The Doctor's Valentine Dare

“We’re discussing The 48 Laws of Power this evening. But we’re eating first.” The twinkle in Poppy’s eyes told him she was well aware of exactly how he’d been enticed to attend. “If there’s time at the end of the evening, I’m hoping to bring out the portable mic and do a little torch singing. Do you sing?”

Noah froze. “Ben didn’t mention anything about singing.”

Poppy stroked the cashmere of his coat now folded over her arm. “Didn’t he? I’ll have to speak with him. It’s always nice for guests to be prepared.”

The only place Noah ever sang was in the shower, or in church, when he attended. “What’s torch singing?”

“Romantic ballads.”

Noah’s shoulders tightened. “I don’t know any.”

“No worries. We have sheet music.” She turned toward the hall then paused to gesture in the direction of the back of the house. “The men are to the right, women to the left. Dinner is in fifteen.”

Though Noah was certainly no coward, if Poppy hadn’t been holding his coat hostage, he might have thought about making a break for it. One thing he knew for certain. If there was any torch singing tonight, it wouldn’t be him center stage.

Even if Poppy hadn’t told him which direction to go, the high-pitched laughter and feminine voices—seeming to all talk at once—would have alerted him to stay to the right.

Noah had expected Ben’s home to be as precise and put-together as the man himself. But instead of elegant pieces of expensive furniture there were overstuffed sofas and chairs exuding a warmth absent from Ben’s office at the clinic.

His associate’s office reminded Noah of a page out of Architectural Digest. The light gray walls held signed prints. The rosewood furniture was all about style rather than comfort.

Poppy’s influence, he mused, as he rounded a corner and came to an abrupt stop. “Josie?”

For a second she appeared equally startled. She was dressed more casually than Poppy. Blue jeans hugged her long legs while a thin sweater in hot pink clung to her enticing curves.

She lifted a brow. “Are you stalking me, Dr. Anson?”

Affronted by the ridiculous accusation, he stiffened. “Most certainly not.”

If her widening smile was any indication, his haughty tone amused her.

She rested a hand on his shirtsleeve and gazed up at him with those clear blue eyes. He felt the sizzle of her touch all the way through the broadcloth.

“In case you haven’t figured it out, I was teasing.” Humor underscored her matter-of-fact tone. “I didn’t expect to see you here, that’s all.”

Noah gestured with his head toward the roar of male voices disputing a referee call. “Ben invited me over to watch the game.”

“The college championship? A game that was already played?”

He smiled, sharing the sentiment imbued in her dry tone. “He assured me the food would be top-notch.”

“He’s right about that.” Josie rocked back on her heels, no longer seeming in such a hurry.

For the first time he noticed what she wore on her feet. “Are those pink cowboy boots?”

She grinned, lifted a leg and held it out for his inspection. “Don’t you love them? Sylvie and I went shopping yesterday. She helped me pick them out.”

“Sylvie?”

“The Mad Batter.”

For a second Noah wondered if she was speaking some strange foreign language. That thought was far superior to the fear that he’d stepped through some rabbit hole and had lost his ability to process information. “Pardon?”

“The woman who did the cake for Travis and MK’s New Year’s Eve party,” she reminded him.

Noah finally recalled the quirky brunette with the violet eyes. “The cake was strange-looking, but I admit I never tasted better. Is she here tonight?”

Josie shook her head. “She’s not, but she made another cake for tonight. It’s super cute.”

When Ben had said the food would be top-notch, Noah had assumed a meal would be served. Now he wasn’t so certain. “Is that what we’re having...cake?”

“Well, I could have it for the main course and enjoy every bite, but—” she continued at his pained look “—there are others who insist on something more nutritious.”

Noah raised his brows.

“Lexi Delacourt is in charge of the entrée. She’s a gourmet cook. Veal piccata is on the menu tonight.”

Noah was acquainted with the social worker and her husband. Although Nick Delacourt’s specialty was family law, he’d helped Noah’s grandmother with several contracts related to her business interests. Noah had been impressed by the man’s savvy and attention to detail.

“Do you like veal?”

