Evan pushed that decision aside and thought over the conversation with Chance. Rory was getting married again. He’d been gutted when Cindy died, as had the whole family. She was a sweetheart and they were a wonderful match. Both so full of life with energy he could only dream about. He was pleased to hear the news and couldn’t wait to get home for the wedding and to meet his brother’s new bride. It would be good for him to catch up with family again. It’d been far too long.
*
Later that night he pulled his Dodge truck up to the neat and tidy apartment block where Denver lived. State-of-the-art security and a doorman seemed a far cry from the tiny townhouse he lived in. He gave his name to the doorman and waited.
“Miss Sinclair said to tell you she will be down shortly, Sir.”
“Thanks.” Evan walked to the door, stood with his hands in his pockets, and looked out at the night. The city lights twinkled and sparkled against the black of the sky, like bright jewels on inky velvet. He’d loved the fast pace when he first moved to Seattle, but lately he wasn’t feeling the love for the rush and bustle. The sheer vastness of the city sometimes made him long for the peace of his hometown. Although stunningly beautiful, the city had nothing on the quiet, serene small town he’d grown up in. The pang of homesickness shot through his gut, no doubt brought on by the thought of returning for the wedding.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Evan.” Denver walked out the elevator and sashayed over toward him, her bright white high-heel shoes clicking on the marble tiles. Evan looked at her, swallowed, and found his breath catching in his throat. She was simply stunning. Her black and white dress clung to her curves, leaving little to his overactive imagination. Diamonds glittered in her ears on display with her pale golden hair swept up in a waterfall of curls that fell down the back of her long, slim neck. The predatory glimmer in her eyes had him all but wanting to roll over and show her she could do whatever she wanted with him.
Get a grip, Evan. “Uh, you didn’t. It’s okay.” Evan suddenly found himself floundering as her date now that they were outside of the hospital. Denver was in a different league to him. She stood confidently in front of him, a smile on her lips glossy with shell-pink lipstick. Her eyes were bright as she waited for him to say something.
Toughen up and fake it till you get a grip on your hormones. Evan held out his arm. “Shall we?” She slid her hand through his arm and together they walked out the door being held open for them.
“Night, Doctor.”
“Night, Brian.” Denver smiled over her shoulder at the doorman.
Evan helped her into his truck before moving around to the driver’s side. They drove to the restaurant with only the merest of conversation between them. Funny that he never had trouble speaking to her at work. Tonight he struggled and it annoyed him.
“Where are we going?” Her soft voice swept over the rumble of the truck engine.
“Little Italian restaurant I heard of downtown, called Piccolos.”
“Sounds lovely.” She looked out the window and he tried to concentrate on the road ahead. When they walked into the restaurant, he placed his hand on the small of her back. The heat from her body warmed his palm and he kept it there as he followed her to their table. When she sat down he experienced a twinge of regret at losing the contact.
The waiter approached their table with menus and a wine list, then left them to choose before he came back. “What is your preference, wine or a cocktail?” He looked up, seeing the way she gazed at him, and a jolt of pleasure went to his gut. Could he have judged the gorgeous doctor wrong? Could she be interested in him after all this time?
Her lips curved showing the small dimples in her cheeks. “White wine please, not too dry.” She rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her hands, watching him as he chose a wine with the waiter hovering over his shoulder. Evan handed back the wine list and glanced across the table at her.
“So, how was your day? Did it get better after lunch?”
She smiled, a small laugh escaping her lips. “I was being particularly dramatic and I’m sorry. Really it was nothing, Evan. Certainly nowhere as bad as you not getting the job you had your heart set on.”
He shrugged his shoulders. The disappointment was still there. But he’d never been one to let things keep him down for long, preferring to move on with the next phase of his life and find something else to look forward to. “I’ve almost forgotten about it. More important things in life than crying over what you can’t have.”
“That’s a very pragmatic way to look at things.” She sat back and let the waiter pour her wine. Denver took a sip and nodded her head. “Perfect, thank you.”
“The way I figure it, there’s always going to be ups and downs in life. I prefer to roll with the punches and not let the negatives get to me. Besides, I have a wedding to go to.”
Denver put her glass down. “It must be nice having brothers that you can share things with.”
“Don’t you have any siblings? I seem to recall reading that there was a brother in the mix somewhere.” He noticed the way she dropped her gaze quickly so he couldn’t read her eyes and her lips tightened.
“Yes, although we don’t see much of each other, unfortunately. So, when is the wedding?” She picked up her glass and took another sip of wine, her gaze now focused back on Evan.
“Two weeks. Works out perfectly for me because my contract runs out then anyway, and I have to decide whether or not to sign on for another year or look for other work elsewhere.”
Denver tilted her head to one side. “What do you mean elsewhere, you love that job?”
“I do, but after today I was thinking a change could be in order and your father hinted that I’d have to do some severe groveling to keep the position I have now. I wonder if that’s a sign that I need a change.”
