The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) (10 page)

Jessie let out a huge breath and smiled. "I
know the chairs aren't fancy and the pine tables are plain, but I
did the best I could with the available funds."

"It's perfect, Jess. The waiting room is
functional as well as inviting. Not your typical clinic at all. I
like it."

When she smiled again, his chest
constricted. He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted her,
period.

"Good," she said. "Wait till you see the
medical equipment. No corners cut in that department, I assure
you."

Cameron didn't expect much, but when he saw
the X-ray machine, the MRI and the ultrasound units, he was duly
impressed. "Nice. You have a great set-up here: State-of-the-art
medical technology right at the doctor's fingertips. You do this
all yourself?"

"Mostly. I visited several clinics in
Abilene and Lubbock to see what they had. Research, you know."

Cameron ran his hand over the MRI unit. "You
did well. Very well."

"Thanks. Let me show you the rest."

The industrial grade carpet muted their
footsteps as Jessie gave him the tour of the three examination
rooms, a small lab to study blood and urine samples, a spacious
office for the doctor, a lunchroom and laundry room.

After making the entire circuit, they ended
back in the reception area. The dark green Formica counters gleamed
brightly. Two brand new computers stood waiting on the desks. A
large copy machine was flanked by a wall filled with multicolored
files.

"So, what do you think?" Jessie asked.

Cameron ran his hand over the wall files,
then turned toward her. "
Wow
is what I say
.
You have
everything but the doctors, nurses and patients. I can't imagine
what advice you need from me."

Jessie leaned a hip on the counter and
crossed her arms. "Now that you've seen the clinic, I was hoping
you could recommend a doctor who might be willing to relocate and
practice rural medicine. Or maybe tell me how to go about finding
such a doctor. The pay's not great and a lot of the patients will
be self-employed and won't have insurance."

Cameron could just imagine the waiting room
full of farmers and ranchers, their wives and children, the quiet
hum of conversation, the rustle of magazines being read by people
waiting their turn to see the doctor.

He could picture the bustle of the staff,
taking calls and filling out reports. Nurses weighing in patients
and escorting them to the examination rooms.

And surprisingly, Cameron could see himself
wearing his white coat with a stethoscope around his neck,
listening to patients' hearts and looking in ears and throats.
Making quick diagnoses and writing prescriptions. Happily
practicing medicine and not worrying about hospital politics. Hell,
maybe even having time for a social life.

With Jessie.

"Cameron? Can you recommend anyone?" Her
soft voice jerked him from his daydreams.

He exhaled a long breath. "I'll ask around
and see if anyone might be interested. Give me a little time." It
wouldn't do to tell her he was interested. He wasn't certain he was
ready to make such a radical switch in his career. He wasn't
certain of a lot of things, lately.

"Thanks," she said with a smile.

After looking around one last time, Cameron
followed Jessie out of the building. The brisk wind knocked off his
Stetson. He caught it before it tumbled to the ground.

Jessie chuckled as she stood by his car.
That familiar heat simmered low in his belly. He was aware of her
green eyes on him as he opened the car door. Yeah, he wanted her.
But he also wanted something more.

Somewhere along the way and through the
years, he'd gotten off track. He'd turned into someone he didn't
know. Someone he didn't really like.

Coming back home, seeing Jess again, and
touring the clinic made Cameron decide that it was definitely time
for a new plan.

****

The ride back to the garage was a quiet one.
The silence in the car hung heavy. Showing Cameron the clinic had
reminded Jessie of one of her most secret wishes. At first, she'd
wanted the clinic built to assuage some of the guilt she felt about
her husband. She'd thought a clinic with a doctor and nurse on
staff could help save lives and that would make up for her ruining
TR's life.

Okay, maybe she hadn't really ruined his
life. But Jess felt she'd taken more from the marriage than her
fair share. She'd failed to give TR the children he longed for. And
she hadn't loved him as she should have. Building the clinic in his
honor was her penance.

But as she got more involved in the plans
and details, as she saw the clinic become a reality, Jessie
couldn't help wishing that Cameron would come back and be the
resident physician in Salt Fork.