The question seemed to come from far away. He couldn’t take his eyes off Josie. Pretty in pink and sexy as hell in those tight-fitting jeans.

Noah stepped closer, placing a hand on the wall on either side of her, crowding her. She smelled sweet, like lilies. The barest trace of pink gloss shimmered on her full lips.

She made no move to get away, simply stared up at him with those clear green eyes.

He wanted to taste her, to see if that mouth really was as sweet as he remembered. He lowered his head, relieved when she made no move to turn away.

“Josie,” Poppy called out. “Was everything okay with Jack?”

“He was fine.” Josie slipped out from under Noah’s arms just as Poppy strode around the corner.

John William, known as Jack to friends and family, was Ben and Poppy’s very active two-year-old.

Poppy’s speculative gaze took in the scene. She smiled at Noah. “Did you get lost?”

“I ran into Josie,” Noah explained with an easy smile. “She was telling me what’s on the menu for this evening.”

“It’s always incredible when Lexi does the entrée.” Poppy placed a hand on her stomach. “I only wish I could enjoy food the way I used to.”

“You will again.” Noah spoke in the reassuring tone he used with his patients, then excused himself and continued to the back of the house.

“You didn’t tell me he was coming.” Josie kept her tone low, even when she was certain Noah was out of earshot.

Dear God, she’d almost kissed him again. What was it about the man? Whenever he was near, her good sense seemed to go on hiatus.

If Poppy noticed the hint of accusation in Josie’s tone, she gave no indication. She merely lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. “We’ve invited him over on many occasions. This is the first time he actually showed up.”

“My lucky night.”

“Is having him here an issue?” Poppy’s expression took on a look of concern. “If it is, I can talk with Ben and—”

“No.” Because Josie had spoken more sharply than she’d intended, she softened the word with a smile. “It’s just, for some crazy reason, when Noah is around the part of my brain that’s capable of rational thought goes haywire.”

They quickly reached the edge of the kitchen, where the other women were congregated. When Josie started to step inside, Poppy took her arm. “Do you like him? I heard you kissed him at the party Saturday night.”

Josie hesitated. She settled for waving a dismissive hand in the air, and forcing a casual tone. “We shared a kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Noah is a nice enough guy, but not my type.”

Poppy cocked her head. “Exactly what kind of man is your type?”

For a second her mind went completely blank. She could hardly diss Noah without also dissing her brother Ben. Josie thought of the men who’d been at the party the other night. No one stood out. Surely there had to be someone she could use to defuse Poppy’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Liam Gallagher,” she blurted out.

While the child psychologist hadn’t made her heart beat the slightest bit faster when they’d danced, he appeared to possess many of the characteristics she admired.

“Liam.” Poppy’s perfectly painted red lips curved upward. “Good to know.”

The gleam in her sister-in-law’s eyes had Josie wondering exactly what she was planning.

Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was she’d gotten Poppy off the ridiculous notion that there was something between her and Dr. Noah Anson.

Chapter Four

It didn’t take any time at all for Josie to realize she should have kept her mouth shut. About everything.

The evening’s downhill slide began when the men piled into the kitchen to fill their plates with food from the sumptuous buffet.

Josie had been chatting with Mary Karen, a perky blonde who barely looked old enough to drink much less be the mother of five, when Noah strode into the room.

For a second she wondered if he planned to stay true to form and seek her out, but as he walked past with her brother, she realized they were deep in discussion about some new surgical technique.

Their total focus on the topic reminded Josie of the types of discussion that had occurred most nights around her parents’ dining room table. Her three older brothers, all aspiring doctors, and her father would discuss medicine as if it was the most fascinating subject in the world.

Her mother, God love her, would feign interest. There was a time—back when Josie had been desperate for her father’s love and approval—when she’d also listened attentively.

Occasionally, she’d forget her audience and bring up something she’d learned in yoga class. Although her dad hadn’t rolled his eyes, usually one of her brothers would make a joke. They’d all laugh. Eventually she’d quit sharing.

A heaviness filled her chest at the memories, an unwelcome sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time. Was she crazy for coming back and trying to rebuild a relationship? Perhaps it would have been better if she’d stayed in Portland and returned home only for the occasional Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday.

