The warm, sweet kiss sent a shower of tingles raining all the way to the tips of her toes.

When it was over she brought two fingers to her lips and tried to remember how to breathe. “What was that for?”

Her voice sounded shaky, even to her own ears.

Gabe cast a pointed glance upward.

Michelle tilted her head back and followed his gaze. Directly over them were a few dark waxy leaves interspersed with white berries. “Mistletoe?”

“I want this evening to be memorable.”

His hands rested on her arms and the heat from his body urged her closer. The scent of his cologne enveloped her and everything—and everyone— around them disappeared until there was only her… and Gabe.

Gabe, the man with the thirteen-year-old daughter.

Dear Reader,

Whenever there’s talk about what makes a man “hero” material, lots of characteristics get bandied around. Handsome, strong, smart, kind, etc, are some of the more common ones. But sometimes we forget about the less obvious ones. What about a man who will step up to the plate and do what needs to be done, one who takes responsibility for his actions?

Gabe, the hero in The Doctor and Mr Right, is that kind of man. When he was little more than a boy himself, he made the sacrifices necessary to be a good father to his daughter. I don’t know about you, but to me there’s nothing more sexy—and endearing—than a man who is a good dad to his child. If he happens to be handsome—and single, of course—he’s even harder to resist!

I really enjoyed writing this book and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Cindy Kirk

About the Author

CINDY KIRK has loved to read for as long as she can remember. In first grade she received an award for reading one hundred books. As she grew up, summers were her favorite time of year. Nothing beat going to the library, then coming home and curling up in front of the window air conditioner with a good book. Often the novels she read would spur ideas, and she’d make up her own story (always with a happy ending). When she’d go to bed at night, instead of counting sheep, she’d make up more stories in her head. Since selling her first story in 1999, Cindy has been forced to juggle her love of reading with her passion for creating stories of her own…but she doesn’t mind. Writing for the Mills & Boon® Cherish™ series is a dream come true. She only hopes you have as much fun reading her books as she has writing them!

Cindy invites you to visit her website, www.cindykirk.com.

The Doctor
and Mr Right
Cindy Kirk

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my wonderful editor, Patience Bloom.

Ours continues to be a fabulous—and fun—partnership.

Chapter One

“He did not ask you to do that to him.” Lexi Delacourt’s voice brimmed with laughter.

“He did.” Dr. Michelle Kerns had her fellow book club members in the palm of her hand. It hadn’t a thing to do with the novel they were discussing in a local Jackson Hole coffee shop. When someone mentioned having a problem with the hero in the book using a whip on a horse, Michelle happened to mention Larry’s request.

Larry was a pharmaceutical sales rep from Idaho who she’d been seeing. Until she’d discovered he had a thing for whips. Or more specifically, being whipped.

“What did you say to him?” Mary Karen Fisher rested her arms on the table, her eyes wide. For having five children, the RN could be a bit naive about the kind of men out there.

“First, I picked my jaw up from the floor.” Before continuing, Michelle glanced around to make sure no one at any of the nearby tables was listening. “Next, I told him I wasn’t into flailing men with whips. Then I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in seeing him again.”

“You have the worst luck.” Lexi sighed. “Have you ever just dated a normal guy?”

Even though Michelle had been in Jackson Hole almost two years this was her first book club meeting. She felt as if she’d finally arrived when she received the invitation to join the group. More than a little nervous, Michelle had done a whole lot of talking.

She’d already shared about her high school boyfriend who turned out to prefer guys, the guy in college who’d forgotten to mention he was married and the one back in Saint Louis who’d stalked her. “There were a few normal ones interspersed among the crazies. My ex-husband, Ed, was a normal guy.”

“I didn’t know you’d been married before.” Mary Karen looked at Lexi. “Did you know?”

Lexi shook her head. The other women at the table appeared equally surprised.

“It was when I was in residency in Saint Louis.” Although it had been over three years since her divorce was final, the failure of her marriage still stung. “Didn’t even make it two years.”

“That had to be tough.” Betsy Harcourt covered Michelle’s hand with hers and gave it a squeeze. “What happened? If you don’t mind my asking, that is.”

“Ed was a widower with two middle-school-aged daughters.” Michelle kept her tone matter-of-fact. “The girls resented me. Ed sided with them. It was a difficult situation all the way around.”

That had been a dark period in her life. When she’d married Ed, Michelle had been convinced it would be forever. Her parents had been married thirty-eight years. No one in her family was divorced. Except her. She hadn’t turned her back on the institution. But next time, if there was a next time, she’d look for red flags. Like teenage kids.

“We’ll find you a good man.” July Wahl glanced at her friends and the other women nodded agreement.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m plucking myself out of the dating pool for now.” Michelle experienced a sense of relief just saying the words. “The only one in my life will be Sasha.”

Mary Karen pulled her brows together. “Sasha?”

“It’s her dog.” Lexi spoke in a tone loud enough for all of them to hear.

“Everyone here knows how much I love my Puffy.” A doubtful look filled Betsy’s eyes. “But would you really choose to spend time with Sasha over someone like…that?”

The newlywed pointed out the front window of Hill of Beans to a tall man with broad shoulders and lean hips loading supplies into the back of a red pickup. Thick dark hair brushed the denim collar and faded jeans hugged long muscular legs.

Even though Michelle wasn’t interested, if she were interested, she liked that he was tall. Call her shallow, but she rather enjoyed looking up to a man. And being five-nine, unless she wore flats, there weren’t too many men around like that.

“He’s one fine specimen,” Michelle acknowledged. “At least from the backside.”

