Triplets For The Texan. Janice Maynard

      “Actually,” he said with a weary grin, “I’m going to be your neighbor. I’ll be closing on the brick colonial down the road soon.”

      “Oh.” She knew the house well. It was less than half a mile from her place. Was that a coincidence?

      Hutch shrugged. “I’m too old for bachelor digs. I wanted to put down roots.”

      “No more Doctors Without Borders?”

      “I don’t think so. It’s a young man’s game. I gave it more than five years of my life. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, but it was time to come home.”

      “I’m sure your parents are delighted.” Hutch’s mother and father were both lawyers. They had raised their son to believe he could be or do anything he wanted. Hutch had excelled all the way through school, despite the occasional run-ins with bullies.

      “They were over the moon when they heard.”

      “Must be nice. My mom and dad drop by only when they want to lecture me about something. Of course, you probably remember that.” Her parents had been none too thrilled about their only daughter dating someone they hadn’t handpicked for her. Neither Hutch nor Simone had let the veiled disapproval dissuade them.

      Remembering the passionate affair and its inevitable end was something Simone managed to avoid. Mostly. But with Hutch in her kitchen, the memories came crashing back.

      The two of them had met at a party at the Cattleman’s Club. Simone had been barely twenty-two and ready to fall in love. The town had thought she was promiscuous—still did—but that was a facade she hid behind. If people wanted to look down their noses at her, she wasn’t going to stop them.

      Being introduced to Troy Hutchinson by a mutual acquaintance had been kismet. The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew he was the one. Though he was ridiculously handsome, it was his quiet, steady intelligence that drew her in. Hutch was no callow boy looking for an easy lay.

      He had talked to her, listened to her opinions. Danced with her. Laughed at her jokes. And in a secluded corner outside the club, he had kissed her. Even now she could remember everything about that magical moment. The way he smelled of lime and starched cotton. The sensation of feeling small and protected, though she was more than capable of taking care of herself. He was taller than she was and extremely fit, which made sense, of course, for someone who had devoted himself to the pursuit of medicine.

      “Simone? Hello in there...”

      Suddenly he was standing in front of her, his smile quizzical. “You’ve been stirring that cup of coffee for a long time.”

      Heat flooded her cheeks. Did he know what she was thinking? Could he read her mind?

      “Here,” she said. “I fixed it the way you like it. Strong enough to peel paint and enough sugar to give you cavities.”

      He took the cup and sipped slowly, his eyes closing in bliss. “Now this is good coffee. Might even compete with the real stuff in Africa.”

      “I’m sure not everything was great. As I recall, you were a meat-and-potatoes guy, too. Not much prime beef where you were, I’d say.”

      “You’re right, of course. I lost twenty pounds after I arrived in Sudan and never quite gained it back.”

      “Let’s take our drinks into the den.” She grabbed a package of cookies out of the cabinet and led the way. Hutch chose a wing-backed chair near the dormant fireplace. Simone claimed one end of the sofa.

      He sat back with a sigh, balancing his cup on his flat abdomen. “You’ve done well for yourself, Simone. I’m proud of you. Everyone in town sings your praises—well, your ad agency’s praises,” he clarified.

      “That might be a stretch, but thanks. Hard work and a dollop of luck.”

      “I always knew you’d make your mark in Royal.”

      She frowned. Her ambition had been partly the cause of their breakup, but not from her perspective. She hadn’t wanted to stand in the way of Hutch’s dreams. When he’d offered to wait on Africa until her agency was established, she had insisted he should go. Hutch read that as a rejection. He thought she cared more about her business and money than about him. Stupid man.

      Still, that was a long time ago.

      For several long minutes they drank their coffee in silence. She was tired and queasy and sad. Seeing Hutch again was a painful reminder of how many times in her life she had made mistakes.

      Would she ever learn?

      At last, the silence became unbearable. She set her cup on a side table. “I think you should go now,” she said. “I don’t feel very well. I’d like to rest. And if I’m being honest, I’d rather not have people see your car in front of my house.”

       Three

      Hutch grimaced. Her words stung, even though they gave him an easy out.

      He had told himself he was indifferent to Simone now, but in his gut he knew the truth. The first moment he laid eyes on her in that exam room a week ago, he’d felt the same dizzying punch of desire he’d always experienced when he was with her.

      Panic swept through him like a sickening deluge. He couldn’t do that again. Not after what had happened in Sudan. It was better that Simone knew the score.

      She lost patience with his lack of verbal response. “If you have something to say, say it. I’ve had a long, stressful day, and I want to take a bath and get into bed.”

      I’d like to join you... His subconscious was honest and uncomfortable.

      The dark shadows beneath her beautiful eyes reminded him she was in a fragile state, both mentally and physically.

      The fact that he wanted so badly to hold her told him he had to protect himself.

      He stood and paced, his hands jammed in his pockets. “I understand why you want me to move my car. Now that I’m back in town and we’re both still single, the gossip mill will undoubtedly have us hooking up any day now. People may even say your triplets are mine.”

      Simone swallowed visibly. “Gossip isn’t reality.”

      “Maybe not. But I have to be up front with you. I’m not willing to get involved in a relationship.”

      She was pale and silent, her sapphire-eyed stare judging him. “I don’t recall asking you to. But to clarify, is your distaste for romance because of our past?”

      “Not entirely. I fell in love with a fellow doctor while I was in Sudan. Her name was Bethany.”

      For a split second, he could swear he saw anguish in Simone’s eyes. But if it was there, she recovered quickly.

      “You said was? Past tense?”

      He nodded jerkily. “She died two years ago. Cut her foot on a rock. Doctors make the worst patients, you know. She didn’t tell any of us how serious it was. Ended up with sepsis. I couldn’t save her.” Even now the memory sickened him.

      Simone leaned forward. “I am so sorry, Hutch.”

      Her sympathy should have soothed him. Instead, it made him feel guilty. “I’ll always be fond of you, Simone...and I’ll care about you. But I need you to know that’s all it will be.”

      She blinked. “I see.”

      “I suppose you think I’m assuming a hell of a lot to think you would even be interested after all this time.”

      “Not at all. You’re a gorgeous man. With a kind heart. I’m sure I won’t be the only woman in Royal who appreciates your sterling qualities.”

      “Aw, hell. You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”