Page 61 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Laney laughed.“In words of two syllables or less, please?”

“Controversies related to trust management.”Shelley smiled.“I know there were more than two syllables there, but I also know you’re a smart lady—you’re just not familiar with the terms.”

“Right.So, you helped rich people pass on their estates?Figure out who they wanted to leave them to and how to make sure the heirs got what was left to them?”

“Pretty much.”

“Was there lots of drama with people feeling like they were entitled to what their parents had earned?Oh!Did you have families fighting with the gold-digging wives of old men?”

Shelley had to laugh.“I did have one case like that.The old man in question had anticipated all the drama, though, and I helped him set up a trust that took care of the family and the wife in a way that ensured none of them were left out in the cold—and none of them got as much as they wanted.He actually made sure that the housekeeper who’d worked for the family for over thirty years got more than anyone else—he had his priorities straight, and he knew who truly cared about him.”

She smiled at the memory.She’d had a lot of respect for Franklin Moss and had enjoyed helping him plan his legacy—and seeing the looks on the faces of his beneficiaries after he died.

“That sounds so cool.But how come you’re working as Trip’s receptionist?Are you going to set up your own firm now that you’ve moved here?”

Shelley glanced over at Trip.He was standing talking with Travis, and she loved seeing him so relaxed and happy.

“You guys are together, right?”Laney asked.

Shelley tucked her hair behind her ear, wondering how best to answer.She skipped the last question and went with, “I actually quit my career when I left Pennsylvania a few years ago.I was done—burned out.My marriage ended at the same time and I… well, I just kind of hit the road, and I’ve been wandering ever since.”

“Yeah, but all that’s behind you now, isn’t it?You live here now.Are you going to get back to working or…” Laney laughed.“Sorry—maybe you’re happy working as Trip’s receptionist.There’s nothing wrong with it if you are.It’s just… you don’t strike me as the receptionist type.But…”

“You’re right.I’m not.But I don’t know what else to do.”She looked up.Retta and Callie and the others were getting to their feet, taking Levi inside to change his diaper, apparently.She felt more comfortable explaining herself to just Laney than to all of them.

Laney gave her a puzzled look.“Is everything okay with you?”

She blew out a sigh.“It is.I’m fine.I just… okay, I’m going to dump it on you because you asked.When I came to Montana, I thought it was just another stop on my travels.But I’ve gotten used to it—I like it here.”She smiled.“I like the people—obviously, I like Trip.But…”

“But what?”Laney asked with a frown.

“I don’t know if I’m staying.Trip and I are exploring things, but… I have to be out of the house I’m renting in a couple of weeks.That would be the logical point to wrap things up and move on.”

Laney was still frowning.“Are you saying you’re not that into Trip?”

“No, I’m not.I’m into him in a big way,” she added with a smile.“But… if I were to stay, that would be changing my whole life for a man.I’m not sure that I…”

Laney finally smiled.“I get that.I wouldn’t want to do that either.But you’re wrong.You’re not just changing your whole life for a man—and Tripisan amazing man.But he’s not the only thing you have going on here.You’re close with all the ladies, aren’t you?You’ve made friends—friends who care about you a lot, from what I hear.And you don’t know us—the whole MacFarland clan—that well yet, but you will soon enough.And we’re not all bad.And come on, are you telling me you can think of anywhere else as beautiful as this that you could live?”

Shelley laughed.“No, I will admit that I do love it here.”

“And you already survived a winter, so we know you’re not going to regret it and wimp out when the snow flies.”

“True.”

“So, what else is there to think about?You should stay.”

Shelley met her gaze.“I love that you’re trying to talk me into it, but I have to ask—why?”

“Fair question.Like I said, we don’t know each other that well yet, but I think we’re going to get along.I like you so far, and I’d like to get to know you better.But it’s not really about me.”Laney scanned the yard and stopped when she spotted Trip, who was now standing by the grill talking to Ty, who was flipping burgers.“It’s about him.Trip’s a great guy.He had a pretty decent life before you came along, but he’s all by himself.And he had a pretty miserable life when he was married, by all accounts.If anyone deserves to have a great life and to be truly happy, it’s Trip.And I’ve got to tell you—he seems truly happy with you.”

Shelley looked over at him again.He took a slug of his beer and then threw back his head and laughed.

“And the way you just smiled as you watched him?”said Laney.“That does it—I have to say it.He’s in love with you.And the way you lit up when you saw him laugh, I’d say you feel the same way—even if you don’t know it yet.”

Shelley swallowed.Hard.In love?That was…

Laney grinned at her.“And now I’ll zip it.But please stay.And if the receptionist job is part of what’s putting you off, you should consider going back to your old work.I bet there’s a need for it around here.I mean, look at us.There are eight of us and one big ranch.I have no idea what the old bastard set up in his will—sorry, when I say that, I mean the man who fathered us—but you can bet he used a lawyer to make sure he screws us over however he can.”

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