The women watched for a few more seconds, but the guy never turned in their direction.

“Who is he?” Mary Karen asked. “Anyone know?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Michelle sipped her latte and resisted the urge to steal another quick glance out the window. “Remember, I have Sasha.”

“The dog can keep you company for now.” Betsy’s dustyblue eyes held a gleam. “Until we find a man for you.”

“Which might not be that easy.” Lexi’s lips turned up in a little smile. “I mean, Michelle is one picky lady. Heterosexual, single, nonstalker and no fetishes. What does she think we are…miracle workers?”

Michelle pulled into her driveway in the Spring Gulch subdivision just outside of Jackson and chuckled, remembering the conversation in the coffee shop. Most of her friends were happily married and determined to aid in her search for Mr. Right.

But she’d been serious when she’d told them she wanted to step off the dating-go-round. Going out with a new guy was not only a huge time suck but an emotional roller coaster, as well. She’d really liked Larry. He was smart, funny and insanely handsome. Although she knew some women might embrace the whips-and-chains thing, she wasn’t one of them.

So here she was, after two months, back to square one. She only wished Larry had made his proclivities known on the first few dates. The mistake she’d made was trying to take things slow. If she’d considered sleeping with him early on, this would have come out and they could have gone their separate ways sooner.

Perhaps with the next guy, she should consider tossing aside her old-fashioned morals and jump in the sack right away. Of course, she reminded herself, that was a moot point because she didn’t have any plans to date. At least not anytime soon. Perhaps she’d even take the rest of the year off.

Yes, that would be best. Focus on continuing to grow her ob-gyn practice. Spend more time with Sasha. Perhaps even work on making the town house she’d bought late last year feel more like a home.

Michelle eased the car into the garage. Just before the door lowered, she saw a red vehicle pull into the adjacent driveway. She barely got a glimpse of it before her overhead door shut. It seemed the new owners had finally arrived.

The rumor around the neighborhood was a young couple from out of state had purchased the unit next to her. Michelle only hoped they were quiet. She put in long hours at her medical practice. With only two doctors and a nurse-midwife, she got called out often, at all hours of the day and night. When she was home she needed her sleep.

Perhaps she’d have to find a way to mention that to the new owners. Just so they understood—

Michelle shut the thought off before it could fully form. Egad, what was she? Eighty? Before long she’d be complaining about the children running through her flower beds. If she had flower beds. And if there were any children in the upscale neighborhood of young professionals to run through them.

After heading inside and changing into a pair of shorts and a hot-pink T-shirt, Michelle clamped the leash onto the collar of her golden retriever and took the dog for a run.

By the time they returned, it was almost dinnertime and her neighbor stood outside washing his truck. As she and Sasha drew close, she realized with a start that he was the man from the coffee shop. Only this time she could see that his face was as delectable as his backside.

Tall. Dark. Handsome. Something told her he had a petite blonde wife who doted on her husband’s every word. Those kind always did.

Still, Michelle slowed her steps as they reached the driveway. She remembered well the kindness of the neighbors when she’d first moved in and it was time to pay that forward.

“Hi.” She stopped a few feet from him and extended her hand. “I’m Michelle Kerns. I live next door. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

He looked down for a heartbeat, took off the soapy mitt he’d been using before taking her hand in his. “Gabe Davis. Pleased to meet you.”

Electricity shot up her arm. She jerked her hand back in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner.

Her new neighbor had charisma with a capital C and the looks to go with it. His eyes were an amber color, his hair a rich coffee-brown. Other than a slight bump on his nose, his features were classically handsome.

Michelle ran her hand across the shiny red fender of his truck, the water rippling beneath her fingers. “What brought you all the way from Pennsylvania?”

He stepped close and the spicy scent of his cologne teased her nostrils. But his gaze remained riveted to her hand, caressing the sleek paint. He cleared his throat. “How did you know we were from there?”

“Your license plate was my first clue.” Michelle pulled back her hand. His eyes had turned dark and intense. She could read the signs. He didn’t appreciate her touching his truck but was too polite to say so.

“Of course.” He lifted his gaze and raked a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “It’s been a long day.”

Then he smiled.

Michelle felt something stir inside her at the slightly crooked grin. Mrs. Davis was a lucky woman.

She glanced toward the house. “Is your wife inside?”

His brows pulled together in puzzlement. “I’m not married.”

“For some reason a rumor was going around the neighborhood that a couple was moving in.” Michelle stumbled over the words.

“Nope. Just me and Finley.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Daughter.” The smile returned to his lips. “She’s inside unpacking. At least that’s what she’s supposed to be doing. At thirteen, they’re easily distracted.”

Michelle heard affection in his tone. And fatherly pride.

Thirteen. Chrissy, Ed’s oldest daughter, had been thirteen when they married. A knot formed in her stomach.

“Those are…interesting years,” she managed to mutter when she saw he was waiting for a response.

“Tell me about it.” He chuckled. “You have kids?”

“No,” she said. “No husband. No children. Just Sasha.”

Her gaze dropped to the dog who sat at her feet, tail thumping.

Gabe crouched down and held out a hand to the retriever. “Hey, girl.”

Sasha sniffed his fingers and her tail picked up speed.

“Nice golden.” The man scratched behind the dog’s ears. “Finley and I used to have one.”

“Used to?”

“Buttercup passed away.” At her questioning look, Gabe continued. “She died of cancer last year.”

“I’m sorry.” Michelle couldn’t imagine losing Sasha. “That must have been hard on both of you.”

Gabe nodded, then shifted his gaze back to the dog. “Tell me about Sasha.”

