Cindy Kirk - The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret

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.