Cindy Kirk - The Doctor's Valentine Dare

Heaving a resigned sigh, she followed Dr. Anson across the small dining area.

Though dressed for the wintery weather in a red plaid coat, jeans and clunky winter boots, she sat in the chair he pulled out with a fluid grace born of years of yoga. She placed her drink on the table, then began unbuttoning her coat. “You’re going to buy me another latte. And within the next five minutes or I’ll be late for work.”

Noah grinned. “Of course.”

Her gaze met his. Time seemed to stretch and extend. He really did have a nice smile. Too bad it was wasted on her. Knowing he was associated with her father made her tread carefully.

“Dr. Anson, I’m sure you’re a perfectly likeable man. But I’m not interested in dating anyone at this time.” Josie lifted the macchiato to her lips and a rebellious streak that had been the bane of her father’s existence had her adding, “If you’re interested in meeting someone new, may I suggest the produce aisle at the grocery store on the highway? Word is, that’s a prime place in Jackson Hole for singles to connect.”

Though the smile remained on his lips, his voice took on a clip of annoyance. “I don’t have to prowl the aisles of a food market to find a date.”

“Of course you don’t,” she said with a cheeky grin. “You prefer coffee shops.”

To her surprise he laughed, a pleasant rumbling sound. Yet, when she started to rise, he reached out and grabbed her hand.

In the second it took Josie to jerk her fingers back, heat shot up her arm.

“You said five minutes.” His sexy, deep voice held a hint of the East Coast...and a challenge. “More than enough time to change your mind.”

Intrigued despite herself, Josie chuckled. “Arrogant much?”

“Confident. There’s a difference.” Noah took a sip of the nonfat latte and grimaced. “I have a proposition for you.”

Those blue eyes focused on her again, sending a shiver through her body. If he wasn’t a doctor, wasn’t in practice with her father, wasn’t—

Josie shoved the wistful thoughts aside. Hadn’t she learned long ago that wishing things were different, wishing people were different, didn’t change reality?

“First you ask me for a date. Now you have a proposition.” She settled back in her seat and kept her tone light. “This just gets better and better.”

“And this—” Noah shoved the nonfat latte aside and motioned to Cole for some coffee “—just gets worse and worse.”

His disgust with the drink made her smile.

“It’s not a proposition in the way you think.” He spoke in a low tone, his gaze fixed on hers. “I’ll explain.”

Hoping she didn’t regret the decision, Josie pulled the phone from her pocket and checked the timer. “Four minutes left.”

His dark brows drew together in puzzlement.

“I can’t be late for work.”

“Tell Pauline you were with me.” Noah waved a dismissive hand. “She’ll understand.”

Now it was Josie’s turn to be confused. “You know my employer?”

“Pauline Bettinger is my grandmother.”

Two weeks ago, Josie had not only accepted a part-time position as the wealthy widow’s personal assistant, she’d taken a room in the woman’s gorgeous home. While Josie knew that Daffodil Prentiss, a local hairstylist, was related to Pauline, she couldn’t recall Noah’s name ever being mentioned. “Does that mean you and Daffy are related?”

“Daffodil is my sister.”

With long straight blond hair and an ethereal quality reminiscent of a flower child from the 1960s, Daffodil could not have been more different from her brother. The hairstylist had arrived in Jackson Hole during the years Josie had been away. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you with Daffy.”

Noah’s expression remained guarded, his blue eyes intense. “We’re estranged.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Josie’s sympathy was sincere. She knew all about dysfunctional family dynamics and the pain of estrangement. That was why she’d come home to heal her relationship with her father and oldest brother.

“I’m determined to bridge the gap between us.” Noah’s jaw lifted in a determined tilt. “To do that, I require your assistance.”

Something in Noah’s eyes told her, regardless of the reason for the rift, the wall that existed between him and his sister brought him great pain. Josie steeled her heart at the tug it produced. “I make it a point not to get involved in family matters.”

“All I’m asking is you vouch for me. I’m hoping if you plead my case that might make a difference.”

Josie didn’t bother to hide her confusion. “I don’t even know you.”

“Exactly.”

Before she could ask for clarification, a young high school girl brought his coffee. Noah slipped the girl a twenty and told her to keep the change. The teen’s wide smile and effusive thanks made Josie give Noah the benefit of the doubt. Generosity wasn’t something that could be learned.

Her heart softened, but not enough to reconsider. She began to rise. “Well, I need to—”

Noah put a restraining hand on her arm. “I still have two minutes.”

A quick glance at the phone’s screen confirmed that fact. Resigned, Josie sat back down.

“Five dates.” Noah paused for a sip of coffee before continuing. “That should be enough time for you to get to know me. That way, when you plead my case with Daffy, you’ll feel confident I only have her best interests at heart.”

Though Josie knew this man’s family problems were none of her concern, she liked Pauline and Daffodil. And she was sympathetic to anyone who wanted to mend broken family ties. After all, wasn’t that the reason she’d returned to Jackson Hole?

“Why don’t you have your grandmother put in a good word for you?” Josie had seen firsthand how close the two women were and knew Daffodil respected her grandmother’s opinion.

“Gram attempted to mediate but her efforts caused a slight rift between her and Daffy that’s only recently mended. I won’t put her in the middle again.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Daffy—well, let’s just say she needs Gram to be on her side.”

“Even if that means Pauline can’t be on yours?”

“Yes.”

Her heart flip-flopped as she realized she and Noah had something in common. He was as much an outsider looking in as she was in her family.

She brought the cup to her lips and took a thoughtful sip. “I’d be willing to mention to Daffodil that I ran into you and you seemed nice.”

He shook his head.

“I promise to leave off the part about you stealing Pauline’s drink.” A smile tugged at her lips as she strove to lighten the mood.

His expression remained somber. “Daf would say you don’t know me. She’d be right. At this point, you and I are strangers.”

The misery in his eyes pulled at Josie. She had to resist the urge to reach over and give his hand a squeeze. “I hope you and Daffy resolve your differences, I truly do.”

“But you won’t help me.” His voice turned as flat as his eyes.

Though she told herself he didn’t deserve an explanation for her refusal, she felt as if she owed him something.

“It’s just I have enough family issues of my own.” Josie’s voice grew thick and she cleared her throat. “I simply can’t get in the middle of yours.”

* * *

Josie thought of Noah often over the next few days. She couldn’t stop thinking how he’d looked at her as if she was the only woman in the world.

She’d spoken with Pauline about the encounter with her grandson and his unusual request. A sadness had filled the older woman’s eyes as she’d confirmed the estrangement between her two grandchildren.

Pauline had surprised her by adding, “In her own way, Daffodil is as mule-headed as her brother.”