The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret (3 page)

Kate’s light, almost-teasing greeting surprised Joel. Because the two had recently broken up, he’d expected to see some awkwardness. If Kate felt ill-at-ease, it didn’t show.

Ryan took a cup of steaming coffee from the waitress before turning his attention back to his ex-girlfriend, an answering gleam in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you.” The attorney’s gaze settled his gaze on her dress. “At least I didn’t get up late and wear a slip to church.”

For a second she looked taken aback. Then Kate burst into laughter. “Touché.”

Something twisted in Joel’s gut at the playful banter. Something that felt an awful lot like jealousy, which didn’t make sense. He didn’t care if she got back together with Ryan. Didn’t care at all.

“I didn’t see your car outside, Kate,” Ryan said, shortly after the waitress brought the food. “Is the Subaru back in the shop?”

Kate swept a strand of hair back from her face. “Actually, I rode with Joel.”

Ryan’s eyes widened in surprise and when he spoke, his gaze was riveted on Joel. “What are you, a miracle worker? She would never come with me. No matter how many times I begged, er, invited her.”

“Eat your omelet, Harcourt,” Kate said mildly, then promptly changed the subject. “Did I mention to either of you that I agreed to help out at the Jackson Hole rodeo in August? They wanted a doctor available in case any of the kids in the peewee division are injured.”

Joel ate his “Hearty Man’s Breakfast” of eggs, hash browns, ham and toast and listened with half an ear to the ensuing rodeo talk all the while wondering why Kate
had
come today. More important, why had she agreed to ride with him? He hoped she didn’t have any, well, romantic interest in him.

While Kate seemed to be a fine person, she was nothing like Amy. When he did jump back into the dating scene, he would look for a woman more like his wife. A woman of substance.

Although Joel didn’t doubt Kate’s intelligence or competence as a doctor, he’d noticed that outside of work she rarely spoke of anything beyond the superficial. Personal details were kept to a minimum. Consequently he knew little of her. Even though it didn’t really matter, he
was
curious.

After Ryan had finished entertaining them with stories from his bull-riding days, Joel slathered some grape jam on his toast and decided this would be an opportunity to get to know more about his daughter’s doctor. “Where did you say you went to medical school?”

Kate took a sip of coffee before answering. “UC Irvine.”

“Did you like it there?” Joel asked.

“I did.”

He waited for her to elaborate, but she simply stirred some more cream into her coffee. Joel had never pulled teeth, but he had the feeling that would be easier than getting basic information from Kate McNeal.

Ryan doused his omelet with more Tabasco sauce before looking up. “Isn’t that in Orange County?”

“That’s right.” Kate took a sip of coffee, obviously not intending to say more.

Joel couldn’t help but smile remembering how excited he and Amy had been when they’d landed at the John Wayne Airport in Orange County on their first and only trip to the West Coast. “My daughter, Chloe, was born at the Women’s Hospital in Laguna Hills, which isn’t that far from Irvine.”

Kate didn’t look up, apparently more fascinated by the granola in her yogurt parfait than the conversation.

Ryan took a bite of his omelet, then quickly followed it with a shot of water. “I didn’t know you used to live in California.”

“Actually, Chloe is adopted. We went there to pick her up and complete the rest of the paperwork.” Joel smiled. “When all that was done, we took her home to Montana.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ryan said.

“It is,” Kate echoed.

“I remember how beautiful it was there. Are you from that area?” Joel asked Kate.

“I grew up in Pittsburgh.”

“Do you go home often?”

“Kate and her family aren’t close,” Ryan said. “Her parents are still married. She has one older sister, Andrea, who is the family’s golden child. Andrea is married with three kids, a boy and two girls.”

Kate’s brows slammed together and a warning that even Ryan couldn’t fail to recognize, flashed in her hazel eyes.

The attorney raised both hands. “Don’t glare at me, sweetheart. It took me six months of intense effort to ferret out the basics. I’m simply helping the new guy out. Getting him up to speed.”

“I’m not the—” Joel began.

“Thank you, Ryan.” The sarcasm in Kate’s tone came through loud and clear. “Is there anything else you’d like to share about my life?”

A thoughtful look crossed Ryan’s face. “Kate thinks she wants to settle down, but there’s something in her background, I never did discover what, that keeps her from—”

“Enough.” Her voice cut like a knife. “That’s quite enough.”

Even though her face was perfectly composed, Joel heard the anger and saw the tremble in the hands she clasped in her lap. Without thinking, he reached over and covered her hands with one of his.

