Czytaj książkę: «His Shock Valentine's Proposal»

CHAPTER ONE

“WHAT DOES SHE think she’s doing?” Carson grumbled to himself.

“Looks like she’s planting flowers in a pot,” Nurse Adams remarked.

Carson turned and glanced at his father’s nurse, who had worked in the practice longer than Carson had. Actually, she was technically his nurse now. He hadn’t realized she’d snuck up behind him. Like a ninja.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

She looked down her nose at him in that way she always did when he was little and causing mischief in his father’s office. A look that still sent shivers of dread down his spine and he realized he’d taken it a step too far.

“If you didn’t want my opinion, Dr. Ralston, you shouldn’t be talking out loud in my waiting room.”

“Sorry, Louise.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Just hate seeing all these changes going on in Crater Lake.”

Her expression softened. “There’s a building boom. It was inevitable that another doctor would come into town and set up shop.”

Carson frowned and jammed his hands in his trouser pockets as he watched the new, attractive doctor in town planting flowers outside the office across the street. Crater Lake was changing and he wasn’t sure he liked it too much.

His father had been the lone physician in Crater Lake for over forty years, long before Carson was born. It was a practice he’d taken over from his grandfather; now Carson had taken over the practice since his parents retired and moved south to warmer climates.

There had always been a Ralston as the town’s sole practitioner since Crater Lake was founded in 1908. Something his father liked to remind him of constantly.

The only other time there had been a notion of two town doctors was when Danielle had lived with him for a time after medical school, but that had been different. They were supposed to work together, get married and raise a family. It hadn’t lasted. She hadn’t liked the slow existence or the winters of living in northwest Montana.

Luke is a doctor.

Carson snorted as he thought of his older brother, who was indeed a licensed practitioner, but Luke didn’t like the confines of an office and preferred to be out in the woods tracking bears or whatever he did up on the mountains. Luke didn’t have the same passion of upholding the family tradition of having a Ralston as the family practitioner in Crater Lake. That job fell on Carson.

The new doctor in town, Dr. Petersen, stood up, arching her back, stretching. Her blond hair shining in the early summer sunlight. He didn’t know much about the newest resident of Crater Lake. Not many people did. She’d moved in and kept to herself. Her practice hadn’t even opened yet and though Carson shouldn’t care he couldn’t help but wonder about her, who she was.

The door jingled and he glanced at the door as his brother came striding in, in his heavy denim and leather, a hank of rope slung around his shoulder.

Louise huffed under her breath as his brother dragged in dirt with his arrival.

“Slow day?” Luke asked as he set the rope down on a chair.

“Yeah. I have the Johnstone twins coming in about an hour for vaccinations.”

Luke winced. “I’ll be gone before then.”

Louise stood up, hands on her ample hips. “Would you pick up that filthy rope? My waiting room was clean until you showed up! Honestly, if your parents were still here …”

Luke chuckled. “You make it sound like they’re dead, Louise. They’re in Naples, Florida. They live on the edge of a golf course.”

Carson chuckled. “Come on, let’s retreat to my office. Sorry, Louise.”

Carson glanced back one more time, but Dr. Petersen had gone back inside. His brother followed his gaze out the window and then looked at him, confused.

When they were in his office, Luke sat down on one of the chairs. “What was so interesting outside?”

“There’s a new doctor in town,” Carson said offhandedly.

Luke grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Oh, I see.”

“What do you see?”

“I’ve seen her. I’m not blind.”

Carson snorted. “That’s not it at all.”

Luke cocked an eyebrow. “Then what is it?”

“It’s a new doctor in town. It’s threatening our family practice.”

Luke shrugged. “It’s your practice, not mine.”

So like his brother. Not caring much about the family practice. Not caring about generations of Ralstons who’d sweated to build this practice and this town up. Well, at least he cared.

Do you?

Carson pinched the bridge of his nose. “I thought you were against the town expansion and the building of that ski-resort community.”

“I am. Well … I was, but really there was no stopping it.”

“You could’ve attended a few town meetings,” Carson said.

When had Luke stopped caring so much?

It wasn’t his concern and by the way Luke was glaring at him Carson was crossing a line. His brother quickly changed the subject. “I guess my point was that it didn’t look like you were checking out the competition the way you want me to think you were.”

“I’ll work that out later.” Carson moved around and sat down on the other side of his desk. “What brings you down off the mountain and what in heaven’s name are you going to tie up with that rope?”

Luke grinned in the devilish way that used to cause their mother to worry. It usually meant that Luke was about to get into some serious trouble.

“Nothing much. I actually just came for some medical supplies. I’m taking some surveyors deep into the woods.”

“And the rope is to tie them to the nearest tree and use them as bear bait?”

“The thought had crossed my mind, but like you, little brother, I took the Hippocratic Oath. I swore to do no harm.”

