The Most Eligible Doctor

by Karen Rose Smith

  “I’ve made a decision about my parents’ bequest.”

  His brows arched as if he wondered what that had to do with him.

  “I’ve been considering an idea ever since that day we stopped to help Doreen and her kids.”

  “Doreen has something to do with the bequest?”

  “It’s possible Ben could be the first recipient. What if I used my parents’ endowment for a children’s center for reconstructive surgery?”

  He thought about it. “You’d want to set that up in Sawyer Springs?”

  “Why not? Besides being good for children, it might give a boost to the town. People could bring their kids here from all over the United States. Beside the center, we could set up a house where they could stay while they’re here, staffed by volunteers.”

  “We?”

  “I’d like you to be the director, the force behind the center. You’d know exactly what it would need, what the kids would need, what the staff would need.”

  “Why me?” His tone was even and his face showed no emotion.

  “Because I believe you would be perfect in the director’s position.”

  “Brianne, I think Saturday night showed us that we have to be careful working together. I thought about going to Dr. Olsen and having you and Lily switch positions.”

  “You aren’t satisfied with my work?”

  “You know that’s not it.” His voice went deep and low. “We’re attracted to each other and that makes for an uncomfortable situation. But I didn’t want to discuss this with Dr. Olsen without talking to you about it first.”

  She knew it might be easier for her to work with Dr. Olsen, yet she liked working with Jed in spite of the tension between them. Even if she worked for Dr. Olsen, she’d still have contact with Jed and see him daily. She and Lily often helped both doctors. “Haven’t we worked together perfectly well the past few days?” she asked softly.

  After he considered it, he nodded. “We have.”

  “Then I’d like to continue working with you. And as far as the position with the reconstructive surgery center…that doesn’t have to have anything to do with me.”

  “You hold the purse strings.”

  “That’s true. But I can set up a board that doesn’t include me. You can even select members. You’d be good at this, Jed. A project this size needs a force behind it to keep on track, to keep it moving. You could be that force. You can determine which children would need this type of surgery most.”

  His penetrating gaze wouldn’t leave hers. “What’s the real reason you’re pressing for me to do this?”

  Sometimes Jed’s ability to see right through her disconcerted her. “I think you need to do it.”

  He was silent for a long time. Finally he insisted, “Just because you believe a position such as you’re suggesting would be therapeutic for me doesn’t mean it would be. Getting over a loss isn’t as easy as throwing myself into work that matters.”

  “I know that. But don’t you think it’s something to think about?”

  “How long do I have to make a decision?”

  “There isn’t a time limit. The money’s invested and earning dividends. I just need to know one way or the other when you come to a decision, because I’m going to go ahead with the center whether you decide to direct it or not.”

  “This isn’t a decision I’m going to make lightly. It could take some time.”

  “I understand that.” Rising to her feet, she was afraid the days of personal conversation between them were over and now all they’d have would be a working relationship. Could she live with that? Was she holding on to that thread, hoping for more?

  Crossing to the door, she stopped when Jed called her name.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to work for Dr. Olsen instead of me?”

  “I’m sure,” she decided without even having to think about it again. “You’re a good doctor, Jed. I learn from you every day. As long as you find my work satisfactory, I’d like to continue being your nurse.”

  And then she left his office before tears came to her eyes…because she did want to be so much more.

  When Bea Brinkman called Brianne to invite her to Lily’s surprise party on Saturday, Brianne was happy to have something else to think about beside Jed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t evict him from her thoughts. Thank goodness Bea was sticking to balloons and crepe paper for decorations, rather than Valentine’s Day hearts. To Brianne’s dismay, Janie had hung Cupids from the ceiling in the reception area and main office! If only true love was as simple as hearts and flowers and happy little cherubs.

  When Lily’s mom asked Brianne for the names and numbers of everyone at Beechwood, Brianne made the list, wondering if Jed would go to the party. Part of her hoped he would. Part of her hoped he wouldn’t.

