The Doctor's Cowboy. Trish Milburn

      “Nice image.”

      She gave a little bow. “Thank you, thank you very much.”

      “You make a habit of this, then?”

      “I’ve been known to spend extra time with patients, watch a movie or two, hand out cupcakes from time to time. I’m probably too softhearted.”

      “No, it’s great. More doctors should be that way.”

      “There are lots of doctors who care or they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing, especially in small communities like this.”

      “But do they bring their patients dinner or sit and watch TV with them?”

      “Well, no, but I understand the need for distance, especially if you want a long career. Lots of people we see don’t make it, and it carves a little part out of you if you’ve allowed yourself to get close to them.”

      “But you do it anyway.”

      Chloe twirled her fork in her mashed potatoes. “I can’t seem to help it.”

      When Wyatt didn’t say anything in response, she looked up to find him staring at her as if he’d just stumbled upon the eighth wonder of the world. He seemed to realize he was staring and shifted his gaze back to his food.

      “I’m surprised a doctor would bring me fried food.”

      “You shouldn’t eat it every day, but sometimes you just need comfort food. Like when I get sick, I’m going to eat some chicken and dumplings, carbs be damned.”

      When they both finished their meals, Chloe tossed the containers in the trash. She didn’t resume her seat on the edge of the bed, but she picked up the crossword book and flipped through the pages. Wyatt had already completed a dozen of the puzzles.

      “Don’t look so surprised,” he said.

      “What?”

      He pointed toward the book. “You looked surprised I’d done any of those.”

      “You just haven’t had the book that long.”

      “And a rodeo cowboy should have a lot harder time with it?”

      She set the book down on the table and crossed her arms. “That is not what I meant at all. For all I know, there are Mensa members who ride bucking horses and chess champions who do tie-down roping. I think lots of people have hidden talents.”

      “What’s yours?” He appeared to be having a hard time hiding a mischievous grin.

      “I’ll have you know that I’m the family Scrabble champ and have been since I was twelve.”

      “Yeah? Maybe you should broaden your competition.”

      “Is that a challenge, Mr. Kelley?”

      “Only if you’re willing to accept it, Dr. Brody.”

      “Then I guess you’ll have to do everything you’re told so you can get better and we can have a Scrabble duel before you leave.” She took a step back from the side of Wyatt’s bed. “And speaking of leaving, I really am going home this time.”

      “If you’re bored on your days off, you know where I’ll be.”

      She couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

      When she stepped out of the room, she nearly collided with Sophie, who was wearing a too-happy smile. “Dr. Brody.”

      Chloe did her best not to utter an “oh, crap” at how loaded those two words from Sophie’s mouth were. She remembered their earlier conversation about the matchmaking pool and wondered if she’d just opened herself up to a full-on assault by Verona Charles and her determination to make sure everyone in Blue Falls got paired up to live happily ever after.

      Perhaps the bigger danger was how much a part of Chloe liked that idea.