He pulled back and passed her the sincerest and handsomest gaze she’d ever seen. It made her instantly want to drop to her knee and ask him to marry her. God, she was easy. And starved for love!
“I’ll be by your side every step of the way.” He kissed her forehead—more like a friend than a man she had the hots for, but right now was no time to protest—broke away from their hug and sat over by his steaming mug of herbal tea again. Back to business. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know to knock the argyle socks off those nerdy admins. We’ll buy you a dress they won’t be able to take their eyes off of, and basically all you’ll have to do is smile.”
She wiped at the dregs of her tears. “That sounds a little smarmy. And really sexist.”
“I’m just saying.” His brows pushed down, clueing her in he was only trying to be helpful and had exaggerated maybe “a ttch”—wasn’t that the word he liked to use? But his dark eyes let out that little twinkle she sometimes saw when she amused him. “You do have a beautiful smile, you know.”
He thought she had a beautiful smile? Her head spun at the news. She blurted the first coherent words that came to mind. “I can’t let you buy me a dress.”
“You’re sure as hell not wearing those unisex slacks and button-up blouses of yours.”
“Good point.” She shook her head again; there really was no way she could go to this event without his help because she needed every penny she made at the clinic. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Whatever. Here’s the thing—we need to go shopping in town this weekend. Rita told me about a flashy new boutique that’s recently opened, and it just so happens I treated the owner for a gallbladder attack today and she gave me a discount card. Small world, eh?”
So that was what he was shooting the breeze with the clinic receptionist over today. Lizzie had to admit it had burned a little to see him spread that Wyoming gentleman charm around, especially with the sexy blonde. Her sensibilities wouldn’t let up. “I’m already feeling like a kept woman. Your brother gave me a job, a place to live, and now you’re buying me clothes.”
“Don’t look at it that way—be practical. We hired you with room and board as part of the package. Look, this is necessary in order to make the best impression. You’ll thank me for it one day.”
“Only after I pay you back.” Wait, wait, wait! “No. See. I can’t go. What about Flora? Who’ll take care of her while I’m at this party?”
“First off, it’s not a party, it’s a fund-raising event.” He licked his lips before following up on his next thought. “I was thinking we’d leave Saturday morning and return Sunday morning. One night. I’m pretty sure Gretchen could take care of Flora for one night.”
“Leave my baby? Are you trying to kill me? I’d be so miserable without her, there’d be no way I could be the silver dollar you insist I can be.”
Silvah dawla.
“Are. You are. Get it?” He leveled his gaze and stared hard at her, and he wasn’t going to let up until she agreed. “You’ll be you on your best behavior.”
“I won’t be able to concentrate on anything but Flora. I’ll be crying the whole time, ruining the new dress. How can I be charming without my baby?”
“How do you get through work every day?”
“By knowing I get to come home and see her.”
“And you will see her. It’s just twenty-four hours I’m asking for.”
She’d been storing up extra breast milk for the sitter, and Gretchen had proved to be amazing with her baby—would it really be impossible to leave Flora for one day? Especially since this event in Baltimore could change their future for the better? It wouldn’t be wise to miss this opportunity. She had to think for two now.
She curled in her lower lip, trying her best to be a team player. And since when had they become a team? “Why go to all this trouble for me?”
“Because I want the best for you, Lizzie. This one night can open doors for you and your daughter’s future. Sacrifice one night for your entire future.”
He’d punched a heart-shaped hole in her chest with those words. The man was for real. She’d taken a last-ditch job in Wyoming out of desperation, but it turned out she’d come to the best place she’d ever been and face-to-face with the noblest man she’d ever met. She cleared her throat. “Well, what if we don’t find a dress in town?”
He laughed at her weakest line of protest yet. “Then we’ll go online and use overnight shipping.”
She wanted to hate him for being persistent, but loved him for putting up with her. For not giving up. No man had ever done that before, and that tiny swell of love cut loose. It must have shown in her eyes. “You think you have all the answers, don’t you?”
