The Doctor's Dating Bargain

by Teresa Southwick

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hey.” There was no automatic grin or welcoming smile.

  “I was hoping I’d see you.” She walked closer.

  “Oh?”

  “Yes.” She sat in the Adirondack chair beside his. The spotlight illuminated his expression and it wasn’t happy. He looked a little broody. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m trespassing. This time I’ve got a reason. I’m borrowing your serenity. I hope you don’t need it tonight.”

  “I don’t, actually. Bad day?” she asked.

  “You could say that.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  He shook his head. “Not when you look like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re not dying to kick the snot out of something.” He settled his linked hands over his flat abdomen. “I was hoping I’d see you, too. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  “What?”

  “You first. Tell me why you’re smiling from ear to ear.”

  “I took your advice,” she said.

  “Good for you. I’m glad it worked out. What advice would that be?”

  “I talked to Mary Jane—M.J.”

  “What happened?”

  “You were right. She was disappearing to eat because she couldn’t have food at her desk. There’s a company rule against doing that, so I made a unilateral decision to change the rule. Now she’s going to keep snacks with her. The conversation went really well. You were right about something else, too. She was intimidated by me, but I think she’s reassured now.”

  “I’m glad.” He didn’t sound glad. He sounded crabby.

  Maybe she could cheer him up. “It’s all because of you that we’re okay now. Thanks for the suggestion. I owe you one.”

  “Funny you should say that.” He looked at her and there was a spark in his eyes. “I have a favor to ask you.”

  “I’m in a really good mood. Ask away.”

  “I’d like you to be my pretend girlfriend.”

  Chapter Five

  Cam stared at him for several moments. Surely she must have heard wrong. “Did you just say you want me to be your pretend girlfriend?”

  “Yes. What do you think?”

  It was a good thing she was already sitting down. “I think I’ll pretend you didn’t just ask me that.”

  “Why?” He sat forward, all semblance of relaxation disappearing. Tension rolled off him in waves. “You said I was cute. And a good catch because I’m a doctor. Is there something wrong with me?”

  “Not on the outside, but I’m thinking a psych evaluation might not be a bad idea.”

  “That’s harsh. It’s not like I asked you to run away and get married.”

  “For reasons I can’t even begin to explain, that would be less shocking.” She stared at him, waiting for the easy smile. Disturbing though it was, she would even prefer that hot, smoldery look in his eyes that made her a little weak in the knees. She didn’t see either, just the frown indicating something was bothering him. “Tell me what’s going on. You don’t look like yourself, Ben.”

  “If only that were true.”

  “Stop being cryptic and—dare I say it?—a little sulky, a tad pouty. Tell me what the problem is.”

  “Okay.” He met her gaze. “Women won’t leave me alone.”

  She waited for more explanation or a punch line indicating that he was joking. Neither happened and she couldn’t help it. She started laughing. When his expression grew more intense she said, “You can’t be serious.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because most men would give anything to have a problem like that.”

  “I’m not most men.” Now he looked downright glum.

  “Sorry.” She got a grip on her grin and did her best to be as solemn as he was. “I agree that you’re not most men.”

  “Why do you think so?” He gave her a sideways glance, a flicker of interest breaking up the gloom.

  “For one thing, you’re the only man in town who’s even friendly to me.”

  “What else?”

  “Talking to you about my problems actually made me feel better. And you had helpful, commonsense advice that was useful.”

  “It’s not that big a deal.” He shrugged it off.

  “It is to me. Nothing about my childhood, family or internship for my father was normal, so practical is a new experience.”

  Dean Halliday Senior didn’t understand a pragmatic, down-to-earth style of management because he’d never lived in that world. And neither had Cam until arriving in Blackwater Lake, Montana.

  Ben rested his elbows on his knees. “Good to know.”

  “Okay. So. Now that I’ve boosted your ego to the breaking point, tell me what this is all about. Why is it a problem for you that women won’t leave you alone?”

  “If I was at The Watering Hole—”

  “The what?”

  “It’s the local bar on Arrowhead Way and Buffalo Boulevard.”

  “Ah.” She nodded. “I don’t get out much, what with working all the time. You were saying?”

  “If I was sitting at the bar and a woman started a conversation, I’d happily participate. It’s public. It’s expected. It’s honest. It’s a way to meet people.”

  The Fireside restaurant here at the lodge was public. Maybe it was just that all her life she’d endured photographers ambushing her wherever she went, whatever she was doing, because she’d been concerned that his privacy was violated when he’d been eating alone.

  “So you didn’t mind that strangers walked over while you were having dinner the other night and handed you their phone numbers?”

  “No. I was fair game.”

  “So call one of them to be your pretend girlfriend. Or, and here’s a novel suggestion, maybe a real girlfriend.”

  “Not a good idea.”

  “None of this is,” she pointed out. “Seriously, Ben, this is like a wacky sitcom episode.”

  “I’m desperate.” He looked it. “Women show up at the clinic with phony ankle injuries or holding their wrists. They’re not particularly good at faking it and can’t remember which limb is injured.”

