The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) by Anne Marie Novark Page B

see what they had. Research, you know."
    Cameron ran his hand over the MRI unit. "You
did well. Very well."
    "Thanks. Let me show you the rest."
    The industrial grade carpet muted their
footsteps as Jessie gave him the tour of the three examination
rooms, a small lab to study blood and urine samples, a spacious
office for the doctor, a lunchroom and laundry room.
    After making the entire circuit, they ended
back in the reception area. The dark green Formica counters gleamed
brightly. Two brand new computers stood waiting on the desks. A
large copy machine was flanked by a wall filled with multicolored
files.
    "So, what do you think?" Jessie asked.
    Cameron ran his hand over the wall files,
then turned toward her. " Wow is what I say . You have
everything but the doctors, nurses and patients. I can't imagine
what advice you need from me."
    Jessie leaned a hip on the counter and
crossed her arms. "Now that you've seen the clinic, I was hoping
you could recommend a doctor who might be willing to relocate and
practice rural medicine. Or maybe tell me how to go about finding
such a doctor. The pay's not great and a lot of the patients will
be self-employed and won't have insurance."
    Cameron could just imagine the waiting room
full of farmers and ranchers, their wives and children, the quiet
hum of conversation, the rustle of magazines being read by people
waiting their turn to see the doctor.
    He could picture the bustle of the staff,
taking calls and filling out reports. Nurses weighing in patients
and escorting them to the examination rooms.
    And surprisingly, Cameron could see himself
wearing his white coat with a stethoscope around his neck,
listening to patients' hearts and looking in ears and throats.
Making quick diagnoses and writing prescriptions. Happily
practicing medicine and not worrying about hospital politics. Hell,
maybe even having time for a social life.
    With Jessie.
    "Cameron? Can you recommend anyone?" Her
soft voice jerked him from his daydreams.
    He exhaled a long breath. "I'll ask around
and see if anyone might be interested. Give me a little time." It
wouldn't do to tell her he was interested. He wasn't certain he was
ready to make such a radical switch in his career. He wasn't
certain of a lot of things, lately.
    "Thanks," she said with a smile.
    After looking around one last time, Cameron
followed Jessie out of the building. The brisk wind knocked off his
Stetson. He caught it before it tumbled to the ground.
    Jessie chuckled as she stood by his car.
That familiar heat simmered low in his belly. He was aware of her
green eyes on him as he opened the car door. Yeah, he wanted her.
But he also wanted something more.
    Somewhere along the way and through the
years, he'd gotten off track. He'd turned into someone he didn't
know. Someone he didn't really like.
    Coming back home, seeing Jess again, and
touring the clinic made Cameron decide that it was definitely time
for a new plan.
    ****
    The ride back to the garage was a quiet one.
The silence in the car hung heavy. Showing Cameron the clinic had
reminded Jessie of one of her most secret wishes. At first, she'd
wanted the clinic built to assuage some of the guilt she felt about
her husband. She'd thought a clinic with a doctor and nurse on
staff could help save lives and that would make up for her ruining
TR's life.
    Okay, maybe she hadn't really ruined his
life. But Jess felt she'd taken more from the marriage than her
fair share. She'd failed to give TR the children he longed for. And
she hadn't loved him as she should have. Building the clinic in his
honor was her penance.
    But as she got more involved in the plans
and details, as she saw the clinic become a reality, Jessie
couldn't help wishing that Cameron would come back and be the
resident physician in Salt Fork.
    Yeah, like that was going to happen.
    When they reached the garage, Jessie started
to unfasten her seat belt.
    Cameron covered her hand. "Jess, about
tonight--"
    She'd forgotten about their