Page 49 of Love Me Sweet

Hers contained business news too, as well as family updates. If only their father could see that Corinne was the perfect person to take the company to new heights in the twenty-first century.

The rest of the emails he skimmed, then set aside the laptop, leaned back against the plush leather and sipped his wine.

The evening, prior to the return home, had gone better than he’d anticipated. In fact, he’d had high hopes that the night would end with her sharing his bed. Instead, all the talking they’d been doing had yielded an unexpected result.

She didn’t trust him. In fact, had never trusted him.

The realization was like a knife to the heart. He’d never given her any reason to distrust his word or his feelings for her, yet there was no denying the fact.

He was almost positive that the distrust was part of the reason she left. Despite the ring on her finger, the promises they’d made to each other, she hadn’t trusted he loved her. Likely she thought he’d get tired of her and move on. Just as her mother and father had all those years ago.

There was probably more to her leaving than that, although this lack of trust seemed more than enough reason. When he found himself attempting to figure out a way to build that trust, he reined in the impulse by reminding himself that he’d come to Jackson Hole to get to know Sylvie. The purpose in getting to know her was so he could accept he hadn’t known the woman he thought he love.

That fact had been shoved in his face tonight. He should be able to go home knowing she’d never trusted him.

But knowing wasn’t enough to give him peace. He needed more. And he would get more. From where he sat, there was a still a lot for him to know about Sylvie Thorne.

* * *

Though sorely tempted to tell Sylvie he was going to sleep in, Andrew dragged himself up and went with her to the bakery, then rode with her while they delivered baked goods to all of her clients.

“Instead of hanging around here, I’m going to the Health Center and see how the Grand Opening is going. If they’re swamped, I may stick around and lend a hand.” Andrew kept his tone polite.

They’d been very polite all morning.

“That’s fine.” Sylvie pulled the van into its parking spot. “I have a lot of prep work to do before tomorrow.”

He must have looked blank, because she smiled. “The Taste of the Tetons.”

“That’s right.” For some reason he’d forgotten all about the open-air tasting fair on Sunday. “Text when you get done and we can find a time to meet.”

The smile she flashed him didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Sounds like a plan.”

Andrew got in his car but, before instead of heading to the clinic he stopped by the gallery and picked up his purchase. Only after safely storing it in the spare bedroom at home, did he turn the car in the direction of the clinic.

As the parking lot was full, he was forced to find a space down the road. He discovered part of the reason for the congested lot was Cole’s coffee cart and a bouncy house for kids.

If the purpose of the Grand Opening was to draw out the citizens of Jackson Hole, it appeared the efforts had been a success. Even as Andrew strolled to the beverage cart, the physician in him wondered how things were progressing on the inside.

Before he got close to the cart, Keenan appeared out of the crowd. “Mitzi will be happy to see you.”

Immediately, Andrew went on alert. “What’s the problem?”

“Too many patients.” Keenan flashed a grin. “Too few doctors. Did you mean what you said about wanting to help?”

“Absolutely.” Even as he spoke, Andrew turned toward the front door.

“Not that way.” Keenan steered him around back to an unmarked door. He unlocked it and motioned Andrew inside.

The entrance opened into the back-office area.

Andrew stepped into a beehive, a well-organized beehive to be sure, but one alive with activity. Doctors in lab coats and nurses in brightly colored uniforms wove in and out of exam and treatment rooms with quick steps.

“Dr. McGregor.” Keenan called out to his wife when she stepped from a room. “Look what I brought you. Fresh meat and he’s ready and willing to help.”

“I owe you.” Her gaze locked with her husband’s.

“I’ll figure out a way you can repay me.” The suggestive edge to his voice wasn’t lost on any of them.

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