Page 73 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“You know why not.I’m never getting married again.”

“But he’s awesome!”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I’d want to marry him.”

“What then?”

“I don’t know.You’re getting ahead of yourself.I’ve only just decided that I want to stay here.And I think the only reason I’m okay with it is because I’m not staying for Trip.”

Harper glanced over at her.

“I don’t mean that I don’t want to be with him—I do.But even if we end up together, I don’t want him to be the reason I stayed.”She huffed out a sigh.“If I’m honest, I already know that I want him to be a part of my life.But Harper, I don’t want him to be my whole life.That’s what happened with Jeff.We worked together, we lived together, we did everything together.We had the same friends, shared the same hobbies… I want my own life.”

“I get that, I do… Where do I go?”

They were approaching the point where the driveway split, and Shelley pointed toward the back of the house.“I always park back there by the kitchen.Although if you like, we could go to the front.”

Harper looked up at the imposing façade on the front of the house, and then turned toward the kitchen.“No, it’s beautiful, and I like the idea of arriving for some party or something and getting out in front there, but we should go in through the kitchen.I want him to think of me as a friend—not as some visitor he has to entertain because I’m here with you.”

~ ~ ~

After they’d finished the main course, Trip helped Anita clear the table for dessert.

Harper caught his eye when he took her plate.“Thanks, Trip.I love that you help her out and don’t just sit on your ass to be waited on.”

He chuckled.“That’s never been my way.”

“Mine either.”She surprised him by getting to her feet.“So, if you don’t mind, I’ll come and say thank you.”

He glanced at Shelley, and she stood, picking up her own plate.“The best parties always end up in the kitchen, don’t they?”

Anita looked a little perturbed when the three of them entered the kitchen.“Is everything all right?”

Harper grinned.“Everything is so much more than just all right.I had to come and give my compliments to the chef.I hope you don’t mind?”

Anita grinned back at her.“Not in the least.You’ve enjoyed it so far then?”

“My goodness, yes.”She shot Trip a sassy smile.“I enjoyed it so much that if ever you want a change of scenery, I’d recommend you to any of my friends or colleagues in New York.”

He felt bad for Harper when Anita stood a little straighter.He knew that Harper was only joking, but he also knew that Anita was fiercely loyal and wasn’t overly fond of out-of-staters.

He was grateful to Shelley when she intervened.She smiled at Anita and said, “But how could the scenery in New York ever compare to this?”

Harper seemed to realize her mistake immediately.“It couldn’t.I just feel bad for those poor folks who’ll never get to experience your cooking.Is there any chance you ever do any freelancing, though?I thought that moving here would mean I’d miss some of my favorite restaurants, but with you around, I won’t even remember their names after a week or two.”

Anita smiled at that.“I don’t freelance.This is my one and only job.So, you’ll just have to be on your best behavior and hope that Trip invites you over sometimes.”

“Touche!”Harper laughed.“And thanks for getting us back on track—I put my foot in it there, didn’t I?”

“You weren’t to know,” Anita told her.“It’s all good.”

Trip glanced at Shelley, and she gave him a small smile.It hadn’t sunk in properly yet that she’d decided to stay.Of course, he was happy about it, but he felt a little uncertain.It wasn’t that she’d decided she wanted to be with him, and stay here with him.It seemed that she and Harper had reached a joint decision, and they were going to start looking for a rental over the weekend.He should be happy—hewashappy.But he’d be much happier after he had a chance to talk to Shelley alone.They hadn’t had a moment since Harper arrived.Not that it was Harper’s fault; things had been hectic at the clinic, and he’d been called into the hospital last night, so…

Harper spun around when the kitchen door opened behind her.Trip had to guess that was a result of living in the big city.Neither Shelley nor Anita seemed surprised that someone would just walk in.

Trip smiled at the stunned look on Emmett’s face when he stepped inside.He could understand it.Emmett sometimes stopped in to say hi when he was passing, and for years now, he’d found Trip home alone.They’d shared probably hundreds of beers sitting at the counter in a quiet, still kitchen.Now, he was faced with three women, who all looked pleased to see him.

Anita knew him well, of course.Shelley had met him a few times.And Harper… He smiled through pursed lips.Harper looked as though she’d happily forego the huckleberry pie she’d been so excited about and have Emmett for dessert instead.

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