“Really? Evan, I’m surprised on both accounts. I didn’t think you would be interested in leaving.” A spark of interest showed in her eyes and Evan wondered if he could use her as a sounding board for what he wanted to discuss. His brothers had their own lives and therefore he didn’t feel right burdening them with his problems.
“I kind of feel like I’m at a crossroads in my life. I wanted a challenge, hence the push from some of the other doctors for me to take on the management of the ER. I see that might not have been the best move for me under the circumstances. Your father thinks I should be more interested in the administration side of things and I disagree.” He smiled at her, the pang of disappointment still in his gut. “I just think my sole purpose is to help sick people, regardless of where I work or what position I hold. I don’t see myself as a pen pusher but I did think I would be useful as the head of the emergency room. I feel confident managing a team and getting the best out of them while still doing my share of the workload. Let’s face it, how much good is a manager if they don’t even get in the thick of things—I can’t ever see myself putting down the tools, as it were? It’s the paperwork that throws me off. I could be dealing with patients instead.”
“Which is exactly the opposite of what I want to achieve. I’d love to drop the medicine part and work on the organizational side of things. How funny is that?” Denver licked her lips and smiled. “My problem is my father wants me to be more like you, not interested in the mechanics of hospital work. To tell you the whole truth, I know he would rather I stayed home and played the socialite role more than anything. Perhaps we should swap lives and see where that takes us.”
“Really? You want the whole paperwork and staff stresses of running a department? You know, Denver, I didn’t have you pegged that way. With all the extra shifts you’ve been doing with the specialists, I figured that was where you were heading.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t get me wrong, I love everything medicine entails. My goal has always been to do the management side of things, which I believe you can’t do unless you start at the bottom and experience every facet of the job. And you’re not the only one who might be
groveling to keep their contract. I got notified last week that mine needs to be renegotiated again.”
*
She picked up her menu and opened it, scanning the main meals. Clam linguine, her favorite. The waiter hovered by her side and she placed her order before handing the menu back to him. Evan toyed with his decision and she watched him. His focus remained on the waiter who explained the difference between the dishes. The attention he gave the man was something she was used to seeing. Evan was nothing if not a dedicated person, in his work and apparently in everything he did. Including ordering dinner.
When he made his decision, he handed the menu over and then turned back to her. His rich brown eyes reminded her of a mug of hot cocoa on cold winter nights, warm and inviting. The memory of her brother and herself with their mother sipping on hot chocolate gave her a brief moment of nostalgia before she pushed it away. It was too painful to have out in the open for too long.
“So, tell me about the wedding. Where is it being held?” Denver watched his face light up with a smile as he started to talk about his family.
“Back home in Marietta. Little old church in town actually.” Evan leaned back in his chair, his easy grace and nice nature showing. “I’ve missed it, even though I couldn’t wait to get out of the place when I was growing up. It’s funny how you look back and wonder what made it so annoying then and now it’s all I think about, going home.”
Are you kidding? her brain screamed. Marietta, my new home if I can get over that one hurdle. She had to keep it together. “Tell me about the town. It must be fascinating if you’re so keen to get back there after living in Seattle.”
“The thing I remember and probably miss the most are the mountains. The snow on the peaks and wishing for a big blizzard so I could go out and make a snowman.” He laughed, and the sound made her stomach flip, the vision clear in her mind. “My father let me one day because I made such a fuss about it and he was sick of me whining. He stood at the window and watched me as the wind howled and the sleet stung my face. It was so cold I wanted to go right back inside and I knew I couldn’t. I stayed out and made it look like I was enjoying myself.”
“Did you?” She couldn’t imagine him having a stubborn streak.
“Hell, I hated it. By the time Chance came out and dragged me inside, my fingers and toes were blue. I could hardly open my eyes. I remember screaming my lungs out when he tried to put me into a warm bath as he cursed my father for being so damned stupid letting me have my own way.” He glanced at her, a small wave of sadness crossing his eyes before it was gone. “Chance was like my brother, mother, and father all rolled into one. I can’t wait to see him again, it’s been far too long.”
I wish I had half of what you seem to have. It made her miss her brother more than ever. She brushed it off and gave her attention to her date.
“Not a wonder you’re so excited to go back for the wedding. Sounds like you have a lot of catching up to do.” She sighed, wishing she had that relationship with her brother instead of the stilted one-way conversations they shared only when they needed to.
“You have no idea.” He blinked and a big grin lifted his face. “Why don’t you come with me? It’ll be fun, I promise.”
“We hardly know each other, Evan. Surely there’s someone else you’d rather take?” Please say no, please, please. But if there was one thing she knew after working with him for so long, it was that with Evan what you saw was what you got. He was the least pretentious, least secretive person she’d ever met.
“Are you kidding, hardly know each other? We’ve worked together for over two years. Seen each other at the highs and lows, covered each other’s backs during particularly rough patches in ER. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to go out with me, Denver? There’s no one else I would like to take back home to the wedding than you.” He reached for her hand and grasped her fingers, winding his fingers around hers.
“Are you sure?” That would be perfect. I can approach the hospital and see how far I get. If I fail, I’ll already have Evan eating out of my hand, with any luck. Evan nodded his head. She thought quickly. “Let me check my schedule and see what I can do.” I’ll clear everything to go with you. I can’t let this chance go by. I must get that job.
