“Hi. You must be Holly.” His gaze locked with hers, and her mouth went dry.
“Yes. I am. Holly Blake.” Geez. It wasn’t like she hadn’t met an attractive man before. Well, she had, but not this handsome.
He smiled and extended his hand to her. “Mason Andrews. It’s good to meet you.”
“Hello, Doctor.” Shaking his hand, it wasn’t hard to notice that it engulfed hers, but that wasn’t what set the hair at the back of her neck standing on end. No, that was the electric charge running from his palm into hers and straight up her arm.
He let go, clearing his throat. “Oh, uh, I’m not a doctor. I’m a physician’s assistant. I guess I need to make that more clear to the town.” He smiled. “My cover is still…” His brows lifted, expectant.
“Oh, it’s safe. You’re good. Everything’s fine. Nobody knows.” Who’d set her mouth on autopilot? She had to rein it in before he got the impression that she needed medical attention.
Not a great direction for her scrambled thoughts to take, as she then started thinking about receiving medical attention from the broad-shouldered man who’d just stepped into her life.
No. He hadn’t stepped into her life. Only her town. He was there to protect her from those cruel thugs who ran the dogfighting ring, but he wasn’t part of her life. The best time to halt that sort of thinking was immediately, before something unpleasant took root and tore its way through her heart.
“Good to hear. I have, uh, a lot of work to do over there.” He jerked his thumb in the direction of the doctor’s office where the blinds were still drawn over the windows. “It seems your doctor doesn’t believe in keeping a neat filing system. I want to get things in order before I open up tomorrow—though from the looks of things, it would’ve been better to give myself a few days.”
“I’d be happy to help after work,” she blurted out, probably a little too loudly. Cool it, she warned herself, dismayed at the tingling in her cheeks.
His face lit up. “Really? I was just thinking to myself that I could use a little guidance. Not necessarily with the filing, but with getting to know what I can expect around here.”
“I can tell you all about that.”
“Great. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat too?” He was already halfway out the door by the time Holly remembered to respond.
“Um, sure,” she choked out as the door swung closed.
“Who was that?” Fiona asked, sticking her head into the office.
The most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. “Our new physician, Mr. Andrews,” she whispered, watching his progress as he crossed the street. A car stopped to let him cross, and he offered a grin and a wave, not noticing how long it took the driver to get moving again. Yep, Dr. Irv’s practice would be hopping while Mason was in town.
“I have a feeling that our town’s about to come down with a case of the sniffles, and fast,” she predicted. He had no idea what he was in for.
Chapter 3
“I had no idea what I was in for.” Mason stood behind the receptionist’s desk, one hand to his head while holding his phone with the other. “Noah, this is a mess.”
“How so?” There was no ignoring the humor in his boss’s voice.
“I’m pretty sure the filing system hasn’t been updated in forty years, for one. The computer looks like it’s one of the originals—like, ever.”
“We can hook up a new system if that’s what it takes,” Noah offered. “Ryder wouldn’t think twice about it. Though the doctor clearly made it work somehow.”
Mason eyed the stacks of files, skeptical. “I’d love to pick the man’s brain.”
“How’s everything else? Did you meet Holly?”
Holly. Yes, he’d met her. “Mm-hmm. Stopped across the street to introduce myself.”
“And?”
Well, just like her picture suggested, she was beautiful, so he’d expected that. What he hadn’t expected was the bolt of electricity that raced up his arm as her hand slid into his. No way was he telling Noah that. He’d never hear the end of it. “And she seemed okay. Good spirits. Confirmed my cover is solid.”
“Good. Keep me posted. Let me know what you think about the computers.”
Instead, Mason's thoughts went immediately back to the woman across the street. He couldn’t look out to see her since the blinds were drawn, and he intended to keep them that way until he was prepared to accept a patient, but he could imagine her. An adorable smile, radiant skin, and curves hidden under her t-shirt and jeans.
“I’m meeting up with Holly later. She might have some insight as to whether I should upgrade or not, depending on how long this case takes. This is a small town. We don’t want people wondering about the new physician who thought he was too good for the way their doctor did business.”
“Good point. She’ll be helpful when it comes to understanding how to go with the flow. Small towns are great, but people talk.”
“Exactly. Can’t set off any red flags.” Mason decided a change of subject was in order since he was starting to babble. He couldn’t help it. The image of Holly’s heart-shaped face kept popping up in his head, leaving him all mixed up. “How’s Mia?”
“Impatient.” Noah chuckled. “As I am.”
“You’re not the one carrying a baby. I think her impatience is a lot more than yours—and more justified too.”
Noah fell silent for a moment. “Did you ever see any of this happening?”
Mason perched on the edge of the reception desk, files forgotten. “You mean living normal lives?”
“Well, yeah. I guess that’s what I mean. After everything that happened, I have to admit, I couldn’t have imagined any of it.”
Mason nodded. “I hear you. That seems to be the case for the rest of the team too. Settling down, getting past the past.” He snickered a little at his unintended joke.
“Your time will come.” Noah cleared his throat, and Mason could see why. They weren’t the guys who typically sat around and talked about their feelings.
