Cindy Kirk - The Doctor's Valentine Dare

When Cassidy passed by them on her way to get a piece of cake, Josie seized the opportunity to redirect the psychologist once again.

“I heard Tim and Cassidy started dating after a bachelor auction,” Josie commented, praying Liam would take the ball and run with it.

“It’s true.” Liam rested an arm against the back of her chair in a casual gesture that had Poppy smiling in approval as she refilled their glasses of iced tea. “Actually, Tim was filling in for me that evening. I had a bad allergic reaction and couldn’t participate. Cassidy was the high bidder. They fell in love, got married and had a baby boy. The rest is history.”

“It’s strange how life works,” Josie murmured, thinking of her own journey back to Jackson Hole.

This time her gaze settled on her brother. She watched as he slipped his arm around Poppy’s waist and took a heavy glass pitcher from her hands. Whatever he whispered in her ear made her smile.

Benedict seemed different—softer—when he was around his wife. Still, his brusque words when she’d returned told her he hadn’t changed, not really, not enough. Not nearly enough.

“People don’t change.” The words came out on a sigh.

“They can.”

Josie inhaled sharply and jerked her attention back to her right. Instead of Liam, Noah sat beside her, a piece of cake and a cup of coffee in front of him.

“You’re not Liam.”

“Very perceptive.” He forked off another bit of cake. “This is excellent. Try a bite.”

Before Josie was even aware what was happening, the fork that only moments before had been in his mouth, was in hers. Shades of New Year’s Eve. The taste of butter and almonds and sugar melded in a sweet explosion.

“It’s very good.” She handed the fork back to him. “Now tell me what happened to Liam. Did you bury him in the basement?”

“I believe he grew tired of being ignored and went in search of greener pastures.”

“I wasn’t—” Josie paused, flushed.

She hadn’t ignored the psychologist, she thought defensively. Still, she had let her mind wander. It was a bad habit. One she thought she’d successfully broken.

“I need to apologize.” She began to rise but Noah’s hand on her arm had her sitting back down.

“I was kidding.” Noah took another bite of cake. “Liam received a call from his answering service. A patient was in crisis and he had to leave.”

“He didn’t say a word.” Josie wasn’t sure if she felt indignation or relief.

“He probably didn’t want to disturb your reverie.”

She swatted his arm, but Noah only grinned. The boyish smile had her going warm all over. For the first time since she’d walked through the door, she let herself fully relax.

After all, she had no desire to try to impress Dr. Anson with her wit and charm. Absently, she took a bit of her own piece of cake. It wasn’t simply good, it was stellar.

A bell sounded, a gentle tinkling.

Beside her, Noah cocked his head. “What is that?”

“Five-minute warning for the men to leave the kitchen.”

Noah forked off another bite of cake, seeming in no hurry to leave with the other men. “The hospital is holding a post-Christmas event for their medical staff Saturday night.”

“My dad mentioned something about it.” Josie gazed at him speculatively. “I told him it appears the medical staff isn’t very important to the hospital.”

He frowned, much the way her father had done. “What makes you think that?”

“Think about it. They made no effort to fit the party in during the actual holiday season.”

“They were being accommodating. Everyone is busy over the holidays. Attendance will be higher in January when there aren’t as many demands.”

The last thing Josie wanted was to engage in a conversation about anything medical. Still, recalling the experience with Liam, Josie kept her focus on Noah. Though, she had to admit, her attention rarely wandered when she was with Noah. But she knew if she got too close, she’d get burned.

Yet the intoxicating scent of his cologne, the square cut of his jaw and those intense blue eyes called to her at a primal level. Even more disturbing was the realization that it only took one flash of his smile to have something low in her abdomen tightening.

This physical attraction was what made him so dangerous. It would be too easy to get wrapped up in physical desire and forget one basic fact; this man was cut from the same bolt of cloth as her brothers and father.

“—go with me.”

Josie turned toward Noah just as Poppy announced the men needed to leave the kitchen so the book club could begin their discussion.

“Anson,” Ben called out. “Unless you’re going to join the ladies, it’s time to clear out.”

“Give me a call this week.” Noah squeezed her arm and rose. “We’ll work out the details.”

After placing his coffee cup and plate in the sink, he joined the exodus of men, leaving Josie to ponder how he’d managed to slip away without her having a chance to tell him no.

Well, she’d darn well decline his offer later tonight. Before he stepped one foot outside of this house, she’d make it clear there was no way she was attending any function with him, especially one of the medical variety.

* * *

“It’s Thursday.” Sylvie sat across the table from Josie at the Hill of Beans coffee shop. “The event is Saturday.”

Josie grinned at the baker. “Thank you for orienting me to the date.”

As she predicted, she and Sylvie were well on their way to becoming friends. Her gut told Josie she could trust Sylvie to be discreet. It was good to have someone with whom she could share her feelings. As much as Josie liked and respected Pauline, the woman was Noah’s grandmother.

“I’m going to call him today.” Josie picked up her phone from the table, glanced at the time, then set it down. “The yoga class I’m teaching at the church starts in an hour. I’ll call him after that.”

Sylvie took a sip of her latte. “Why not now? Get it out of the way.”

“Ben mentioned he and Noah have a big surgery today. If I call now I’ll just get his voice mail.”

The baker’s gaze remained focused on Josie’s face. “I’d say that would make this a perfect time.”

“Calling when I know he’s busy is a coward’s way.” Josie lifted her chin. “Contrary to what my brother thinks, I’m not a coward.”

A group of teenage girls tumbled into the shop, laughing and talking loudly, distracting her from the troubling thought.

“You don’t seem like a cowardly person to me.” Two lines appeared between Sylvie’s brows. “Why would your brother say such a thing?”

“They stopped by my parents’ house last night—Ben, Poppy and Jack.” Josie had felt a surge of envy at the sight of the happy family. “They brought over the ultrasound of the baby.”

“That’s cool.” Sylvie hesitated. “Isn’t it?”

“Everyone is so excited. Even my dad. Poppy and he have this great relationship. It’s almost like she should have been his daughter.” Recalling the big hug her father had given Poppy, Josie had to swallow past a sudden lump in her throat.

“I still don’t get the coward comment,” Sylvie persisted.

“Have you ever run away from something?” Josie asked her. “Because deep down you knew if you stayed you’d end up being talked into doing something you’d regret?”

“Yes.” Sylvie’s face went stark white. “I have.”

“Well, that’s why I left college after my junior year and took off.” Josie began to shred the napkin between her fingers. “I knew if I stayed I’d end up going to medical school like everyone else in my family. Only instead of loving it like they had, I’d hate it. I had to leave.”