Page 76 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
I looked up, then back to my dirt, shoving in a red petunia. “Working.”
“And last night? I was fucking worried, Maisy.”
“How is that rider? Is he okay?”
“He’s going to be fine. Now answer my question. Where have you been?” His shadow changed and I looked up again. His arms were hanging by his sides and his face was etched with worry.
I ignored the pang of guilt and dug another hole. “I was at Mom and Dad’s.”
“And they don’t have cell service? Why didn’t you answer when I called?”
“I needed some time alone to think.”
“To think? About what?”
I stuck my trowel into the dirt and stood and pulled off my green garden gloves. “You’re a doctor.”
“Yeah. So what?”
“So what?” I mimicked. “In all this time, you didn’t think to tell me about your work?”
“You were a nurse, Blondie. I can’t talk about work. Patient confidentiality? The Hippocratic oath? Doctors kind of have to abide by that.”
“You should have told me. I had to learn about it from my friends.”
“I thought you knew. You know everything else about the people of this town. I assumed you knew I was the new doctor too. I mean, you talk to Gigi all the time. How did I never come up?”
Because I’d kept him a secret. “Well . . . it just didn’t.” My arms flailed as my voice got louder. “And you never brought it up. You never bring anything up! And since I promised not to be nosy, I don’t know anything about you.”
He frowned. “Yes, you do. You know a lot about me. Maybe not every detail from my childhood but you know the important things. Me being a doctor doesn’t change that.”
“It does.” I planted my hands on my hips. “Hunter, I can’t be with a doctor.”
“What?” He was looking at me like I was crazy. “You’re fucking kidding, right? This is a joke?”
“I’m not dating a doctor. Not again.”
His jaw clenched. “I am not Everett.”
“Well, you sure have a lot in common.” My arms were flailing again. “He was the master of secrecy and you’re just as bad.”
“Don’t hold his shit over my head.” Hunter pointed at my chest. “I promised that I’d tell you everything and I will. I just need time.”
My heart was racing as the words came pouring out. “Time. More time. Time to what? Time to use me for sex, then cut me out when you’ve had your fill? Time to work your way into my son’s heart, then break it when you decide to leave? No, that won’t work for me. We need to be done. I want to be done. We need to end this now before Coby gets hurt.”
“Where the fuck is this coming from, Maisy? This is all because I’m a doctor? Because I have the same profession as the fucking asshole from your past? That’s bullshit and you know it. This is you running scared and comparing me to Everett.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t about me. This is about you.”
“The fuck it is. I am not Everett!” he roared.
“Then who are you!” I yelled back.
Hunter’s anger vanished. “I’m the man falling in love with you, Maisy. I’m the man falling in love with your son.”
Tears pooled as I whispered, “It’s too familiar. I can’t be with another doctor who keeps secrets.”
“I get that, but I’m asking you to take a leap of faith with me. Trust me with your heart.”