Almost immediately, she pushed it away.

But in the second that his hand had closed over hers, he learned that her skin was soft as silk. Joel had a sudden image of his arms wrapped around her, those hands sliding down his bare chest…

Dear God, what was happening to him? He jerked to his feet, pulled out his wallet and tossed a couple bills on the table. “I need to get back to the church. I don’t want Chloe to wait on me.”

Only after the words left his mouth did Joel remember he hadn’t come alone. Not only had Kate barely made a dent in her yogurt parfait, but there was also plenty of time left to pick up Chloe.

“Go ahead.” Kate waved a spoon filled with yogurt in the air. If she seemed disturbed about his impending departure, it didn’t show. In fact she appeared almost…pleased.

“I can catch a ride with someone,” she continued when he made no move to leave. “Or I may walk. The church isn’t far.”

Joel knew he should feel relieved, but all he felt was irritated by her cavalier attitude. “I’ll wait.”

“Go ahead, Dennes.” Amusement danced in the attorney’s eyes. “I’ll take the lady wherever she wants to go.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Kate shifted her gaze from Ryan to Joel. “I’ll be fine.”

Ryan heaved a melodramatic sigh and placed a hand on his chest. “Ah, Kate, you’re breaking my heart.”

Kate rolled her eyes.

Joel experienced a sudden urge to shove a fist in the attorney’s smirking face, but that would accomplish nothing. He’d brought this on himself.

“Are you sure?” he asked Kate one last time. “I’ll be happy to wait.”

“Positive.” She held up her cup and took more coffee. “No worries. Go ahead.”

“Okay, well, I’ll be seeing you around.” As he walked away, Joel turned back one last time to look at Kate.

For a second their eyes met and he thought he saw a look of regret. Then she turned back to Ryan, leaving Joel with no choice but to head to his truck.

This time, alone.

Chapter Three

K
ate leaned back in her office chair and stretched, grateful the hectic Monday was almost at an end. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. The incident in church and then at the café had consumed her thoughts.

Her feelings for Joel had taken her by surprise. In the quiet of her bedroom, staring up at the ceiling, she’d admitted to herself that she liked the guy. He was intelligent and hard-working and she respected how much he cared about Chloe. If he wasn’t Chloe’s father, she’d be hoping he’d ask her out.

But he
was
Chole’s dad and she had more important things to think about, like what was up with her last patient.

Emilie Hyland.
Kate pulled her brows together. She’d seen the sixteen-year-old last fall for a sports physical. No health issues had been identified on that visit. The vivacious cheerleader had been the picture of good health.

I wonder why she’s coming in today?

Normally the receptionist indicated the reason for the visit next to the name, but the field had been left blank.

“Dr. McNeal.” Lydia Albrecht, one of the front-office staff, stuck her head inside the door. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s a woman at the desk who says she’s an old friend of yours. She asked if you might have a few minutes to see her.”

An old friend? While Kate didn’t have many friends now, she had even fewer that she would categorize as “old.” “Did she give you a name?”

Lydia glanced down at the paper in her hand. “Mitzi Sanchez.”

Surprise of the most pleasant kind rippled through Kate. She and Mitzi had been roommates all through medical school. This would be the first time Kate had seen her friend since they’d met in L.A. for an afternoon of lunch and shopping right before Kate had moved to Jackson Hole.

Kate rose to her feet. “By all means, send her back.”

Less than a minute later, Mitzi stood in the doorway. Even though she’d once told Kate she didn’t speak a word of English until she began grade school, with her fair skin and blue eyes, she was far from the stereotypical exotic Latina. Her hair, which had once been down her back and dark brown, now barely brushed her shoulders and was definitely a shade lighter. One thing hadn’t changed…the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose that Mitzi loved to hate.

The most shocking change was her attire. As Kate crossed the room, her eyes skipped past the blue jeans and simple white cotton shirt to settle on her friend’s feet.

The last time she’d seen her friend they’d lunched at Koi, just off Melrose Avenue. That day Mitzi had worn a darling cap-sleeve dress with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe pumps.

“Seriously, Mitzi,
cowboy boots?
”

Her friend chuckled. “Hey, you know me. I bloom where I’m planted.”

It was true, Kate realized as she pulled Mitzi close, enveloping her in a hug. Her friend had always been a master at fitting in, no matter where she found herself.

“It’s good to see you.” Until this second, Kate hadn’t realized just how deeply she’d missed her friend and confidante.

