Ellie laughed at his naïveté, which she found adorable. “Miss Joan knows no such thing. You have no idea how far that woman can push her unique brand of stubbornness. At bottom, the only thing I can hope for is that, worse comes to worst, everyone will gang up on her and force that woman to agree.” She wasn’t even thinking as far as having an actual procedure performed. “Well, at least she’s agreed to submit to the tests.”
Neil eyed her knowingly. He knew that they were both thinking the same thing. “Unless she changes her mind by tomorrow,” he sighed, shaking his head. Why had he even gotten himself into this? Since he had, he was now committed. “We’re just going to have to make sure she doesn’t.”
“Do you need a hand getting everything set up at the clinic?” Ellie asked, more than ready and eager to help out in any way possible.
“As it turns out, I’ve got a lot of volunteers,” Neil told her. That, in turn, had surprised him. He wasn’t accustomed to such a communal effort. “You’re right. Everyone really cares about Miss Joan.” He paused, reflecting for just a second. “This is a really nice place.”
And then, just like that, he changed his focus, moving on to something more personal. “You know, I could use some company tonight,” he told her, taking her up on her offer to help out.
She thought she heard something in his voice, something he wasn’t aware of. “Are you nervous?”
He backed off a little. “No.” Then he told her, “But I still wouldn’t mind some company. If you’re not doing anything,” he qualified.
Ellie was about to answer him, but the sheriff chose that moment to come up behind them. He placed a friendly hand on Neil’s shoulder, isolating Neil’s attention and turning it toward him.
“I’m afraid we’ve got other plans for you, Doc,” Rick told him, surprising both Neil and Ellie, as well.
Neil turned on his stool and gave the sheriff a curious look. “What kind of plans?”
It had taken some preparation and coordination, but Rick made it sound as if it had all been spontaneous and spur of the moment.
“Well, the Murphy brothers are throwing a little party in your honor at Murphy’s tonight,” he said as if he and Dan hadn’t been the ones to get the ball rolling. “And it won’t be much of a party if you don’t attend.”
“A party?” Neil echoed, surprised at the whole idea. Had he missed something? “Nobody said anything about a party.”
“That’s because this was all just one of those last-minute deals, just like these tests for Miss Joan,” the sheriff explained. And then Rick smiled. “It’s our way of saying thanks for coming out all this way to see the cantankerous woman and going through all this extra trouble to make sure that she’s going to be around for a long while.
“Yes, Miss Joan,” Rick said as Miss Joan came out of the kitchen and gave him what passed for a dark look, “we are talking about you.”
“Well, stop it. Unless you don’t want to keep on eating here,” she warned. “And since this the only place in town where you can get a decent meal—”
“—at least one you have to pay for,” Ellie said, adding her two cents and earning a dour look from the woman.
Rick knew that Miss Joan had overheard everything—he firmly believed the woman had ears like a bat—so he didn’t bother repeating himself or attempting any sort of a further explanation.
“You’re welcome to come, too, you know. As long as you promise to leave that viper tongue of yours home, Miss Joan.”
“Meaning you want me to keep quiet? Humph. What fun would that be?” she challenged.
Laughing under his breath, the sheriff looked at Neil. “I sure don’t envy you, Doc. You’re going to have your work cut out for you tomorrow with this one,” Rick predicted. “That’s part of the reason the Murphys thought you might appreciate attending a party tonight.” It was also, he added silently, the main criteria behind having it now rather than later. “Six o’clock work for you?”
He’d had a totally different, more intimate sort of evening in mind, but this could work, too, Neil thought. He was rather flattered by the gesture, actually. However, he didn’t want to presume too much.
“You really don’t have to do all this, you know,” he told the sheriff.
“Sure we do,” Rick said. “Tell him, Ellie.” The sheriff turning to her for backup.
“What he’s trying to tell you...” she explained, wondering why the sheriff would think it would sound any better coming from her, “is that what we lack in volume, we more than make up for in enthusiasm.” She took a quick breath. “Like I said, everyone cares about everyone else if you’re part of Forever.” She thought for a moment then decided that maybe this would bring it home for Neil. “It took Dr. Dan a while to get used to that idea. But once he did—” she smiled “—there was literally no going back for him. And thank goodness, because we needed him as much as he needed us. Still,” she allowed, “Forever isn’t for everyone.” She didn’t want him to think she was attempting to railroad him into something. “There have been people born here who couldn’t wait until they were old enough to get away. Some of them, though,” she had to add honestly, “eventually did come back.”
“Well, right now I’m just going to go to the party and enjoy myself—within reason,” Neil qualified. When she looked at him quizzically, he explained. “Something tells me I’m going to need all my wits about me for tomorrow when I’m conducting those tests on Miss Joan.”
Ellie nodded her head in agreement. “You really are a quick study.”
* * *
After the impromptu early lunch, they both went their separate ways: Neil to consult with Dan and Ellie to the ranch to tell her grandfather and sister about the party that was being thrown at Murphy’s.
