“Time will tell.”
“Well, thanks, Jon, for bringing my phone back. And bailing me out.”
“I had a good time. Your mom is really something. You look a lot like her.” And you’re really something, too. Fortunately that thought stayed in his head. He folded his arms over his chest because of how badly he wanted to pull her against him and kiss her.
“It actually wasn’t bad,” she admitted. “Pleasant even, because of you.”
She was looking at him that way again, like she had when she met Rerun. As if he was a hero. It was an expression he could get used to. The problem was he knew how fast a guy could go from hero to has-been. He wasn’t willing to open himself up to that again.
And the regret rolling through him was how he learned the hard way that détente had its downside. In a way it would have been easier if she was still mad at him. His attraction to her was so strong, trying to stay just friends was the very definition of trouble.
Chapter Seven
“I hardly recognize everyone in civilian clothes. Thank you all for coming.” Emmet DePaulo looked at the clinic employees gathered in his living room. “Dawn, I appreciate your help in organizing this soiree.”
“It was nothing.”
All she’d done was put a sheet of paper up in the break room for everyone to write down what they were bringing to the party. Their boss wanted a barbecue/potluck at his house so the staff could get better acquainted on neutral territory and away from the busy office.
“Does everyone have a drink?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. I made sure of it.” She’d also assumed unofficial hostess duties, even though they were at Emmet’s place.
His living room still looked a lot like the waiting room it had once been when his home had doubled as the town’s temporary medical facility after the flood. There was a sofa against the wall, but card table chairs were scattered around the open area. The matching table sat in the center of the room with chips, guacamole dip, nuts and cut-up fresh vegetables which so far remained untouched.
“Okay, listen up,” he said. “I have a good reason for bringing you all here. I did a couple tours of duty in a war zone and saw firsthand how soldiers under fire band together and have each other’s back. They took bullets for their buddies or fell on a grenade to protect soldiers who were closer to them than brothers. Just because we’re stateside and not taking enemy fire, it doesn’t mean we can’t connect in a similar way.
“There are days in the clinic when it feels as if we’re under fire and I can’t stress enough the importance of teamwork.” There was a hushed silence in the room as he looked at each of them in turn. “It starts at the top, which is why we’re at my house. Now that our merry little band of health care professionals is complete, I’d like to make everyone feel at home. Especially, Steve Shepard and Lorajean Quinn.” He held up his water bottle. “Welcome.”
Jon and Dawn as well as old-timers Callie Crawford and Brandy Walters echoed his greeting. The nurse-practitioner was the only married staff member but Emmet had requested her to come alone as it was a bonding experience.
“So,” Emmet continued, “I’d like to thank everyone for their food and beverage contributions and for giving up a Saturday night to be here. Your unquestioning cooperation illustrates the spirit of pulling together that is the hallmark of Rust Creek Falls. And—” there was a twinkle in his eyes “—you’d all go hungry if you hadn’t brought stuff.”
Dawn watched the others teasingly harass him for that but her gaze settled on Jon. It was a good thing no one was doing a blood pressure reading on her because her heart literally skipped a beat and would have thrown the numbers completely off.
The other night he’d made the uncomfortable situation with her father...well, comfortable. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told him it was actually a good time. Thanks to him running interference between her and Hank. Now, the irony wasn’t lost on her. Jon wouldn’t admit it, but she’d gotten the impression he had an issue with Steve. She would give almost anything to know why.
The staff was teasing Emmet unmercifully, all but Steve. Even Lorajean was in the thick of it but the new doctor was holding back. She walked over to the snack table and filled a plate with guacamole, corn chips and, out of guilt, some carrot and celery sticks.
“Come on, you guys,” she said, “someone worked their fingers to the bone on these veggies.”
“And I didn’t cut myself,” Brandy said. The brown-eyed brunette was dedicated to healthy eating and exercise. It showed.
“And we’re all grateful to you for that.” Dawn looked at the group. “Come on, you guys, eat up.”
No one needed permission but something about giving it started a stampede. Again, everyone but Steve. He hung back. This party was to get to know each other and bond. That happened when personal information was shared. She decided to start the ball rolling.
“So, Steve,” she said, “where are you from?”
“Here and there.” He took a drink from his beer bottle. “Military brat.”
“Do you have family in Montana?” Callie asked. It was a question designed to find out just why he’d taken this job in a small town like Rust Creek Falls.
“No,” he said.
“Is there a Mrs. Shepard?” Although most women would be smitten and flirty with the macho doc, Brandy only looked curious. She was in her early twenties, too young for him and sensible enough to know it.
“No.”
Apparently the new doctor wasn’t familiar with the sharing of personal information rule in the bonding ritual. And he didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable about holding back.
“Let me fill you a plate, Steve.” Lorajean set down her white wine and put a variety of snacks together before handing it to him.
“Thanks.”
Dawn got the feeling the nurse was running interference, protecting him, and she was a little surprised that Jon hadn’t taken the lead on that. Usually guys stuck together, but he showed no inclination to jump in and do any wingmanning for the other doctor. Too bad because he was good at it. He’d sure bailed her out when her father had stayed for dinner. She still owed him one for that.
