A Jackson Hole Homecoming

Tripp saw Merle and Jim exchange a quick, significant glance. It was common knowledge that when the previous hospital CEO had retired, Jim had liked another man for the position. The rumor was that while Jim conceded Tripp had the experience they needed, he hadn’t liked the fact that Tripp was young and single.

“You know what I mean.” Merle slapped him on the back and turned to Adrianna. “We couldn’t be happier about the woman who’s putting an end to your bachelor ways.”

“You’re a lucky man,” Jim added.

Even though she stiffened beside him, Adrianna didn’t say a word. Obviously she was leaving the delicate response to him.

Diplomacy and tact, Tripp told himself. He scrambled for the right words that wouldn’t make Merle feel awkward for misunderstanding and also wouldn’t be disrespectful to Adrianna.

“I’ve decided to have a barbecue at my place next Saturday,” Jim announced before Tripp could respond. “A party to welcome my boy to Jackson Hole. I’ll be inviting board members and many of the medical staff. I’m sure your parents will be there, Tripp. I hope we can also count on you and Adrianna.”

Tripp hesitated. If he didn’t take Adrianna, he knew who would. That would be tantamount to throwing her to the wolves.

He cared about her too much—er, she was too close a friend—for him to allow that to happen.

“I don’t think I have anything on my calendar.” Tripp slanted a sideways glance at Adrianna. “Do you remember if we had any plans?”

“No—” she cleared her throat “—I’m available.”

“Well, I’m delighted you can make it,” Jim said in a gravelly voice. “I know my son is disappointed that this lovely young woman is already taken, but I’m happy for you both.”

Even though a polite smile remained on her lips, Adrianna gave Tripp a quick thrust of her elbow.

She was right. He needed to respond to Jim’s statement, to make the limits of their “relationship” clear.

The words were poised on Tripp’s lips when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Winn approaching.

With an unsteady hand, Tripp slipped an arm around Adrianna’s shoulders and smiled. “I feel lucky to have her in my life.”

Chapter Four

Adrianna rocked slowly back and forth, smiling down at the baby cuddled in her arms. It was warm for early September, so she and Betsy had decided to sit outside on the front porch. The cottage in Jackson that Betsy and Ryan now called home had originally belonged to Betsy’s great-aunt. After much renovation, it had a warm, homey feel that Adrianna’s recently built condo could never hope to emulate.

She stared into baby Nathan’s dark blue eyes and shared her most recent dilemma. “You remember Tripp. Yes, he’s a nice guy. But we both know I was crazy for saying I’d go to the barbecue with him.”

“I hate to tell you, but Nate’s more concerned about his next meal than your social life.” Betsy spoke through the screen door. She pushed it open and placed a tray filled with glasses of iced tea and a plate of snickerdoodle cookies on the small table. “You like Tripp. Why not go to a party with him?”

Betsy settled herself into a matching rocker, apparently content to leave the baby in Adrianna’s arms.

“I want what you have, Bets.” Adrianna lifted the crystal tumbler with one hand, careful not to disturb the infant in her arms. “But how am I going to find Mr. Right if I keep hanging out with Tripp?”

Instead of tossing out some platitude, her friend’s expression turned thoughtful. “I understand. I really do. But it’s obvious Tripp likes you. Perhaps, given time—”

“He’s not going to come around.” Adrianna spoke so loudly the baby stirred in her arms. She softened her tone. “Tripp has made it perfectly clear that he thinks of me only as a friend.”

“But at the country club he was being so attentive—”

“A dog with his bone. Nothing more.” Although the realization hurt, Adrianna refused to sugarcoat the truth. “Winn was showing interest. Tripp reacted.”

“If you’re so convinced there’s no hope, why are you going with him to the party?”

Exactly the question Adrianna had been asking herself.

“Well, Winn will be there.” Adrianna settled back against the rocker and tried to picture the dark-haired man. Unfortunately, the only male image that sprang to mind had blond hair and chin scruff. She determinedly blinked it away. “It’ll give me the opportunity to get to know him without going on an actual date.”

“I guess that could occur.” Betsy chewed on her lower lip, her gaze thoughtful. “Unless Tripp continues to play the possessive-boyfriend card.”

