The Doctor and Mr. Right

“Sure.” Gabe’s crooked smile encompassed Michelle. “It’d be my pleasure.”

“Are you ready to go inside, July?” Michelle asked, feeling suddenly warm. “I’ll make us some iced tea and get Sasha fresh water.”

“It’s good to see Sasha again.” July reached over and gave the dog a pat on the head, then cocked her head. A tiny frown furrowed her brow. “Is it just me or is Sasha’s coat not as thick? And she looks like she’s lost weight.”

Michelle saw the question—and the worry—in Gabe’s eyes.

“I took her to the vet Tuesday.” Michelle answered July but kept her gaze focused on Gabe. “Dr. Pitts did a thorough exam, ran a bunch of blood work and diagnosed her with hypothyroidism.”

July’s green eyes grew puzzled. “The hair loss fits that diagnosis, but don’t you usually gain weight with that condition, instead of lose it?”

“Normally,” Michelle admitted. “But some dogs become so lethargic they just don’t feel like eating. To complicate matters, I’d recently switched Sasha to a food she ended up not liking.”

“Thank God that’s all it was,” Gabe said and Michelle heard the relief in his voice.

After chatting with Gabe for a few more minutes, July followed Michelle inside. Once in the kitchen, Sasha ate the rest of the food in her dish, then looked up and whined.

Michelle smiled and patted the top of the dog’s head. “You’ve had enough for now, sweetheart.”

“Gabe sure seemed concerned about her.” July leaned back against the counter, a speculative look in her eyes.

“He had a Golden who’d died of cancer.” Michelle added fresh water to the dog bowl. “He worried Sasha might have the same thing.”

July wanted to get right to work, so instead of enjoying a glass of iced tea, Michelle spent the next hour smiling for the camera in a variety of different outfits.

While July took the photos, Sasha padded around the house, barking at a squirrel running across the back deck and playing with a fuzzy blue-and-white soccer ball. Seeing Sasha active again made Michelle want to laugh with pure joy.

After the session concluded, Michelle poured her and July a glass of iced tea and they headed to the back deck with a plate of peanut butter cookies. Of course, when they’d decided to sit outdoors, Michelle didn’t know Gabe would be out in his yard tossing a softball back and forth with his daughter.

Even though she’d seen the teenager in passing, this was the first time Michelle had gotten a good look at her. Finley was tall with dark brown hair like her father, but her complexion was fair. From where Michelle sat she couldn’t see the color of her eyes. The girl talked as much as she threw, the conversation with her father interspersed with laughter.

According to Lexi, Finley was a good-natured girl and she and Addie were on their way to becoming the best of friends.

July cocked her head. “Did you hear a car drive up?”

The words had barely left her mouth when a car door slammed. Seconds later, the doorbell chimed.

“Looks like whoever it is came to see us.” Michelle stood. “I’ll check and be right back.”

When she opened the front door, she saw David, July’s husband. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

“It’s good to see you, again.” David smiled. “I hope I’m not interrupting your session?”

Dressed in khaki shorts and a white polo shirt, Dr. David Wahl was a handsome, confident man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes.

“Actually we just recently finished and were enjoying some iced tea.” Michelle motioned for him to follow her.

By the time they reached the back deck, July was standing, a look of worry on her face. “I heard your voice. Are the boys okay?”

“They’re fine.” David leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek. “My parents took them to some event at the Children’s Museum. They wanted to keep them overnight. I told them it was okay.”

“I wonder why your mom didn’t ask me?” July mused, puzzlement furrowing her brow. “She usually calls me for stuff like that.”

“Reaching you might have been a little difficult considering this was at home.” He pulled a tiny smartphone from his pocket and pressed it into her hands.

“Oops.” July blushed. “Michelle and I were so busy I haven’t even missed it. Thanks for bringing it to me.”

“Would you like some iced tea, David?” Michelle asked. “Or a peanut butter cookie? They’re homemade.”

David glanced longingly at the platter of cookies. “Very tempting, but I actually wanted to see if July was interested in stopping for dinner on our way home.”

July’s expression turned thoughtful. She turned to Michelle. “Do you have plans for this evening?”

