Page 97 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

"All I want you to do is go sit down and enjoy your wine."

He picked up his glass."I reckon I can manage that."

Once he was seated again and she had her back turned, she said, "I got the ad finished this afternoon.I can show you later if you like."

That brought a smile to his face."That's okay.I don't think we'll need it."

She spun around."Trip, I..."

He held his hand up to stop her."Don't worry.I'm not saying that I expect you to stay.I know you want to be done with me as soon as possible."

She stalked across the kitchen toward him and came to stand between his legs, resting her hands on his shoulders and pressing a kiss to his lips.

"I hope you're just teasing me.You know I don't want to be done with you—only with the job."

He chuckled and kissed her back.

"I do.And I wasn't even teasing.It was just a careless choice of words on my part.What I should have said is that I know you've stayed longer than you really wanted to, just to help me out.And I know you're eager to start working with Jim."

She nodded."That's right."

"When I said I don't think we'll need the ad, what I meant is...I might have found someone.Well, Emmett suggested it."

"Who?"

"I don't know if you know her—Brooke.She's younger, the same age as Laney and Janey, I think.She works all kinds of jobs.I don't know how much office work she's done, but she's smart.And she's good with people."

Shelley smiled."I do know Brooke.In fact, she was one of the first people I got to know here in town.She works at the gas station by the grocery store."

"That's her."

“Her brother’s one of your gang of friends, isn’t he?”

"Yeah.Blane.Although he doesn't come home too often.He's like Mav — he works with Mav and Cash."

Shelley looked thoughtful."You know what?That might be a really good idea.Like you said, Brooke’s good with people.She's very bright.It always surprised me that she was working at the gas station.But..."

Trip chuckled."That girl has worked every job you can think of — and a few that you wouldn't think of for someone like her."

When Shelley gave him a puzzled look, he chuckled again.

"Well, more like jobs that Blane hates to think about her doing.She was working overnight at the gas station for a while there — but Blane put a stop to that.She was delivering pizzas for a while, too."

"Oh no," Shelley said."She's got so much more about her.She could easily do the receptionist job.Have you spoken to her?"

"No.I thought I'd give her a call tomorrow, but I wanted to talk to you first.How hard do you think it would be to train her?"

"Not hard at all.She's bright.I think she'd pick it up in no time.And if you know her and get along with her, that'll be a big part of it."

He curled his arms around her waist and drew her closer.

"I think so too."He pressed a kiss to her lips."It won't be the same as having you there."

"I know.But since we have to find a replacement for me, I think Brooke could be a good fit."

He shook his head adamantly.

"What?"she asked with a small smile."What did I say wrong?"

---