Dawn wasn’t ready to give up yet on bonding with Steve Shepard. “Are you seeing anyone? And before you say you see patients every day, let me put a finer point on it. When I say ‘seeing’ I mean dating.”
“No,” he answered. “Are you?”
Involuntarily her gaze shifted to Jon. “No.”
“I’m not, either,” Lorajean chimed in. She didn’t look annoyed as much as perceptive about the fact that if you put women in the room with a man they were going to pepper him with questions. Do their best to pry information out of him.
Dawn got the message, which was twofold. The new guy was private and the nurse was new, too. “Are you married, Lorajean?”
“Widow.” Murmured sounds of sympathy followed the revelation. “Cancer. About ten years ago.”
“Do you have any children?” Callie asked.
“It never happened for us.” Instead of sadness there was resignation in her eyes. Clearly she’d come to terms with that disappointment long ago.
“How do you like Rust Creek Falls so far?” Brandy bit into a guacamole-loaded chip.
“I like it a lot. Everyone is friendly and I’m getting to know people quickly.”
Because Dawn had done the same thing with Jon a few minutes ago, she noticed when the older woman’s gaze settled on Emmet. It took a lot of willpower to resist asking about a spark between them. Lorajean would handle it fine, in Dawn’s opinion, but she wasn’t so sure about Emmet. Come to think of it, she didn’t know all that much about her boss.
Dawn looked at him. “How long have you lived in Rust Creek Falls, Emmet?”
“I think it’s time to l
ight the barbecue for those burgers.” Her boss’s expression turned coy and cagey just before he walked away.
“He might need help,” Steve said and followed the older man out of the room.
“Wow,” Callie marveled. “Did you see that? Steve actually said four words.”
“He doesn’t waste them, that’s for sure,” Dawn agreed. “The only thing we found out about him is he’s not particularly chatty. Why use three words when one will do?”
There was mumbled agreement from the other women.
“I don’t know what the big deal is with that guy.” Jon took a long drink from his beer, then noticed four females staring at him. “What?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Callie said. “What’s bugging you?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not going to fly, Doctor.” Lorajean shrugged. “There’s a wrinkle in your boxers and don’t even think about going to help Emmet with the fire. I’m pretty sure the other two can handle it.”
“I have to agree with Lorajean. Something is on your mind. And, just so you know,” Dawn said, “resistance is futile. Four against one.”
Jon blew out a long breath. “Okay. I’m not proud but this is the truth. I haven’t been here in town all that long and suddenly I’m old hat. No one asked me how I like it here in Rust Creek Falls. Or if I’m settling in.”
Brandy scoffed. “Your brother lives here and you’re not a complete stranger.”
“She’s right. You have a dog and live in a cabin on your brother’s ranch. You are an open book.” Callie grinned wickedly. “I think you’re jealous of Steve.”
“What?” Jon’s tone was a little too sharp.
“He’s mysterious, that’s for sure.” Brandy finished her wine, then set her glass on the card table. “Monosyllabic. You’re jealous of the fact that we’re even more curious about him now because he didn’t give us answers. There must be a term for that.” She looked at her female coworkers. “You know. Like the opposite of bromance, with jealousy.”
Callie thought for a moment then shrugged. “I’ve got nothing.”
“Hello,” Jon said. “Standing right here and not jealous. I’m just wondering why no one wanted to know if I was married or seeing anyone.”
“That’s because we already know you’re not. Doesn’t mean we don’t love you, Doctor,” Callie said. “I’m going in the kitchen to organize food and stuff.”
“I’ll help you,” Brandy offered and headed after the other woman.
“Me, too.” Dawn brought up the rear of the procession and was still close enough to hear what the new nurse said to Jon.
“You know,” Lorajean started. “I can’t speak to what happened before I started working at the clinic, but it’s really quite obvious to me.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Why no one questioned you about dating. They know you’re not because you only have eyes for Dawn.”
Whoa, she thought. If it was that obvious, why hadn’t she noticed? Holy moley, it was a good thing she didn’t have to make conversation after overhearing that. She was as speechless as Dr. Shepard.
* * *
“I have to meet a patient at the clinic.” Emmet broke the news after a short conversation on his cell phone. “It sounds like Mary Brady has pneumonia again. She’s eighty-four and this can’t wait until Monday.”
There was a collective groan from the staff. After eating they’d been sitting outside on the patio, having a good time. Jon included. It was a beautiful night and, although getting late, he got the feeling that no one wanted to be the first to leave. If the guy in charge of the party left, so would everyone else.
Maybe Jon could take one for the team. “Emmet, let me go to the clinic. You’re the host.”
“Thanks, but you’re not on call. And Mary would ask to see your driver’s license to make sure you’re not still a frat boy in college. If the patient was a baby, I’d send you with my blessing. But, alas...” He stood and looked around the wooden picnic table where they were gathered. “You all stay.”
“I have to go anyway,” Callie said, a soft smile on her face. “Nate is waiting.”