“I’ll let you know if I learn anything,” Mason promised before ending the call. It was too much, sitting around and going over old hurts. Pushing them to the back of his mind was much easier, not to mention safer. None of his friends knew what was so obvious to him. As much as he wanted what they had, it wasn’t meant to be, and he knew that. He wouldn’t have the sort of future they did. Not him. Certain people weren’t meant for that life. Family, domestic bliss, happiness. All of it.
No, he was much better suited for diving through unkempt files and dusting off an ancient computer so he could go through the calendar system. And protecting a lovely innocent woman from vicious people who believed abusing animals was okay.
With that in mind, he was surer than ever that his cover as the town physician was a solid one. He could get to know the people around this place, keeping his ear to the ground for signs of things being out of order.
He could keep himself busy, and thus unable to obsess over the beautiful, charming, adorable Holly Blake.
Chapter 4
“You sure you don’t need any help over there?” Fiona looked hopeful as she and Holly closed down the office for the night. Holly would stop back in to feed the dogs again and let them out for a bathroom break before going home after her evening with Mason.
He sure was good-looking. No wonder Kennedy thought she’d like him. If she didn’t think she’d get a strongly worded message from Holly, scolding her for not giving a girl a heads-up, she had another think coming.
Shaking her head, Holly replied, “I don’t think so.” No, that would be a disaster. She needed to speak to Mason without any pretense so he could learn as much as possible.
There was only so long a girl could look over her shoulder before something had to give. Plus, she had her son to think of too. He was more important than anything. The sooner Mason helped break up this dogfighting ring, whoever and wherever they were, the better. The idea of using animals for sport, forcing them to hurt each ot
her, to kill each other…it was enough to bring tears to her eyes, hot and filled with pain.
“Thinking about those dogfighters again?” Fiona patted her on the back, her eyes filled with sympathy behind thick-rimmed glasses. She had a quirky sort of style Holly had always admired and wished she could pull off. Holly’s style was simply anything that was clean, fit her, and could withstand a dozen dogs jumping all over her. “It’s gonna be okay. Whoever these guys are, they can’t stick around for long. Otherwise, they’d run the risk of getting caught, right?”
“Sure.” Holly sighed, running a distracted hand over her unruly hair. “But they’ll only keep doing what they’re doing someplace else. That doesn’t fix anything.”
“But it makes it so you can go back to living your life, which matters. I know you miss Jack, and I know it’s killing you that he has to stay with your mom while you work this out.”
Holly’s heart ached thinking about Jack. She missed him fiercely now that he was staying with her mom, even if she knew it was temporary. Plus, living in the gated retirement community meant he was much safer there.
“Yeah, but it’s for the best. If these guys decide sending a letter isn’t enough, I don’t want Jack anywhere near me.” She slid her purse strap over her shoulder. “Back to answer your original question, I don’t think we’ll need any help across the street. You need to get home too—and you need some rest.”
Fiona’s face fell. “Gotcha.”
“I’m only going to help him get things organized,” Holly reminded her. “It’s not like this is a date. Jeez. Besides, the last thing I need right now is a distraction from work and Jack and, of course, the guys who want to close my mouth permanently.” No matter how she tried to be lighthearted about it, there wasn’t much of a chance. She only ended up sounding morbid.
Who laughed off a thinly-veiled death threat, after all?
Leaving her office, she waved to a few familiar people as she crossed the street, noting the still-drawn blinds covering the front windows of the doctor’s office. Why was her heart beating like it would burst from her chest? He was just a man sent to protect her.
She wiped her palms on her jeans to dry the nervous perspiration slicking them before knocking at the front door. “Mason? I mean, Mr. Andrews? It’s Holly Blake.”
There was a crash from inside, followed by a few muttered curses. He was annoyed, not in pain or in danger, so she didn’t feel guilty for biting back a smile.
The door flew open, and the smile she tried to bite back turned into a full-fledged grin as she took in the sight of him. “You’ve had a long day,” she managed to choke out as she fought off laughter.
He brushed dust off his tight black t-shirt. “Oh, you think? Yes, I’d call it that.”
Their eyes met, and that was all it took. They both burst out laughing, with Mason leaning against the open door. “I made the mistake of going through the files and trying to make sense of them.”
“Oh, no.” She grimaced. “Big mistake.”
“Thanks for letting me know in advance,” he groaned, waving her in. “Come on in. Watch your step. I might’ve accidentally knocked a few boxes over.”
Yes, he had. “Why did you go to all this trouble?” she asked, resting her hands on top of her head as she took in the madness all around her.
“Because I’m a very thorough and masochistic sort of person.” He sighed. “Honestly, it looks worse than it is. How many people work in this office?”
Holly dropped her hands to her sides. “Two. Doctor Klein and his wife, Jeanette. She’s his receptionist and assistant. She clearly has her own system, doesn’t she?”
“Yes. Sloppiness could be considered a system, I guess.”
“I think she’s started to fall off in the last few years. They’re both getting up there in age. By all rights, they should’ve retired years ago.” She left her purse on the front desk where it seemed the least likely to be buried by an avalanche of paper. “They’re both devoted to the town and the people here. And stubborn. Let’s not forget stubborn.”
