Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (11 page)

It didn’t take long for the truck to get nice and toasty. Rand shook out the bag and blanket, folded them, and grabbed the small cooler. Soon he had them on the way back to the cabin.

“I’ll drop you off and head home to get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow evening dress up for a fancy dinner. We’ll go into Wagon Wheel.”

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to be an expensive date. I plan on being hungry.”

“I think I can afford you. Which property did you like best?”

“They’re both nice. You have to decide. It’ll be your house. The first one is closer to town.”

“I’m leaning toward the second property. I like the trees and that some of the land isn’t so flat. Of course now it also has a fantastic memory for me.”

“Whoever you marry might not like to know about that memory.”

“We’ll see.”

He kissed her good night in the truck and waved after she was safe inside. Marian locked the door and went into the bathroom to shower. Warm water soothed all her muscles from the activity on the hard ground. She smiled, remembering. She was getting in deeper each time they were together. But she couldn’t or didn’t want to stop herself. If he let her leave, she’d manage somehow.

* * * *

Rand let himself in to his apartment. He was bone tired but happy. He and Marian fit together like a pair of gloves. And although she had been reluctant at first, because of the cold, she had followed his lead, and they’d had great sex.

He’d shower and go to bed. Dr. Neels was taking call this weekend, so Rand planned to make the most of it. He’d stop by tomorrow to see his mother. She’d give him good advice about the property. Then in the evening, he’d have dinner with Marian.

When he sank into bed, he found he was wide awake. In the last three months or so, his life had completely changed. He hadn’t taken the time or had the time to think about how he really felt.

The work was demanding, interesting, and he loved it. Being close to family had been an extra plus to the job. Breaking his engagement had taken longer than he wanted, but it was over. Rand tossed around on the bed and tried to shut off his mind. He slept fitfully. Thank goodness it wasn’t a work day.

Finally he gave up, pulled on his jeans, and went to the kitchen. The first rays of dawn streaked across the sky. He made coffee and poured a cup. He’d taken the first sip when his phone rang.

“Hello.”

“You’re awake, good,” Andy said.

“Do you know the time? Are you all right?”

“I’m great. I’m letting you know I’ll be in Frontier around noon.”

“I’ll be glad to see you. Are you ready to go to work?"

“I’m all set. I spent some time with my parents. They have mixed emotions about my big move, but they want me to be happy. I can start Monday. Can I bunk with you until I find a place?”

“Sure. You know what this means?”

“No, what?”

“Soon we’ll be sharing call, and I can have a social life.”

“I’m looking forward to being a country doctor. See you around noon.” Andy hung up.

Rand paced the small apartment. He wanted to get the land bought and the house built. But with winter weather coming, it probably wouldn’t be started before spring. He could hardly wait to have lots of space in his home and outside.

Marian flashed in his mind’s eye. Her light-blonde hair and sherry eyes, lush curves, and sweet fragrance had his desire spiking whenever they were together. He had to touch her, smell her hair, sink into her hot, tight pussy. He’d thought after making love again the intense desire might cool. It hadn’t.

She wanted permanency. He doubted he’d be ready to propose to anyone for a long time. After just having missed making a major mistake, he was shy of getting too involved too soon. But what if he passed up the right woman? That would be stupid.

The mistake with Anna was his fault. He’d ignored all the warning signs that they weren’t compatible. He’d chosen to follow her lead in the direction of their careers and where they’d live. Marian and Anna had nothing in common.

Still, he needed time. A few weeks weren’t enough.

Chapter Eight

“You’ve found two good parcels of land,” Rand’s mom said as he drove her home. “My only concern is, have you been on the job long enough to know for certain it will be your life’s work? I love having you close, but doctoring in the country is difficult and challenging. You don’t need the money. Your inheritance has grown, as all of ours have, thanks to Clay. Still, you’d make much more in a big city.”

“Mom, I’m sure.”

She studied him for a minute. “You were always that way. Once you made up your mind you didn’t change it. You have an innate way of knowing what’s best for you. Well, except for women. I’m not sure what you were thinking when you proposed to Anna. A nice lady but not the right one for you.”

“You weren’t sorry I ended the engagement?” Rand grinned at her.

“Not one iota. Choose more carefully the next time.”

“Dad said he fell in love with you the first time you smiled at him.”

She smiled and patted his arm. “He did, and I did. We immediately knew we were the one for each other. That can be dangerous. You don’t really know someone that fast, but it worked for us.”

“So I ought to take my time and play the field? Andy suggested that.”

“You date until you find the one you can’t forget. It might take a week, six months, a year, or more.”

Rand parked and turned in the seat to face his mother. “Thanks for going with me to see the places and for the advice.”

She started to get out. “By the way, I heard you had a new helper last week. How is Eloise and the new receptionist?