  “Wow. What’s the world coming to. No pride in lying anymore.”

  “Go ahead. Kick a guy when he’s down.” There was a flash of heat in his eyes but it wasn’t lust. More like anger. He stood up. “I guess it was unrealistic to think you’d understand and take this seriously.”

  “Ben, think about it—”

  “For what it’s worth, walking in the other guy’s shoes is good training when you’re developing a management style.”

  When he started to walk away she surged to her feet and put a hand on his arm. “Don’t go. Help me understand. Take me for a walk in your shoes. I’ll be good.” She held up her hand, palm out. “I swear.”

  He dragged his fingers through his hair. “Every woman in this town has a mother, grandmother, daughter, niece or friend of a friend and knows of someone I should meet.”

  “They’re just looking out for you.”

  “More like marriage on their minds. It’s like I have a duty to pick one. Even my sister is trying to fix me up.”

  “So let her.” Cam wasn’t a good candidate for this. She was damaged goods, so wrong for the hometown hero.

  “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I want to be the one asking for a phone number when I’m ready.”

  To her it sounded more like he wanted to control the situation and that could have something to do with the high school sweetheart who threw him over for a ski bum. She could see where he’d be cautious, but that was a long time ago. He was too well-adjusted and normal now. Not to mention too smart and sophisticated not to have gotten over it. Maybe he was the stubborn kind who just didn’t want to be told what to do, and wanted to make things happen in his own time, his own way.

  “I get that. But—”

  “Wait. There’s more and it’s what’s really important.” His mouth pul
led tight. “When someone comes in to the clinic, I’m obligated to help. I’ve sworn an oath and this ongoing scenario could potentially affect my ability to do no harm.”

  “How?”

  “These women are taking up appointment time, faking an orthopedic problem to get my attention. And they bring food.”

  “The way to a man’s heart—” She saw the warning look and said, “Sorry. Go on.”

  “The situation is creating an atmosphere of doubt, for me and the staff. If there’s any question in my mind, I’m bound by that oath to order diagnostic tests. X-rays. CAT scan. MRI—magnetic resonance imaging. They’re expensive and possibly unnecessary. Exposing someone to needless radiation. Also, there’s a very real possibility that under these conditions a real medical condition could be missed.”

  “Sort of like the boy who cried wolf so often, eventually no one listens.”

  “Exactly.” He rested his hands on his hips. “On top of that, it’s disrespectful to the clinic, to me and to patients who need my help.”

  “So say something to them.”

  He shook his head. “I will if necessary, but it’s awkward. Especially if I’m wrong. I’m concerned about my career. You can’t understand what it’s like to be a doctor, but I know we share a common interest in doing the best job possible.”

  He had her there. She’d told him about her ambitions and what the stakes were for her. But that brought another question to mind. One she’d sort of asked already.

  “Okay, I see your dilemma.” She recognized skepticism in his expression and added, “Really. But why not ask one of the women who gave you a phone number? Why me?”

  “Because they all live here in town and you’re leaving.”

  Any flattery she might have felt at being asked just evaporated. Be still my heart, she thought. “I’m not sure what difference that makes.”

  “This is a small town. You can’t keep up a pretense for long. The truth would come out and spread like the flu on crack.”

  “Secrets do have a way of not staying secret. What makes you so sure that would be any different with me?”

  “Like I said—you’re leaving. We both know that so neither of us would have unrealistic expectations. All the cards on the table. No one gets hurt.”

  “Okay. All sensible reasons. But here’s a thought. When I’m gone, what are you going to do? When the whole thing starts all over again?”

  “Good question.” He nodded thoughtfully, as if that hadn’t crossed his mind. “I could claim you broke my heart. Spread the word that I need space and a very long time to get over you.”

  “That could just throw kerosene on the fire. Women are nurturing by nature and would be absolutely convinced that they’re the one who could take away your pain and rabid to do just that.” She met his gaze and shrugged. “Just saying.”

  “I’m the new guy in town. A novelty. If I’m off the market for a while, maybe this intense interest will die down. An affair would take me off the radar.”

  Her heartbeat stuttered. “Since when did it become an affair?”

  “Bad choice of words. I meant girlfriend.”

  “Title only?”

  “As God is my witness.” He blew out a breath. “Basically it will buy me time. If I’m wrong and things get out of hand after you’re gone, I’ll come up with a plan B.”

  If she agreed to this screwy dating bargain, the deck was stacked in his favor. He would get everything and she got nothing. Unless they really did have an affair. At least then they would have sex. It had been an awfully long time since she’d had sex. She couldn’t speak for him, but a man as handsome as Ben probably hadn’t gone without.

  “So far this is all about you,” she said. They were standing close together and she looked up at him. Way up. “Not to be too selfish, but what’s in it for me?”

  “Unfettered access to practical solutions to your personnel problems.”

  “And this is valuable to me—why?”

  “Because I know these people. I grew up here. I can help you build a bridge over troubled waters.”

  “You’ve already done that out of the goodness of your own heart.”

