Page 152 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Trip tightened his arm around her shoulders.“Me neither.”

“That’s because you two love each other and you were in danger, and Uncle Trip was on a mission to rescue you,” Tanya said with a dreamy smile.

“Yeah, and that’s great that he wanted to,” said Alana, “but she doesn’t need a hero—she rescued herself—before they got there.”

Shelley looked up into Trip’s eyes, hoping that he didn’t feel … she didn’t even know what … like he was somehow less of a hero in her eyes with the way things had worked out.

She should have known better—he was smiling, and even kissed the tip of her nose before saying, “Alana’s right, you know.You both are—I was on a mission to get there, but Shelley’s more than capable and she rescued herself.In my book the hero’s just backup for if the heroine decides she wants him.”

“She wants him,” Shelley murmured.

Emmett herded the girls away to see Jim, and Trip wrapped both his arms around her waist as he turned to face her.“He wants you, too.I hope you know I’ll always have your back.”

She nodded happily.“I do—and I love even more that you don’t need to take over to be happy.”

“Don’t mean to interrupt the moment, guys—I just wanted a quick word.”

Trip reached out and grasped Cash’s shoulder.“I hope you’ve forgiven yourself—and I hope you know that as far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing to forgive.”

Cash shrugged.“I’m not going to taint your day with my shit.”He turned to smile at Shelley, but he didn’t seem as full of life as he usually did.“I just want to say thank you for everything you did for Jim.That man …” He shot a look to where Jim was now chuckling as he listened to Tanya and Alana bicker as they told him some tale or another.“… he means the world to me.And I need you to know that I would never take advantage.If you want to draw something up that’ll make sure his wishes are locked in and ironclad, I’ll be happy with that.I’m not going to try …”

She reached out to touch his arm.“I know, Cash.And more importantly, so does Jim.”

Cash nodded slowly.“Okay.”

Travis came to join them and wrapped Cash in a hug.“What’s up, buddy?Cheer that face up—today’s a happy day!”

Cash rolled his eyes at Shelley before his familiar smile appeared.“Today is a happy day,” he agreed.“It’s Trip and Shelley’s day, but I think it might go down as a turning point kind of day for a few other people too.”

“You mean people like Mavy and Libby?”Travis asked with a grin.

“I do.And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Ford and Amelia headed back to the ranch a while ago—to get some of her gear or something.”

Travis grinned and slapped Cash’s arm.“I knew you’d figure that one out.”

Cash shrugged.“All I did was get them in the same place—it’ll be up to them to figure it out.”

“What about Blane?”Trip asked.“Maybe if you can find a reason for him to stick around …”

Cash laughed.“Why do you think I was trying to help Brookie and Brody out?Brody’s good people, but Blane’s going to want to play big brother.”

“Are you thinking about staying then?”Trip asked.

Shelley held her breath while she waited for Cash to answer.She knew Trip would love to have all his friends home.

“I’m not just thinking about it—I’m going to tell Mav and Blane just as soon as I see ’em.I’m staying here—I want to be around for Jim.If they don’t want to come yet, they don’t have to, but …”

“It sounds like it’s time for you guys to make the big move,” said Trip.

“It is.”Cash smiled at Shelley.“But we can talk about that another time.Today’s about celebrating you guys.”

~ ~ ~

Trip held his arm out to Shelley and loved the way she nestled against his side.“You’re right, Cash.I have a lot to celebrate.”

He dropped a kiss on her lips and loved the way her arms came up around his neck, sending that prickly feeling racing down his spine.

He heard Trav say, “Come on, Cash, let’s leave ’em to it.”

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