“She’s a purebred,” Michelle said as proudly as if she was introducing him to her child. “She’s three.”

In fact, she’d picked up Sasha the day her divorce was final. The golden bundle of love at her feet had gotten her through the toughest period in her life. Now she couldn’t imagine her world without Sasha in it.

His hands moved along the dog’s ribs. A frown furrowed his brow. “Has she always been this thin?”

Michelle’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”

“I can feel her ribs.”

“Dogs aren’t meant to be fat,” she murmured even as a chill traveled up her spine. She’d always had to watch Sasha’s weight. Being too thin had never been an issue.

“You should have a vet take a look at her.”

“You think she could be sick?” She pushed the words past her lips. “Like your dog?”

“All I know is Buttercup started losing weight and we didn’t notice it at first. When we did, it was summer and we thought it was no big deal, just her eating less because of the heat.” He paused, as if considering how much to say. “Later—too late—we learned golden retrievers are prone to lymphoma. Early diagnosis is critical for survival.”

Fear, heart-stopping fear, sluiced through Michelle’s veins quickly followed by a healthy dose of self-directed anger. She was a doctor. She should have noticed Sasha’s weight loss, not needed a stranger to point it out to her.

“I’ll definitely have her checked. I certainly don’t want anything to happen to her.” Unexpected tears filled Michelle’s eyes, but she hurriedly blinked them back before he could notice. “Thank you for caring enough to speak up.”

Before she could take a step, she felt his hand lightly touch her arm. She looked up into warm amber eyes. “Just remember, if it is something serious, you’ll have caught it early.”

Michelle considered herself to be a strong, independent woman, but times like this made her wish she had a special someone in her life. A man to wrap his strong arms around her and tell her everything was going to be all right.

After her experience with Larry, she’d begun to believe good men only existed in the movies or in the pages of a book.

The spicy scent of Gabe’s cologne grew stronger and Michelle realized that while lost in her thoughts, she’d taken a step closer. Even though a respectable distance still separated her and Gabe, it wouldn’t take much to bridge that gap.

She met his gaze. Almost immediately their eye contact turned into something more, a tangible connection between the two of them. A curious longing surged through her veins like an awakened river.

Michelle experienced an overwhelming urge to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him close, to feel the hard muscular planes of his body against her soft curves. To press her lips against his neck and—

“Dad,” a young female voice called out. “Grandma’s on the phone.”

Gabe’s hand dropped to his side. He turned toward the house, where his daughter stood on the porch, cell phone in hand. “Tell her I’ll call her back.”

Michelle took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. Thankfully the crazy spell tethering her to him had been broken. She tugged on the leash and Sasha stood. “Thanks again for the advice.”

“It was nice meeting you,” Gabe called to her retreating back.

“You, too,” Michelle said without turning around.

Tomorrow, when she saw her friends in church, she was going to tell them they could scratch the guy with the truck off their potential suitor list.

No matter how charming, sexy or caring her new neighbor was, she now knew he had a teenage daughter. Which meant Gabe Davis was one man she wouldn’t have, even served up on a silver platter.

Chapter Two

Thirteen-year-old Finley stopped at the foot of the concrete steps leading into the small white church and lifted her chin. “I’m not going in.”

Gabe expelled a breath and kept a tight hold on his temper. Before they left the house, he and Finley had agreed how the morning would progress. Apparently she’d changed her mind. From all the reading he’d done about adolescents, this behavior was typical for a girl Finley’s age.

Unfortunately he only had minutes to remind his daughter of their agreement before the service began.

“It’s not easy for me to walk in there.” Gabe kept his tone conversational and matter-of-fact. He’d learned to keep things calm around Finley. “But we have to start somewhere.”

“I’m dressed all wrong.” She glanced down at her yellow sleeveless dress. When she lifted her gaze he saw the worry in her eyes. “All the girls I’ve seen have on skirts and tops.”

Gabe knew better than to dismiss her concerns or try to placate her. At her age emotions were too volatile. “Perhaps you’ll start a fashion trend. After all, you’re a big-city girl.”

Okay, so perhaps Philadelphia wasn’t fashion central, but surely in the minds of middle-school-aged girls, her being from the East Coast counted for something.

Finley’s brows drew together and he could almost see her processing his words. Personally he thought she looked lovely. If he didn’t think a dad’s comment would make the situation worse, he’d tell her so. Finley’s hair was the color of rich Colombian coffee. Her blue eyes and fine features were from her mother. In several years she’d be a real heartbreaker.

Gabe pushed the thought from his head. He preferred to ignore the fact the little girl who’d once invited him to tea parties was now old enough to wear lip gloss.

“We need to hurry. I’m not walking in late.”

Her words pulled him from his reverie.

She practically sprinted up the steps. Gabe followed behind her, relief filling him.

Although he and Finley had attended church regularly since she’d been a baby, this was a different ball game. New town. New church. And in the fall, a new school. They’d waited to move until early summer so Finley wouldn’t have to start at the end of the year.

Now he wondered if that had been a mistake. Finley was already complaining of being lonely. His only hope was that she’d make a friend or two today at youth group. This morning she’d made it clear that she was only staying for the church service, but he still held out hope that he could change her mind.

To make this relocation successful, it was important they both reach out to the community. Gabe had already marked his calendar to attend the next Jackson After-Hours meeting, a chamber of commerce function for young professionals. But attending church was a first step in reaching out.

He realized that wasn’t exactly true. He’d met several guys at the Y yesterday. When they’d mentioned they attended this church, he’d decided he and Finley would check it out.

