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“They look a lot alike.”Chelsea nodded as she started cutting the chicken. “They all resemble each other. The sister is dainty and a blonde, and the younger brother has light-brown hair, but you’d still know they were all from the same family. You’ll see tomorrow. And,” Chelsea added, “I’ve heard Anna is actually going to be there. I haven’t met her yet. I’m glad to see you and Rand are getting along great.”“Don’t start putting us together. Remember there’s a third, his fiancée.”“Not for long. See if I’m not right. Here, whip up the potatoes. I’ll put the chicken on the table.”Dinner was delicious, and Marian enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the three others at the table. When Rand excused himself to leave, Marian said she’d go, too. “It’s been a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Wait, I’ll get my flashlight and walk you to the cabin.” Dirk started out of the kitchen.“I’ll drive her,” Rand said.“Good idea.” Chelsea put her arm around Dirk, who’d come back to her side.R
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Marian got into the back of Dirk’s truck.“I don’t mind riding in the back,” Chelsea said. “You’re our guest. Dirk can point out places of interest.”“You said it wasn’t far. I’ll be fine. I’m not going to split up the lovebirds,” she teased.Chelsea got in the front, and Dirk went around to the driver’s seat. He glanced in the backseat at Marian.“You met most of my family at our wedding, but today you’ll have more time to get to know them all.”“I’m looking forward to it.” She sat back to enjoy the ride. Her throat tightened. She tried not to be envious of her best friend’s life. Chelsea was lucky. She had a hunky husband and was expecting their baby.Chelsea glanced around from the front to see Marian. “It’s quiet back there.” “I’m enjoying the view. I like this open country.”“Great. Maybe you’ll settle here.”“Remember, no matchmaking,” Marian reminded her.“That’s like asking my darling wife to sew her lips shut. She’ll never be able to keep that promise.” Chelsea laughed and sw
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Rand seldom got mad, but fury swept through him. He took a deep breath before answering. “Sit down,” he ordered.“I’ll do as I want.”“Please sit down.” He kept his voice level but firm. Something in his tone must have got through to her. She sat. “First, I have no idea why you slapped me. If you do it again, this conversation is over before it starts. Second, we are hardly engaged. You wanted time and to end it yourself. I’ve given you months. I’m out of patience. Our engagement is ending now, today.”“Hah, because I saw what you really are and called you on it. You’ve been cheating on me this whole time.”“And what do you use as proof? The fact I talked with another woman.” “I saw the way you looked at her.”His harsh laugh had her looking at him, puzzled. “I’ve never even kissed her. I wanted to, but I remembered our agreement. I think you’re throwing these accusations around because of your guilt. I’d bet you’ve been hunting for another husband and cheated on me.”The quick flush
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The lights she’d left on outside the cabin and inside by the front window welcomed them when they arrived.“Thank you for driving me back.” Her hand went to the door handle. “Aren’t you going to invite me inside? I’d love a cup of fresh coffee.”“Rand, tonight you broke your engagement. I don’t intend to be a quick fix for you suddenly feeling lonely and horny. Give yourself some time to regroup.”“I’ve had months. I tried to end it before I moved here. We waited to give her time to get used to the idea. I had dropped a sudden surprise on her when I decided to be a country doctor.” He leaned forward again.Marian stopped him with her hand on his chest. “Still, you need time.”“I’m working and on call the rest of the week. Dr. Neels and his wife are going on a three-day cruise.”“Good. It will keep you busy.” Marian opened the truck door and ran to the cabin. When she slipped inside, she lay against the closed door and listened to him drive off.Her body had shouted “yes, yes, yes” at
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Visiting the Nettles had gone well. The pizza they bought scented the truck with the wonderful fragrance of warm bread and melted cheese. Marian called to reassure Chelsea that Rand was bringing her home and they were having dinner at the cabin.Marian opened the front door, and Rand followed, carrying the pizza. On the table was a chocolate cake, a tall pitcher of iced tea, and an unlit candle. A small note read, “Have Fun.”Rand put the pizza on the counter, and Marian stuck the tea in the fridge.They looked at each other. She wet her lips, and Rand’s eyes darkened.“I suppose we must be civilized and eat first. The pizza is hot. But then I’m not very hungry.” He walked toward her. “What do you think?” he asked as he reached her. “Shall we start with dessert?” His fingers undid her first button. “Perhaps if we took care of this other hunger first, we might be more ready to eat.”Rising on her tiptoes, Marian brushed her lips across his sensual mouth. Her breasts touched his hard ch
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The office phone rang. “Dr. Brodie’s office,” Marian said.“You sound so professional. Look, I’m feeling good. So I thought we’d go to Wagon Wheel for the rest of the afternoon. It’s bigger than Frontier City. They have a movie theater.”“We can have a real girl’s day out. I’ll be through here in about thirty minutes.”“I’ll pick you up.”Rand had walked up behind her. She sensed anytime he was close.“Are you going out with Chelsea? Remember, tonight I’m paying you with a fancy dinner.”“Yes, we’re going to Wagon Wheel. It’ll be fun. I don’t know when we’ll get back. You don’t have to pay me with dinner. I was teasing.”“I insist. If not tonight, then tomorrow. Thanks for all your help this week. I don’t keep the office open on the weekend, but can you fill in next week, too? Eloise hopefully will be back after that.”He’d treated her like an employee all week since the night he’d left her cabin. He was pleasant, smiled, and was appreciative of her work, but nothing personal slipped
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Chelsea left Marian at the cabin. “Sure you don’t want to join us later?” “Thanks, but I’m tired. See you tomorrow.”Marian had barely put on her lights when the phone rang. “Hello.”“You’re back.” Rand’s deep voice vibrated from her ear down her body. “I wondered if you were too tired to go for a ride. Unless you’d rather do a late dinner tonight.”“I’d like the ride.”“I’ll be right there.” The phone went dead.She rushed to shower and changed into casual slacks and a white sweater. She’d save the gold one for the dance. The truck door slammed as she finished combing her hair out. A spritz of perfume and she was ready at his knock.Her mind told her she was a fool. But her body didn’t listen.When she opened the door, Rand stepped inside and pulled her to him. He kissed her mouth like a thirsty man taking his first drink in a long time. His tongue tangled with hers as his fingers slid through her hair.He pull
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“You’ve found two good parcels of land,” Rand’s mom said as he drove her home. “My only concern is, have you been on the job long enough to know for certain it will be your life’s work? I love having you close, but doctoring in the country is difficult and challenging. You don’t need the money. Your inheritance has grown, as all of ours have, thanks to Clay. Still, you’d make much more in a big city.”“Mom, I’m sure.”She studied him for a minute. “You were always that way. Once you made up your mind you didn’t change it. You have an innate way of knowing what’s best for you. Well, except for women. I’m not sure what you were thinking when you proposed to Anna. A nice lady but not the right one for you.”“You weren’t sorry I ended the engagement?” Rand grinned at her. “Not one iota. Choose more carefully the next time.”“Dad said he fell in love with you the first time you smiled at him.”She smiled and patted his arm. “He did, and I did.
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