That was definitely a possibility. Adrianna sighed. Perhaps she should cancel. Of course, with the party scheduled for tomorrow night, if she was going to bail on Tripp, she had to tell him soon. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Maybe I should forget about men, get a couple cats and save myself all this stress.”

“Yeah, right,” Betsy said with a laugh.

Adrianna had done so much thinking about her situation that her head felt ready to explode. “Enough about me. What’s new with you? Other than having a wonderful husband and this fabulous baby boy.”

“Well …” Betsy stared at the tea in her hands. She cleared her throat, then lifted her gaze. “Keenan may be getting a new trial.”

Adrianna had known Betsy’s older brother since childhood. Keenan McGregor had been a fearless risk taker, brilliant but angry. Angry at his mother for being a drunk, angry at watching his little sister go without food, angry at the lousy cards he’d been dealt in life.

Still, as volatile as Keenan had been, Adrianna believed—as Betsy did—that he was innocent of the crime that had sent him to the penitentiary in Rawlins two years ago.

“That’s wonderful news,” Adrianna said cautiously, knowing that it would be an uphill battle for someone already convicted to get a new trial. “Is his public defender spearheading the effort?”

“As if that would ever happen,” Betsy snorted, a look of disgust on her face. “No, Keenan has finally agreed to let Cole and Ryan help him. You know how resistant my brother has been about accepting assistance from family or friends.”

“I remember.” Betsy had been devastated when Keenan had refused to take her savings to hire a better attorney when he was originally brought up on charges. “What changed?”

“I don’t want to say he found religion—that’s a bit too clichéd.” Betsy’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “But one of the prison chaplains somehow convinced him there’s no shame in accepting assistance.”

“I’m so glad.” Adrianna reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand.

“Ryan is now in charge of the legal team. Cole insisted on hiring—and paying for—a private investigator.”

Cole Lassiter had also been Keenan’s friend growing up. He’d come from a similar home situation as Betsy and Keenan, but had turned his frustration into determination and now was the head of Hill of Beans, with over twenty-five coffee shops west of the Mississippi, including one in Jackson Hole.

“Have they unearthed any new evidence?” Adrianna asked.

“It’s looking that way,” Betsy said cautiously. “I’m trying not to get my hopes up.”

“I’ll say a little prayer for him.”

“I’d appreciate it.” A truck turned the corner and Betsy gave Adrianna a curious look. “Have you decided what you’re going to do about Tripp?”

“You mean since we last spoke about him a minute ago?” Adrianna’s lips twisted upward. “I still have time to make up my mind.”

The barbecue wasn’t until tomorrow night. Once she left Betsy’s house, Adrianna had a full schedule of appointments at the clinic where she practiced with two female ob-gyns. After her last appointment, she planned to do a pro–con list and then make her decision. If she decided to opt out, that would still give Tripp twenty-four hours to find someone else.

Even though she told herself she didn’t care, the thought of Tripp attending the party with another woman made Adrianna reach for a cookie. And she didn’t even like snickerdoodles.

“I’d say you have about sixty seconds.”

Confused, Adrianna followed her friend’s gaze to the street where two men were getting out of a pickup.

Her traitorous heart skipped a beat. When Tripp saw her and lifted a hand, she had little choice but to smile and wave.

“What’s he doing here?” she asked Betsy, keeping the smile firmly on her lips.

“No idea.” Betsy rose to her feet. “Ryan called earlier and said he’d be stopping by to pick up the laptop he’d forgotten. He didn’t mention bringing Tripp with him.”

Of course he didn’t, Adrianna thought with a sigh.

She glanced down at her stylish paisley dress and heels. At least she looked presentable. Not that it mattered. After all, Tripp was just a friend.

Betsy greeted her husband on the steps to the porch, wrapping her arms around his neck and ardently kissing him.

Inside the house, a Pomeranian barked a welcome.

“Maybe we should have someone around to hold the baby more often.” Ryan stepped back with obvious reluctance, keeping his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

“Looking good, Betsy.” Tripp’s words made the new mom blush.

Adrianna knew the compliment was sincere. Even though Betsy often referred to herself as a “Plain Jane,” nothing could be further from the truth. Her friend looked adorable in a flirty blue print skirt and cotton sweater.

Tripp shifted his gaze to Adrianna. “You look lovely, too, Ms. Lee.”