“Hmm.”

“You need to liven up a bit, little brother. You’re too tense.”

Carson snorted. “Look who’s talking. You know the local kids refer to you as the Grinch in the winter. One of the Johnstone twins thought you were going to come down and steal Christmas last year.”

“Because I told her that. She spooked my horse.”

“You’re terrible with kids and have a horrible bedside manner,” Carson said.

“I’m great with kids. Dad just knew you were more of the office type of person and I like to run wild.”

Must be nice.

The thought surprised him, because he should be used to Luke’s lifestyle after all this time. Luke always got to run free, do what he wanted. Carson was the reliable one.

Dependable.

Never took risks.

Carson shook his head. “As long as you’re not naked while running wild then I don’t care.”

Luke grinned. “I didn’t know how much you cared.”

Carson couldn’t help but chuckle. “You need to get your butt out of my clean office before you give Louise a heart attack and get yourself back up that mountain. I have patients coming in soon. Patients who think you’re going to steal their Christmas.”

“Right. So, do I get the medical supplies? I may not have regular office time but I technically have part ownership.”

“You know where they are. I don’t have to tell you.”

“Thanks.” Luke got up.

“Take your rope, too.”

Luke winked and disappeared into the stockroom while Carson leaned back in his father’s chair and scrubbed a hand over his face.

Luke had one thing right. He was tense. He worked too much.

You’re wasting your surgical talent here. Why didn’t you take that internship at Mayo? Why are you giving up a prestigious surgical residency to become a general practitioner?

Danielle’s words haunted him.

Lately, they had been bothering him more. Ever since the old office building across the road had been bought and he’d got wind that a new doctor from Los Angeles was moving into town. There weren’t many full-timers in Crater Lake. The ageing population was a threat to the small town and now with this resort community going in, it would bring more people, but not people who would be here all the time and Carson couldn’t help but wonder if the time of the small-town doctor was gone.

Perhaps he had wasted his life? Maybe he should’ve cared less about the practice like Luke. Maybe he would’ve become a great surgeon.

More and more lately it seemed he was thinking these thoughts. He didn’t take risks, but he was happy with the choices he made.

This was the path he chose and he was happy.

He was happy.

Who are you trying to convince?

He groaned inwardly. He didn’t have to let the ghosts of his past haunt him.

Get a grip on yourself.

Carson shook those thoughts away.

No, he was doing what he’d always wanted to do. Sure, he’d been offered several amazing residencies, but surgery was not what he wanted to do.

He liked the small-town life; he liked the connection he had with the people in Crater Lake. He would be stifled in a big city; he’d be trapped in a busy hospital in the OR for countless hours. This he preferred.

Still …

It irked him that another doctor had moved into town, but he couldn’t stop it and frankly he hoped she was up to the challenge. She was from California. He doubted it very much that she would be able to survive her first winter here and that thought secretly pleased him.

Louise knocked and then opened his door. She looked worried. “Dr. Ralston, Mrs. Johnstone is in the waiting room. She needs to speak with you.”

“Is everything okay? I thought the twins’ appointment was later?”

Louise’s lips pursed together. “She’s here to cancel her appointment and take their chart.”

“Hold on!” Esme called out. She had no idea who was banging on the front door of her office. She wasn’t open yet. The big day was at the end of the week. If it was a delivery they could’ve read the sign and come along to the back alleyway.

Only the banging was insistent. It sounded almost angry, which made her pause. Perhaps she should take a peek out the window. The last thing she wanted was it to be the tabloids outside pounding on her door. Not that they’d bothered with her for the past three months.

She’d dealt with enough press in LA before she’d hightailed it to the solitude of the mountains. Of course, when she’d chosen Crater Lake as her new home, she’d known that there was going to be a resort community, but she hadn’t realized another high-end spa and hotel was going up.

Esme could handle a small ski-resort community, but a huge high-end spa and hotel? That was not what she wanted. Small. Sleepy and in need of a friendly and eager town physician. Of course, once she’d spent all her money on buying her practice she really hadn’t been able to change her mind. The building she had bought had been on the market for five years.

She knew there was an old family practice in town. Dr. Ralston had been practicing medicine in Crater Lake his whole career and his father before that and his father before that. It was time to breathe some new life into Crater Lake.

The pounding reminded her why her inventory of medical supplies was being interrupted and she glanced out of the window of her primary exam room.

“Whoa.”

The handsome man standing in front of her office was definitely not paparazzi or press. He didn’t have a camera or a recorder, or even a smartphone on him. He was well dressed in casual business attire. His brown hair combed neatly, clean shaven, but definitely an outdoorsy type of guy, because she could see his forearms where he’d rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt were tanned and muscular.

He was a well-dressed country boy and Esme had a thing for country boys. Always had, but that was a hard thing to find in Los Angeles.

