The Doctor's Dating Bargain

by Teresa Southwick

  After climbing it, he passed the first door, where Adam Stone’s office was located. The other doctor was there talking to their nurse, Ginny Irwin.

  “So—Bermuda, Tahiti or Fiji?”

  Ben stopped and poked his head in. “Are those the only countries in the world without an extradition treaty with the United States? Is there something you want to share?”

  Adam grinned. “Very funny. In case you were wondering, we had some patients cancel this morning, so I’m taking a minute to look through these travel brochures.” He pointed to the oblong pamphlets spread out across his desk. “Those are the three places I’ve narrowed down for a honeymoon destination after I marry the love of my life.” A satisfied expression settled in his brown eyes. “Jill’s going to be one knockout of a June bride.”

  It was obvious that the man was actually looking forward to committing. Ben could see happiness written all over his face. But tying the knot didn’t guarantee a happy-ever-after. His parents were proof of that. When the love of your life dies in childbirth leaving you with three small children and a business to run in order to support the family, it’s not especially idyllic. And his father had never gotten over the loss of his wife.

  Ben pushed the dark thoughts away. “So, I take it that Jill wants to go somewhere with a beach?”

  “I plan to surprise her.”

  “She hasn’t had a lot of good surprises in her life.” Ginny looked at Adam with an expression telling him that this honeymoon better be a good one. “If you can pull this off, you’re a better man than I thought.”

  “Wow, that gave me a warm fuzzy. Feel the love.” Adam glanced down at the ads for the beaches. “I just want it to be perfect for her. And I want to see my bride in a bikini for a week. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

  “And there it is.” Ben leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Ulterior motive.”

  “Do you blame me?”

  “Absolutely not.” He remembered the erotic sight of Cam’s naked body silhouetted inside the tent by the fire just outside. Every single cell in his body ached to see her that way again.

  “Before Jill’s mom died, I promised her I’d look out for her daughter and grandson. She was my best friend since grade school,” the nurse explained to Ben, then leaned over to study the brochures. She picked up the one from Tahiti. “So keep this in mind about your bikini-wearing bride. That girl’s never been farther from home than Helena.” She looked at Adam. “For the greenhorn who needs a geography lesson, that’s the capital of Montana.”

  Ben reminded himself not to get on this woman’s bad side. “I think I know where you’re going with this.”

  Ginny grinned. “Take her to whichever one of these places is the farthest from Blackwater Lake. She’d be happy if you pitched a tent in the backyard so long as you’re there with her.”

  “And she’s with me. God, I love that woman,” Adam said cheerfully.

  “Good enough.” Ginny patted his shoulder. “Then my work here is done.”

  “Speaking of work,” Ben said, “I’ll just go stash my briefcase and get downstairs—”

  “Not so fast, buster. The patients can wait a few more minutes.” Ginny put her hands on her hips and drilled him with a look. “You were in and out of here so fast yesterday we barely saw you. Let alone get a chance to grill you about your weekend. What happened with Miss Halliday hotel heiress?”

  “We hiked up to that stream a couple miles above the lake.” He shrugged, hoping to leave it right there. “So, it’s time to get to work—”

  “And you spent the night?” Ginny asked, not in the least sidetracked or discouraged.

  “Yes.”

  Ben glanced at the other doctor, shooting him a help-a-brother-out look. Adam Stone might be a hyper-observant family practice doctor, but he was a crappy wingman. The grin on his face said he was enjoying this and had no intention of intervening on a brother’s behalf.

  “How did she handle that? It’s hard to picture Miss Four-inch Heels and Short Skirts getting her hands dirty.”

  “She was a real trouper. Pulled her weight and didn’t complain. She actually seemed to take to the whole outdoor experience.” Including the kiss practicing and everything that came after. Don’t think about it now, he cautioned himself. “She even tried fishing but swore if a miracle happened and she caught anything she’d throw it back. No one was going to accuse her of finding and filleting Nemo.”

  Ginny smiled. “Sounds like she’s got a good sense of humor.”

  “That she does,” he agreed, remembering her insisting on having wine in the wilderness. “I have to admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect.” He smiled as her words went through his mind. “To quote her: It wasn’t hideous.”

  “So, her not liking that sort of thing would be a deal-breaker for you?” Ginny asked. “If she didn’t take to the outdoors you’d be outta there?”

  Ben couldn’t tell her he had no “there” to be out of. The lying to everyone part of this bargain hadn’t really become real until he’d started. With his family and everyone else. He’d been on the receiving end of being strung along and didn’t like it. He wasn’t that kind of person. In the end, he just told the truth without answering the question asked.

  “Spending time in the outdoors is very important to me.”

  “Not hideous,” Adam mused. “I’m hoping for a more enthusiastic reaction when I take Jill to Tahiti.”

  Ginny clapped her hands together. “And we have a winner.”

  “Yes.” Adam gave her a warning look. “Keep it to yourself.”

  “I won’t breathe a word.” She looked at her watch. “The patients will be here for their appointments now. I’ll get them in the exam rooms for you. We’ve got a full day, Doctors.”