Not knowing how casual the service was, he’d forgone jeans for a pair of navy pants and a button-down shirt. As he walked into the church, it appeared he’d guessed correctly, although he did see some guys in denim and a few older men in suits.

The church appeared to attract a lot of young families. His heart twisted. He wished his daughter could have had the experience of having both a father and a mother. But Shannon had relinquished all parental rights when Finley was still an infant and had shown no interest in her since.

Her loss, he told himself for the millionth time.

He started to steer them toward a pew in the back until he saw all the parents with babies. Obviously the last few rows were reserved for those with small children.

Gabe continued down the aisle. He wasn’t sure what to feel when he saw a tall woman with long wavy blond hair a couple of pews ahead. He recognized her immediately. His neighbor. Michelle.

She was slender with long legs and curves in all the right places and big blue eyes. She appeared to be alone and he thought for a second about sitting beside her. But he wasn’t sure that was wise after what had happened in the driveway yesterday.

He’d almost kissed her. He’d wanted to kiss her. Yet, making such a move on a new neighbor could have disastrous consequences. After all, they’d just met. And while she’d said she wasn’t married, she hadn’t said anything about not having a boyfriend. A woman as pretty as she had to have some guy in the wings.

“Gabe,” a deep voice sounded behind him.

He spun on his heel to find one of the men he’d met yesterday playing basketball. There was a toddler in his arms. A pretty dark-haired woman and a girl about Finley’s age flanked him.

“Nick.” Gabe frantically searched for the last name. “Dela-court.”

“You nailed it.” Nick flashed a smile. “This is my wife, Lexi, and our daughters, Grace and Addie.”

They stepped aside to let the other members of the congregation pass while completing the introductions. After Finley’s comments outside, Gabe couldn’t help but notice that Addie, Nick’s oldest daughter, wore a denim skirt and red top.

He pretended not to see the pointed look Finley shot him.

“Most kids our age sit together during the service.” Addie focused on Finley and gestured toward a row of young teens seated just ahead of the babies and young families. “You’re welcome to join us. If you want, that is.”

Finley glanced at Gabe. “Is it okay?”

Gabe quickly assessed the situation. Normally he was very particular about letting his daughter be unsupervised with kids he didn’t know. But the church was small and she’d be in plain sight. “Fine with me.”

“Afterward we all go to youth group,” Addie added. “While our parents eat breakfast.”

Gabe could almost see the refusal forming on his daughter’s lips when Addie continued in a low tone, “Your dress is really cool. All the girls are going to be jealous.”

“You can pick me up after youth group,” Finley announced.

Gabe cocked his head and met her gaze. Even though this was exactly what he wanted, in their household, it was understood his daughter didn’t call the shots.

“If it’s okay with you, that is,” Finley quickly added.

He nodded. “Sounds like a workable plan.”

Finley squeezed his arm, then hurried off talking in low excited tones with her new friend.

Gabe refocused on Nick’s wife. “It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Delacourt.”

“Please, call me Lexi.” She glanced over his shoulder, then gestured with one hand. “Why don’t we sit together? Looks like there’s plenty of room.”

When Gabe turned to see where Nick’s wife pointed, it was the open area next to his neighbor. He hid a smile. Even in church it appeared he couldn’t escape temptation.

He followed the couple to the pew. Nick motioned for his wife to go in first, but Lexi shook her head. “Let Gabe.”

Her husband looked perplexed. “I thought you’d want to sit by Michelle.”

“Oh, we can chat later.” Lexi lifted a hand in a dismissive wave. “It’s best I sit by the aisle in case Grace gets fussy.”

Gabe had been the focus of too many matchmaking efforts over the years not to recognize one. Which meant Michelle didn’t have a boyfriend. Although for the next six months his priority was settling into his new job and helping Finley acclimate to her new surroundings, he might make time for a date or two.

Acting as if it didn’t matter where he sat, Gabe slipped into the polished bench next to Michelle.

She turned from the older couple on her left. “Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Hello.”

It wasn’t quite the enthusiastic greeting he’d expected.

“Good morning,” he said politely before shifting his attention to his basketball buddy. But Nick was talking with his wife in a low tone.

“I didn’t know you went to church here,” he heard Michelle say as the organ began to play.

“This is my first time.” Gabe reached for the hymnal at the same time as she did and their hands brushed. He felt an unexpected flash of heat.

If Michelle experienced the same sensation, she gave no indication. When they rose for the opening song, he ended up sharing the hymnal with her. He didn’t mind. But he caught her glancing around as if looking for an extra book.

His own singing voice was passable, but Michelle’s was, well, simply awful. He couldn’t decide if she was tone deaf or couldn’t read music. She appeared oblivious to how bad she was, singing loudly and with much enthusiasm.

Gabe cringed as she belted out the last note of the song in a higher pitch than everyone around her.

She closed the hymnal, smiled and sighed. “I love to sing.”

“I can see that,” he said diplomatically. In an attempt to ignore the enticing scent of her floral perfume, he fixed his gaze on the pastor.

The sermon was a variation of one he’d heard a thousand times but could never hear enough. The message revolved around good arising out of the trials experienced in life. It was his and Finley’s story. An eighteen-year-old kid propelled into being a parent when he was still a boy. Giving up a football scholarship and college to be a father. Shannon walking out of their lives when Finley was only two months old. The road certainly hadn’t been easy, but his life was so much richer for having Finley in it.

After making it through a Scripture reading by a woman with a lisp and sharing the hymnal with Michelle for several more off-key renderings, Gabe’s ears rang.

