Page 117 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Shelley got to her feet as Trip approached the desk.

“How’s it going?”he asked Brooke.

She glanced over at Shelley.“Great, I think.I’m doing okay, aren’t I?”

Shelley rested a hand on her shoulder.“You’re doing far more than okay.You’ve got it all figured out.I expected to sit back and guide you.I thought maybe I’d be able to read through my notes this morning, but you haven’t needed me at all.”

Brooke smiled happily.“There’s not that much to it, really, is there?I mean, I’m sure I’ll have questions when I run into things you haven’t taught me yet, but… I reckon I can do this.”

“There was never any question that you could do it,” Trip assured her.

Shelley nodded her agreement.“You’re going to be great.”

Trip came around the desk and pressed a quick peck to Shelley’s lips.“I need to head over to the hospital now.There’s no need for you both to sit in here all afternoon if you don’t want to.”

“I was thinking that I can teach Brooke how to forward the phone, and then we’ll go for lunch in town.After that…” She smiled.She could either bring Brooke back into the clinic and teach her more about how things worked behind the scenes—since she’d already picked up on how to handle the everyday aspects—or she could play it by ear.If Brooke had other things she needed to do, Shelley planned to give her the afternoon.

“Give me a call when you finish at the hospital, and I’ll let you know where I’ll be.”

He gave her hand a squeeze and smiled at Brooke.“See you later.”

After he’d gone, Brooke smiled up at her.“I know I’ve said it a few times already, but I have to say it again—he’s such an amazing guy.And I’m so glad that the two of you are together now.You’re like the perfect couple.”

Shelley laughed.“I don’t know about that.I don’t know that there’s any such thing as perfect.But I’m glad we’re together.What do you think?Shall I show you how to forward the phone—and will you let me treat you to lunch at the Mustang?”

“You don’t need to do that,” said Brooke.“I brought a sandwich.”

“Is it a sandwich that’ll keep until tomorrow?I’d like to treat you—if you want to go.”

When Brooke’s smile faded, Shelley felt as though she might have said the wrong thing.

“I’m not totally broke or anything.I’m saving—that’s why I work all the time.I…” Brooke blew out a sigh.“Sorry.I didn’t mean to bite your head off.It’s just that I know a lot of people wonder what my deal is.Some of them treat me like a charity case, and others get all mad at Blane on my behalf.”

She shook her head.“It’s only because they don’t get it—and mostly, I don’t see the point in explaining.”

Shelley sat back down, hoping Brooke might see her as someone worth opening up to.

Brooke smiled.“See, I want to start my own business.I know what I want to do, but I can’t do it until I have a little nest egg built up.That’s why I work any little job I can get.And this job…” She looked around the reception area with a smile.“This is awesome—and it pays better than anything else around here.I’ll be able to save so much more, and faster than I have been up until now.”

Shelley had to ask, “What kind of business do you want to open?”

Brooke dropped her gaze.“You’ll probably think I’m stupid.”

“No way.I already know that you’re a very smart young woman.I’m curious, that’s all.But if you don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.In fact, how about we head over to the café, and if you want to you can tell me while we eat?”

“Sure.Are you going to show me how to forward the phone first?Should we forward them to my cell so that I can deal with any calls that come in this afternoon?”

“I’ll show you how to do it—but how about we forward them to my phone this afternoon?And then after lunch, you can call it a day—go do whatever you need to.”

When Brooke looked a little disappointed, Shelley reassured her.

“You’re going to need to get used to the fact that you’re on salary here.Trip doesn’t expect you to stay all Tuesday afternoon.None of the previous receptionists used to do it—I just did because… well…” She shrugged and smiled.“Because I wanted to be around him.You need to get off that hourly pay mentality.You won’t be losing money by not sitting here all afternoon, is what I’m trying to say.”

Brooke met her gaze.“That doesn’t seem fair.Why should he pay me to not be here?”

“Because you’re making yourself available.You’ll forward the phone and deal with any calls that come in.There aren’t many, but sometimes people forget and call to make an appointment or to check on a prescription they’re waiting for.Don’t worry—you’ll get used to all of it.And I’m hoping it won’t take you too long to get used to knowing that you can relax a bit now.”

Shelley locked up behind them and told Brooke to follow her to the café—she had a feeling that if they came back here, Brooke would feel as though she had to sit and work.

---