His tolerant gaze shifted to the look she remembered after they’d made out by the horses. “In this instance, I know I do.” That sizzling dark stare set off a reaction distinctly below her waist.
She was a fool for confident men; the fact her breasts tightened and peaked beneath her T-shirt proved it. She and Cole were having one of those moments that seemed to happen more frequently before that first kiss—the kind where sparks flew both ways—and without saying a word each let the other know something amazing could happen if they let it. But with this new turn of events, most specifically the charity ball, Lizzie needed to keep her head about her. She couldn’t let herself get swept away in the big cowboy’s supersexy eyes. She hated to do it, but if he wanted to train her up and send her away, she’d have to break this spell because they had plans to make, and work to do.
“I believe you,” she whispered, sitting back in her chair, letting their moment trickle away. “So let’s get started.”
A cloud of disappointment scudded across his gaze but he synced in with her, sat and acted as if nothing short of a hot and sweaty promise had just passed between them. He took a drink from his mug and opened the four-inch-thick Johns Hopkins Internal Medicine Board Review book; next to that was an equally thick Pathologic Basis of Disease tome. “Okay, then.”
Back to business as usual.
*
Saturday Cole insisted they duck out from the ranch around lunchtime for the boutique on Main Street and Lizzie arranged for Gretchen to watch Flora. They’d timed it to work around her nap. He’d quizzed her over her size and what her best colors were all morning, and had called ahead so some dresses were pulled and ready to try on. Evidently he had limited time because he was bringing his father’s bookkeeping up to date, a major job he’d moaned about on the drive over. Of course she loved his sharing his concerns with her, so she kept her mouth shut and let him vent.
Lizzie’d had minimal time on her own since arriving in Cattleman Bluff and, though she’d been meaning to check out the shops, she’d yet to make it into this part of town. She gazed in amazement as they walked under an arch made entirely from elk antlers stretched across a street that could double as an old Western movie set, raised timber boardwalks and all.
“It’s the largest in the state,” Cole said nonchalantly, knowing exactly what she reacted to. “Jackson Hole has a pretty good one, but nothing like this.” He glanced upwards, and she studied the arch closer up.
Was this something to be proud of? “Interesting,” was all she could think to say.
The boutique was tiny with only two dresses on display in the window, and both looked far too Western and lacy for a girl from Boston, but she’d keep an open mind since Cole had gone to such an effort.
The owner, Carol, waited excitedly inside. “Hi! Come in. Those are the dresses I thought you might like.” She pointed to a rack with four dresses hanging on it right next to a fitting room.
Expecting to see gowns more suited for matronly types, Lizzie was surprised to find a colorful assortment of flirty full-length gowns. She checked the size and worried that since the baby she wouldn’t be able to pull off looking sexy. She could always use control underwear for her leftover baby bump, though.
Without looking at Cole, because she
was suddenly hit with a pang of embarrassment having to model gowns for essentially her boss, the sexy guy she had a crush on, she grabbed the black one and another red dress and scooted inside the tiny cubicle. She slipped out of her clothes as quickly as possible and first tried on the black one.
“No way!” she said from inside the fitting room. “This one is cut to my waist. I’m not wearing it.”
“Okay. I won’t argue, but feel free to show me if you want.” She heard the teasing, and maybe a twinge of hopefulness in his playful response. Turning sideways, realizing her post-baby figure was definitely curvier, she toyed with the idea of modeling for him. Yeah. No. Her new-mother breasts poured out, giving her a cleavage she’d never had before. He’s not seeing me in this. Then she wiggled out of it and moved to the red one.
“What’s this red one called?”
“That’s a mermaid dress. You like it?”
The red velvet and lace dress looked more suited for winter than a summer event, but she did like the neckline and the capped sleeves. “I like the cut on it, but I’d like something a little more summery.”
“Oh, then, try this one on.”
