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“By the looks of you and this condo,” he said. “I’m sure you’re laughing about that lack of respect all the way to the bank. And I don’t think you’re going to have to worry too much about your deadline over the next couple of days.”
“Why’s that?” she asked.
He carried her into a plush lobby with a large river rock fireplace, a comfortable seating area in soft greens and gold, and a row of gold-plated mailboxes in the wall that were neatly numbered.
“Because staring at tiny words on the screen is not going to be fun,” he told her. “Best thing to do is just close your eyes, embrace the ice pack, and get the sleep your body is going to demand.”
“You might be right,” she said. “I’ve never had a concussion before. I wasn’t expecting my move here to be so hazardous to my health.”
They got into the elevator and Chewy trotted in behind them, sitting politely at Colt’s feet as they made their way up to the top floor.
“Civilized dog,” she said, reaching an arm down and patting Chewy on the top of the head. “Am I getting too heavy for you?”
“Of course not,” he said. “What kind of man would I be if I admitted you were too heavy? That’s a recipe for disaster. You either poison my bagel because I called you too heavy or you question my manhood because I’m a weakling.”
“I see your point,” she said. “It is a pickle. I withdraw the question.”
“Very kind of you,” he said. “I’m assuming you have a key in that purse of yours? Or am I going to have to pick the locks?”
“A doctor who picks locks?” she asked. Her voice was slurred with exhaustion and she reminded him of a toddler who kept talking just to stay awake. “Interesting hobbies you have.”
“I also play the piano and the occasional game of golf, but my golf game leaves a lot to be desired.”
“You can’t have it all,” she said.
“Tell me about it.”
The elevator door opened into an opulent private foyer. He knew how expensive these condos were. He’d considered buying this very one for himself when Hank had given the family a tour early on in the build phase. One thing was for sure, Zoe Green had money. A lot of it.
What was a woman with her talents and resources doing in Laurel Valley? She didn’t have local family or friends, she wasn’t married, and for whatever reason she’d felt the need to reinvent herself and hit the start button on a new life. She’d used the word independence a couple of times in their short time together. What had kept her so chained that she’d yearned for freedom and independence with that kind of focused determination?
He set her gently on her feet and she removed her keys from the clip on her purse and opened the door. He followed her inside and closed the door behind him.
“Gorgeous,” he said, enjoying the view that looked out over a lake so clear it looked like glass. It was framed by white-capped mountains and towering pines. “I was almost tempted to buy this exact condo because of that view.”
“That would have thrown a wrench in my plan,” she said. “The other ones on this side have great views, but not like this. I knew the second I saw the pictures I’d do whatever it took to make it mine.”
“I’m sure Hank loved that,” Colt said. “Didn’t you have a Realtor or someone to keep you from getting taken to the cleaners?”
“Are you saying your brother is a swindler?”
“No, Hank’s as honest as they come,” Colt said immediately. “But I hope you negotiated a little. Just out of principle.”
“I offered full price right off the bat,” she said, moving toward the big L-shaped white couch in the middle of the room, but she didn’t sit down.
There were boxes stacked against all the walls, some opened, others still sealed shut, and there were no personal items set about. Living out of boxes for a week would have driven him crazy. His family—bless them—were all organized souls. His mother had taught her boys from a young age that mess belonged out in the pasture and never in the house. And heaven help them all if they tracked dirt inside or let muddy dogs run through her kitchen. They hadn’t loved those lessons as children, but Colt had to admit it had served him well through medical school and when he’d moved out on his own.
“I didn’t want to take the chance that someone might outbid me,” she said. “Besides, it’s a reasonable price compared to where I’m from. But it’s a shame we’re not neighbors. It would have made your house calls a little easier. So…why weren’t you tempted?
His gaze met hers and his breath caught in his chest. There was something electric sizzling between them, and it took every ounce of control he had not to walk over to her and see if her lips were as soft as they looked. If she’d been holding an apple he would have taken a bite and said to heck with the consequences.
He realized he was taking too long to answer and he ran back the conversation through his mind so he had a clue what she was talking about.
She arched a brow knowingly and smirked. Good. She’d felt it too. That would save some time in the future.
“Why wasn’t I tempted to take this place?” he asked. “Too much of a commitment, maybe. A place like this needs great furniture and art. It needs to be filled with music and parties and laughter. I don’t have a lot of time for that stuff. I live above the clinic. It’s more efficient and easier if I’m needed in an emergency.”
“Ahh,” she said. “I recognize another workaholic when I see one. What do you do to relax?”