“As do you, Mr. Randall.” Actually, Tripp looked positively yummy in a dark suit and gray shirt. And as he stepped close, Adrianna discovered he smelled just as good as he looked. A thousand times more appetizing than the cookie in her hand. Adrianna dropped it to her plate and cocked her head. “Isn’t this a workday for you?”

“I might ask you the same question,” he responded with a raised brow.

“It’s my morning off,” she informed him. “I have clinic this afternoon.”

“I’m taking an early lunch,” Tripp explained.

She smiled. “Pays to be the boss.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Adrianna saw that Ryan had pulled Betsy close once again. They were speaking so softly she couldn’t hear what they were saying.

“He seems to be a good baby.” Tripp crouched down beside Adrianna, a curved finger caressing the baby’s soft cheek.

His gaze took on a distant look and Adrianna wondered if he was thinking of the baby he’d lost. Her heart clenched. Sometimes life simply wasn’t fair.

“I confirmed the barbecue tomorrow night starts at seven.” Tripp’s blue eyes met hers. “I thought I’d pick you up around six-thirty?”

Something has come up and I’m not able to make it after all. The words, poised on the tip of her tongue, morphed as they hit her lips.

“Sounds good,” she heard herself say. Nonono. “I mean—”

“Tripp—” Ryan motioned to him “—do you have a second to look at the notes on Keenan’s case?”

“You’re in on the effort to get Keenan released?” Adrianna didn’t know why she was so surprised. Tripp had been part of that close-knit group of athletes and friends.

“Not yet.” Tripp pulled to his feet. “But when I heard what was going on, I told Ryan I wanted to help.”

Tell him you can’t go with him to the party, Adrianna’s inner voice nagged. Tell him now.

“I—”

Before she could get another word out, Tripp smiled at her. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night.”

“You are?” Sounding like a frog was definitely not Adrianna’s style. She cleared her throat, prepared to try again.

“Tripp,” Ryan called out, “I have a client coming at two, so I don’t have long.”

“Coming.” But before Tripp headed into the house, he surprised Adrianna by reaching over and squeezing her shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be ready,” Adrianna murmured.

The flash of his smile sent desire coursing through her veins like honey and red flags popping up.

When the screen door closed behind the two men, Betsy turned to Adrianna. “Sounds like you made your decision.”

“It appears so.”

Yes, she’d made a decision. The trouble was, Adrianna was gripped with the sinking feeling it was the wrong one.

When Adrianna opened her front door the next day and saw Tripp wearing jeans and a twill shirt that made his eyes look extra blue, her heart skipped a beat. She tried to ignore the flutter as she motioned him inside.

Although Adrianna rarely wore denim, for a Jackson Hole outdoor barbecue she’d made an exception. She’d coupled her skinny jeans with a double V-neck lattice-back top in a rich emerald-green.

After glancing longingly at the stilettos in her closet, she’d settled for a pointy-toed pair of kitten heels. Walking over uneven terrain made anything over an inch impractical.

“I’ve never seen someone look so pretty in denim,” Tripp said, his gaze lingering on the tight-fitting jeans.

Adrianna couldn’t help herself. A shiver raced up her spine. “I could say the same about you.”

“Pretty? Good Gawd, I hope not.” Tripp laughed aloud, then grinned. “I can never predict what’s going to come out of your mouth, Ms. Lee.”

“It’d be boring if you could,” she said with a wink.

They walked to Tripp’s truck side by side but not touching. Which was exactly what she wanted, Adrianna told herself.

Tripp pulled the door open for her and Adrianna climbed into the vehicle without assistance. The way he made her feel, the less they touched the better.

“Do you know who’s going to be at this event?” she asked after he’d slid behind the wheel and the truck pulled away from the curb. “Will there be anyone we know?”

We know. Sheesh. Adrianna flushed. Anyone hearing her would think they were a couple. Which was not how she meant it at all. Thankfully, Tripp’s lack of reaction told her he hadn’t noticed her faux pas.

His brow furrowed in thought. “I believe Nick Delacourt told me he and Lexi were coming. If I had to guess, I’d say David and July Wahl will be there, too.”

Nick was a prominent family law attorney, who divided his time between his Dallas practice and the one he’d started in Jackson Hole. He’d met and married popular social worker Lexi several years ago after he was forced to remain in Jackson Hole while recovering from a serious skiing accident.

Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. David Wahl and his photographer wife, July, were also part of the wide circle of friends that Adrianna and Tripp shared. Of course, even after only a year of being back in Jackson Hole, Tripp was more firmly ensconced in the group than she would ever be. As Adrianna often told her good friend Betsy, she didn’t do groups well. Actually, she wasn’t that great one-on-one either.

“I wonder if Winn will be here tonight,” Adrianna mused when they turned off the highway onto the long, black-topped lane leading to the house.

Tripp slanted a sideways glance in her direction. “Do you want him to be?”

Adrianna lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug and answered honestly. “I’m not sure. I don’t feel any particular chemistry with him, but then, we just met.”

Tripp’s lips tightened. “I take it you’re still on your manhunt?”

The tone of his voice made it clear he didn’t approve. She told herself she didn’t care. What she did wasn’t any of his business.

“I wouldn’t put it quite that way, but yes, I’m hoping to find someone special.” Adrianna refused to apologize for wanting a special man in her life. “Do you like coming home to an empty house?”

“Not particularly,” he said quietly. “But my life is so busy right now I don’t have time for a relationship.”

We make time for what’s important. The words were on the tip of her tongue but Adrianna pulled them back. It was obvious to her—and to other friends—that Tripp and Gayle’s relationship had been a special one and that he was having difficulty moving on.

Strangely, knowing that no woman would likely ever measure up to what Tripp had shared with Gayle made his disinterest in her slightly more palatable.

“I’m sure it’s hard,” Adrianna acknowledged. “When you’ve had the best, it’d be hard to settle for less.”

Tripp acted as if he hadn’t heard her, opening his door and rounding the front of the truck to reach her. When she stepped out, he was waiting.

“Jim Ferris thinks you and I are together,” he said in a conversational tone as they started up the walk.

“You mean he knows you’re bringing me to party.”

“No,” Tripp continued in the same nonchalant tone as they approached the sprawling log structure, “Jim thinks you’re my girlfriend.”

Confused, Adrianna turned to him. “Because we danced together at the country club?”

“That, and the fact that we’d come to that event together.” Tripp raked a hand through his hair. “I should have said something then, cleared up the misunderstanding.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I didn’t want to make him look like a fool for making such an assumption. Maybe I didn’t want to piss him off.” Tripp paused at the foot of the wooden steps leading to the home’s front porch. “Did you know that Jim tried to block my appointment? He didn’t like it that I was single. He wanted a family guy for the position.”

“But you have fabulous credentials,” Adrianna sputtered. “I read all the bios when the Jackson Hole News reported on the candidates. You were far and away the most qualified.”

Tripp smiled at her vehemence. “Remember, they did pick me.”

“They would have been stupid if they hadn’t,” Adrianna retorted, then paused. “But because you were selected, why does it matter what Ferris thinks about your single status?”

“It doesn’t. I’ll make sure he understands tonight that you and I are simply friends,” Tripp said apologetically. “If you’d like, I’ll also make it clear to Winn that you’re available.”

Adrianna waved a dismissive hand. “Not necessary.”

Tripp’s gaze searched her face. “Are you sure?”

Adrianna offered him a reassuring smile. “I believe that for Winn my perceived unavailability is part of my appeal.”

“But if he thinks you’re with me, he won’t—”

“I’m sure his father will eventually tell him the news.”

“That might not be right away.”

Even though part of her reason for coming was to check out Winn as a potential future date, Adrianna found this sudden need of Tripp to matchmake extremely irritating. She fisted her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. “Were you hoping to pawn me off on Winn tonight?”

“Absolutely not,” he said, looking properly horrified.

“Well, then, you’re stuck with me,” she said, somewhat mollified. “At least for tonight.”

“Excellent.” Tripp flashed a wolfish grin and rang the bell.

Adrianna was still mulling over that response when Jim Ferris opened the door. The older man’s broad smile included them both.

“Welcome.” He motioned them inside. “Everyone is out back. Let me show you the way.”

Tripp and Jim engaged in small talk while Adrianna was content to walk beside them and admire the interior of the ranch home with its open-beamed ceilings and elegant understated casualness.

“Adrianna.” She heard Lexi’s voice ring out a welcome the second they stepped onto the back patio.