“Eloise will be in next week for me to check her. Then she’s going to visit her pregnant daughter. She’ll be out for a while.”

“And your assistant?”

“Is temporary. Marian offered to help.”

“Does she do a good job?”

“I hate to admit it, but better than Eloise. She has a way with people. She takes her time with them. Plus, she doesn’t get excited or faint at the sight of blood. Several patients have complimented her to me.”

“My, how nice. She’d make a doctor a good wife.” His mom got out of the car, waved without turning, and went up the steps.

Had Mom just put her stamp of approval on Marian? What she said surprised him. He’d never known her to interfere in any way with her adult children’s decisions.

He glanced at his watch. It was eleven. He’d better get back to his apartment. Andy had probably arrived.

A medium-size moving van had parked behind the office. Andy swung out of the driver’s seat. “Good timing. I’ve been here ten minutes.”

“You are serious? Everything you own must be in that truck.”

“It is. Why make two trips?”

“The nearest place to return the truck and store your stuff is in Wagon Wheel. You’ll have to get out what you want to keep here and then drive to Wagon Wheel. It takes about forty-five minutes.” Rand looked at his watch. “I’m going upstairs to call Dr. Neels. We talked about you, but I didn’t realize how soon you’d arrive. Start picking out the things you want to keep in the apartment.”

Dr. Neels was pleased Andy had arrived so quickly. He invited them to come tomorrow for Sunday dinner. They could visit and make plans.

Rand saw time slipping away as they unpacked the items on the truck that Andy didn’t want to store. The living room was filled with boxes. He slipped into his bedroom to call Marian.

“Hi,” she said. “How’s your day going?”

“Not as I expected.” He told her about Andy’s unexpected arrival. “We have to get the truck and the rest of his stuff to Wagon Wheel by five. Is it all right with you if we change our dinner date to seven and include Andy?”

“Sure. But, we can cancel if you want.”

“Oh, no. I want to see you.”

“Seven it is then.”

His tension eased at her words. Had he expected her to have him jumping through hoops like Anna would have done? He had to quit comparing them. It wasn’t fair to either, but Marian had a much easier way about her.

Rand strolled into his crowded living room. “That’s enough stuff. We need to get the truck and cargo taken care of so we can pick up my date for dinner. We’re taking you with us.”

“Not necessary. Three’s a crowd. I can start unpacking these boxes.”

“No, you need to eat. I want you two to get better acquainted.”

“This doesn’t sound like casual dating.”

Rand shrugged and headed down the outside steps.

* * * *

Marian put on casual brown slacks with a V-neck, taupe sweater. The long sleeves would help keep her warm and the ruffled front added a dressy look to the outfit. She pushed her ash-blonde hair behind her ears and added antique gold medallion-shaped earrings. They weren’t too dressy and were a little sexy.

Her nerves were on edge. Rand had mentioned Andy was his best friend, like another brother. She wanted to make a good impression on Andy and of course on Rand.

They were on time. She’d touched up her lipstick, put on her perfume, and picked up her bag when they knocked.

“Good evening.” She opened the door for them to come inside.

“We don’t have time to visit. Our dinner reservation is for eight. We’ll just make it.” Rand waited as she locked the door. “You remember Andy.”

“Yes. It was too bad you had to leave early. You missed a wonderful dinner.”

“Which she didn’t eat much of,” Rand said. “My family had her mesmerized.”

Andy smiled and nodded his head. “That can happen the first time you meet them.” He opened the front passenger-side door to assist her. Rand went around to drive, and Andy got in the backseat.

The dinner was slow and leisurely. Marian regaled them with stories of Chelsea and her in New York. “We’d meet at least once a month, eat a whole pizza, and drink a bottle of wine. With that inside you, you can solve the problems of the world.”

Then Andy began with funny stories that occurred during medical school. The time flew, and Marian was surprised it was nine thirty by the time they finished. Rand put his arm around her shoulders on the way out.

“If you two want, you can drop me off at the apartment. I’m going to spend a good part of the night unpacking.”

“I think we’ll take you up on the offer, if it’s all right with Marian,” Rand said.

“Fine with me.” Her heart did a little dance. She’d thought he’d take her home and leave.

They weren’t far from the apartment. Andy waved at them on his way up the steps.

Rand put his hand on Marian’s thigh as they drove toward the cabin. “This was fun tonight.”

“It was. You and Andy are different. Yet you complement each other.”

“We met the first day of college and were roommates all through those four years and then medical school.”

“I know what you mean. Chelsea and I got introduced right after we started working for the same company. We just clicked.”

He parked the truck and pulled her into his arms. His mouth kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and then her mouth. “I like your outfit.” His finger traced the edge of the ruffled sweater. She trembled at his touch.