The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance)

by Anne Marie Novark

  She squeezed his hand. "Isn't it beautiful?"

  "Breathtaking," he said, staring at Jessie's profile, admiring the perfection of her features.

  Glancing at him, she blushed and tried to remove her hand from his grasp, but he wouldn't let her.

  "I meant the gorge and the mountains," she said.

  "I'd rather look at you." He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed each one in turn. Her breath hitched and his body tightened.

  She allowed him to finish, before pulling her hands away, dropping them to her sides and knotting them into fists. Clearing her throat, she turned and walked to the picnic table. "What did your mother pack for us? I'm starved." Her voice trembled slightly.

  Cameron followed and stood behind her, close enough to feel the heat from her body.

  Something about Jessie drew him like a magnet. He didn't want to analyze it; he just wanted to enjoy it. Inhaling her fresh clean fragrance, he touched his lips to her hair. "There's fried chicken, fresh biscuits, and a thermos of hot coffee," he said softly in her ear.

  Jessie jerked away and retreated to the other side of the table and lifted her chin. "Look, Cameron. This might be your idea of taking it slow and easy, but it sure isn't mine. Maybe you don't have a problem going to bed with me, knowing we won't be seeing each other again, but I can't do it."

  She stood across the table from him, her eyes asking questions he was unable to answer. He knew he felt different about Jessie, but he wasn't ready to explore those differences right now. Seeing her again was having a weird effect on him. The years seemed to have melted away, making him behave like an eighteen-year-old with raging hormones. Ever since he'd pulled into her service station the other night, he'd been acting on raw feelings and impulses.

  Definitely not his style. He needed to think things through. Not only about Jessie and what he was feeling for her, but also about what he was going to do about the promotion and his future.

  "Jess, I'm sorry--"

  "You better take me back to the garage," she said.

  "What about the clinic? You said you'd give me a tour. I'd really like to see it."

  Jessie stood beside the picnic table, indecision warring inside. She suddenly realized the only thing Cameron felt for her was plain old lust. She'd been fantasizing about forever after, a happy ending to her Cinderella fairy-tale night at the prom, and all he wanted was sex.

  So much for old dreams, she thought with a sigh. But he could help make one of her new dreams come true--the Salt Fork Medical Clinic.

  She'd never planned anything in so much detail as she had in making the clinic in Salt Fork a reality. There had always been setbacks in most of her plans in the past. She'd been walking on eggshells every step of the way in her attempt to get this clinic up and running.

  She stared at Cameron across the table. Could she ignore her attraction for him in order to pick his brains about what was needed for a rural medical clinic?

  If she wanted to move on with her life, she really had no choice.

  "Jess, I'm sorry I've been coming on too strong," he said. As always, his deep voice oozed over her, turning her bones to jelly. "Let's start over. Can you forgive me and share this picnic with me? Then, I want to see your clinic. You said you needed my advice about it."

  That certainly was true, she thought.

  "And I promise to keep my hands to myself."

  Jessie sighed, and then nodded slowly. Lifting a leg over the bench, she sat at the concrete table. "All right. We'll start over."

  "Okay, then." Cameron removed his Stetson, set it on the table and took a seat across from her. He filled a paper plate with a crispy chicken leg and golden biscuit and handed it to her. Then he poured a steaming cup of coffee from the thermos and set it in front of her.

  Jessie bit into the piece of chicken, not really tasting it. Her appetite was gone again. Keeping her head down, she covertly watched Cameron fill a plate for himself. He broke a biscuit in two, popping half into his mouth, chewing slowly, gazing intently at her.

  Why did he have to be so handsome? Why was she so attracted to him? Why was her life always so complicated? She didn't need this kind of complication right now. She was hanging on by a thread financially. She certainly didn't need to be hanging emotionally, too.

  "Mom told me you're having money troubles."

  Jessie swallowed wrong and nearly choked.

  "Are you okay?" Cameron asked, a look of concern crossing his face. He shoved her cup closer. "Here, take a drink."