“I’m sorry to stop by so unexpectedly,” Mitzi began. “You know that isn’t my style—”

“Yeah, right.” Kate hugged her for another second before releasing her. “You like keeping me on my toes.”

Mitzi simply smiled and took a seat in one of the two leather wingbacks facing the desk. Kate slipped into the other.

“I’m surprised you’re not in L.A. right now, taking care of the rich and famous.” Kate searched her memory. “Didn’t you tell me you’d accepted a position with Beverly Hills Orthopedics and Sports Medicine?”

“I did, but they don’t need me to start until January.”

“This is only June.” Kate raised a brow. “You can’t go six months without doing surgery.”

Mitzi brushed a strand of shiny brown hair back from her face. “That’s why I’m here. I’m going to be a locum at Spring Gulch Orthopedic through the end of the year.”

Kate squealed. If she’d have been standing, she’d have jumped up and down. “You’re staying with me,” she said in the no-nonsense tone she often used with recalcitrant patients. “I have plenty of room and I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Thank you, Kate.” Mitzi reached over and squeezed her hand, appearing touched by the offer. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

Thank You, God,
Kate thought.
This is just what I needed.

She exhaled a happy breath. “Who are you filling in for?”

“John Campbell,” Mitzi said, naming a prominent surgeon at the largest orthopedic practice in Jackson.

Kate wasn’t surprised. According to the medical grapevine, the doctor had recently been diagnosed with advanced cancer.

“I’m surprised they didn’t ask you to join them permanently.” Even before Campbell was diagnosed, one of the docs in that practice had told Kate they were hoping to add another physician to their busy group.

“They asked.” Mitzi lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “While it was a fair offer, there’s no comparison between that money and what I can earn in Beverly Hills.”

“I’m thinking the fact that your best friend lives here should be worth at least half a mil.” Kate fought to keep a straight face.

“Oh, if only I wasn’t so materialistic,” Mitzi said with an exaggerated sigh. “If it’s any consolation, your being here was the reason I chose to take this temporary assignment.”

Even as her heart swelled with emotion, Kate shot her friend a saucy smile. “Gee, thanks, Mitz. Way to put the pressure on me to show you a good time.”

Before Mitzi could fire a comeback, a light knock sounded and Lydia announced that Kate’s last appointment had arrived.

“If you want to give me your address and a key,” Mitzi said, “I’ll head over to your place in my rental car and chill until you get off.”

“You’ll also need a keycard for the gate.” Kate rounded the desk and pulled out the drawer that held her purse. When she straightened, she tossed Mitzi an extra key to her townhome while keeping the fob to her Subaru in her hand. “Walk with me to my car and I’ll give you my extra one. The townhome I rent is in a gated community just outside of town, so you’ll definitely need it.”

Kate had considered purchasing a home, but she wasn’t certain how long she planned to stay in Jackson Hole. Being so close to her heart’s desire, yet needing to keep her distance had been harder than she’d imagined.

“I’ve heard it all.” Mitzi chuckled as she followed Kate out the back door of her office to the employee parking lot. “A gated community in Wyoming. Why? You need protection from big bad elk and moose?”

The two bantered back and forth all the way to the car. Kate retrieved the keycard from her glove compartment and pressed it into her friend’s hand. Unfortunately the good-luck train she’d been riding since Mitzi had walked through her door derailed when Kate saw Joel’s red four-wheel drive pull into a slanted parking stall in front of Rallis Orthodontics.

For a second she considered grabbing Mitzi’s arm and making a U-turn straight back to the building. Then Chloe hopped out of the truck and Kate saw the child point in her direction.

Her heart dropped when Joel waved and began walking toward them, his daughter skipping behind him.

Mitzi’s eyes widened with pure female appreciation. “If the men in Jackson Hole are all like him, it’s going to be an enjoyable six months.”

Kate had to admit that even dressed simply in jeans, boots and a blue polo, Joel looked good. And Chloe looked adorable in a black-and-white-checkered dress with red piping.

“Who is he?” Mitzi whispered in a low tone as the man and child approached. “More important, is he available?”

* * *

“Look, Daddy.” Chloe hopped out of the truck and pointed. “It’s Dr. Kate.”

Joel shut his door before turning, knowing his little girl had to be mistaken. They’d just driven past the area where she was pointing and he hadn’t seen anyone who remotely resembled Kate McNeal.

But when he gazed back in that direction he realized Chloe was right. He lifted his hand in greeting, feeling a little awkward about yesterday but surprisingly happy to see the pretty doctor.

