Page 127 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“I reckon I’ve earned myself a steak, don’t you?”

Shelley nodded her agreement.Jim’s relationship with Banner had surprised her at first.They behaved more like family than employer and employee.But as he’d explained more of his life to her while they worked on arranging his bequests, it made perfect sense to her that they were so close.

“You’re more than welcome to join us if you like,” Jim told her.“I’m not excluding you—just assuming that you’ll be headed home to Trip now.”

“I will.I should get going.I’ll stop by again tomorrow – even if only for an hour.”

“If you can, that’ll be great.But if not, we can wait until Monday,” said Jim.“I’d guess that you and Trip are all going out with everyone tomorrow night, right?”

He turned to Banner, who was still hovering in the doorway.“You should go along.Everyone’s going to be there.”

“I enjoy hanging out here with you more than I enjoy watching people drink too much and dance.”

Jim chuckled as he turned to Shelley.“Don’t believe him for a second.In his younger days, this fella knew how to tie one on with the best of them.”

Banner smiled through pursed lips.“I’m not denying that—but that was a few years back.”

“Maybe so,” said Jim.“But if you’re saying that you won’t go without me, then I might just have to come with you.I haven’t seen Blane in far too long.Aye…” He nodded to himself.“I’ll come and buy him a drink for his birthday.”He winked at Shelley.“I like to surprise them all sometimes and show up at the saloon—kick up my heels and remind ‘em I ain’t dead yet.”

He turned back to Banner.“Since it’s Blane’s birthday, you can bet your ass that Brookie’s going to be there.You might want to tell that brother of yours—Brody—that he needs a night out.”

Turning back to Shelley, he added, “Maybe you can have a word with Trip.Make sure he gives his foreman the night off tomorrow.”

She was sorely tempted to ask what the story was between Brody and Brooke, but she decided to leave it for now.She could ask Trip when she got home.

Banner didn’t comment—which made Shelley even more curious.

“But go on with you, Miss Shelley.You get on home—and we’ll see you tomorrow.If not in the morning, then at Chico.”

He chuckled as he added, “I might just have to cut in on Trip and steal a dance with you, if you don’t mind.”

“Mind?I’d love that,” she told him honestly.

After she’d hugged Jim, Banner walked her out to her car.

“The two of you are close, aren’t you?”she said.

He frowned.“We are.I owe him my life—and my brothers too.But if you think that I’m trying…”

“No—I wasn’t implying anything.I was trying to say that I love the relationship you have.”

“Sorry.It’s just—with you working on his will and everything, I wouldn’t blame you for being suspicious of people’s motives around him.”

She stopped when they reached her car.“Are you suspicious of anyone?”she asked.

He blew out a sigh.“You know, his nephew Gavin’s been lurking around.I wouldn’t trust that slimy bastard as far as I could throw him.”

“I only met him briefly, but I feel the same way,” Shelley agreed.

“That’s why I’m sticking even closer than usual,” Banner explained.“I never thought the day would come when I’d try to coddle Jim—but he’s getting older now.And like I said, Gavin’s a tricky bastard.”

Shelley glanced back up at the house, hating the idea of anything happening to Jim.Even though she was helping him arrange his affairs for when he died, she didn’t want to think about that day coming—let alone about anything awful happening to him before then.

As she stared up at the house, Jim appeared on the front porch and waved.

“You get on home to Trip, Shelley?I’ll bet Banner’s telling you his worries.”

Shelley didn’t know what to say—but luckily, she didn’t need to.

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