  “Thanks, Ginny. Don’t know what we’d do without you,” Adam said.

  “It’s my job.” The tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a smile on her face when she walked out the door.

  “I guess we better get down there, too,” Ben said.

  “Just a second.” Adam stood and walked around the desk. He was wearing the usual green scrubs and white lab coat. “Can we talk?”

  “Sure.” But Ben knew those words were never good. “Is something wrong?”

  “No.” The other man looked thoughtful. “Just something I thought you should know.”

  “Okay. What’s up?”

  “I guess you’re aware of that article that came out in The Rumor Report.”

  “Yeah. Cam was really upset about it.”

  Adam nodded. “I can imagine. It was pretty unflattering to her.”

  “You read it?”

  “Someone left it in the waiting room. You were on the cover. Kissing a woman.” He shrugged. “I was curious.”

  “It’s not true.” Ben folded his arms over his chest.

  “So, you’re not going out with Camille Halliday?”

  Not the way everyone thought, but he couldn’t say that. “Yes, we’re going out. What I meant was the unflattering stuff that was printed about her. It was blown out of proportion and laid out in a way that would make her look bad. Their goal isn’t to tell the truth.”

  Adam studied him. “You look like you want to punch someone.”

  “I’m a supportive boyfriend.” If you took the “boy” part out that statement was true. He was her friend. “So are we done here? Is that it?”

  “Actually, no. I haven’t gotten to that part yet.”

  “Okay. What?”

  “Almost every patient I’ve seen in the last two days has asked about you and Ms. Halliday.”

  “In what way?”

  “They’re speculating that you’re after her money—”

  That had been implied in the article and he had to admit it ticked him off. “I don’t need hers. I’ve got plenty of my own.”

  “I’m just saying. Don’t kill the messenger.” Adam held up his hands in a simmer-down gesture. “The other theory is that she’s paying
you to rehabilitate her bad-girl image.”

  “No to that, too. Trust me on this. No money is being exchanged.”

  “I wouldn’t care if there was,” Adam said. “It makes no difference to me. You’re a good doctor and we work well together. I just wanted you to know that the patients you see are probably going to ask.”

  “I appreciate the warning.” And he really did.

  Ben wished he could tell his friend the truth, that what he had with Cam was a deal to keep the clinic from becoming a circus because of him. But living with this bargain was different from what he’d expected. People in town obviously had questions about him and Cam. They would be shocked to find out that he had some of his own about the two of them but had no answers. All he knew was that he liked her. Liked her a lot.

  Everything was supposed to be casual, but he hadn’t taken sex into account. Actually, he’d thought about it almost from the first time he’d seen Cam in the moonlight, but he hadn’t thought to include rules about it in the bargain negotiations.

  This whole deal had been about getting what each of them wanted. A win/win where no one gets hurt. From where he was standing, it didn’t feel like anyone was winning.

  Chapter Ten

  “Welcome to the first annual Blackwater Lake Lodge employee appreciation dinner.”

  Cam stood at the head table during the applause that followed her opening remarks and looked around the small conference room. There were about twenty people in attendance, a better turnout than she’d expected.

  Actually, since her disastrous track record after arriving, she’d tried to set a low bar for expectations, because the disappointment was easier to bear.

  “Did everyone enjoy dinner?” she asked and barely got the words out before the eruption of applause, whistles and woo-hoos. “I’m glad. I’ll be sure to pass that on to the chef. And, by the way, everyone who volunteered to serve your coworkers tonight will receive dinner on the house at Fireside. Just a special thanks for your loyalty and spirit of cooperation.”

  She waited while there was more clapping and a few whistles. When it died down she continued. “I’ll keep this short. I don’t want anyone getting indigestion.” There was a laugh as she’d hoped. “It’s my goal to make the lodge successful and I can’t do that alone. Reservations are increasing—”

  “Thanks to you getting your name in the paper.” The comment came from one of the guys in the back.

  “I’m happy to do my part.” Cam didn’t mind the good-natured teasing. Now that she knew it was good-natured. More than one person in Blackwater Lake had told her they’d gotten a glimpse into her world from that tabloid story and seen the ugly side of fame, and she had their sympathy. It was new and different and wonderful. The comment just now had no animosity behind it. “And I just want to thank every one of you for your hard work every day. Without you, there wouldn’t be a Blackwater Lake Lodge. Lately I have reason to be cautiously optimistic about the future of this property. If everyone continues pulling together, jobs will be preserved and we may be able to do more hiring soon.”

  Someone, again probably the guy in the back, started chanting, “Hall-i-day!”

  Everyone in the room picked up on it and for a few moments Cam couldn’t say anything. And not just because it was too noisy. There was a lump in her throat. She’d never felt accepted anywhere the way she did now. This group had given her a chance, thanks to Ben, but she wanted to believe that she’d won them over because of her fair management style and willingness to work harder than anyone.

  Except somewhere along the way she’d started to care about these people, and if the enthusiastic clapping and chanting was any indication, the feeling was mutual. In that moment she realized the effort and hard work she’d put in wasn’t just about her career anymore.