It must have been hanging on the rack, too, because Carol pushed a few hangers across the bar and managed to find something in record time. She handed it over the top of the fitting-room door before Lizzie could get out of the red one.
In pale icy blue, the beaded bodice was offset by laced cap sleeves with sequined stripes and had a sweeping, gauzy skirt flared by wispy godets. A triangle cutout on the back made for fun peekaboo sexy appeal without showing too much skin. She liked it. Really liked it, and hoped it looked as good on as it did on the hanger.
It had lined and lightly padded cups in the front, so she wouldn’t need a bra, but her breasts spilled over the classic cut. The fitting bodice actually did all the girding she needed in her waist, and the flow of the skirt made her feel feminine and even a little playful. The question was, what would Cole think of it?
She zipped as far as she could, then needed Carol’s help with the hook-and-eye parts.
The woman gasped when she came into the compact room. “You look gorgeous. Oh, honey, this is definitely your color.” Carol filled Lizzie to the brim with compliments as she hooked the dress. Then she stepped back, honest to goodness envy in her eyes. “This one’s made for you.”
Lizzie liked the dress, for sure, but was it really perfect for her? How could she know? She’d never worn an evening gown in her life. Dared she show Cole? He’d see her soon enough, but, hey, the man was paying for this dress, so he deserved to put in his two cents, right? Maybe he’d hate it.
She inhaled and stepped out of the fitting room, and the first chance she got to catch Cole’s reaction she glanced at his face. The best she could describe his expression was astonished. Astonished? Really, he was that stunned by her putting on a fancy dress?
She’d let her hair out of the confining rubber band and it hung loose around her cap sleeve–covered shoulders, and she stood on her toes, since the dress required heels she didn’t have, which made her feel a little off balance. Or maybe it was Cole’s continuing awestruck stare.
“This dress was made for Lizzie, don’t you think?” Carol said, gesturing with both hands toward her.
Cole was evidently dumbstruck, only nodding his agreement. Had she ever affected a man like this in her life? As though he were seeing her for the first time, an array of expressions crossed his face in the span of one moment. Amazement, surprise, reverence, desire. Yes, he’d been unable to hide that part, desire, and seeing his reaction made Lizzie feel beautiful from the tip of her head all the way down to her unpainted toenails. A cascade of chills covered her skin; she needed to look away, and so she spun around and pretended to be distracted by the dress, not his reaction to it.
“Is this the one?” she asked over her shoulder, insisting on sounding blasé.
“Definitely,” he said, and when she chanced one last glance at him his stare seemed to say, You’re the one. It shocked and frightened her, making her breath quiver, and she headed for the fitting room hoping he didn’t notice.
Maybe she’d imagined his reaction. Or hoped for it. No. She couldn’t get her hopes up about Cole Montgomery. The thought of them as a couple was absurd, and…
“Okay, boss. Thanks. I like it too.” She did everything in her power to play down the depth of emotions rolling through her. For that one instant, all she wanted in the world was to be the one for him. And wasn’t that the biggest fool’s dream she’d ever invented? Because in her world people always let her down and she couldn’t trust them. Especially men.
A little voice in her head countered that Cole had kept his word about everything since she’d met him, even about not kissing her again.
“You’ll need shoes.” Carol broke into her thoughts.
“Oh, right. My flip-flops won’t exactly do this justice, even though they have rhinestones.” Self-deprecating humor seemed the only route to take right now, because otherwise she’d have to admit that something substantial had happened between them. She wasn’t anywhere near ready to deal with that. Or the significance.
“Try these on.” Carol was the fastest shop attendant she’d ever encountered. Usually she’d have to hunt them out in the stores where she shopped, then beg for assistance.
Four-inch strappy silver heels got slid under the changing-room door, ensuring Lizzie would have to get a pedicure to go to this event. And what about her hair? Oh, my, her head was spinning with how disruptive this plan of Cole’s had become.
“Get whatever you need,” he said.