Yeah, like that was going to happen.

When they reached the garage, Jessie started
to unfasten her seat belt.

Cameron covered her hand. "Jess, about
tonight--"

She'd forgotten about their date. She didn't
think she could continue seeing Cameron, fighting the attraction,
and feeling the guilt. Her heart would break when he left for
Houston. Whether or not she gave in to this consuming passion, her
heart would surely break.

"I don't think it's a good idea for us to go
out tonight." Even though she said the words, her hand trembled
beneath his. She slowly removed it from his grasp.

Cameron frowned. "Why? I thought we were
starting over?"

"We are . . . we were . . . but I think it's
best if we don't go out tonight." All she wanted was to crawl in a
hole and hide away until the dull ache in her chest subsided.

"Why not? I told you I'd keep my hands to
myself. Let's go out as friends. Two old friends, catching up on
times past."

Who was he trying to kid? Jessie shook her
head. "I can't be 'just friends' with you. The chemistry's too
strong. I think it's better if we don't see each other again."

"We have to see each other again," he
said.

"No we don't."

"Obviously, you've forgotten about
tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" It was Jessie's turn to frown.
Was the man dense? Couldn't he tell when he'd been given the brush
off?

"The party," he said. "My mother's
birthday?"

Jessie groaned. She'd forgotten all about
Ruth's party. Most of the town would be there. She'd have to go.
Perhaps she could avoid Cameron in the crowd. She summoned up a
smile. "Of course . . . your mother's party. I wouldn't miss it for
the world."

"All right then," he said. "The party starts
at four. I'll pick you up at three-thirty."

"I'll drive over myself." Jessie tried again
to unbuckle her seatbelt, this time succeeding and freeing herself.
Suddenly, she felt her wrist enclosed in a strong grasp. Not so
free, after all.

Looking at Cameron's large hand, her
thoughts ran wild. She longed to feel that hand skimming the entire
length of her body, exploring, touching her, loving her. She longed
to give in to the overwhelming chemistry they'd always shared.

But afterwards, she'd only feel worse. He
wasn't staying, he was going back to Houston.

She tugged her hand and he tightened his
fingers, pulling her toward him. Cameron rubbed the underside of
her wrist with his thumb. Tiny rivulets of sensation shot up her
arm.

"Why do you keep running from me?" he asked
softly.

Jessie licked her parched lips and stared at
Cameron's mouth. That was a mistake. She wanted that mouth on her
body, too. She jerked her hand away and scrambled out of the car.
"Maybe it's not you I'm running from."

****

Jessie stood near the punch bowl, sipping a
fruit-flavored drink. She watched as couples whirled by, dancing
the Texas Two-Step to the lively country music blaring from a
vintage jukebox. Around the edge of the wooden dance platform,
gaily-colored lanterns twinkled brightly. Ruth's birthday party was
well underway.

The weather had cooperated for once, the
temperature was unusually warm for late October and perfect for an
outdoor gathering. Half the town had shown up for the festivities.
The Diamondback Ranch was famous for its lavish barbecues and
parties.

So far, Jessie had managed to avoid Cameron.
All afternoon, he had helped Dallas and Austin oversee the smoking
barbecue pits. When he wasn't helping his brothers, he stopped to
chat with friends and neighbors. Everyone was glad to see him
again.

Throughout the evening, Jessie caught
glimpses of Cameron as he interacted with his mother's guests. He
hadn't once approached her. But the hungry looks he cast her way
every now and then, made her stomach flutter with anticipation and
dread. She needed to keep him at arm's length. She owed TR that
much. Now that dinner was over, maybe it was time to go home.

Jessie ladled more punch into her cup. She
wasn't ready to leave just yet. It had been a long time since she'd
been to a party. One more drink, then she would call it a
night.

"Hey, Jess, pour me one, will you?" Tori
McCade stuck her cup under the ladle Jessie was still holding.

"Sure thing," Jessie said. She'd always
liked Cameron's baby sister. Only she wasn't a baby any longer.
"Haven't seen you in a while. How's veterinarian school going?"