She glanced his way to find him looking at her with a funny little smile on his gorgeous face. “What?” she asked.
“I was just thinking it’s nice to have your help with the files and filling me in on the town.”
“No problem. Besides, you’re supposed to be protecting me. It’s a lot easier to do here than if I’m at home. Speaking of which, here are the keys to my clinic and home. Kennedy said you needed them.” She handed him a key ring.
His smile faltered almost too quickly to catch. “Exactly, and I couldn’t have actually come out and said as much in front of your assistant. Thanks for the keys.” Jangling them for emphasis before stuffing them into his pocket.
For the briefest of seconds, she was disappointed with his response, but that was ridiculous. Of course he wanted her here so he could do his job easier, nothing more. She’d just met him, he wasn’t staying, and she was a single mom. That last one was enough to run off most men and keep her from daydreaming about good-looking bodyguards. One reason she’d yet to mention Jack to Mason.
She was a mom to her nephew first and foremost. When and if she ever dated again, it would be with Jack in mind. It was enough to stop any and all wandering thoughts for the man with the gorgeous green eyes and red hair. Aside from that, Mason’s job was dangerous, and the last thing Jack needed was another loss.
Maybe the loneliness was getting to her. Yes, she loved Jack and would do anything for him, but she was still a woman. She still had needs and desires of her own. That electrical touch with Mason had shaken her; that’s all. It had woken her up. Once this whole threatening dogfighting business was done, she’d dust off her heels and put herself back out there. Maybe. Or maybe she’d focus on what she did have instead of what she didn’t.
Yeah, the latter. She had a full life, and she was happy. At least, that was what she’d keep telling herself until she believed it.
Chapter 5
“You’re an angel for helping me with this.” It was the safest thing he could think to say. Truly, she was more than an angel. She made this otherwise boring, lonely chore more interesting and infinitely more fun.
She shrugged, sliding a handful of files into the cabinet before swinging the door to the row closed. “It’s nothing, really. My nights have been rather quiet as of late, so…”
“Oh, well, I’m glad I could help you pass the time.” He winked, turning his head to hide his grin when she blushed. It was too easy to make her do that. Either she was easily embarrassed or she was enjoying their time together as much as he was. Had she felt that initial spark between them? Or was it all in his mind like he’d assumed?
“I didn’t mean it that way!” She giggled. It was a pleasant sound, sweet. Enough to make Mason remember everything he’d been missing in his life.
That had to be it. He squared his shoulders, bending at the knees to lift a cardboard box filled with files. He’d been on his own for too long; that’s all. Spending time with Mia at the office didn’t count, nor did getting to know their female clients while working with them.
There hadn’t been this sweetness, this refreshing breath of air, in too long. Of course he was bound to respond positively. He was just a man. And she was a woman. A beautiful, bubbly, helpful, generous woman with a good heart. So far, all he was going on was her work with dogs and her willingness to help him, but his gut backed his feelings on that.
“Tell me more about what you do,” he said.
While the warning bells chiming in the back of his head reminded him to play it cool, that she was the sort of woman it would be far too easy to fall for, he couldn’t help wanting to know her. For the sake of his job, of course. He had to do his best for her, which meant knowing all there was to know. It wasn’t anything more than that.
She shrugged again in a self-deprecating manner. Never one to talk about herself, he guessed. Definitely not a character flaw. “It’s been my passion to care for animals
since I was a little girl. I never could understand people who said they didn’t have souls. It always struck me as so cold—not to mention wrong. I mean, have you ever looked into the eyes of a dog? Really looked?”
“Sure. We had a few dogs when I was growing up.”
“How can anyone look into a dog’s eyes or hear them sigh in happiness when they rest their head on your leg and think there’s nothing inside them?” she asked. He noticed the way her hands clenched around the file she clutched, like even talking about this riled her up. “Not to mention watching them care for their babies. I know a lot of it is instinct, but I’ve seen a momma dog come to life after being reunited with her babies. She’ll go from isolated, whining, sitting in a corner with her tail between her legs to vibrant and energetic, her tail going a mile a minute.” She held up her index finger, wiggling it back and forth.
Her passion for animals made him smile. “You’re absolutely right. No arguments here.”
“You should’ve seen the pushback I got from my dad when I announced I wanted to be a vegetarian.” She snickered. “He wasn’t on board. Granted, I was only seven at the time.”
“A girl who knows her own mind?”
“Something like that. I’ve always been a little stubborn. He insisted I eat meat until I reached high school so my body could get what it needed. Now I try to avoid meat whenever I can. I can’t help but think of the animal behind the meal.” She cast a worried look his way. “Is that weird?”
“It might be the least weird thing I’ve ever heard,” he admitted, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “I don’t know that I could ever completely give it up, but you’ve given me something to think about.”
“Something tells me you need a lot of protein in your diet to keep up your…” She turned away, whispering something to herself as she did. While he couldn’t hear what it was, the sharp tone told him she wasn’t happy with herself.
The Ranger's Destiny (Army Ranger Romance Book 6) Page 2