Though she’d come home to Jackson Hole filled with determination and enthusiasm, she had to admit she still had no clue what made her father and brothers tick. If she couldn’t understand them, how was she ever going to form a connection?

While adding a spoonful of each salad to her plate, Josie listened to Mary Karen chatter about her oldest set of twins, then found a seat at the large oval table.

Cassidy Duggan, owner of the Clippety Do-Dah Salon—and Daffodil’s boss—stopped on her way back to her seat to ask Josie who’d designed the cake she’d brought that evening. Cassidy was absolutely convinced her twin daughters would adore a unique cake for their upcoming birthday.

After giving the hair salon owner Sylvie’s contact information, Josie lifted the glass of iced tea to her lips, feeling as out of place as she’d been at the New Year’s Eve party. Did everyone in this book club have kids?

She let her gaze search the room, mentally cataloging those in attendance, and realized, yes. Tonight, everyone in attendance were parents. Except...

From across the room, her gaze met Noah’s. He smiled.

Blood flowed through her veins like warm honey.

Josie told herself she didn’t want Noah to sit in the empty chair beside her. Of course, it was a free country and if he happened to choose that seat, she could hardly ignore him. In her mind she began to plan all the topics they’d discuss, none of which involved teething, dance classes or children’s birthday parties.

Noah was still filling his plate when Poppy placed a hand on the chair next to Josie’s and announced, “There’s a spot for you over here.”

Josie shifted her gaze to find Liam Gallagher headed in her direction. She amended her earlier assessment. Apparently there were three of them without children here, not two. When she slanted a glance at her sister-in-law, Poppy offered a benign smile.

“You can thank me later.” Her sister-in-law leaned over and whispered in her ear.

Liam pulled out a chair and smiled warmly. “May I sit next to you?”

“Absolutely.”

Josie discovered Liam was an interesting conversationalist, full of humorous stories about all the places he’d lived before returning to set up practice as a child psychologist in Jackson Hole.

She attempted to keep Liam talking, even while casting surreptitious glances in Noah’s direction, but the psychologist refused to monopolize the conversation. To her chagrin, he kept redirecting everything back to her. He listened intently to whatever she said, so intently she felt as if she was in a therapy session and should request a bill at the end of the evening.

When Cassidy passed by them on her way to get a piece of cake, Josie seized the opportunity to redirect the psychologist once again.

“I heard Tim and Cassidy started dating after a bachelor auction,” Josie commented, praying Liam would take the ball and run with it.

“It’s true.” Liam rested an arm against the back of her chair in a casual gesture that had Poppy smiling in approval as she refilled their glasses of iced tea. “Actually, Tim was filling in for me that evening. I had a bad allergic reaction and couldn’t participate. Cassidy was the high bidder. They fell in love, got married and had a baby boy. The rest is history.”

“It’s strange how life works,” Josie murmured, thinking of her own journey back to Jackson Hole.

This time her gaze settled on her brother. She watched as he slipped his arm around Poppy’s waist and took a heavy glass pitcher from her hands. Whatever he whispered in her ear made her smile.

Benedict seemed different—softer—when he was around his wife. Still, his brusque words when she’d returned told her he hadn’t changed, not really, not enough. Not nearly enough.

“People don’t change.” The words came out on a sigh.

“They can.”

Josie inhaled sharply and jerked her attention back to her right. Instead of Liam, Noah sat beside her, a piece of cake and a cup of coffee in front of him.

“You’re not Liam.”

“Very perceptive.” He forked off another bit of cake. “This is excellent. Try a bite.”

Before Josie was even aware what was happening, the fork that only moments before had been in his mouth, was in hers. Shades of New Year’s Eve. The taste of butter and almonds and sugar melded in a sweet explosion.

“It’s very good.” She handed the fork back to him. “Now tell me what happened to Liam. Did you bury him in the basement?”

“I believe he grew tired of being ignored and went in search of greener pastures.”

“I wasn’t—” Josie paused, flushed.

She hadn’t ignored the psychologist, she thought defensively. Still, she had let her mind wander. It was a bad habit. One she thought she’d successfully broken.