  When she offered to help Bea and Charlie Brinkman with the party, Bea asked her to pick up the helium balloons and the cake and bring them along on Saturday night. Brianne knew she could make some excuse for going out that evening and Lily wouldn’t be any the wiser.

  As soon as Brianne rushed into Bea’s house Saturday evening, she was aware that Jed was already there. He was talking to Doug and Dr. Olsen and gave Brianne a nod of recognition. But his cool demeanor belied the sparks of desire in his eyes. Brianne could feel those sparks with her whole being. They were both fighting this attraction tooth and nail for very logical reasons. For very safe reasons…

  She’d taken the safe route for years, keeping men at arm’s length, preferring to spend time alone rather than entering the dating scene. Over and over she thought about the danger Jed posed to her heart, her fear that she could never be enough for a man like him, her fear he’d never heal from his marriage and loss of Trisha. She realized now the love she’d had for Bobby had been true—they’d had a bond that went beyond friendship and went beyond his death. But it had been puppy love, the first flush of learning about men and women together. Maybe it would have developed into more if they’d had the time to explore it, but they hadn’t. Since then, she’d kept her relationships with men easy ones, not expecting more than friendship, not wanting more than that.

  Until Jed.

  Brianne suddenly wished she could talk to her mother about all of it. Yet on the other hand, her heart was telling her not to take the safe route this time, to take a risk with Jed, hoping he’d learn to love again. Was that why she’d decided to continue working with him even though it hurt?

  When Bea saw her daughter’s headlights approach the house, she quickly waved everyone into place. All the guests scurried for corners of the dining room, where the lights were out and they’d be hidden. Brianne had been positioning candles on the cake and had lit the final one when she scrambled to find a place to hide, too.

  Backing up against someone, she murmured an apology.

  A deep voice made her jump. “Close quarters.”

  Jed’s voice rippled down her spine and she shivered. One of Lily’s aunts, who had been putting food in the refrigerator, hurried over to the same corner and brushed against Brianne, pushing her tighter against Jed.

  Brianne heard his sharp intake of breath as she felt his arousal. She couldn’t step forward again because of Lily’s aunt. If she made any noise, she’d alert Lily to the fact that they were all hiding.

  Jed’s hands were firm on Brianne’s shoulders, as if he was protecting them both from further contact. Even his gentle clasp could make her tremble, and she sensed that he knew that because he loosened his fingers. She felt him take another deep breath.

  It seemed like hours before Lily and Megan burst through the door. Everyone yelled “Surprise” and Brianne could finally move forward. Yet she didn’t want to, and Jed didn’t nudge her away. They simply stood there while everyone else hugged Lily, wishing her a happy birthday.

  Amid all the noise, Jed murmured close to Brianne’s ear, “I think she’s surprised.”

  Lily was flushed and laughing, her eyes wide. Brianne could see tha
t Megan was just as excited as her mom.

  Even with Jed still so close, Brianne somehow found her voice. “I’d better go wish her a happy birthday.”

  Doug had his arm around Lily when Brianne approached them. Lily hugged Brianne and said, “Thanks for getting Mom to invite him.”

  But Brianne just shook her head. “I didn’t. She invited Doug on her own. Maybe she’s decided having a computer expert in the family might be a good thing.”

  Releasing Brianne, Lily laughed. “Wouldn’t that be a birthday present.” She spied Jed over by the buffet table but didn’t have a chance to say anything else as another relative came up to hug her.

  As Brianne had promised, she helped Bea make sure everyone had enough to eat and drink. Unfortunately, by the time she was ready to eat herself, the only seat in the house was a chair beside Jed’s. Deciding not to put either of them through that, she went to the kitchen, set her food on the counter and then stared at it blankly, her appetite gone.

  A few minutes later, Jed came into the kitchen, his expression serious. “Did you come in here to hide?”

