Page 22 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
She hurried across the parking lot and into the reception area.Brooke looked up from the desk and smiled when she saw her."Oh, hey, Harper.How was New York?Did you have a great time?"
"I did, thanks.It was good to be back there.But it's even better to be back here again."
"Oh, I'm so glad you feel that way.I didn't know if you'd want to come back.I mean, New York's pretty different from here, isn't it?"
"It couldn't be more different," Harper agreed."But I do love it here."
She grinned at Shelley, who came out of the back carrying two mugs."Oh, hey, Harps.I didn't know if I should make you a drink or not."She set Brooke's down in front of her.
"I'm okay, thanks.I don't need one.Like I said, I only wanted to stop in and catch up with you.I won't keep you for long."
"You guys can go in the back, you know," said Brooke."I'm fine out here."
Shelley laughed."I know that.The job's all yours now.I know you don't need me anymore.I'm only here to hang out."
Brooke had taken over from Shelley as Trip's receptionist.And even though she'd never worked an office job before, she was doing great.
Brooke smiled."I'm not trying to get rid of you or anything.I'd love to listen in on your gossip if you want, but I figured the two of you might want a private conversation."
When Shelley raised her eyebrows at Harper, looking a little guilty, Brooke chuckled."See, that's what I mean."
Harper laughed with her."Okay, maybe we'll have a quick chat before I leave, but what about you, Brooke?How are things in your world?"
"Everything's great, thanks.I love working here.It's made my life so much easier."
"And mine," Shelley added.
"Yeah, I think it worked out for both of us, didn't it?"Brooke agreed."And that's about all that's going on in my...Oh no, wait, my big brother's home.Did you know that?"
"Oh, that's right.Blane's your brother, isn't he?He and Mav have moved back here?"
"Yeah.I thought Blane might move back into the house with me, but he says we're both better off if he stays down at Mav's ranch with the rest of the guys.That's the way they like to work things, so that if they get called away on a job at short notice, they’re all ready to go.But at least I get to see him more this way than I have for the last several years."
Harper was curious whether Brody's interest in Brooke was a mutual thing."I would have thought you'd be pleased about that.I mean, would you really want your big brother in the house?When you..."She paused."I don't know, do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."Brooke shook her head a little too rapidly.
"No one special?"Harper pushed.
Shelley shot her a warning look.
Brooke's cheeks were red when she looked up."You know, don't you?"
Harper wasn't about to lie to her."I don'tknow, but I have an idea and I'm curious.But at the same time, if you don't want me to know, tell me to butt out and I will."
"See, I think that's why you fit in so well around here," said Brooke."You get straight to the point and you're upfront about it."She glanced at Shelley."Youknow, so I guess there's no harm in me saying anything, is there?"She turned back to Harper."But first, just out of curiosity, what do you think you know?"
"About you and Brody?"
"Yeah."Brooke let out a breath."I mean, there is no me and Brody and there probably never will be but..."
"Why not?"asked Harper."He seems like a great guy to me."
She exchanged a quick smile with Shelley over the dreamy look Brooke got in her eyes when she said, "Oh, he is.He's amazing."Then she sat up a little straighter, pulling herself together.
"But what?"asked Harper."Sorry, I know I shouldn't push, but I'm curious.I really like him.He seems like a great catch.I had lunch with him and his brothers yesterday."
"Oh, so you've met Brooks then?"