After the benediction, Nick turned to him. “While the kids are in Sunday school and youth group, a bunch of us go for breakfast at The Coffee Pot. Care to join us?”

Gabe understood the importance of the invitation. He knew that if he shied away, he might not be invited to join them again. Or if he was, another invitation might be a long time coming.

He glanced at Finley who was laughing with Addie. He didn’t need to ask if she’d changed her mind about staying for youth group. The smile on her face told him the answer.

“Sure. Thanks for asking.” Even though Gabe hadn’t had a lot of time to explore the town, Jackson wasn’t that big of a community. If he knew the approximate location of the destination, he should be able to find it easily. “Where’s the café located?”

“It’s downtown.” Lexi leaned around her husband and flashed Gabe a smile. “Not far, but parking can be a problem. Why don’t you leave your vehicle here and ride with Michelle?”

“Michelle?”

“Didn’t Nick tell you? She’s coming to breakfast, too.”

Michelle saw the startled look in Gabe’s eyes when he turned. And the Cheshire-cat smile on Lexi’s lips.

“What’s going on?” When the service ended, Mr. Calhoun, the older gentleman to Michelle’s left had started telling her a story and Michelle had missed Gabe and Nick’s conversation.

“Gabe is coming to breakfast with us this morning,” Lexi said in a pleased tone. “I told him he could ride with you, because parking can be an issue and you know where it is. You don’t mind, do you?”

The café was less than a mile away, easy to find with simple instructions. And parking? While Gabe might not be able to park in front of the restaurant, he’d for sure find a space within a block of the building. Lexi knew that as well as she did. The gleam in her eyes suddenly made sense. Her friend was playing matchmaker.

Yet Michelle could hardly accuse Lexi of that in front of everyone. And she didn’t want to make Gabe feel unwanted. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d been new in town.

“You’re welcome to ride with me.” Michelle kept her tone light. Just because she didn’t want to date the guy didn’t mean she couldn’t be sociable. “If you want to, that is.”

Gabe smiled and her heart fluttered.

During the drive to the café, Gabe asked a lot of questions about her, then listened as if he was really interested in her answers.

Michelle shared how she’d wanted to be a doctor for as long as she could remember, touched on the rigors of med school and residency. Even though she mentioned she’d once been briefly married, she didn’t share any specifics about that breakup and nothing about her recent dating challenges.

By the time they entered the café, she realized he knew a whole lot about her and she knew very little about him. Of course, she already knew the most important thing…he had a teenage daughter.

After he opened the door for her, Michelle paused in the doorway. “What made you decide to move to Jackson Hole?”

But she never got an answer. Several other couples came up just then, the men recognizing and greeting Gabe, joking about some basketball game. They introduced him to their wives. By the time they reached the table and sat down, the question was forgotten.

Michelle took a seat at one end of the table. Gabe sat down across from her. Ryan Harcourt, an attorney in town, pulled out the chair next to her, his new bride, Betsy, on the other side of him. Betsy was the best friend of Adrianna Lee, the nurse-midwife in Michelle’s office. Ryan and Betsy were eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child in the fall.

“How’s the house coming?” Michelle asked Ryan. The young couple were in the process of renovating a bungalow Betsy had inherited from her great-aunt.

“It’s starting to feel like home.” Ryan glanced at his wife and she nodded. “Of course anywhere with Betsy feels like home.”

“You always say the sweetest things.” Betsy cupped his face with her hand and kissed him gently on the lips.

Out of the corner of her eye, Michelle caught Gabe staring. Before he turned away she saw something that looked almost like envy in his eyes. Apparently whatever had happened between him and his daughter’s mother hadn’t left him bitter.

Michelle didn’t have time to dwell on the matter because the waitress appeared. The older woman with wiry gray hair and garish orange lipstick moved quickly, knowing most at the table had to be back to the church in an hour to pick up their children from Sunday school.

When it came time for Michelle to order, she didn’t hesitate. “I’ll have the farmer’s breakfast.”

By the time she finished giving the waitress the specifics Gabe’s mouth was hanging open.

“Can you really eat all that yourself?” he asked with something akin to awe in his voice.

“Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.” Michelle shrugged, telling herself she didn’t care what he thought. “I follow that old adage about eating like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a beggar for dinner.”

“Well, you certainly look healthy.”

The admiration in his tone made her glad she’d taken a little extra time getting ready this morning. Her cobalt-blue sleeveless dress with a beaded belt at the waist not only flattered her figure but the color also made her eyes look extra blue.

“I’ll consider that a compliment,” she said with a wry smile.

For a second she thought Gabe was going to say more, but then Nick asked him a question. He shifted his attention and she never got it back.

“Come with me to the restroom.” Lexi leaned over and whispered, then pushed back her chair and stood.

Michelle followed her around several tables to the small restroom at the back. “I’ll wait out here.”

“No.” Lexi grabbed her arm. “Come in with me.”

“It’s just a one-seater, Lex—”

“I’m just going to touch up my makeup.” Lexi opened the door and shoved her in first, then followed behind. “You can talk to me.”

Her friend was up to something. And Michelle had a feeling she knew just what it was. The first words out of Lexi’s mouth confirmed her suspicions.

“What do you think of him?” Lexi spoke in a confidential whisper even though they were the only ones in the small room.

“Is that what this is about?” Michelle rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall. “Are you trying to hook me up with Gabe Davis?”

“You have to admit he’s a hunk.” Lexi’s amber eyes sparkled.

“He’s good-looking enough, I guess,” Michelle reluctantly agreed, hoping the admission didn’t come back to haunt her. “But there’s no chemistry.”