“No,” Michelle said cautiously. “Why?”

Her friend clearly had something up her sleeve. While Michelle didn’t know what it was, she had a feeling she would soon find out.

“We could grill. It’s a beautiful evening. David could run to the store and get the steaks and beer.” July’s voice trembled with excitement. “You and I could whip up a salad while he’s gone.”

“Sounds good to me.” David glanced at Michelle.

The last thing Michelle wanted was for July and David to feel sorry for her. She’d already planned to have a simple dinner, finish the book she’d been reading and go to bed early. Unless, of course, she got called out for a delivery.

“It does sound like fun, but this is your night without the kids.” Michelle reminded her friends. “You should spend it alone. Or with another couple. Not with me.”

“Are you worried about being a third wheel?” July’s voice rose. “Seriously?”

“If that’s your concern,” David exchanged a look with his wife. “I know how to remedy it.”

Without saying another word, David headed down the deck steps and across the lawn with Sasha on his heels.

“What is he—” The words died in Michelle’s throat as she watched him approach Gabe. “Dear God, tell me he’s not going to invite him to join us.”

July popped a piece of cookie in her mouth. “Looks like it.”

Thankfully, from the way Gabe was shaking his head, it appeared he wasn’t interested. Michelle expelled the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. But her relief was short-lived.

David smiled and headed across the yard, calling over his shoulder. “Come over at six.”

“What was that about?” July asked her husband when he reached the deck, slanting a sideways glance at Michelle.

“I invited Gabe and his daughter to join us and they accepted,” David said with a smug smile.

Gabe and his teenage daughter.

In her house.

Michelle swallowed a nervous laugh and realized feeling like a third wheel was now the least of her concerns.

Chapter Four

“Put some of the brownies you baked this morning on a plate and we’ll take them with us,” Gabe said to his daughter.

Finley looked up from the kitchen table where she sat, book in hand. “I made those for us, not for them.”

Gabe counted to ten and reminded himself that Finley had hoped for a different outcome for this evening. Yesterday she’d asked if she could invite Addie over tonight and he’d said yes. Unfortunately Addie already had plans. “Even though it will be only adults tonight, July is a photographer and I know you like that kind of stuff. Plus Sasha will be there.”

Relief flooded Gabe when Finley’s lips turned upward. His daughter had a deep love for dogs and this was something animals seemed to sense. Earlier Sasha had made a beeline across the yard to Finley.

“I still don’t see why we have to give them our brownies.” Finley pushed back her chair and stood. She glanced down at her denim skirt and top. “Or why I had to dress up.”

Gabe slipped an arm around her shoulders and gave a squeeze. “They’re giving us dinner. The least we can do is bring dessert. And if I had to change, so do you.”

“We looked okay the way we were,” Finley grumbled. “Or at least I did.”

“Oh, so you’re saying it was only me?” Gabe teased.

“No comment.” Finley stepped back and looked him up and down, taking in his khaki pants and blue plaid shirt. “You look…pretty good. For an old guy, that is.”

“I just turned thirty-one.” He bristled with feigned outrage. “Hardly over-the-hill.”

A smile lifted her lips. “Keep telling yourself that, old man.”

Gabe chuckled, overcome with love for this child of his. He thought of the things her mother had been unwilling to give up. College life. Living on campus. Spring break trips.

Not for one minute did he regret the choice he made. He wondered if Shannon could say the same thing.

Impulsively he gave Finley a quick hug, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

“Hey,” she twisted away. Her brows pulled together, but he saw the pleased look in her eyes. “What was that for?”

“I love you.” The words came easily to his lips, the emotion as natural as breathing. “I’m proud of the trouper you’ve been during this move. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

“I’m a Davis.” She pulled back her shoulders and straightened. “According to Grandpa, we do what needs to be done. And we don’t whine.”

Thank you, Dad, Gabe thought. His parents had been such positive role models for Finley.

“He’s absolutely right. As always.” Gabe pulled a paper plate from a drawer, along with some plastic wrap. “This should do for the brownies.”

This time there wasn’t a single grumble as Finley quickly washed her hands, then began transferring the chocolate squares to a disposable plate.