“I need to apologize.” She began to rise but Noah’s hand on her arm had her sitting back down.

“I was kidding.” Noah took another bite of cake. “Liam received a call from his answering service. A patient was in crisis and he had to leave.”

“He didn’t say a word.” Josie wasn’t sure if she felt indignation or relief.

“He probably didn’t want to disturb your reverie.”

She swatted his arm, but Noah only grinned. The boyish smile had her going warm all over. For the first time since she’d walked through the door, she let herself fully relax.

After all, she had no desire to try to impress Dr. Anson with her wit and charm. Absently, she took a bit of her own piece of cake. It wasn’t simply good, it was stellar.

A bell sounded, a gentle tinkling.

Beside her, Noah cocked his head. “What is that?”

“Five-minute warning for the men to leave the kitchen.”

Noah forked off another bite of cake, seeming in no hurry to leave with the other men. “The hospital is holding a post-Christmas event for their medical staff Saturday night.”

“My dad mentioned something about it.” Josie gazed at him speculatively. “I told him it appears the medical staff isn’t very important to the hospital.”

He frowned, much the way her father had done. “What makes you think that?”

“Think about it. They made no effort to fit the party in during the actual holiday season.”

“They were being accommodating. Everyone is busy over the holidays. Attendance will be higher in January when there aren’t as many demands.”

The last thing Josie wanted was to engage in a conversation about anything medical. Still, recalling the experience with Liam, Josie kept her focus on Noah. Though, she had to admit, her attention rarely wandered when she was with Noah. But she knew if she got too close, she’d get burned.

Yet the intoxicating scent of his cologne, the square cut of his jaw and those intense blue eyes called to her at a primal level. Even more disturbing was the realization that it only took one flash of his smile to have something low in her abdomen tightening.

This physical attraction was what made him so dangerous. It would be too easy to get wrapped up in physical desire and forget one basic fact; this man was cut from the same bolt of cloth as her brothers and father.

“—go with me.”

Josie turned toward Noah just as Poppy announced the men needed to leave the kitchen so the book club could begin their discussion.

“Anson,” Ben called out. “Unless you’re going to join the ladies, it’s time to clear out.”

“Give me a call this week.” Noah squeezed her arm and rose. “We’ll work out the details.”

After placing his coffee cup and plate in the sink, he joined the exodus of men, leaving Josie to ponder how he’d managed to slip away without her having a chance to tell him no.

Well, she’d darn well decline his offer later tonight. Before he stepped one foot outside of this house, she’d make it clear there was no way she was attending any function with him, especially one of the medical variety.

* * *

“It’s Thursday.” Sylvie sat across the table from Josie at the Hill of Beans coffee shop. “The event is Saturday.”

Josie grinned at the baker. “Thank you for orienting me to the date.”

As she predicted, she and Sylvie were well on their way to becoming friends. Her gut told Josie she could trust Sylvie to be discreet. It was good to have someone with whom she could share her feelings. As much as Josie liked and respected Pauline, the woman was Noah’s grandmother.

“I’m going to call him today.” Josie picked up her phone from the table, glanced at the time, then set it down. “The yoga class I’m teaching at the church starts in an hour. I’ll call him after that.”

Sylvie took a sip of her latte. “Why not now? Get it out of the way.”

“Ben mentioned he and Noah have a big surgery today. If I call now I’ll just get his voice mail.”

The baker’s gaze remained focused on Josie’s face. “I’d say that would make this a perfect time.”

“Calling when I know he’s busy is a coward’s way.” Josie lifted her chin. “Contrary to what my brother thinks, I’m not a coward.”

A group of teenage girls tumbled into the shop, laughing and talking loudly, distracting her from the troubling thought.

“You don’t seem like a cowardly person to me.” Two lines appeared between Sylvie’s brows. “Why would your brother say such a thing?”

“They stopped by my parents’ house last night—Ben, Poppy and Jack.” Josie had felt a surge of envy at the sight of the happy family. “They brought over the ultrasound of the baby.”

“That’s cool.” Sylvie hesitated. “Isn’t it?”