She turned and saw the pretty brunette and another good friend, July Wahl, standing next to a large urn of multicolored mums.

Adrianna lightly touched Tripp’s arm, distracting him from his conversation with Jim.

“If you need me, I’ll be over chatting with July and Lexi.” She gestured with her head toward the two women.

“Jim wants to introduce me to a couple of guys, then I’ll join you,” Tripp assured her.

“No worries.” Adrianna smiled up at him. “I’ll be fine.”

As she walked away she heard Jim murmur something about how lucky he was to be with someone so understanding. She didn’t hear Tripp’s reply but it scarcely mattered.

Adrianna wasn’t with Tripp.

He knew it.

She knew it.

And as soon as Tripp had a chance to tell him, Jim Ferris would know it, too.

Chapter Five

“I love your shirt,” July gushed when Adrianna drew close. “The color makes your eyes look incredibly green.”

“I like yours, too.” Adrianna recognized the striped Galao pullover from the Anthropologie catalog. She shifted her gaze to Lexi. As expected, the social worker known for her fashion acumen had eschewed denim and worn khakis, pairing the tan-colored pants with a black scalloped lace top. “And you look gorgeous as ever, Mrs. Delacourt.”

Lexi rolled her eyes. “Thank you, Ms. Lee. Actually, I think we all look pretty hot this evening.”

“I’d say we’re easily the sexiest women here,” July drawled.

“That’s because we’re the only women here under sixty,” Adrianna said with a little laugh.

“True.” Lexi grinned and took a sip of what looked like a margarita on the rocks, salt encircling the rim of the glass.

Adrianna gazed at the drink. “What is that?”

“A Crazy Coyote Margarita,” July answered first. “I just finished one. Very tasty.”

“They’re certainly not skimping on the alcohol.” Lexi made a face. “Oh, my, this could go straight to my head.”

“Lightweight,” July teased. “Seemed fine to me.”

“What’s the difference between that and a regular margarita?” Adrianna asked, willing to admit her ignorance. She’d never been much of a drinker.

“I had the same question,” July admitted. “The bartender said they use Coyote Gold margarita mix, which tells me absolutely nothing.”

“May I get you something to drink, miss?” A young man dressed in black and obviously part of the catering staff stopped beside her.

“I’ll have a Crazy Coyote Margarita,” Adrianna told him.

“Good choice,” July said approvingly.

Lexi took another sip, her lips twisting slightly upward. “If you want to live dangerously.”

Adrianna thought about telling Lexi she already was … by being here with Tripp.

“So, you and Tripp came together,” Lexi said as if she’d read her mind. Her friend was trying to act casual, but the spark of interest in her eyes gave her away.

“As friends only.” Adrianna’s gaze drifted to the fire pit where a hog lay skewered on a rotisserie spit, roasting as it rotated. She grimaced and quickly pulled her gaze away. “I think I’m going to become a vegetarian.”

July’s sea-green eyes lit with interest. “Seriously? Since when?”

“Since she saw the hog over there, you goof.” Lexi smiled good-naturedly, but the look in her eyes said she wasn’t fooled by the abrupt change in conversation.

July didn’t even look in the direction of the fire pit. Instead she turned her body toward Adrianna just as the young man from the catering company returned with her drink order.

“Here you go, ma’am.” He handed the chilled glass edged in salt to her with a flourish. “One Crazy Coyote Margarita.”

“Ah, thank you.” Adrianna closed her fingers around the glass. She waited until the college-aged boy was out of earshot before she turned to her friends. “Did you hear that? He called me ‘ma’am.’”

“Well, you are almost thirty.” Lexi managed to keep a remarkably straight face. “That’s when the downward slide begins. Isn’t that right, July?”

“Speak for yourself, Lex.” July offered up an impish smile. “I haven’t hit that milestone yet.”

“What milestone?”

Tripp must have sneaked up while they were talking because suddenly he stood beside her.

“The big three-zero.” July glanced pointedly in her direction. “The catering guy called Adrianna ‘ma’am.’”

Tripp looked surprised. “Did you recently turn thirty?”

He doesn’t even know my birthday. The fact illustrated just how little they were connected. A pang stabbed Adrianna’s heart and she took a sip of her drink, immediately noticing Lexi had been right. The bartender was being very generous with the tequila.