Jack winked. “Hey, darlin’. You look… well, you look like crap.”
She laughed, despite the turmoil in her belly placed there by the man whose stare was boring holes in her back.
“Only family would say that. Even if it’s true.” She made sure the word family could be heard by anyone within ten feet. “Speaking of family, how’s Jessie… you know my sister? Your wife?”
Jack glanced over Monica’s shoulder and offered a pained look at Trent. “You’re in so much trouble. Monica’s like a burr in a saddle when she’s mad.” Jack glanced back at Monica. “And she’s pissed.”
Monica didn’t even turn toward Trent. She grabbed Jack’s arm and pulled him out of the room and out the back door. Maybe Mr. Testosterone would get the hint and leave them alone.
Jerk.
She dragged Jack to the shade tree she’d dubbed her break room and pulled up a patch of grass. “Jessie told me you were coming. You didn’t have to search me out.”
“Jessie would skin me alive if I hadn’t checked on you personally.”
Monica smiled. Jack would do anything for her sister. “Well, I’d say it wasn’t necessary, but I’m so happy to see a familiar face I can’t tell you.”
“I don’t know how you do it, darlin’. Your sister is so proud of you. We all are. Katie wanted me to tell you there’s a spa day planned the minute you get home.”
Katie was Jack’s sister, and although not truly Monica’s sister-in-law, she might as well be. “Tell her I’m counting on it. Looks like I may have all kinds of time on my hands when I get home.”
“Oh… why’s that?”
“It’s complicated. My boss took me off the schedule. She’s always looked for a reason to fire me.”
Jack’s dimpled smile fell. “She what?”
Monica waved off his concern. “I’m sure it will be fixed when I get back.” She wasn’t sure of anything.
“Who would fire a nurse who rips apart their life to do this?” He tossed his hand in the air and indicated all the people, the tents, the destruction.
“It will be fine.”
“I have lawyers—”
“And I’ll let you sic them on her if she tries to make my termination stick. Let me try it my way first.” Good lord what a switch in her life. In Jessie’s life. Neither of them could count on a man for anything growing up. Monica knew that Jack didn’t offer empty promises and if his father, Gaylord Morrison, got word of Monica’s problem, the whole damn hospital would have lawyers crawling all over it.
“Just say the word.”
Monica had liked Jack from the minute she met him. He was perfect for her sister. “I will.”
Jack leaned back on his arms and nodded toward the clinic. “So, what’s with you and Fairchild?”
“Fairchild?”
“Trent.”
“Oh, is that his last name?”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “You’re kissing the man and don’t know his name?”
She kicked his leg. “One kiss. And names are… useless here.” Yet Trent had driven back yesterday just to learn hers.
“Still think you should know his name first. Makes a man feel used otherwise.”
Monica busted out in a belly laugh. “Men love being used for kissing.”
“Not that one. He didn’t seem happy to think you might have someone else.”
“Yeah, well… it’s not like he has a right to own a jealousy card. We just met.”
Jack flicked off an insect that had crawled up on his leg. “That doesn’t always matter. Just thinking of Jessie looking at another man was an issue the day after we met.”
“That was different.”
“Oh, why?”
“I don’t know. It just was.” Jack and Jessie were meant to be forever. Monica didn’t think that was out there for her. She had serious trust issues and was the first to admit it. “Enough about him. Tell me about Danny. Is he riding that colt yet?”
Her nephew was a constant source of chatter in the family. The kid loved life and was happier on a ranch than any kid could be.
They talked about home for a while longer and then Jack started to stand. “I told my pilot we’d get out of here before dark.”
She stood and hugged him again. “Send my love. And tell Jessie I looked great or she’ll worry.”
“You look tired.”
“I’m exhausted. But it won’t last forever. I’ll get some sleep soon. Don’t worry.”
He looked around at the people that were everywhere and in every state of dress. No shoes, clothes that looked as if they’d been worn for days. “If you need a fast exit, I’ll send a plane.”
“Thanks, Jack. It makes me feel better about being here knowing someone’s watching my back.”
“You can be just as big of a pain in the ass as Katie. Might as well treat you both the same.”
He didn’t mean a word of it, and Monica knew it. He draped his arm around her and walked her back inside the clinic.
Trent had pulled up a chair and was sitting by the door, waiting.
Monica hesitated.
“I’ll wait for you at your car,” Jack said. He kissed Monica’s cheek. “Bye darlin’. You be careful.”
“I will.”
Jack swaggered out the door.
Trent stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I guess I owe you an apology.”
She leveled her eyes with his. “I guess you do.”
“I’m taking your brother-in-law back to the airport. I’ll be back to get you out of here.”
“I’m busy—”
“According to Tauni, they have enough help tonight so you can get out of here. You’ll get sick yourself at this pace.”
“Fine.” She was too tired to argue. “Now, about that apology…”
His eyes walked a slow dance down her frame and back up. Her skin stood on end as if he’d touched her. He leaned forward, placed his lips close to her ear. “My apology needs privacy.”
He walked away… again… with her rooted in one spot staring.
Anticipation shivered up her spine.
Chapter Eleven
“I feel I need to say something here,” Jack said as Trent shook his hand for the last time.
“How about thank you?”
Jack lifted a brow and tilted his Stetson back an inch. “Monica’s like a sister to me.”