Gabe took a deep breath, feeling suddenly unsure about tonight’s barbecue. He hoped accepting the dinner offer hadn’t been a mistake.

“Do you like her?”

For a second Gabe wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. He turned toward Finley. “Who?”

“Michelle. Our neighbor,” Finley clarified a bit impatiently. “Do you like her?”

“She seems nice.” Gabe chose his words carefully, not wanting there to be any misunderstanding. “If you’re asking if I want to date her, the answer is no.”

Finley tilted her head. “Not your type?”

An image of Michelle flashed before him. A gorgeous blue-eyed blonde with long legs and big—Gabe cut off the thought. “She’s okay. It’s just I don’t want to date anyone right now. This isn’t a good time.”

When he’d graduated with his degree in Construction Management, Gabe had thought long and hard about his next steps. Did he want to stay on the East Coast? Move to Florida where his parents now lived? Or head out west to a part of the country that had always appealed to him?

Finley was already in middle school, so it had been important to consider carefully. If they didn’t relocate soon, she’d be in high school, which would make a move at that point difficult.

Wherever he ended up, Gabe was determined to secure a position that would not only allow him to advance in his career but also give him time for a rich and full home life.

He’d found that position with Joel Dennes’s firm. Now that he and Finley were in Jackson Hole, his next step was to focus on getting comfortable in his new job as well as help his daughter acclimate to a different town. Those were his priorities. Six months from now, a year from now, there would be time to date.

He glanced at the clock. Five until six. “It’s time. We don’t want to be late.”

Finley picked up the brownies. “Chill, Dad. They’ve probably already forgotten we’re coming.”

Michelle heard the doorbell just as the clock struck six. She hurried across the hardwood flooring, Sasha at her side.

She’d expected Gabe and his daughter to simply cut across the backyard. After all, David was already on the deck tending the grill, the delicious smell of steaks wafting in the air. Instead they’d gone to the front, like this was a big deal…which was how it felt.

Having two extra guests for dinner shouldn’t have affected Michelle in the least. She liked to entertain and often had friends over.

But right now her chest felt as if a flock of hummingbirds had taken up residence. It was probably, she decided, because of Finley. How on earth were they going to entertain her? What did thirteen-year-olds even talk about?

Michelle opened the door. Sasha automatically sat. “Welcome.”

“Thanks for inviting us.” Gabe took hold of the screen door and motioned his daughter inside.

The girl had a plate of brownies in her hands. When Finley glanced in her direction Michelle realized that, unlike her father, the teen’s eyes were a bright vivid blue.

“I’ll put these on the kitchen counter.” Finley started forward, but Gabe stopped her with a touch on her arm.

“First you need to meet our hostess,” he said to his daughter in a gentle but firm voice. He quickly performed the introductions.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Kerns,” Finley said in a soft, shy voice. “Thank you for inviting us to dinner.”

“It’s good to finally meet you, Finley. Please, call me Michelle.” The dog at her feet whined. A smile lifted Michelle’s lips. “I believe you’ve already met Sasha.”

Finley handed her father the plate of brownies, then crouched down in front of the dog.

“Sasha, shake,” Michelle ordered and the dog obligingly lifted one paw.

Finley took the paw, gave it a shake, then laughed, looking up at her dad.

A touching father-daughter moment, Michelle thought. Ed and his daughters had been close, too. A coldness filled her veins.

“Let me take these.” Michelle lifted the brownies from Gabe’s hands. “July and David are on the deck. Let’s join them.”

As they followed her through the home, she had to work to slow her breathing. She didn’t know why she felt so jittery. After all, it wasn’t as if she was interested in Gabe Davis.

Yet, for all her apprehension about the evening, once it got rolling, it couldn’t have gone better. Finley played ball with the dog in the backyard while the adults socialized.

Gabe was charming. There was no other way for Michelle to say it. When David insisted he had the grilling under control, Gabe carried plates out to the table, grabbed condiments from the refrigerator and added cranberries to the salad.

“You seem comfortable in the kitchen,” July commented when he scattered blue cheese crumbles over the top of the lettuce.