Michelle pushed from her mind the sizzling shock she’d received less than an hour before when her hand had brushed against his across the hymnal. And all those times during the service when she had only to inhale the spicy scent of his cologne for her heart to pick up speed. Of course, glancing back at Gabe’s daughter—his teenage daughter—was all it took for her heart to return to normal rhythm.

“Oh.” Lexi’s hopeful expression fell. “No chemistry at all?”

“’Fraid not.” Thank God she wasn’t Pinocchio or her nose would be a foot long by now.

“His loss.” Lexi’s face brightened. “I’ll find someone else for you.”

“Don’t bother.” Michelle pulled a tube of gloss from her bag and applied some to her lips. “Remember, I’ve sworn off men.”

Lexi fluffed her dark hair with the tips of her fingers, then smiled. “Honey, that’s just until we find you the right one.”

Chapter Three

Out of the corner of his eye Gabe saw Michelle enter the bar and grill on the edge of downtown Jackson. It seemed in every town there was always one person he was destined to run into again and again. In Jackson Hole, he was lucky enough for that person to be a pretty female doctor.

Gabe grabbed a handful of mixed nuts from the bar and watched Michelle glide across the room. She exuded confidence. It was as much a part of her as her bright smile.

“Gabe.”

He turned toward the sound of his name and saw Nick Delacourt at the far end of the curved bar. Dressed in a dark suit, the family law attorney looked as if he’d come straight from court. Gabe lifted a hand in greeting.

Nick started toward him but didn’t get far before someone stopped him. In the past fifteen minutes the microbrewery hosting the Jackson After-Hours event had exploded with people. Gabe was glad he’d taken off work a little early. It had given him time to shower and change into a pair of khakis and a green polo with the Stone Craft logo.

Although Gabe had been brought on as a project manager, Joel had made it clear if their business and work styles meshed, he’d have the chance to buy into the company. That meant, what was good for Stone Craft Builders was good for him.

Tonight was Gabe’s opportunity to get to know the movers and shakers of Jackson Hole. And for them to get to know him.

Building a client base was all about relationships. That’s why breakfast on Sunday had been important. But it wasn’t only business. Gabe genuinely liked the couples who’d been at the table.

“I have a question for you.” Tripp Randall, the administrator for the Jackson Hole hospital, returned to the bar.

Like Nick, Tripp wore a suit. But the administrator had already loosened his tie and unfastened a couple of buttons. Since Gabe had last seen him, he’d also ditched his suit jacket.

With disheveled blond hair and scruff on his chin, Tripp looked as if he should be playing a guitar in a coffeehouse rather than running the area’s largest hospital.

Gabe took a sip of beer. “Ask away.”

“Have you overseen the construction of many stables?”

It wasn’t a question Gabe had anticipated, but he quickly rallied. “Not really, but the great thing about Stone Craft is we can be counted on to do excellent work on any project we take on.”

“The company does have a good reputation.” Tripp finished off his beer and glanced around the crowded room. “Where’s Joel? I thought he’d be here.”

“Chloe had a dance recital.” Even though normally Gabe wouldn’t share such personal information, everyone knew Joel’s family was his priority. The desire to spend more time with them had been behind his bringing Gabe on board. Especially because Joel’s wife, Kate, had recently given birth to a baby boy.

Family was Gabe’s priority, too. That’s why working with Joel had been such a good fit.

“Can I get you another draw?” The bartender slid a napkin in front of Gabe.

Gabe shook his head. He’d make the now half-filled glass in front of him last all evening. Since becoming a father he’d lived a disciplined life, knowing the importance of setting a good example for his daughter. He returned his attention to Tripp. “I didn’t realize you had horses.”

“My dad owns a cutting horse and cattle operation. I know he had trouble with response times from a previous contractor he used.” Tripp accepted another beer from the bartender. “If you’re interested in bidding, I can put you in touch with his foreman who can give you the specs.”

“I’ll speak with Joel tomorrow to see what projects we have lined up. But if we can make it work, we’d definitely be interested.” Gabe kept any eagerness from his voice. After all, appearing desperate was never good. “What size of stable are you looking—”

“Michi,” Tripp called out. “Over here. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Mee-shee, Gabe thought, what kind of name is that?

He turned his head and there she was…again.

Gabe met her gaze and unsuccessfully fought to keep a smile from his lips. “Michi?”

“It’s a nickname.” Michelle shifted her gaze to the hospital administrator who’d just looped an arm around her shoulders in a familiar manner. “One you don’t have permission to use, Tripp Randall.”

The words might have been light, but the look in her eyes said she was serious.

“I didn’t know permission was required,” Tripp replied with an easy smile. “Adrianna calls you that all the time.”

Adrianna. Gabe thought back to yesterday’s conversation with Michelle. Adrianna was the nurse-midwife in Michelle’s practice.

“She’s my friend,” Michelle responded.

Tripp brought a hand to his chest in a movement more suitable for the stage. “And I’m not?”

Michelle glanced upward as if looking to the heavens for assistance. But her gaze quickly returned to the administrator as if realizing there were only heating and cooling ducts in the microbrewery’s ceiling. “Of course we’re friends. But no, you can’t call me Michi. I have an image to uphold in this community.”

“You’re thinking what?” A teasing glint lit Tripp’s blue eyes. “Women won’t want their baby delivered by someone called Michi?”

“Something like that.” Michelle’s lips quirked upward. “Of course a hospital administrator named Tripp doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.”

