Page 83 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“Then Kolby and Callie went and brought little baby Levi home.I never had any time for babies before, but I get it now.He’s not just a wet, noisy little bundle—he’s a whole new person.”He shook his head in wonder.“I want to be around for that.I want to see him grow into the person he’s going to become, you know?

“And now there’s Everly’s boy, Ashton.I’ve got a soft spot for that kid.”

Trip knew exactly where his friend was coming from.Everly had been a single mom until she met Cash’s brother, Tanner.She and her son, Ashton, had moved here to the valley, and now Tanner and Everly were married, Ashton called TannerDad, and the whole family saw him as one of their own.

Trip and Cash—and their whole group of friends—had known each other since kindergarten.Cash had disappeared for a few years when his mom left his dad.Cash didn’t talk about what had happened during those years, but they all knew it hadn’t been anything good.His mom had died, and Cash had returned to the ranch an angry, troubled young man.His father—the man he calledthe old bastard,who’d been lying in the hospital for the last couple of years—had already remarried.He’d taken Cash in, but only so that he could help raise his younger siblings.

Cash met Trip’s gaze.“Look at me, getting all sentimental on you.But you asked, and that’s the truth.I don’t want to go down to the ranch because I don’t have enough time to enjoy it.”

He checked his watch, then glanced over at Bear, who’d just come down the steps from the plane.“How long do you need to refuel?”he asked.

Bear made a face.“I just called them up on the radio.They said it’ll be half an hour before they can even get to us.Sorry, Cash.”

Cash grinned.“Not a problem.In fact, it might work out better this way.”He turned back to Trip.“If you want to feed me, that is.”

Trip laughed.“Sure.I was just on my way to the hospital, but I don’tneedto go—unless you do.”

“All I need to do is settle the bill.I’ll give you the money and you can do it.”

Cash had footed the bill for his father’s medical treatment and hospital stay for the last couple of years—ever since he’d been admitted after his first heart attack.He came by every so often and deposited a whole wad of cash.They joked sometimes about how it might look like he was laundering money, but Trip knew the truth—Cash just didn’t want anyone to be able to trace the money back to him.

He’d earned it honestly, but he didn’t want anyone to know that he was the one who made it possible for his father to remain in the hospital.None of the siblings wanted him at home, and he didn’t want anything to do with them either.

So since Cash had the money—and no problem spending it this way—it worked.But Trip sometimes wondered just how long it would keep working.

He looked over at Bear.“Do you want to come?We haven’t managed to catch up in a while.I can rustle up something good to eat if you like.”

“Thanks,” said Bear, “but if we’ve got a bit of time, there are a few stops I wouldn’t mind making in town.”

Cash grinned at him.“You go do whatever you need to do.Give me a call when you’re headed back here, and we’ll get them to refuel while we’re gone.How about that?”

Bear grinned back at him.“Sounds like a plan to me.What do you think—a couple of hours?That long enough?”

“Sounds about right.Do you need a ride?”

“I should be able to borrow the crew car.I’ll go have a word with them at the desk.If not, they have rentals here.”

“If you need to rent one, use the company card,” Cash told him.

After Bear had gone, Trip and Cash climbed into his SUV, and as they headed back down the valley toward Trip’s place Cash turned in his seat to look at him.

“We established that I didn’t need to go to the hospital.I’m not interrupting anything important for you, am I?”

“No, I was only going over there to kill some time.”

“Why?Where’s Shelley?”

Trip shot him a quick glance before turning his attention back to the road.“I’m not surprised that you know about her.You might as well tell me how much you know, to save us both some time.”

Cash chuckled.“I might not be around much, but I have eyes and ears everywhere.”

Trip laughed with him.“That’s always been the case with you.So, why don’t you tell me what you know—and ask me whatever you want to know?”

“Okay.I knew I liked her for you the first time I met her.I haven’t spent much time around her yet—just a quick hello here and there—but I like what I hear about her.As for what I know, sounds like she’s on the verge of moving in with you.But then her friend came to stay and kind of scuppered your plans.”

Trip had to laugh.“Yeah, that’s about right.You’re up to speed.”

“So where is she this afternoon?Hanging out with the friend?”

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