It had been a while since her grandfather had socialized with his neighbors and she knew he could use the diversion. As for her sister, she knew that Addie was always up for a party. If she found out that Ellie hadn’t told her about it, she would have been one very unhappy sister and an unhappy Addie was not something that any of them could easily put up with.
Besides, she knew that Addie wanted to meet this new doctor and, even though she found herself getting more and more attracted to him, far more than she thought she would be, Ellie definitely didn’t want Addie thinking she was attempting to hide the man from her.
* * *
“A party?” Pop questioned when she told him. “For this doctor friend of Dr. Dan?”
Ellie nodded. “It’s to say thanks. I think it was the sheriff’s idea. Rick’s and the Murphy brothers,” she added, spreading the credit around. “I think they’re hoping that if they do everything they can to make it hospitable for the Doc, he’ll keep that in mind when he’s dealing with Miss Joan.” She smiled at her grandfather, her voice filled with affection. “We all know she can be pretty rough on a person if they’re not used to her ways,” Ellie said.
“Well, I don’t care what the reason is, I’m always up for a party,” Addie said, listening.
“And here I thought you wouldn’t want to go,” Ellie deadpanned.
Addie looked at her sister as if she had grown another head and then waved a dismissive hand. “Very funny, El. Ha, ha.” She then turned to her grandfather. “So, do we all go together, or should I drive in separately?” she asked, a hopeful note in her voice.
“Why don’t we all go together?” Pop suggested. “Like a family.”
“Works for me,” Ellie agreed.
“Yeah, me, too,” Addie said with a sigh that belied the truth behind her words.
Chapter Thirteen
In the end, Ellie did wind up taking her own vehicle to the party at Murphy’s. She had forgotten all about an errand she’d needed to run and hadn’t wanted to make Pop and Addie arrive at Murphy’s late just because she would be.
By the time she arrived at the family type
saloon, the parking had quickly filled with vehicles and the air resounded with the music that Liam, the professional musician in the Murphy family, was performing with his band.
Ellie could feel the music before she even got out of her Jeep.
Entering the packed establishment, she quickly scanned the immediate area to see if Neil had arrived yet. He had, as had Miss Joan, who was there with her husband, Harry. Besides Harry, there were several other people milling around the diner owner.
Ellie realized from the evident body language that this was a party with a duel purpose. It was to say “thank you” to the cardiologist going way out of his way to ensure Miss Joan’s health and it was for Miss Joan, as well, to show the woman how loved she was by everyone and how much she meant to the people of Forever.
If it turned out that Olivia wasn’t able to locate Miss Joan’s mystery sister, Ellie hoped this would be enough to cement the argument that Miss Joan couldn’t just blatantly ignore the test results if they wound up pointing to her needing surgery. Her life wasn’t her own to do with whatever she chose to do with it. Like it or not, her life belonged to all of them.
Spotting her family, Ellie waved at Pop. When he saw her, Eduardo immediately waved back. He was busy talking to Julia Anderson, recently widowed in the last year. Addie, as usual, was in the center of a group of young men. The girl was a regular walking–guy magnet. Ellie would have been worried about her sister if it wasn’t for the fact that Pop kept such a sharp eye on her.
Too sharp in Addie’s opinion, Ellie mused, but any young man who was worth her attention would easily endure Pop’s scrutiny. It was a small price to pay to have a vivacious young woman in their life.
“I see you finally made it.”
Ellie nearly jumped when she heard the deep voice behind her.
Between the loud, throbbing, pulsating music and her own thoughts, Ellie hadn’t heard anything, least of all Neil coming up behind her until he was right there, less than an inch away.
Startled, she had to catch her breath as she swung around to face him. “You know, if you ever get tired of being a surgeon and decide to take up a second career, you might give cat burglary a try. You’ve got sneaking up on people down pat.”
He laughed. “How long have you been this jumpy?”
“How long have you been in town?” she countered archly.
A deep smile curved his lips. “Should I be flattered?”
The noise level had increased again, drowning out his words. Ellie was forced to point to her ear and shake her head to let him know she hadn’t heard what he’d just said.
Leaning in, Neil tried again, this time whispering the words directly into her ear. “Should I be flattered?” he repeated.
The warmth of his breath curled along her neck and cheek, and Ellie had to struggle not to shiver in response. It was even more of a struggle to attempt to keep her wits about her and not go with the gut reaction that made her want to kiss him.
From out of the blue, a sadness took hold of her. They were just getting to know one another, with the promise of so much more, but he would be leaving soon. And then what?
She had no answer.
“You can be anything you want to be,” Ellie finally responded. Desperate to change the subject, she looked around the crowded saloon again, hoping to have something present itself.
“What are you looking for?” he asked. Again, he was forced to bring his mouth close to her ear so that she would hear what he was asking her.
Ellie raised her voice as she answered him. “I know that the Murphys and Miss Joan have an agreement about who serves what at their separate establishments, but I thought that since she was attending this party here, she might have brought some food with her.”