“No respect.” Tripp turned to Gabe and jerked a thumb in Michelle’s direction. “See what I have to put up with?”

“Well, I’m here to mingle and I’m not getting much of that done talking to you guys,” Michelle said before Gabe could respond. She attempted to extricate herself from Tripp’s hold, but his arm remained around her shoulder.

“Not so fast.” Tripp chuckled. “I have to introduce you to Gabe.”

“I already—”

“We already—” Gabe stopped as his words overran hers.

Tripp’s gaze lingered on Michelle before returning to Gabe.

“Michelle and I are neighbors,” Gabe informed Tripp.

“We also chatted at The Coffee Pot,” Michelle added. “Yesterday. After church.”

“I’m impressed.” Tripp cast a sideways glance at Gabe. “I’ve been trying to wrangle an invitation for months.”

Gabe couldn’t tell if the man was being serious or not.

“It’s a select group with very rigid requirements.” A smile tugged at the corners of Michelle’s lips. “Church first. Then the breakfast invitation.”

“Harcourt doesn’t always go to church,” Tripp grumbled. “Yet he’s invited.”

Gabe figured Tripp must be referring to Ryan Harcourt, of Ryan-and-Betsy, the couple who’d sat next to Michelle.

“Ryan,” Michelle said pointedly, “is funny and entertaining.”

“That’s it.” Tripp picked his arm up off her shoulder in a slow, deliberate gesture. “I refuse to take more abuse. I’m going to find someone who appreciates all my fine qualities.”

The administrator sauntered off, leaving Gabe alone with Michi, er, Michelle.

He smiled politely. “I didn’t realize you came to these events.”

“I guess we’re even.” She took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “I had no idea you’d be here.”

“We should have ridden together.” Even though it wasn’t much of a drive for either of them, it would have been nice to have someone to visit with on the way. Not only that, it’d have spared him walking into the event alone.

Michelle simply smiled and glanced around the room.

He had to admit she looked hot tonight in her black dress and heels. Her hair hung halfway down her back in wavy blond curls that shimmered in the dim light. For someone so lean, she was surprisingly voluptuous.

Gabe jerked his gaze from her cleavage. “I’ve met lots of people tonight. This seems like a prime networking opportunity.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Her gaze continued to scan the crowd.

“You’re a doctor.” He didn’t bother to hide his confusion. “Why would you need to network?”

“My practice is a small one.” She refocused on him. “Just me, another doctor and a nurse-midwife. We’re competing for patients against one of the largest ob-gyn groups in Jackson Hole. In fact Travis Fisher, one of the guys at breakfast on Sunday, is a partner in that clinic. He’s also an excellent doctor.”

Gabe took a sip of his now-lukewarm beer. “When you came to Jackson Hole, why didn’t you join them?”

“I wanted more autonomy.” Michelle lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “We deliver very personalized care to our patients and take great pride in that fact.”

Michelle smoothed back her hair with one hand, drawing his attention to the creamy expanse of skin of her neck and chest.

His body tightened and Gabe drew air slowly into his lungs. The intense reaction reminded him how long he’d gone without a woman in his bed.

It had been almost a year. Finley had been in Florida spending a couple of weeks with his parents. He’d been putting in extra hours working construction over the holiday break. One of the accountants in the office was divorced. Neither of them had been interested in anything more than a momentary interlude. It had been satisfying. Pleasant.

But the need coursing through his veins now was a stark carnal hunger. Totally inappropriate for the situation. If there wasn’t a Commandment against lusting after your neighbor, there should be.

Gabe pulled his attention from her breasts and asked the question that had been lingering in his head since yesterday. “Why did you and your husband split up?”

Michelle’s eyes widened even as her lips tightened.

“You must have loved the guy to have married him,” Gabe persisted. “What went wrong? Do you still see him?”

“Do you ever see your ex?” she shot back.

“Shannon and I were never married.” He still felt embarrassed by the admission. In his family it was understood that love came before marriage and marriage came before babies. But Shannon had refused to marry him.

“That doesn’t matter. You made a baby together. That makes her your ex.”

“Shannon has a new family now.” Gabe did his best to keep the bitterness from his voice. He’d never understood—would never understand—how Shannon could walk away from her daughter and pretend she never existed. “She’s not interested in seeing either one of us.”

“Not even her daughter?”

Gabe realized he should have known the conversation would go down this road. But it was a path he had no intention of traveling. The less said about his daughter’s lack of relationship with her mom, the better. “I prefer not to discuss Finley or her mother with you.”

“Well, I prefer not to discuss Ed and where our relationship went wrong with you.” Michelle took a sip of her champagne and cast a wider net around the room with her gaze. He knew she’d found an out when her face lit up. She waved to a strikingly beautiful woman with long chestnut hair standing in the doorway.

“Adrianna came after all,” Michelle said with a relieved smile. “I need to introduce her around. If you’ll excuse me…”

Michelle strode off without a backward glance.

Gabe lifted his glass of beer to his lips and realized he should have asked her about Sasha instead of her ex-husband. Still, he was here to network, not to spend the entire evening talking to the beautiful and sexy woman who lived next door.

But for the rest of the evening Gabe kept one eye on her. Just in case she needed any help of the…neighborly sort.

For the rest of the week, Michelle was too busy to think about her next-door neighbor. But when Saturday rolled around, he was hard to ignore, trimming bushes and watering his lawn, wearing cargo shorts and Nittany Lions T-shirt.

With the thin cotton stretched tight across his back as he cut and pruned, it was obvious he had some serious muscles. Of course it wasn’t as if Michelle was sitting out front in a lawn chair watching him. No, she was walking Sasha around the block while she waited for July Wahl.