“Everyone is so excited. Even my dad. Poppy and he have this great relationship. It’s almost like she should have been his daughter.” Recalling the big hug her father had given Poppy, Josie had to swallow past a sudden lump in her throat.

“I still don’t get the coward comment,” Sylvie persisted.

“Have you ever run away from something?” Josie asked her. “Because deep down you knew if you stayed you’d end up being talked into doing something you’d regret?”

“Yes.” Sylvie’s face went stark white. “I have.”

“Well, that’s why I left college after my junior year and took off.” Josie began to shred the napkin between her fingers. “I knew if I stayed I’d end up going to medical school like everyone else in my family. Only instead of loving it like they had, I’d hate it. I had to leave.”

“When you leave unexpectedly—” Sylvie’s gaze shifted out the window where snow fell in large picturesque flakes “—no matter how good the reason, most people will consider you a coward. What those people don’t realize is that making a decision to leave takes a lot of strength. It’s often easier—safer—to take the path of least resistance.”

Josie considered what Sylvie said and felt some of the weight lift from her chest. Here, finally, was someone who understood. “I would have hated myself if I’d have stayed.”

“As would I.” The sadness in Sylvie’s eyes told Josie she didn’t have the market on suffering.

“What happened?” Josie rested a hand on Sylvie’s arm. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

“Much the same as what happened to you. I was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. When I realized it wasn’t going to work, it was best for everyone I left.”

“You left your...family?”

“My fiancé.”

Something in the baker’s eyes told Josie not to push for more. “I’m sorry.”

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” Sylvie lifted her chin, her violet eyes shimmering with determination. “But, like you, I was smart enough to know it was best to leave.”

Josie nodded. She only wished the thought gave her comfort. “Last evening, Ben tossed out that he hopes if they have a girl, she never treats Poppy the way I treated my mom.”

Sympathy filled Sylvie’s eyes. “Ouch.”

“My dad told Ben to drop it.” Josie pressed her lips together. “He didn’t, of course, arrogant jackass. Asked me why I didn’t just stand up for myself. He told me only a coward would run off and break her mother’s heart.”

Josie wasn’t sure what she expected Sylvie to say. Perhaps agree with her that her brother was a jerk. Or maybe soothe her by repeating she’d made the best decision possible. Instead, her new friend remained silent for a long moment.

“It’s hard for me to understand people who have such a different personality than I do.” She smiled at Josie. “I bet in Portland you surrounded yourself with men and women who pretty much viewed life through a common lens.”

Josie frowned.

“I do it, too,” Sylvie said before she could respond. “That’s why you and I became friends.”

The tension gripping Josie’s shoulders eased.

“It’s like my dad and brothers speak a different language,” Josie admitted with a rueful smile. “We look at the same situation and arrive at far different conclusions.”

A shadow passed over Sylvie’s face. “It’s very frustrating.”

“I want to understand them.” Josie lifted her hands, let them fall. “And I want them to hear—and understand—me. Sometimes I think I need an interpreter.”

Instead of laughing at the ridiculous thought, Sylvie’s expression grew thoughtful. “Yes. I believe that might be helpful.”

Josie gave a little laugh. “Too bad I can’t simply snap my fingers and conjure one up.”

“You don’t need to do that, not when you have the perfect person at your disposal.” Sylvie leaned back in her chair smiled. “Noah Anson wants something from you. You need something from him. From where I’m sitting, it’s a match made in heaven.”

Chapter Five

Saturday night, standing at the door to his grandmother’s house, Noah faced his sister. While he knew Daffodil frequently visited Pauline, it was rare for him to run into her here.

“Good evening, Daffodil.” He studied the younger sister who’d gone from worshiping him to not being able to stand the sight of him.

The pretty little girl had grown into a striking young woman. With her petite frame, blond hair straight and loose to midback, and big blue eyes, she could have been the poster girl for a 1960s flower child. The fact that she had a propensity for wearing all organic clothing only furthered that image.

Daffodil had been one of the top students at the boarding school where she’d been dumped after their parents’ divorce. After graduation, instead of going to college as he’d hoped, she’d become a hairstylist.