  “I’m not hiding,” she said defiantly.

  “You’re not eating, either.”

  “Too much excitement, I guess.”

  “Excitement over a birthday party, or excitement over what happened in that corner back there?”

  Jed was always honest. She just wasn’t used to talking about a subject as private as a man’s arousal. “I’m sorry if it was awkward—”

  “It wasn’t your fault, Brianne. It was just one of those things. We’re attracted to each other, but we know it’s best if we don’t act on it.”

  Maybe he was sure about that, but she certainly wasn’t. Not anymore. He was her boss, but she could always find another job. Yes, he was older, but that didn’t mean they didn’t want the same things in life. So what if he was more experienced? She was a fast study.

  Still, she knew Jed had an iron will and even if she loved him…

  Loved him.

  The thought hit her like a thunderbolt. She’d known she was attracted to him, known she could fall in love with him. But did she actually love him?

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, as if he could tell something had changed her suddenly.

  “Nothing. I guess I’m just a little tired. I’ve been running errands all day and…”

  Stepping closer, he brushed an errant curl behind her ear. “If we’re going to work together, we have to figure out how to do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Be together without turning each other inside out. I don’t want to treat you like a stranger.”

  Until she came to grips with what she was feeling, until she decided whether it was better to stay at Beechwood Family Practice they needed to simply have a casual relationship. “Maybe we can just be friends,” she suggested.

  “Maybe we can.” His voice was deep and husky, as if he wanted much more than friendship, too.

  Megan came running into the kitchen then, calling, “Dr. Jed. Brianne. Mommy’s going to open her presents. Come see.” She’d been running so fast she barreled right into Jed’s legs.

  Crouching down, he caught her. “Whoa there,” he said with a laugh. “Does your mommy have a lot of presents?”

  “Lots and lots.” Megan spread out her arms as if the stack were as big as a mountain.

  Smiling, he straightened. “Well, we better go watch her then. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many presents.”

  After a grin at Brianne, Megan put her little hand in Jed’s and tugged him along. “Come on. You can sit beside me.”

  The expression on Jed’s face was a mixture of joy and pain. Brianne understood why now as he let Megan tug him into the living room. He sat down on the floor beside her so they’d both have a good view of everything Lily opened.

  Brianne thought again about the team that did volunteer work in South America. On Monday she’d call and find out how far her application had gotten and whether or not that might be a solution to her dilemma of loving Jed.

  On Monday afternoon, Brianne closed the door to her and Lily’s office and took the brochure for Project Voyage out of her purse. She should have a few uninterrupted minutes to make a phone call. Jed was in a meeting with a pharmaceutical rep. Lily was picking up dry cleaning over her lunch break, and Dr. Olsen had left for the hospital.

  When Brianne dialed the number on the brochure and told the receptionist she wanted to inquire about her application, she was patched through to a pleasant sounding woman named Zoie Poist.

  “Can I help you?” Miss Poist asked.

  “My name’s Brianne Barrington. I sent an application in to Project Voyage in April. Can you tell me if it was rejected or—”

  “If your application had been rejected, you would have received a letter within a few weeks. Hold on a minute and let me check the computer. We’re processing a batch of them now. We’ve gotten a bit behind in the last few months—lack of help, that sort of thing. But the voyage team leaves at the end of May, so we have to get all these processed in the next month or so. Let me see now…Barrington…Brianne M. Your application is in Dr. Tartuff’s office. That’s a good sign. Hold on a minute. Maybe I can get an answer for you.”

  Although leaving Sawyer Springs could be difficult, it might be just what she needed right now, Brianne mused. Loving Jed would only bring her heartache if she stayed. Even if she switched positions with Lily and worked mainly with Dr. Olsen, she’d still see Jed every day.

  Miss Poist was back two minutes later and there was a smile in her voice. “Your name is on the list for an interview. Dr. Tartuff was going to give you a call next week. When can you come to Minneapolis?”

