whether I had cattle or not. What do you think?”
“I like the wide-open spaces.”
“The few trees are at the end of the property around the stream. You can see some big bushes and thick vegetation in spots. Come on and I’ll show you the next place.”
When they got to the truck door, Rand didn’t immediately open it. He leaned his body against hers with her back touching the cool metal door. Leaning down, his lips softly touched hers.
“You’re even more lovely by moonlight. Your hair glows.” He sniffed some strands he held in his hand. “Sweet, all of you is sweet, from your head to the scent of your arousal.”
Marian put her arms around his neck and rubbed her breasts across his hard chest. Her lips nuzzled his neck, and he pressed against her abdomen, letting her feel his aroused cock.
Rand stepped back. “We’d better stop. I really want you to see this next property before we play.”
Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 6