  “Thanks, everyone.” She held up her hands for quiet. “That means more to me than I can put into words. Now I just have one more thing to say. Dessert.”

  And the crowd went wild as servers brought out the seven-layer chocolate cake.

  “How do you think it went?” She sat down and whispered to M.J. on her right.

  “Really well. Everyone likes to be appreciated for their efforts and you did that.”

  “It was short and sweet.” Jenny was on her left. She took a bite of her cake. “Speaking of sweet, I never get tired of this.”

  “It is pretty wonderful,” Cam agreed.

  “Speaking of wonderful...” M.J. looked around. “Where’s Ben tonight?”

  That was a good question, but Cam couldn’t very well say that she had no legitimate right to have an answer. “He understands that tonight isn’t about significant others or a plus-one.”

  “Somehow he seems like so much more than a plus-one.” Jenny sighed dramatically. “Can I be honest with you, boss?”

  Cam studied the pretty, heart-shaped face with the dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. There was no hostility in her brown eyes now, just new frankness and authenticity. That was to be encouraged.

  And a little levity couldn’t hurt. “Should I be afraid?”

  Jenny laughed. “A couple months ago maybe, but not now.”

  “Okay, then. I much prefer candor.”

  “I’m pretty envious of you. Being with Dr. McKnight. I tried really hard to get him to notice me when he moved back here. And I’m not the only one. Patty and Crystal did, too.” She glanced at the two women who were seated to her left.

  “I completely understand,” Cam told her with absolute sincerity. “And the truth is, I can hardly believe this relationship myself.”

  “All the single women in town are envious of you. At first no one could understand what he saw in you,” Jenny shared. “No offense.”

  “None taken.”

  “It’s just that he’s a great guy and we all had you pegged as a stuck-up, rich, self-centered heiress.”

  “Don’t sugarcoat it, Jen. Tell me how you really feel.”

  The waitress laughed. “The thing is, you’re not at all what we thought. In fact, the unofficial word-of-mouth poll is that the two of you make a great couple. So it’s all good.”

  “That’s nice to hear.” And the guilt just kept on coming.

  “I’m actually glad to see him with someone,” M.J. said.

  That made Cam curious, and a lot of questions popped into her mind. But it was important to set just the right tone, keep this casual. Too much prying would show insecurity and weakness and make them wonder why she didn’t know. Not enough could imply she didn’t care and that wasn’t the vibe she wanted to project.

  “Why are you glad?” she finally asked M.J. Jenny was talking to Crystal and Patty on her other side.

  “I guess because Ben came back to Blackwater Lake still single and not in a relationship.”

  His status hadn’t changed, although no one knew, but that still didn’t answer Cam’s question. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Me either, to be honest. It’s just that I was surprised to find out he’d never been married.” She shrugged. “It crossed my mind that what Judy did might have turned him against commitment.”

  “He’s too well-adjusted for that. He’s sexy, funny, flirty and gorgeous. And he’s a doctor.”

  “I know. It seems silly to even say it. I’m sure he has his reasons for waiting and that’s fine. As long as it’s not Judy who’s keeping him from being happy.”

  “I don’t think he gives her much thought,” Cam said. And she truly believed that. Still, he was the kind of man that most women—not her, but the average female—would give almost anything to be with. “I know he’s not gay.”

  M.J. grinned. “And just how would you know that?”

  “I asked. He told me.”

  “And you believe him?”

  “Yes.” That and he’d made pretty amazing love to her in the mountains. Memories of that had heat creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. “Any theories about why he’s not married?”

  M.J. shrugged. “S
ince we agree he’s emotionally stable, one would have to assume he’s been busy. After medical school he started a practice in Las Vegas. That probably took a lot of time and dedication. The opposite sex can be a distraction when one is trying to focus on a career.”

  No kidding. But this conversation was hitting far too close to things she didn’t want to get into. Too many questions could imply that she wasn’t talking to her boyfriend, which was true. Time to change the subject. “So, how are the kids?”

  “Great.” A soft expression slid into M.J.’s eyes. “They’re looking forward to the end of the school year.”

  A strategic question here and there had the other woman talking about all the activities available to children during the summer months in Montana. Cam put on an interested face and she truly was. But there was a part of her mind occupied with questions about Ben. Questions she hadn’t thought about until M.J. said it out loud.

  Why had he never been married? And was their fake romance really about what he’d claimed or something more?

  * * *

  “There’s someone here to see you.”

  M.J. stood in Cam’s office doorway smiling a sappy smile. The one every woman wore when she thought romance had come calling.

  “Ben’s out there, isn’t he?”

  “Yes—”

  “I’m actually in here,” he said, moving around M.J.

  “I’ll just leave you two alone.” She walked out and closed the door.

  Cam almost told her to leave the thing open. It wasn’t like they were going to have sex. Their suites were side by side upstairs and neither had trespassed on the other’s territory, although she’d been sorely tempted. But she was waiting for him.

  “What are you doing here?” She looked at her watch, which said it was after noon. “No wonder I’m hungry.”

  “That’s why I’m here. To take you out and feed you.”