  “I could clam up next time you seek out my advice.” He shrugged. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

  So he wasn’t a true friend. He wanted something from the Halliday Hospitality heiress after all. Just like everyone else. Granted, his motive was more noble than most, and she suspected deep down this was partly about the woman who’d tossed him aside for a jerk. But still he wanted something. Except she’d sort of grown accustomed to talking with him and didn’t want to slam the door on that. Another three months without a friendly face was an incredibly lonely proposition.

  “You know this is completely nuts.”

  He looked surprised. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

  “It means I’ll think about it.”

  “Thank you.”

  He pulled her close for what she’d thought would be a thank-you hug, but it wasn’t. He kissed her. His lips were soft, warm, appealing. The touch lasted a shade longer than simple gratitude warranted and then he pulled away just before she melted against him.

  “Have dinner with me tomorrow night and give me your answer.” His voice sounded a little raspy, a little husky. “What do you say?”

  “Okay, I guess.”

  But she would be crazy to agree to this. Ditto on looking forward to it.

  * * *

  At promptly six-thirty the next night, Ben left his suite at the Blackwater Lake Lodge and walked next door. He knocked and Cam opened up almost immediately, as if she’d been waiting.

  “Hi.”

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “As I’ll ever be.” There was a distinct wariness in her voice. Cam looked at his jeans, white shirt and sport coat. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Don’t make it sound so ominous. There’s a nice little place in town called the Grizzly Bear Diner.”

  “Sounds kind of ominous to me. Am I overdressed?”

  “You look beautiful.” And that was an understatement.

  She took his breath away, which made no sense since she was wearing what she always did to work—a suit. The narrow skirt was lavender with a matching fitted jacket and she had on beige patent high heels. Her makeup was impeccable. There was nothing out of the ordinary in her appearance, so the shift in his awareness level must be coming from him. The more he’d thought about it in the last twenty-four hours, the more he really wanted her to say yes to his idea.

  “Okay. Let’s do this,” he said.

  She nodded, but he was pretty sure someone being led to the guillotine would look happier than she did.

  They walked to his car in the parking garage and he handed her inside, then walked around to the driver’s side and slid in behind the wheel. Ben backed the SUV out of the space and headed for the exit that would take them to downtown Blackwater Lake.

  “Is there a reason we’re not going to Fireside here at the lodge?” she asked.

  He glanced over at her and smiled at her expression. “Yes.”

  When he didn’t elaborate she said, “I’m guessing the food’s not better. Best seven-layer chocolate cake in Montana. Just saying.”

  “It’s not fine dining, if that’s what you’re asking. My criteria for tonight is a locals’ favorite because it’s always busy.”

  “I haven’t agreed to this insane charade yet.”

  “I’m aware of that. But I think I can win you over.”

  “Pretty confident, aren’t you?”

  “Power of positive thinking.” He grinned at her. “Plus, whatever your decision, being seen there together will keep everyone off balance, and that can’t hurt.”

  “By ‘everyone’ you mean women.”

  “Men talk, too.”

  The signal light at the intersection of Main Street and Pine Way changed to green and Ben turned left into the parking lot. The diner was on the corner and
the whole block was lined with businesses—Potter’s Ice Cream Parlor, Tanya’s Treasures, Al’s Dry Cleaning. He parked and shut off the ignition, then got out and walked around to open the passenger door. Cam was just sliding out.

  “You should know that I always open the door for a lady.”

  “Even a pretend girlfriend?”

  “No exceptions.” He thought for a moment and added, “Well, my sister.”

  “Because she works on cars?”

  “No. She’s my sister and that would just be weird.”

  Instead of the expected laugh, her forehead creased in a frown. “I wouldn’t know.”

  “You don’t have siblings?”

  “Actually, I have a sister. My older brother died when he was nineteen.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.”

  He settled his palm at the small of her back and guided her to the front entrance of the Grizzly Bear Diner. It was Friday night and the place was packed.

  They stopped at the podium displaying a sign that said “Please Wait to Be Seated.” There was a young woman wearing a green collared shirt with a grizzly bear on the pocket. Her name tag said Bev and she was probably somewhere in her twenties. She looked Cam up and down but said nothing to her.

  “Party of two?” she asked him.

  “Yes.”

  Bev checked her clipboard. “It’ll be about fifteen minutes.”

  “That’s fine.”

  When he started to give his name Bev interrupted. “I know who you are, Dr. McKnight.”

  “Okay. This is Camille Halliday.”

  “I know who she is, too. But I didn’t know you knew her. Go figure.” But this time she nodded politely and said, “Nice to meet you, Miss Halliday.”

  “It’s Cam.” She slid him a glance and said, “Thanks. You, too.”

  People were waiting behind them, so they moved aside to clear the area. “So what do you think of the place?”

  “The decoration clearly incorporates the diner’s name and establishes a brand.”

  Ben glanced at the bear wallpaper, the laminated menus with grizzlies on the front and grizzlies tucked on the side of the greeter’s podium. There was even a glass case with plastic bear toys and logo T-shirts and hats.

  The bell over the door rang and a middle-aged man with a beer belly walked in. Cam smiled and nodded at him.