  She sipped the coffee and scorched her tongue. Damn, she needed to get her act together. Taking three deep breaths, Jessie looked at Cameron. "Ruth told you I was having money troubles?"

  He shrugged and popped the other half of his biscuit into his mouth. "She's worried about you. So is Dallas."

  Jessie took another sip of coffee, cautiously this time. "I just bet Dallas is worried about me."

  "Why do you say that?"

  "He hasn't told you?"

  Cameron selected another piece of chicken from the picnic basket. "He said you've leased the mineral rights on the Devine place, and that you own a large portion of the mineral rights on the Diamondback Ranch. He's afraid you'll lease them to Copper River Oil Company."

  "Did he also tell you that I promised I wouldn't, unless absolutely necessary?" She bit into one of Ruth's homemade biscuits and even though it melted in her mouth, she couldn't enjoy it because her stomach was twisted into knots.

  "That's what they're afraid of. If you're so short on cash, you might be forced to lease them."

  Jessie took a sip of coffee. What could she say? That was exactly her predicament, and her options were fast running out.

  "Jess, you aren't going to lease them, are you?"

  Once again, Cameron's smooth voice washed over her, causing tingles along her nerve endings. Why couldn't things be different? Why did she always feel guilty and regretful?

  "Jess?"

  She took a deep breath. "Ruth's right. If I don't come up with some money, I could lose my garage. I can't let that happen."

  "Why don't you sell the mineral rights to Dallas?"

  Jessie grabbed a napkin and concentrated on wiping her fingers. "I promised TR I would never sell them." Especially to the McCades, but she couldn't say that.

  "Why not? Dallas would pay good money. He doesn't want anyone drilling on the ranch, Jess."

  She crushed the napkin in her hand. "I can't sell them. I promised."

  "You're stubborn, aren't you?"

  Jessie shrugged a shoulder. "A promise is a promise, Cameron. I always keep my promises."

  He narrowed his eyes. "You promised my mom you wouldn't lease those rights. Looks like you're going to break that promise."

  Jessie swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes, and it's killing me, all right? I can't lose my dad's garage. I need that money."

  "So, you've already signed the papers?"

  Could she feel any more miserable? Heaving a sigh, Jessie nodded. "Everything's in place. One phone call, and it's a done deal. I don't want to make that call, but I can't see my way out of this money mess without leasing those mineral rights."

  "Have you told my mother?"

  "No, not yet. I'll give her fair warning and tell her before it actually goes into effect. Please don't tell Ruth or Dallas any of this. I want to tell them myself. Who knows? Maybe something will turn up, and I won't have to make that phone call."

  "That's not likely, though."

  Her stomach cratered. "No. I've pretty well used up all my resources."

  Cameron continued eating, his eyes focused on her.

  What was he thinking? Was he angry with her? All of the McCades, even Cameron, loved the Diamondback Ranch. It was in their blood. Just like Kincaid's Garage was in hers.

  Jessie pushed her plate away.

  "Not hungry?" Cameron asked.

  She shook her head.

  "How about the cake?"

  "No, thanks. But you go ahead."
<
br />   "We'll save it for later. Let's clean up here, and then you can show me the clinic."

  "You still want to see it?"

  He gathered the paper plates and food, throwing everything into the basket. "Yeah, why not?"

  "I thought . . . never mind."

  Jessie screwed the top onto the thermos and handed it to him. The fleeting touch of his fingers reignited the undeniable awareness between them. She quickly relinquished her hold.

  Cameron stood, picked up the basket and waited for her. With a heavy heart, Jessie rose from the table. Damn, she hated having to break her promise to Ruth. It made her sick thinking about it.

  "Jess?"

  She shook away the morose thoughts and looked up. Cameron stood very close and the look in his eyes made her breath hitch in her lungs. He touched her cheek gently, tracing her jaw line.

  All of a sudden, he froze and dropped his hand, then cleared his throat. "I know you have to do whatever it takes to save your father's garage. Don't worry about Dallas and Mom. They'll eventually come around. Things will work out. They always do, one way or another."

