Randall Honor. Judy Christenberry

      “But Doc and Anna—”

      “Ah, well, I can’t help what they said. Doc announced to the entire town he intended to get you married to a local girl so you’d stay instead of leaving. So you’ll probably have a lot of women hitting on you. But I imagine that happens to most single doctors.”

      By the end of that speech, Jon was frowning in consternation. “I can’t believe he did that!”

      “Then you don’t know Doc. Or this community. Matchmaking is a popular pastime.”

      “I guess I’d better have a personal discussion with Doc,” Jon said grimly. “I thought it was just your family that thought—I apologize.”

      “If it will make you feel any better, Tori has told everyone she’s not interested in marrying you. I think you’re safe there.”

      It surprised Jon that Russ’s words didn’t make him feel better. “Why?”

      Russ appeared surprised, too. “Why? She didn’t say. I don’t think she’s ready to marry. She’ll only be twenty-four in September. She’s got plenty of time.”

      Jon wasn’t going to ask any more questions. He didn’t want to convince her cousin he was interested in her. “Okay, good. Now, about my bookkeeping.

      You’ll do it?”

      “No.”

      His brief answer startled Jon. “Why not?”

      “I do most of the ranching cases. I have some soft ware that Tori’s dad created. Tori does the retail stuff.

      And that includes Doc’s business. You’ll have to ask her to take you on.”

      “But I can’t—” Jon stared at Russ, not happy with the alert interest in his eyes, the smile on his lips.

      “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

      “Somewhat. I suspect Tori may enjoy it even more.

      Especially if you made her mad.”

      “Oh, yeah, I made her mad. What do I do if she turns me down?”

      “I don’t know, man. Send her flowers?”

      “But that would make people think I want to date her. Then I’m in trouble again.”

      “Yeah.” Russ’s grin grew even wider.

      Jon huffed and puffed, but Russ didn’t offer any other suggestions. Jon finally stood. “I might as well get it over with.”

      TORI WAS WORKING on the feed- and general-store books. The two sisters who owned it had signed on as customers over a year ago. Tori kept their books and issued paychecks for their employees. But she looked up when Russ’s door opened. She hadn’t forgotten who was in there with him.

      “Tori,” Russ said, a big grin on his face, “Jon wants to talk to you.”

      The look on Jon’s face didn’t say he was happy about that fact. She’d make it easy for him by turning him down at once.

      “Sorry, I’m busy right now.”

      Dead silence followed her announcement, but no one moved. Finally she looked up.

      The doctor didn’t wait for any more encouragement. “I need to ask you to take on my accounting, like you do Doc’s.”

      Tori shifted her gaze to Russ. He silently nodded, letting her know he thought it was a good idea. Of course he did! More income and no embarrassment. For him. Did he know what the doctor thought?

      “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Dr. Wilson. I get the feeling you don’t have much confidence in my abilities.” She’d worked hard to be accepted as an equal to Russ.

      “Your cousin and Doc both assure me you’re more than competent. I’d appreciate your help.”

      She drew a deep breath. “I suppose I could…as long as you realize our relationship is strictly business.” Her voice had hardened as she finished. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t nice to throw his words back in his face, but it sure felt good.

      He cleared his throat. “I think that sounds fine.”

      “Fine,” she agreed. Then she pulled a copy of a form she’d developed to set up an account. “Please fill out every blank on this form and mail it back to me. Then, at the end of each week, you’ll turn in your patient files and I’ll set it all up. I assume you’ll be using the same scale as Doc?”

      “Probably so. I’ll check with him. Can I drop this off when I’m finished? It seems silly to mail it when I live upstairs.”

      “I thought you would prefer as little contact as possible. However, if you want to shove it through the mail slot, I’ll handle it.” She would prefer not to have any contact, just so everyone in town would get the hint.

      “Thanks.” He turned around and offered his hand to Russ. Her cousin shook it and thanked him for his business. Then he turned and looked at her.

      After a moment’s hesitation, he extended his hand to her, too. “Thanks for taking me on.”

      She shook his hand reluctantly. But she would be professional. “Of course. Let me know if there are any problems.”

      With a nod, he hurried out of the office.

      “You were kind of hard on him, weren’t you?” Russ asked.

      “Do you know what he assumed when he discovered all we’d done for him?”

      Russ shrugged his shoulders, telling her nothing.

      “The arrogant man decided it was bribery to get him to marry me. It seems Mom and Doc have been pushing him in that direction!”

      “He’s not used to people being nice. He comes from Chicago. You remember, Caroline wrote Aunt B.J. about how cold and unfeeling everyone was.” Russ folded his arms across his chest. “Give him some time, Tori.”

      “He can have all the time he wants, as long as he leaves me alone. I’ve worked too hard and long to convince people I’m as competent as you and not just a dumb blonde!”

      Russ grinned. “I know. Even I didn’t believe you could convince people, because you used to be so quiet. But you’ve learned to speak up for yourself.”

      “Yes, I have. And if that man dares to question my skills in any way, I won’t be doing his accounting for him, no matter what kind of bind he’s in. Do you hear me?”

      “Yes, ma’am,” Russ agreed, still grinning. He admired Tori’s fierce determination.

      IT WAS FRIDAY, the day she normally stopped by the clinic and collected the patients’ pay sheets. She’d record the amount owed, print out a bill and mail it to the patient with a return envelope. The doctor never had to deal with the business end. It was a system that had worked well for Doc.

      After Russ had arrived, she left the office and walked the two blocks to the clinic. Usually Tori enjoyed the walk. It helped remind her that it was Friday, the start of the weekend. And the exercise felt good. Today, she prayed she’d get the information from the receptionist and not have to see the new doctor.

      “Hi, Faye,” she sang out to the receptionist. “Do you have all the papers ready?”

      “Not quite,” the receptionist said. “Dr. Jon wants to see you first. He has a question.”

      “He should’ve had you call the office. It would have saved time.”

      “It won’t take long.” As she said that, Faye picked up the phone and called the doctor. “Doctor, Tori Randall is here.”

      She hung up the phone and smiled at Tori. “You can go to his office. It’s Doc’s old one. Doc is using that little room down the hall when he’s