“What about a necklace?” Carol was quick to add.
“I’ll take care of that,” Cole said. “Thanks.”
His comment started a whole new wave of chills circling Lizzie’s body, but the feeling quickly waned. Was Cole doing this because he cared or because he wanted to get rid of her?
CHAPTER EIGHT
ALL THE MAGIC and fairy dust disappeared the moment they got back in the car. Cole seemed suspiciously quiet, as if he’d pulled himself together, or had given himself a stern talking-to, and the ride home felt nothing short of awkward. All of Lizzie’s quick what if? thoughts and fanciful dreams of being his lady dissolved into the thick, odd atmosphere inside the car.
Once safely back at the homestead, all business again, Cole dropped Lizzie off at the front of the house and he took off for the ranch office in the stables. It was as though their moment had never happened, as if what he’d done for her was routine and his desirous gaze had only been in her imagination, and now it was time for him to get on with the show. Bookkeeping called.
“Thanks again!” she said for about the fifteenth time since leaving the boutique as he walked away. Crushed, she stood holding the dress in a travel bag, compliments of the store. So this was how Cinderella felt after the ball.
“You’re welcome. You’ll knock ’em dead next weekend.” He kept walking, didn’t even glance back.
She’d never forget that look today when he had seen her in that dress. Never. It had made her shiver from her very center, down her spine and to the tips of her toes. What would it be like? She sighed and walked toward the house.
The thought of going to this huge event and having to be on top form scared her to death, and there was only one person in the world who could calm her down right now. Flora. With a smile, thinking how much progress Flora had made since coming here, Lizzie entered the house. She’d barely got inside when she found Gretchen laughing and singing along with the repetitious songs coming from the new baby jungle Jumperoo, and Flora squealing with joy, bouncing to her little heart’s content.
Lizzie owed Cole so much, the least she could do was knock ’em dead next weekend. For him. Then get out of his life as soon as possible. It seemed he’d want it that way.
*
On Monday all the exam rooms were filled with patients by the time Lizzie got to work. She’d spent a little extra time talking
with Gina, whom she’d come to really like, and wound up being a little late. Cole was already seeing his patients, and she was thankful to dive right into work. Lotte handed her the schedule and made a disapproving expression as she filled Lizzie in on her first patient.
“This one’s trouble,” she said. “Typical spoiled teenager who keeps coming up with reasons to miss school. Last month it was nausea and vomiting. Before that insomnia. Maybe if she spent less time online she’d get enough sleep. Today, she’s got a headache. Good luck.” She huffed and walked away, and when Lizzie caught a glimpse of Cole leaving one exam room and entering another she rolled her eyes rather than say what was really on her mind.
Having the prediagnosis of faking it drummed into her head by the overbearing nurse, Lizzie did what Cole had suggested in order to keep peace at the clinic and bit back her first thoughts. But she was bound and determined not to step into that room with a preconceived opinion of what was wrong with her fourteen-year-old patient.
When she did enter the examination room, what she found was a withdrawn and anemic-looking young teen named Valerie with mousy brown hair and intensely sad gray eyes. It was a look that didn’t seem easily faked, and, being only twenty-six, Lizzie still prided herself in seeing through teenage drama. Valerie’s mother looked as tense as the daughter, and nearly at her wit’s end. Both mother and daughter were nail biters, and both were underweight—not that that had anything to do with diagnosing a headache, it was just an observation, and family dynamics often played into teenage headaches. The first thing Lizzie did was dim the light in case Valerie had photophobia.
“I just don’t know what it’s going to be next,” the mother said, not waiting for a proper introduction or trying to hide her exasperation.
“I’m Dr. Silva.” Lizzie kept to her usual routine, offering her hand to the patient to shake, and then her mother. “I’ve read through your history, Valerie, and I see you’ve had some problems with stomachaches in the past couple of months?”
Father for Her Newborn Baby (Cowboys, Doctors...Daddies) Page 10