“Finley and I divide cooking duties,” Gabe said with a smile. “My mother gave us some cooking lessons and tips on making nutritious meals on a budget. If not for her help, I’m afraid we’d be surviving on fast food.”

“Does your mother live in Philadelphia?” Even though the conversation had been between July and Gabe, Michelle decided with only three of them in the kitchen, it was okay for her to jump into the conversation.

“My parents moved to Florida several years ago.” Gabe finished with the salad, then turned those warm golden eyes in her direction. “We both hated to see them go.”

Michelle grabbed steak sauce from the refrigerator and kept her tone offhand. “You were young when Finley was born… .”

“I turned eighteen a couple days before her birth,” Gabe said.

“So your mother took care of her for you?” Michelle prompted when he didn’t elaborate.

“My parents helped,” Gabe acknowledged, “but they made it clear that Finley was my daughter, my responsibility, which is how I saw it, too.”

“Because she was your mistake.” The minute the words left her mouth, Michelle wished she could call them back. The truth was, she didn’t see any child as a mistake. They were precious gifts from above. She’d devoted her career to bringing them safely into the world.

Gabe opened his mouth, then shut it.

“I’m sorry.” Michelle started to reach out to him but pulled back, not wanting to be too familiar. Still, he needed to know where she stood. “That came out wrong. To me every child is a miracle, regardless of timing.”

“She may not have been planned,” Gabe said slowly as if she hadn’t spoken, “but Finley was a great gift.”

“I gave birth to our oldest son,” July confided, “before David and I were married. Even though the timing might not be what some would consider perfect, I believe that was how it was meant to be. Adam came into our lives according to a higher timetable, not according to mine.”

The smile Gabe directed at July was warm. But when he shifted his gaze to Michelle, there was a coolness in his eyes that hadn’t been there moments before. “Perhaps one day—when you have a child of your own—you’ll understand.”

It was a low blow, but she figured she deserved it. “As I said, I’m sorry. It came out wrong.” Michelle forced a smile to her lips. “I think we’re ready to eat.”

By the time they took their seats around the wooden table on the deck, Michelle concluded that inviting Gabe and Finley over had been a mistake. One she wouldn’t repeat.

Despite the fact that her two neighbors were perfect guests, Michelle continued to feel off balanced. That insensitive comment she’d uttered in the kitchen was a perfect example of her jumbled thoughts.

“I really like photography,” she overheard Finley say to July. “But I’m not very good at it.”

“What kind of camera do you have?” July asked.

“A cheap digital.” Finley glanced at her father. “I asked for a better one for my birthday, but we didn’t have the money.”

“Moving across the country isn’t cheap.” Gabe cut off a bite of steak. “Not to mention spending seven hundred dollars for a birthday present isn’t something I’d ever consider appropriate.”

“Ah, Dad,” Finley began but stopped when her eyes met her father’s. She cleared her throat and focused on the others around the table. “I’m hoping to earn the money this summer. So if you know of anyone who needs a babysitter—I’ve completed the Red Cross certification—or have odd jobs I could do, please let me know.”

July put down her fork and turned to Michelle. “Didn’t you say something during book club about wishing you had someone to walk Sasha during the day?”

“I could walk her,” Finley began almost before the words left July’s mouth. “Because I live next door, Dad wouldn’t have to drive me or anything. Whenever you needed me, I’d be available.”

Michelle remembered being thirteen and eager to work, but too young for a work permit. And Finley was right, with her living next door, it couldn’t be any more perfect. But to have such a close association with Gabe’s daughter…

“Do you need someone, Doctor, I mean Michelle?” Finley pressed, her voice quivering with excitement.

“Honey.” Gabe placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder when Michelle didn’t immediately respond. “Michelle may already have someone in mind.”

He’d generously given her an out, but this time she wasn’t going to take it. What did it matter whose child Finley was? It wasn’t as if Michelle and Gabe were dating. It certainly wasn’t as if she’d ever consider marrying him.

“If you’re serious, I’d like to take you up on your offer, Finley.” Michelle’s smile widened as Finley squealed. “After supper we can talk about the specifics.”

“Ohmygosh, thank you so much.” The words tumbled from Finley’s mouth. “I’ll take good care of her. I promise.”

