Page 106 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Harper: No!I assumed that you’d be staying at Trip’s.I’m going to hang out here with the girls until Emmett texts them to say that he’s on the way home.I don’t want to be here when he arrives back.

Shelley: Why?Is everything okay?

Harper: Ha.Yes.Don’t worry.I just imagine that the poor man’s had a stressful enough day.The last thing he’ll want is to have to deal with me on top of it.

Shelley: You have such a big heart.It might not be a bad idea to let more people know about it.

Harper: You know, and that’s all that really matters.I just wanted to help the guy out.I don’t need his thanks.Or to make him uncomfortable by being in his space when he gets home.Anyway, you should stay at Trip’s.And I’ll see you tomorrow—whenever you feel like making a start on our big move to the cottage.

Shelley: I’ll be there around ten.

Harper: Okay.But remember, if you decide you want to move your stuff to Trip’s place instead of the cottage, I won’t just understand—I’ll be happy for you.Got it?

Shelley smiled to herself as she tapped out her reply.

Shelley: Got it.Thanks, Harps.Love you.

Harper: Love you right back.See you tomorrow.

Shelley slipped her phone back into her purse as Trip asked, “Is she all right?”

“She is.She’s hanging out with Emmett’s girls until he’s on the way home.”

“Not until he gets home?”

She smiled.“No, she’s going to leave before he gets there.She’s actually very insightful about people and what they need.She knows that Emmett must have had a stressful day and that he won’t need the added stress of having to deal with her when he gets home.”

Trip nodded approvingly.“That doesn’t surprise me in the least.She’s a smart lady.”

Shelley was tempted to tell him that Harper was smart enough to know thatshe’dbe happier moving in with him than into the cottage, but he hadn’t mentioned it in a while, and she didn’t want to feel as though she was forcing his hand.

He shot her a quick smile.“She’s smart enough to pick you as her best friend—and that says a lot.”

She laughed.“Aww, there you go, sweet talking again.”

“Nope—just saying it as I see it.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Trip stood at the kitchen sink, smiling to himself as he listened to Shelley and Harper laughing in Harper's bedroom.He hadn't been sure if he should come to the cottage with them today to help them get moved in, but he was glad he was here.Both Shelley and Harper had told him several times how much they appreciated his help.

He finished rinsing the dishes they'd used for a late lunch.He’d run up to the Mustang Café in town for sandwiches for them all and brought back one of Sue's coffee cakes.He always felt a little disloyal to Candy at the bakery whenever he bought Sue's coffee cake, but he was addicted to the stuff.He consoled himself with the fact that Candy didn’t make anything similar.

He set the last of the plates on the rack to dry, then turned back to the window when he heard a vehicle approaching.

He sighed when he saw Banner's truck.Banner was Jim's foreman, and Trip had a feeling he knew exactly why he was here.He let himself out the front door quietly, hoping to head him off before Shelley and Harper realized he was there.

Banner jumped down from his truck with a puzzled smile.

“Hey, Trip.I wasn't expecting to see you out here.Isn't Jim's new lawyer moving in today?And her friend?”He paused.“Oh, wait.Shit.Sorry.I should have realized, shouldn't I?The new lawyer—she's your woman.”

Trip had to smile at the description.He wouldn’t put it that way himself, even though he enjoyed hearing it.It just wasn’t the kind of language he used, although he knew most of his friends did.

“Her name’s Shelley.And yeah—we’re together,” he confirmed.

Banner gave him a puzzled smile.“The way you say it sounds like it’s permanent.”

Trip gave a slight nod, not wanting to confirm that until he knew for sure it was true.

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