“So that’s a yes, then?”
Nothing will stop me from coming with you and getting what I want. “Yes.”
“I can’t wait to tell Chance and Rory. They’ll be thrilled to meet you.” He let go of her hand as their meals arrived.
Denver watched him as they ate their dinner, small talk passing between them. He would be easy to live with from what she knew of him. You got to know people quite well working in the same hospital year after year and Evan was well liked by all, doctors and patients alike.
“Your brother is still a bull rider, isn’t he?” She remembered seeing the photos Evan had brought in of him riding in a competition not that long ago, proud of his big brother, and recognized him from the posters at the horse stables where she had her lessons when she was a teenager. Nurses and doctors alike had crowded around the table as he proudly displayed the photos of Chance Watson, bull rider extraordinaire wearing his latest belt buckle. Denver was intrigued and had peered over his shoulder at the glossy photos. Buckle bunnies clung to the bull rider, vying for his attention and it wasn’t until then that Denver noticed the similarities to the two men. Both blond, athletic, and very handsome. Having Evan by her side wouldn’t be a hardship.
“He used to be. Suffered a bad accident and broke his hip.” He pushed his plate away and wiped his lips with a napkin. “All he wants to do now is raise bulls and live on his ranch. I only managed a quick visit to the place last year, but I’ve heard all about what he’s doing with it from Tyson.”
“Who’s Tyson?”
“My other brother, one of them anyway.” He grinned at her and she found herself getting pulled into his family. “Chance is the oldest, then comes Rory, and me next. Tyson is the only one who never left when he grew up.”
“Why is that?” Denver thanked the waiter as he took their plates.
“Because he’s an old woman, set in his ways. Likes things the same. Drove us nuts as kids.” He laughed. “He gives Carol Bingley, the town gossip, a run for her money if you can believe it. I swear he’s going to take over from her when she passes on.”
“A man, vying for the position of town gossip. Well that’s a change for the books. Thought that was always the job of the next oldest spinster in town.” Denver smiled, shaking her head. “Bet that drove your parents mad.”
“Mom died when we were fairly young and Dad raised us alone.”
“The poor thing. Four boys must have been a bit of a handful. I don’t know what I’d do with one.”
“I doubt we were all that bad.”
Denver nodded her head, not sure whether to believe him or not. “So tell me what they all do. Will they be at the wedding?”
“Well, you know about Chance and Rory and me. Tyson has a ranch next door to Chance and he raises horses. I’m looking forward to a family reunion like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Something tells me it’s going to be a wedding to remember.”
“So, tell me more about you, Denver. What was it like growing up as the daughter of the eminent Dr. Sinclair?”
She sucked in a breath. Denver didn’t like talking about herself, but in this instance she felt she had no choice. “When my mother was alive, life was good. I had a charmed childhood as the daughter of two rather wealthy and forceful individuals.” She gave a nervous laugh. “My father adored our mother, thought he could change her from the outgoing career-mad woman she was to the perfect wife. She wouldn’t have a bar of it, refused to give up her work even when we came along. Somehow she managed to fit it all in regardless of how much he tried to get her to slow down and play lady’s. When we lost her, life as we knew it changed. My brother and I were virtually left in the hands of English nannies and au pairs while my father lost hims
elf in his work. I saw more of the inside of the nursery room than you can imagine. I’ll never wish that on a child of mine.” Denver took a breath and risked a quick glance at Evan. He watched her with total adoration on his face. He was going to make the perfect husband for her, she knew it.
“Sadly I became a disappointment to him growing up showing my mother’s tendencies for overachievement. A little headstrong too, perhaps. Anyway,” she shrugged her shoulders, “I had my goals in life and I’m going to stick to them, no matter what.”
“How could you think you’re a disappointment? Any father would be pleased to have such a talented doctor as you for a daughter.”
She shook her head and smiled. “He didn’t want another doctor in the family, Evan. My father hates the limelight being taken away from his own accomplishments. I was supposed to step up and take the role my mother refused to do as hostess, hopefully being a little bit more flexible than she was. As you can see, that didn’t work for him and he doesn’t like his plans being ruined.” But that isn’t in my DNA. I’m more like him than he can imagine. Driven, possibly over-the-top ambitious, but I will prove to him and myself that I’m more than worthy to take over the top job. Mother never bowed to him and nor will I. Then I want to see his face when I do as good a job as he does, if not better.
Chapter Three
Denver lay in bed, her mind going over the different scenarios, disregarding them as she went. It would be perfect to go and visit the town in the guise of being there for the wedding. She could check out the hospital and pop in for an impromptu meeting. With any luck, she would be able to talk herself into the job. Her only problem had been finding a local husband if the hospital board couldn’t be convinced to hire her as a single woman, so she could claim ‘local’ status that way. If it all went pear-shaped and she had to prove her eligibility for the job, her choice was Evan.
The Doctor's Husband (The Watson Brothers #3) Page 2