  Jessie swallowed back the tears threatening to spill. "Thanks, Cameron."

  He grabbed his Stetson and jammed it on his head. "Hey, what are old friends for? Now, let's go see this clinic of yours."

  Chapter Five

  Cameron followed Jessie into the new metal building across the street from the high school. The sign out front read Salt Fork Medical Center. As soon as he stepped foot inside the door, he had a strange feeling of this is it. Calmness settled over him, the likes of which he'd never experienced in his entire life.

  Maybe he'd wake up and find himself in his bed in Houston, all of this just a pleasant dream.

  "Well, what do you think?" Jessie stood near the reception window, a nervous look in her eye. "I tried to choose colors that were restful and reassuring. When people come in sick and feeling out of sorts, I thought the soft green and cream colors would comfort them."

  Cameron nodded. Maybe that was it. Maybe it was the color scheme making him feel calm and relaxed. "Works for me."

  Jessie let out a huge breath and smiled. "I know the chairs aren't fancy and the pine tables are plain, but I did the best I could with the available funds."

  "It's perfect, Jess. The waiting room is functional as well as inviting. Not your typical clinic at all. I like it."

  When she smiled again, his chest constricted. He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted her, period.

  "Good," she said. "Wait till you see the medical equipment. No corners cut in that department, I assure you."

  Cameron didn't expect much, but when he saw the X-ray machine, the MRI and the ultrasound units, he was duly impressed. "Nice. You have a great set-up here: State-of-the-art medical technology right at the doctor's fingertips. You do this all yourself?"

  "Mostly. I visited several clinics in Abilene and Lubbock to see what they had. Research, you know."

  Cameron ran his hand over the MRI unit. "You did well. Very well."

  "Thanks. Let me show you the rest."

  The industrial grade carpet muted their footsteps as Jessie gave him the tour of the three examination rooms, a small lab to study blood and urine samples, a spacious office for the doctor, a lunchroom and laundry room.

  After making the entire circuit, they ended back in the reception area. The dark green Formica counters gleamed brightly. Two brand new computers stood waiting on the desks. A large copy machine was flanked by a wall filled with multicolored files.

  "So, what do you think?" Jessie asked.

  Cameron ran his hand over the wall files, then turned toward her. "Wow is what I say. You have everything but the doctors, nurses and patients. I can't imagine what advice you need from me."

  Jessie leaned a hip on the counter and crossed her arms. "Now that you've seen the clinic, I was hoping you could recommend a doctor who might be willing to relocate and practice rural medicine. Or maybe tell me how to go about finding such a doctor. The pay's not great and a lot of the patients will be self-employed and won't have insurance."

  Cameron could just imagine the waiting room full of farmers and ranchers, their wives and children, the quiet hum of conversation, the rustle of magazines being read by people waiting their turn to see the doctor.

  He could picture the bustle of the staff, taking calls and filling out reports. Nurses weighing in patients and escorting them to the examination rooms.

  And surprisingly, Cameron could see himself wearing his white coat with a stethoscope around his neck, listening to patients' hearts and looking in ears and throats. Making quick diagnoses and writing prescriptions. Happily practicing medicine and not worrying about hospital politics. Hell, maybe even having time for a social life.

  With Jessie.

  "Cameron? Can you recommend anyone?" Her soft voice jerked him from his daydreams.

  He exhaled a long breath. "I'll ask around and see if anyone might be interested. Give me a little time." It wouldn't do to tell her he was interested. He wasn't certain he was ready to make such a radical switch in his career. He wasn't certain of a lot of things, lately.

  "Thanks," she said with a smile.

  After looking around one last time, Cameron followed Jessie out of the building. The brisk wind knocked off his Stetson. He caught it before it tumbled to the ground.

  Jessie chuckled as she stood by his car. That familiar heat simmered low in his belly. He was aware of her green eyes on him as he opened the car door. Yeah, he wanted her. But he also wanted something more.

  Somewhere along the way and through the years, he'd gotten off track. He'd turned into someone he didn't know. Someone he didn't really like.