As always, Kate looked stunning. Her dark, shoulder-length hair caught the sunlight and she moved with elegance. Under her lab coat she wore a white dress with yellow-and-black bands of color around the waistline. She looked as if she should be walking down a runway rather than tending to sick children.

There weren’t many women in Jackson Hole as lovely and intelligent as Dr. Kate. Not that it mattered to him. Like he’d told himself last night, he was a busy contractor with a daughter to raise and a company to run. Even if he had been interested in dating, Amy would always be number one in his heart. Kate McNeal didn’t seem like a woman who’d be satisfied with second place.

“Hi, Joel. Chloe.” Even though she couldn’t have walked more than ten feet across the parking lot, Kate seemed oddly out of breath. It was probably those spiky heels she wore. While they were very sexy-looking, they had to be hell to walk in.

“This is a pleasant surprise.” Joel knew her office was just across the parking lot from Chloe’s orthodontist, but he hadn’t expected to see her today. He thought she’d be busy inside seeing patients.

“I needed to get something out of my car.” Kate brushed a strand of hair back from her face, her cheeks bright pink from the exertion. “When I saw you and Chloe, I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce you to my friend.”

“Mitzi Sanchez.” The slender woman offered up a friendly smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Joel Dennes.” He took the hand she’d extended and gave it a perfunctory shake. Although dressed casually in jeans and boots, there was something about this woman that reminded him of Kate. Perhaps it was the directness of her gaze or the firmness of her handshake. Whichever it was, he liked her instantly. He gestured with his head to the little girl at his side. “This is my daughter, Chloe.”

“Joel and Chloe Dennes,” Mitzi repeated slowly, as if their names were familiar. But because that couldn’t be the case, it had to be her way of trying to remember them.

“That’s right,” Joel said, flashing a smile.

Mitzi shifted her attention to the child and studied her for several seconds, as if looking for a resemblance between him and Chloe. Obviously finding none, she simply smiled. “It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, Chloe.”

His daughter’s gaze dropped to her feet and for a second Joel wasn’t sure she would answer. Normally Chloe hated it when a stranger talked directly to her. Just when he’d given up hope, she lifted her head. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

A surge of pride swept through Joel. He slipped an arm around his daughter’s shoulders and gave a squeeze.
That’s my girl.

He chatted with Kate and Mitzi for a few minutes about the weather, then the conversation began to lag. Joel resisted the urge to look at his phone to check the time. They were early for Chloe’s orthodontic evaluation, so there was no reason to rush. “What brings you to Jackson Hole, Mitzi?”

“I’m an orthopedic surgeon. I’m going to be filling in for Dr. John Campbell.” She cast a sideways glance at her friend as if disturbed by her silence. “Kate’s going to let me crash on her sofa.”

“Actually my guest room has your name on it.” The teasing smile Kate shot her friend, brightened her whole face.

Even though the smile hadn’t been directed at him, Joel found himself basking in the warmth. He wondered why Kate didn’t smile more often. After a second he forced his attention back to her friend. “Will you be staying long?”

“Through the end of the year at Spring Gulch and with Kate as long as she’ll put up with me.” Mitzi chuckled. “Right now I’m not sure how long that will be. I can be a real pain sometimes. Who knows? I could be gone tomorrow.”

“Ah, Mitzi, you know that’s not true.” Kate reached an arm around her friend’s shoulders and gave her a quick hug. “You’re my best friend.”

“I had a best friend once,” a small voice piped up. “When we lived in Billings.”

It took Joel a second to realize that it was Chloe who’d spoken. “You have friends here, too.”

Chloe shrugged.

“I know how you feel.” Mitzi placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Good friends—best friends—aren’t always that easy to find.”

“Savannah and I used to play every day.” Chloe’s voice was so low that Joel had to strain to hear her. “I really miss her.”

“Mitzi and I haven’t lived in the same town for five years.” Kate’s eyes softened as they settled on Chloe. “And I missed her so much, but we kept in touch. We sent each other funny cards and we talked on the phone.”

Joel guessed that her not mentioning the internet was deliberate and he was grateful to Kate. He closely monitored his daughter’s time on the web.

“I don’t remember Savannah’s address or her phone number,” Chloe said in the same small voice, pushing the toe of her shoe against the concrete.

“I’m sure I have them.” Joel couldn’t believe his daughter hadn’t mentioned wanting to contact Savannah before now. Or had she? “How about we call her after your orthodontic evaluation?”