  Brianne would need to give a few days’ notice so a temp could be hired. If she left Sunday, she could have the interview on Monday and fly back from Minneapolis Monday evening. She’d only have to miss one day of work.

  “I can be there for an interview next Monday,” she announced.

  “Let me check Dr. Tartuff’s calendar.” A moment later Miss Poist said, “It looks as if he’s free at eleven. Is that good for you?”

  “That would be terrific.”

  “Do you have an e-mail address?”

  After Brianne rattled off the one she used on her laptop, Miss Poist gave her the address for Project Voyage. “E-mail me once you know where you’ll be staying and I’ll reply with directions. We look forward to meeting you.”

  When Brianne hung up, she studied the brochure on her desk, remembering how excited she’d been when she’d filled out the application. It would still be exciting to work on the team. But now she saw the tour of volunteer duty as the way to escape her love for Jed.

  Chapter Nine

  On Monday evening when Jed brought firewood in from the shed, he was still puzzling over Brianne’s absence at work that day. Dr. Olsen had merely told him she’d asked for a day of leave. Lily had been closemouthed about it, too, simply saying that Brianne had private business to take care of.

  Private business that had something to do with her parents’ bequest, maybe? For the past few days, he’d thought more about that directorship. Becoming involved in plastic surgery for children at a center such as Brianne had planned would be rewarding work. But was he ready to deal exclusively with children?

  Crouching near the fireplace, he set down his burden of firewood. As he was stacking it in the cubicle, Al came in. “I saw the ground meat in the refrigerator. What’s for supper?” he asked.

  “Ground turkey tacos or ground turkey spaghetti. Take your pick.”

  “Spaghetti. I guess you’ll have to show me how to make it so I can eat healthy after you’re gone.”

  Al had taken to eating a healthier diet as long as Jed prepared it.

  When his dad lowered himself into the recliner and stretched out his leg, Jed decided this was as good a time as any to broach the conversation he wanted to have with him.

  After he stacked the last of the logs, he
asked his dad, “Have you ever considered selling this place?”

  Al’s eyes widened. “Where would I go?” he asked gruffly. “You want to put me in a nursing home?”

  It was probably his father’s worst fear and one that could become a reality if Jed didn’t stay in Sawyer Springs. “No, that’s not what I had in mind. A place with fewer steps and good insulation might be something to think about. In fact, you and I could find a place. I could buy a two-story and make the top floor mine and the bottom floor yours. We could share a kitchen if you want, or we could remodel and each have our own.”

  “You’re going to stay here then?” Al sounded astonished.

  “It feels right to be back. I don’t see the town the same way as I used to.”

  His father looked totally taken aback. “I wouldn’t let you buy the house, you know. I could use what I get from this place for my half.”

  “Or…you could let me make the investment, and you could use the proceeds from the sale of this house for the nest egg you might need.”

  Al ruminated for a few seconds, then looked his son in the eye. “Are you sure this is what you want to do? I don’t want you staying here out of some sense of noble sacrifice.”

  “It wouldn’t be a sacrifice. I need to put my life back together again, and I think this would be a way to start.”

  “Sure you don’t want to start housekeeping with Brianne instead?”

  “That’s never going to happen. Brianne deserves more than I can give her.” Jed decided to test the waters in another area, and changed the subject. “I talked to Chris and Ellie last week. They’re thinking of flying in this weekend. How do you feel about that?”

  “Both of them coming in…with you here, too?”

  “That’s what we’re thinking. Can you handle all that commotion?”

  Al looked away from his son and his voice was thick as he answered, “I think I can handle it just fine.”

  His father might be a crotchety old coot some of the time, but like most dads, he basically wanted to be close to his kids. Jed realized he hadn’t taken enough care with the bonds in his life and he wasn’t about to let this one disintegrate. Tomorrow morning he’d call a real estate agent and find out what was on the market.