Must be nice, Jon thought, to have someone at home who cared where you were. He had Rerun but it really wasn’t the same.
“It’s past my bedtime,” Lorajean said. “I’m overdue for my beauty sleep.”
“You don’t need it,” Emmet commented.
“Aren’t you sweet.” The older woman gave him a grateful smile.
Brandy stood up and stretched. “Lorajean might not need beauty sleep, but I do.”
“Oh, pooh,” Dawn protested. “You’re just a baby and so beautiful. It will be a long time before you have to worry about that.”
The two women happened to be next to each other on the far side of the table so Brandy leaned down to hug her coworker. “You are my queen. But I do have to go.”
“Me, too,” Steve said. Apparently he’d had his fill of bonding.
“Don’t leave on my account,” Emmet said. “Use the house. I really don’t mind. If anything is missing I know where you live.”
“It’s like this. You’re the glue that holds us together,” Dawn teased. “If you go, we go. At least I will after I clean up the place for you.”
The others offered to stay and help but Dawn assured them it wouldn’t take long and they should head out.
“You’re just trying to get brownie points from the boss,” Callie joked.
“Of course I am. So don’t get in my way.” Dawn laughed.
Jon decided that was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. Or maybe the way she looked in the moonlight just made it seem that way. Before thinking it through he said, “I’ll stay and help you.”
The whole staff stared at him for a beat. No one else had heard, but he couldn’t forget Lorajean saying he only had eyes for Dawn. He was pretty sure that wasn’t true. At least he hoped so because it was a bad idea. Staying was just about having a coworker’s back and that’s what this evening had been about.
Lorajean nodded. “Good. Now I don’t have to feel guilty about leaving her here all alone. I see this bonding strategy really worked for you, Jon.”
“Don’t feel guilty,” Dawn said, but there was something in her voice. A tension that hadn’t been there before he volunteered to stay.
Emmet looked at the two of them. “Just so we’re clear, no one is getting a raise.”
Everyone laughed, then grabbed the containers with what remained of the food they’d brought. Emmet left and the rest of the staff lingered for a few moments at the front door, saying their goodbyes. Then Jon was alone with Dawn.
They stared at each other for several moments before she said, “Okay, then. I’ll start in the kitchen.”
He nodded and looked around the living room. “This needs straightening up, then I’ll help you in there.”
“Okay.”
He grabbed a trash bag and went to work. When the room was done, he stopped before heading for the kitchen where Dawn was working.
He was really alone with her.
Had he volunteered because they would be alone? Had his subconscious taken over? Because his subconscious had been pretty active lately if his dreams were any indication. She’d been the star of most of them ever since he’d taken her to his place.
A little while ago he’d wanted to kiss her senseless when she’d laughed in the moonlight. That wasn’t a very good idea.
“Jon? Do you have anything that needs to be washed?” she called from the other room.
“Quit stalling, Clifton,” he muttered to himself. “Yeah. Coming.”
There was no moonlight in the kitchen. That should be a safe zone.
He walked into the room where Dawn was standing in f
ront of a sink filled with soapy water. She had on jeans and a lacy cream-colored tank top with matching sweater. Instantly he got an image of her in his house—relaxed, barefoot, smiling. Waiting for him.
He shook the image away and moved beside her, setting the dirty dishes on the counter. There was a dish towel next to the sink where clean glasses and plates were air-drying.
“I can finish this up,” he said. “Why don’t you take off?”
“Because I promised.” She washed a knife and set it in the other side of the divided sink for rinsing. “It will go faster if we do this together. I don’t mind hanging around.”
“Okay.” He found a clean dish towel in a drawer and started drying.
“Tonight was fun,” she commented, making small talk. “Do you think everyone bonded?”
“Hard to say.” He dried a wineglass, then found where it belonged in the cupboard. “Everyone seemed to get along. We’ll know the answer to your question at work on Monday.”
She nodded absently and washed a bowl that had held baked beans. “We have one more day off before that. What do you do with your free time on the weekend?”
“Nothing much.” He thought about it. “Cleaning up the cabin. Grocery shopping. Laundry.”
“Seriously?” She looked surprised. “Is that why you were so put out when no one asked about your social life?”
“Tell me what that is again,” he teased.
“Oh, please. Surely you haven’t forgotten.”
“I don’t have one now and, honestly, it’s been a while since I did.”
She rested her wet hands against the edge of the sink, letting them drip inside as she studied him. “That can’t be true.”
“Sadly, it is.” He wasn’t looking for pity points, just being honest.
“Really? A guy who looks like you?” She stopped, a blush creeping up her neck as pink settled in her cheeks.
“You think I wouldn’t have to sneak up on a glass of water?”
“I would say don’t let it go to your head, but obviously it’s too late for that.” Her tone was teasing but the look on her face said she hadn’t wanted to reveal her impression of him. “What I meant was that it doesn’t say much for the single ladies of Rust Creek Falls. There was a time when women relocated to our fair town in hopes of meeting a handsome bachelor. And here you are. Completely eligible and not one of the girls has grabbed you up.”
Her Maverick M.D. Page 9
