âAre you sure youâre okay?â Gavin asked.
The skin on Violetâs arm was as pink as her face. She sat up. He couldnât help but note the rise and fall of her chest beneath her shirt.
Oblivious to the sexy direction of his thoughts, she scoffed playfully. âYou mean aside from my wounded pride?â
He grinned at her and sank down on the bed. He still felt the drumbeat of arousal. Winking, he teased back, âI kind of like you as a damsel in distress.â
She crossed her arms over her breasts. âYouâre so funny.â
He shifted closer. âIâm serious, Violet.â
Her heart raced. She didnât know whether it was the fact they were suddenly both in the oddly unexpected situation that had them responsible for the future of baby Ava, or the fact that he wasâand always had beenâso damn sexy.
Chapter One
âSo itâs true? Youâre really going to do this?â
Violet McCabe swung toward the sound of the low, gravelly voice. Gavin Monroe stood framed in the open doorway of the partially converted stable-house, dark brows lowered over his mesmerizing blue eyes.
âDo what?â she parried back, trying not to be swayed by the determination radiating from his tall, masculine frame or the sensual curve of his lips. âGo glamping for the next three months?â She was baiting her ruggedly confident colleague. âOr say no to the attending-physician position at Laramie Community Hospital?â One of two positions that had been offered to her.
Gavin strode closer, all indomitable male. âBoth.â
Pulse jumping, she watched as his gaze swept the exposed wooden beams supporting the high pitched roof and the large ceiling fan whirring overheard. Then it moved downward to take in the autumn sunlight pouring in through the windows of the rustic, cement-floored space she was about to call home.
âGlamping is going to be fun.â She pointed to the Conestoga wagon that would serve as her bedroom. The area in front, which held a couple of braided wool rugs and her living and dining room furniture, would comprise her entertaining space. To one side of that was a hallway that led to a small utilitarian bathroom with shower, sink and commode.
On the other side of the sliding, front barn doors was her camp kitchen.
âYou think so now.â He walked closer to the metal sink, antique wooden worktable and shelving unit. âBut when you tire of such a primitive setup...â
When it came to cooking for one, Violet knew there was little she couldnât do here. Except maybe entertain her parents, five sisters and four brothers-in-law and all their kids.
She shrugged and stepped close enough to inhale the crisp male scent of his cologne. âThen Iâll go into town or visit friends and family.â She had plenty living in the area.
He folded his arms across his brawny chest. âWe need you at the hospital.â
And she needed a new lease on life, more desperately than anyone knew.
Feeling simultaneously flattered and annoyed, Violet swallowed. âGavin, weâve been over this.â More than once, as it happens, over the past year. With the same result.
He nodded tersely. âYouâve talked. Iâve listened.â
And never once believed she was serious, she thought with a beleaguered sigh. âYou know why I canât stay on at LCH.â There was too much scrutiny here, too many people wondering if she would ever get past her grief over her late fiancé or be able to move on the way they wished. Too many people hell-bent on helping her do just that. Including and especially Gavin.
He called on the rapport theyâd built as casual friends and coworkers. âWhat I know is that youâre making a mistake.â
This had a familiar ring. Her parents had said the same thing. Only her five sisters seemed to understand her need to reset the clock and strike out on her own again. âItâs mine to make,â she said just as stubbornly. âI need a fresh start, Gavin.â
Tension filled the silence between them.
His lips thinned. âThis is about Sterling, then.â
And the secret unrequited lust I feel for you.