Rather than say anything, Neil took her arm and directed her attention to a table set up in one of the far corners. It was loaded with all sorts of quick snacks. There were platters of tiny quesadillas, enchiladas and small, edible flour “baskets” filled with salads comprised of three kinds of peppers, tomatoes and shredded Romaine lettuce. There was also a mouthwatering selection of three kinds of meat.
“For snacking,” he explained. “If the Murphys and Miss Joan ever decide to join forces and form one large establishment, nobody is ever going to get any work done again,” Neil predicted.
She laughed. “You’re probably right.”
Rather than head over to the table, Ellie turned on her heel and went in the complete opposite direction.
“I thought you said you were hungry,” Neil said. “Why aren’t you getting something to eat?”
“No, I asked if Miss Joan had brought any food. I was just curious. I can eat later,” she assured Neil. “Right now, they’re playing one of my favorite songs,” she told him, cocking her head to listen as she allowed the beat to get into her hips and direct them. “Do you dance?”
“Not well enough to put me on Broadway,” he answered. “But yes,” Neil acknowledged, “I do.”
That was when she presented herself to him by putting out her hands in a silent invitation to dance. “I happen to know there are no talent agents here tonight, scouting Murphy’s, so you’re in the clear. You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about.”
Neil grinned warmly at her, his eyes sparkling. “Well then, I guess I have no excuses left.”
And with that, he slipped one arm around Ellie’s waist, took hold of her hand with his other hand, and proceeded to dance with her to the heart-racing tempo.
When the number ended—and Ellie felt as if she had just covered the entire floor three times over—the band struck up another song, the beat even more compellingly arousing.
Neil cocked his head, his eyes silently asking her if she wanted to continue dancing. When Ellie smiled her response, her eyes crinkling, it was all that he needed. The next number started and he didn’t even bother asking her. They just continued dancing.
But after the third dance ended, Ellie held up her hand and cried, “Uncle!” as she struggled to catch her breath.
Neil pretended to take her literally. He scanned the immediate area as he asked, “Where?”
Ellie didn’t answer that. Instead, she just told him, in small gasps, “I think I need some air.”
Neil dropped the pretense. He nodded and, taking her hand in his, led Ellie outside as if he were the town native and she the visitor.
“Fortunately,” he responded, “fresh air is something that Forever seems to have in absolute abundant supply.” He pushed open the door and the difference was immediately evident.
The rush of cool air felt wonderful against Ellie’s flushed skin. For a moment, she allowed it to work its magic. She couldn’t trust herself to carry on a conversation that didn’t sound as if she was being pursued by stampeding horses and gasping for air.
“Where did you learn how to dance like that?” she finally managed to ask him.
Neil debated giving her a flippant, witty, noncommittal answer. But Ellie didn’t strike him as the kind of woman he could just lie to or make up something for, just for the sake of sounding clever. That had never been his thing anyway.
So he told her the truth, even though it painted him in less than a flattering light.
“There was this girl in high school I was trying to impress. Rhonda. She took my breath away every time I looked at her. Someone told me that she liked to dance, so I got my mother to get me lessons.”
Instantly, Neil became more human to her. Ellie could even see him in her mind’s eye, pining after an unattainable girl. “And did you impress this girl?”
“No. She never even looked my way. When I asked her to go to the dance, she looked at me as if I was crazy. That’s when I found out she was going with the captain of the football team. The guy had shoulders out to here,” he told Ellie, holding his hands as far apart as they would go to show her just how wid
e those shoulders were. “I swear,” he said with a laugh, “you could use those suckers as a diving board.”
“Well,” Ellie declared with a shrug, “her loss. A heart surgeon and a fabulous dancer. If you ask me, that’s a killer combination,” she told him.
“And soon to be a fantastic driver,” he added. “Don’t forget that,” Neil reminded her, amusement curving his mouth again.
Ellie felt as if his smile had nestled directly into her chest, all but weaving its magic all through her system.
“Well, let’s hold off on the ‘fantastic driver’ part,” Ellie advised, pointing out, “You haven’t quite gotten there yet.”
“But I will,” he said confidently. “All I need are a couple more lessons from this fabulous, sexy teacher I have—” he looked at her and the way that the moonlight danced along her skin “—and I’ll be ready for the Indy 500.”
They were standing some distance away from the entrance. Out here, their main source of light came from the full moon. The semidarkness only added to the vulnerability she was experiencing.
Ellie was treading on very dangerous ground right now. If she had a brain in her head, she would get herself back inside the saloon and seek the company of others.
But she didn’t.
Not just yet.
Instead, her eyes met his. “‘Fabulous, sexy teacher,’ huh?” she repeated.
“That’s right,” he confirmed.
“Are you taking lessons from someone else besides me?” she asked innocently, amusement shining in her eyes.
“No,” Neil answered, turning his face toward hers as he lowered his voice to just slightly louder than a whisper. “Just you.”
“Then maybe you should have your eyes checked before you start giving Miss Joan those tests tomorrow. That is, if you want to actually be able to see the results.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my eyes,” he assured her quietly. “I see everything just fine.”
His gaze slid slowly over her face, appreciatively taking in every supple inch of her body. Making each of them warm in their own way.
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