July was a friend who’d been a photojournalist before getting into nature photography. She had an excellent eye and had been the first photographer Michelle had thought of when she and her partner had decided to update their website.

They wanted photos on the site to show them looking friendly and approachable. If anyone could make that happen, it would be July.

Michelle was just rounding the corner when she saw her friend pull into her driveway. She tried to hurry Sasha along but the dog would not be rushed. Just as she feared, by the time she reached the front of her house, July had walked over to speak with Gabe.

Ever since the After-Hours event Monday night, Michelle had tried to confine her interaction with her neighbor to a simple nod of the head.

“July,” Michelle called to her friend as she drew close. “Thanks for coming over.”

“My pleasure.” The auburn-haired beauty looked stylish as always in yellow capris, a multicolored scarf belt and white cotton shirt. “Gabe and I were just talking dogs. He owned a lot of different breeds growing up.”

Yep, her neighbor was a true Renaissance man. Sexy. Great listener. Dog expert.

Michelle smiled.

“David and I’ve been discussing getting the boys a puppy,” July said to Gabe. “Perhaps one of these times at The Coffee Pot you’ll let us pick your brain about what breed might be a good match.”

“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.

The two picked up their food, then scanned the room, obviously looking for a place to sit. When Michelle’s gaze fell on him, Gabe motioned to her.

Adrianna’s smile appeared frozen on her lips.

“They can’t sit with us,” she hissed, her smile never wavering.

“They can until our other committee members arrive.” Even though he understood Adrianna’s reluctance, he couldn’t let friends wander around searching for a place to sit when they had spots open at their table.

As they wove their way through the tables, Gabe noted that Michelle’s sleeveless navy dress made her look completely professional, giving little hint of the curves beneath the fabric. Tripp wore a suit and, unlike the other night, he’d kept the jacket on this time.

“What a surprise.” Michelle glanced from him to Adrianna. “I didn’t realize you two even knew each other.”

“You introduced us at the After-Hours event,” Gabe reminded her.

“Gabe and I are going to be working on the veterans memorial garden project for the chamber of commerce,” Adrianna said quickly, her gaze darting between Tripp and Michelle.

“Just the two of you?” Tripp cocked his head. “Big committee.”

“There’s supposed to be at least four of us.” Adrianna shifted in her seat. “But David didn’t give us their names.”

“And they haven’t showed.” Gabe rose to his feet and pulled out a chair for Michelle. “Please join us.”

“Yes,” Adrianna echoed, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Please do.”

“Because you asked so nicely—” Tripp’s smile was directed at her alone “—how can I refuse?”

Adrianna’s color deepened.

“Your other committee members may simply be running late.” Michelle placed her tray on the table and sat down. “If they show up, Tripp and I will find another spot to sit.”

“Speak for yourself.” Tripp plopped into the chair next to Adrianna. “I like where I’m sitting.”

“Tell us about the veterans memorial garden project.” Michelle stabbed a forkful of dill potato salad but kept her gaze focused on Gabe. “Sounds interesting.”

“You and Tripp should join the committee, Michi,” Adrianna surprised Gabe by offering, the words tumbling from her pouty lips. “We could muddle through this together.”

“Muddle?” Tripp’s eyes took on a devilish gleam. “Sounds like my kind of project.”

“We’re not sure what it involves,” Gabe admitted. “But it’s a worthy cause.”

“It should be fun.” Adrianna’s gaze shifted to Michelle. “Especially for us, because we both like gardens.”

“I’m interested.” Tripp dipped his spoon into his bowl of soup. “My father is a Vietnam veteran. I know that having a memorial garden to honor veterans of all the eras would please him. I only hope he’ll be around to see its completion.”

“How is your dad doing?” Adrianna placed her hand lightly on Tripp’s forearm.

“Okay.” The look of pain in Tripp’s eyes said otherwise.

“If there’s ever anything I can do—” Adrianna began.

Tripp smiled his thanks, then shifted his attention to Gabe. “I’ll let David know when I see him at the hospital that Michelle and I are interested in serving on the committee.”

“Good.” Gabe slanted a sideways glance at Michelle. “What brings the two of you to Hill of Beans today?”

Michelle smiled as if she found his question amusing. “Isn’t it obvious? We came for lunch. After we eat, I’m going to do some quick shopping before heading back to the clinic.”

“Do you have a special occasion that you’re shopping for?” Adrianna dipped her fork into the salad dressing and cocked her head.

“A dress for Travis and Mary Karen’s party on Saturday,” Michelle told her. “I’m sure I have something that would work, but I’m in the mood for a new outfit.”

Gabe took a sip of cola. “Joel told me the party is an annual event and lots of fun.”

“It’s one of the social events of the summer,” Michelle confirmed. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Tripp nodded. “I’ll be there.”

Gabe’s settled his gaze on Adrianna, who sat quietly sipping her tea. “What about you?”

“No invitation.” Adrianna spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, her eyes giving nothing away.

Michelle reached across the table and covered her friend’s hand with hers. “That had to be an oversight. I’ll talk to Mary Karen and—”

“Please don’t.” Bright patches of pink dotted Adrianna’s cheeks. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Go with me.” Tripp met her gaze. “As my plus one.”

Adrianna shook her head and politely demurred.

“We could all go together.” Michelle glanced around the table. “It’ll be fun. C’mon, Anna. Say you’ll do it.”

Still the midwife hesitated until Tripp clasped her hand in his. “Please say you’ll come. It won’t be the same without you.”

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