Unless you counted the country singers she’d treated, and she didn’t. Of course, when she’d thought she’d found the perfect guy it had turned out she hadn’t and she was terrified by who she’d become and about what he wanted from her.

Don’t think about Shane.

Well, whoever this guy was, he was off-limits. She wasn’t here to get involved with anyone. Besides, he was probably married or taken. One thing Esme had discovered about her new place of residence was that Crater Lake was mostly filled with older people and young families. It wasn’t a happening place for singles and that was fine by her.

She was here to hide, not find happiness. She didn’t deserve that. Not after what she’d done to Shane.

Not after what happened in the OR with her last surgery. It was too painful. Love and friendship, they were not what she was here for. She was here to be a doctor. She was here to blend in, to hide so no one could find her.

He banged on the door again.

She ran her hand through her hair, hoping she didn’t smell of sweat too much. Even though she had no interest in impressing him, she didn’t want to scare off any potential patients because she gave off the impression of being smelly.

“Just a minute!” Esme called out as she undid the chain and bolt on her office door. She opened it. “Hey, look, I’m not open today.”

“I’m aware,” he said tersely. “Can I come in?”

“I don’t even know you.”

“Is that how you plan to treat residents of Crater Lake?” he asked.

What’s this guy’s deal?

“Okay, how about we start with introductions? I’m Dr. Petersen.” She held out her hand, but he just glanced at it, ignoring her proffering.

“I know who you are, Dr. Petersen.” His blue eyes were dark, his brow furrowed.

Oh, crap.

“You do? You know who I am? I’m sorry I can’t say the same.”

He was clearly annoyed and she didn’t have time for this. “Look, I’m kind of busy today. Why don’t you call my office and my nurse will call you about an appointment time? I’m pretty open for appointments as I’m not open for business just yet.”

“You have a nurse?” he asked.

“Well, not yet, but I’ve interviewed some interesting candidates.”

“I bet.”

Esme frowned. “Have I offended you some way? If I have, I’m really sorry, but again I haven’t opened yet.”

“I’m aware you’re not open yet. Of course, that really doesn’t stop you from poaching patients.”

Esme was stunned. “Who are you?”

“I’m Dr. Ralston. I was the Johnstone family’s practitioner up until about two hours ago.”

Okay, now she was really surprised. “You’re Dr. Ralston?”

“Yes.”

“Dr. C. Ralston?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t get it.” Esme stepped aside to invite him in, but didn’t even get the words out as he wandered inside and then sat on the edge of the waiting-room desk, his arms crossed.

“What don’t you get? I can show you my ID.”

“Dr. Charles Ralston has been practicing medicine in Crater Lake for forty years.” She shut the door, but didn’t lock it just in case this guy was crazy or something. “You guys either have the fountain of youth up here in Crater Lake or someone’s records are incorrect.”

A small smile played on his face, some of that fury fading. “Dr. Charles Ralston is my father. I’m Dr. Carson Ralston. I took over my father’s practice when he retired five years ago.”

“Oh, and I’m the fool who just poached some of your patients. Gotcha.”

“Essentially.”

Esme crossed her arms, too. “So how can I help you?”

“Stop poaching my patients.” There was now a slight twinkle in his blue, blue eyes and he didn’t seem as angry anymore.

“I’m really sorry, but your patient wanted to change. I couldn’t turn them away,” she stated.

“Look, you have to know when you come to a small town you don’t go around stealing the patients of a practitioner who has been here for quite some time.”

Esme raised an eyebrow. “Is that some kind of doctor rule? If so, I’m not aware of it.”

“It’s common courtesy.” He didn’t seem as though he was going to budge until she handed over the files to him. Although, she hadn’t been given the files yet.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Dr. Ralston, but when I bumped into Mrs. Johnstone at the general store her twins took a shine to me and she wanted me to be her physician.”

“What do you mean the twins took a shine to you?”

She grinned. “I mean I didn’t scare them like the old, grumpy Dr. Ralston.”

His mouth fell open in surprise for a moment and then he snapped it shut. “Okay, then. I won’t bother you about it anymore.”

“That’s quite the defeatist attitude.”

He shrugged and headed to the door. “If I’m old and grumpy then there is nothing more I can do.”

A sense of dread niggled at her. “What do you know about them you’re not sharing?”

Now it was his turn to grin with pleasure. “Nothing. Just good luck with the twins, but I will tell you that if you take any more of my patients it’ll be war.”

Esme couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you declaring war on me, Dr. Ralston?”

“I believe I am, Dr. Petersen.” He winked, chuckling to himself as he shut the door behind him and Esme couldn’t help but wonder what she’d gotten herself into. She would have to keep her distance from Carson, though in a small town that was going to be hard to do, but she was going to try.