Tori shrugged and sipped her drink. "It's
going. I just wish I could hurry up and graduate. Old Doc Pritchard
is ready to retire and he's asked me to take over his veterinarian
practice here in Salt Fork."

"That's great."

"Yeah, but I have three more years of school
left." Tori set her cup down, leaned her elbows on the table and
watched the dancers. "It seems like forever."

"It'll go by quicker than you think."

"So speaks the old wizened one."

Jessie grinned. Tori always teased her about
being older. They'd been friends for a long time. "You should
listen to your elders."

Tori snorted. "Right."

Jessie tapped her foot in time to the music.
The dance floor was packed. She smiled when she saw Austin McCade
trying to teach his young daughter to dance. It had been ten years
since his wife had died, and the man was still grieving. But he was
doing a fine job raising Kelsey alone.

Only he wasn't alone, Jessie thought. He had
the support of his family to see him through. He was lucky in that
respect.

The McCades were good people. Just look at
Dallas dancing with his mother. The big taciturn rancher was
actually smiling.

Jessie sighed. Dallas wouldn't be smiling
when he found out she was going to lease the mineral rights on the
Diamondback Ranch. Ruth wouldn't be smiling either.

Tori suddenly straightened from her crouch
over the table and poured herself another drink. "I heard you broke
a date with Cameron last night."

Jessie nearly choked on her punch. News sure
got around fast. "Did he tell you that?"

"No, Mother told me. But I knew something
was up the way he was pacing around the living room after dinner,
grouchy as a bear. Why'd you break the date? You were only going to
the movies, for crying out loud."

"It's complicated. You know how I've always
felt about him." Jessie never could figure out how Tori knew, but
she did.

"Exactly. And now's your chance."

"Not much of a chance. He isn't here to
stay."

"Did you show him the clinic?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And nothing."

"Well, damn."

"It was a long shot . . ."

"Don't give up, okay? I've only been home
since yesterday, but I've noticed Cameron is even more restless and
unsettled than ever. He must be going through a mid-life
crisis."

"Oh right, Tori. He's only thirty-five."

"Okay, a
pre-
mid-life crisis,
then."

"Whatever you say--"

"Hey, it could be true. Lots of doctors get
burned out at an early age. Or they become dissatisfied with the
health care system and all the red tape with the insurance
companies."

"And you know this how?"

"I'm in grad school. I know. I'm going to be
a doctor, too."

"A veterinarian is a whole different
animal."

"Oh, that's good," Tori said.

Jessie shrugged, picked up the ladle again
and refilled their cups. "Here, have some more punch."

"Pretty good, isn't it?"

"It has an unusual flavor. I can't quite
place it."

Tori laughed. Her blue eyes twinkled
mischievously. "I spiked it."

"For heaven's sake, why? There's a bar
inside."

"Hey, I thought it would be fun. Some of
these people really need to loosen up."

"You're getting too old to play these kinds
of pranks."

"I'm not the old one here."

"I'm not old, either." Jessie dissolved into
giggles. "No wonder I'm feeling light-headed."

"How many cups have you had?" Tori asked
with a smile. "I think you're tipsy.

"Who's tipsy?" Sam Garza walked up to the
table.

Tori stopped smiling. She plunked her cup
down and turned her shoulder. "I better see if Mother needs me,"
she said, rushing toward the house.

Jessie looked at Sam, who was staring after
Tori. "I can't imagine what's gotten into her. She usually isn't
rude."

"It doesn't matter," Sam said. "Do you want
to dance?"

She loved to dance, but really she needed to
get home. So far, she'd been successful in avoiding Cameron, but
her luck wouldn't last forever. One dance, then she'd leave.

Smiling at Sam, she said, "I'd love to."

Sam held her in a firm grasp. He set a fast
pace, circling the platform, dancing the Texas Two-Step. Jessie
held on with a fierce grip; the punch, as well as the swift turns,
made her head spin.

When the music stopped, Jessie's head kept
twirling. She stumbled and Sam placed his hands on her shoulders to
keep her steady.