Of that Michelle had no doubt. “I know you will. I wouldn’t trust Sasha’s care to just anyone.”

Across Finley’s head, Gabe’s eyes caught hers. “Thank you,” he mouthed and a rush of warmth flowed through her veins.

No big deal, she told herself, taking another bite of salad. This was strictly a business arrangement between her and Finley. It didn’t have a thing to do with making Gabe happy. Not one thing.

Gabe had assumed he’d see Michelle at church on Sunday, but she wasn’t there or at breakfast afterward. He’d forgiven her for her comment about Finley being a mistake. There had been times in his past when he’d put his foot in his mouth, too. He believed her apology had been sincere.

He’d hoped for some private time to tell her that and to thank her for giving Finley the dog-walking job. Between taking care of Sasha and her new friendship with Addie, the summer was shaping up quite nicely for his daughter.

His days had begun to fill up as well. During breakfast, David had asked him about serving on a committee for the chamber of commerce. Even though developing a veterans memorial garden was a worthy task, apparently David was having difficulty coming up with committee members.

Gabe was amazed by the energy in the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. There were so many committees and projects that he felt like a slacker for not being involved in one yet. In Philly, he’d belonged but rarely attended. Here it was part of the social and professional fabric of the community.

Joel wholeheartedly supported his involvement, especially because he’d recently backed off his own volunteer efforts. But serving on the committee didn’t mean Gabe could neglect his other job duties. He’d spent all morning on the phone lining up subcontractors for a house they were building near Moose and ordering materials for another job in the mountains. He’d waited until Finley left to take Sasha for a walk before heading downtown.

Even though traffic seemed heavier than normal, Gabe easily found a parking space on the street not far from the coffee shop. He checked his phone before stepping out of the truck, pleased to see his afternoon meeting had confirmed. He was going over the blueprints with some new clients for a home they were building in the Spring Gulch subdivision. But that appointment wasn’t until two o’clock. That gave him a good two hours until he needed to get on the road. Surely the planning meeting wouldn’t take that long.

Hill of Beans had a line at the counter, but Gabe saw Adrianna Lee had secured a large round table toward the front of the store. Gabe had been introduced to Adrianna, the midwife who worked with Michelle, at the After-Hours event. The dark-haired beauty wasn’t a woman any red-blooded male would easily forget.

With her thick chestnut hair, green bedroom eyes and pouty lips, she reminded him of a Brazilian actress whose name he couldn’t quite recall.

Gabe ordered a sandwich and a cola, then brought them with him to the table. “May I join you?”

A look of relief skittered across Adrianna’s face. “I’m glad to see you. For a second I thought this was going to end up being a meeting of one.”

He noticed she’d grabbed a small salad and was dipping her fork into the dressing. Barely enough to feed a bird and a far cry from Michelle’s hearty appetite.

“Who else is coming?” Gabe pulled out a chair and took a seat.

“Yours was the only name David gave me. But he said to plan on four or five, so I got a large table. I feel foolish sitting here with people looking for places to sit.”

“We weren’t starting until 11:30.” Gabe picked up his phone and glanced at it. “Which is now.”

“They may simply be running late,” Adrianna said. “I’m off today, so getting here early wasn’t a problem. If they don’t show, I guess we can do the meeting without them.”

“I didn’t receive any specifics on the project.” Gabe glanced at the portfolio on the table next to Adrianna. “Do you have anything with you?”

Adrianna’s eyes widened. “I thought David gave you the information.”

“I can tell this is going to be a productive meeting.” Gabe chuckled.

Adrianna’s echoing laughter disappeared in a sharp intake of air.

Because she was facing the line at the counter, he assumed the others they’d been expecting—the ones who really knew what was going on—had shown up.

“Are they here?” Gabe turned in his seat. “You’ll have to point them out to me—”

Whatever he’d been about to say died in his throat when he saw the two at the counter. “Are Tripp and Michelle on our committee?”

Gabe wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer to be yes or no.

Adrianna slowly shook her head. “I think they’re on a date.”

Her lilting voice was soft and controlled, but with an undercurrent of tension.

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Gabe said, remembering Tripp putting his arm around her at the After-Hours event.