  Coming back home, seeing Jess again, and touring the clinic made Cameron decide that it was definitely time for a new plan.

  ****

  The ride back to the garage was a quiet one. The silence in the car hung heavy. Showing Cameron the clinic had reminded Jessie of one of her most secret wishes. At first, she'd wanted the clinic built to assuage some of the guilt she felt about her husband. She'd thought a clinic with a doctor and nurse on staff could help save lives and that would make up for her ruining TR's life.

  Okay, maybe she hadn't really ruined his life. But Jess felt she'd taken more from the marriage than her fair share. She'd failed to give TR the children he longed for. And she hadn't loved him as she should have. Building the clinic in his honor was her penance.

  But as she got more involved in the plans and details, as she saw the clinic become a reality, Jessie couldn't help wishing that Cameron would come back and be the resident physician in Salt Fork.

  Yeah, like that was going to happen.

  When they reached the garage, Jessie started to unfasten her seat belt.

  Cameron covered her hand. "Jess, about tonight--"

  She'd forgotten about their date. She didn't think she could continue seeing Cameron, fighting the attraction, and feeling the guilt. Her heart would break when he left for Houston. Whether or not she gave in to this consuming passion, her heart would surely break.

  "I don't think it's a good idea for us to go out tonight." Even though she said the words, her hand trembled beneath his. She slowly removed it from his grasp.

  Cameron frowned. "Why? I thought we were starting over?"

  "We are . . . we were . . . but I think it's best if we don't go out tonight." All she wanted was to crawl in a hole and hide away until the dull ache in her chest subsided.

  "Why not? I told you I'd keep my hands to myself. Let's go out as friends. Two old friends, catching up on times past."

  Who was he trying to kid? Jessie shook her head. "I can't be 'just friends' with you. The chemistry's too strong. I think it's better if we don't see each other again."

  "We have to see each other again," he said.

  "No we don't."

  "Obviously, you've forgotten about tomorrow."

  "Tomorrow?" It was Jessie's turn to frown. Was the man d
ense? Couldn't he tell when he'd been given the brush off?

  "The party," he said. "My mother's birthday?"

  Jessie groaned. She'd forgotten all about Ruth's party. Most of the town would be there. She'd have to go. Perhaps she could avoid Cameron in the crowd. She summoned up a smile. "Of course . . . your mother's party. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

  "All right then," he said. "The party starts at four. I'll pick you up at three-thirty."

  "I'll drive over myself." Jessie tried again to unbuckle her seatbelt, this time succeeding and freeing herself. Suddenly, she felt her wrist enclosed in a strong grasp. Not so free, after all.

  Looking at Cameron's large hand, her thoughts ran wild. She longed to feel that hand skimming the entire length of her body, exploring, touching her, loving her. She longed to give in to the overwhelming chemistry they'd always shared.

  But afterwards, she'd only feel worse. He wasn't staying, he was going back to Houston.

  She tugged her hand and he tightened his fingers, pulling her toward him. Cameron rubbed the underside of her wrist with his thumb. Tiny rivulets of sensation shot up her arm.

  "Why do you keep running from me?" he asked softly.

  Jessie licked her parched lips and stared at Cameron's mouth. That was a mistake. She wanted that mouth on her body, too. She jerked her hand away and scrambled out of the car. "Maybe it's not you I'm running from."

  ****

  Jessie stood near the punch bowl, sipping a fruit-flavored drink. She watched as couples whirled by, dancing the Texas Two-Step to the lively country music blaring from a vintage jukebox. Around the edge of the wooden dance platform, gaily-colored lanterns twinkled brightly. Ruth's birthday party was well underway.

  The weather had cooperated for once, the temperature was unusually warm for late October and perfect for an outdoor gathering. Half the town had shown up for the festivities. The Diamondback Ranch was famous for its lavish barbecues and parties.

  So far, Jessie had managed to avoid Cameron. All afternoon, he had helped Dallas and Austin oversee the smoking barbecue pits. When he wasn't helping his brothers, he stopped to chat with friends and neighbors. Everyone was glad to see him again.