Stranded with the Rancher. Tina Radcliffe

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       Chapter One

      “Small towns always look best from my rearview mirror,” Elizabeth Rogers said. She tugged on her coat and turned to look at her cousin.

      “Beth, you aren’t even giving Paradise a chance,” Ben Rogers returned.

      “Sure I am. I had lunch and a tour of the hospital and clinic with the medical director. Did I mention how much I like your new clinic?” Beth paused. “But I’m not really interested in the position.”

      “Uh-huh. I’m thinking you can’t see anything but New York City.”

      “I won’t deny that I’m excited about New York.” Beth reached out to touch Ben’s arm. “But you know I’m glad you found happiness with Sara here in Paradise, right?” She smiled. “This place is perfect for you—just not for me. I guess I’m a city girl at heart.”

      “Not always. Remember when we lived in that little town near the Four Corners?”

      “That wasn’t a town. It was a gas station and half a grocery story. It reminded me of the truck stop where my mother dumped me.”

      Ben winced. “Ah, Beth. I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

      She raised a palm. “No worries. I was very grateful that your parents took me in, but I’ve never quite forgiven them for moving us there.”

      “Rural medicine. You know that’s their life.”

      “Is it okay to admit I’m relieved those days are over?”

      “Not for me,” he said. “God and Paradise changed that.”

      “You made a choice, Ben. And I’m trying to do the same. I don’t want to ever be in a position where I have to choose between two evils again.”

      Ben shook his head.

      He didn’t get it. Beth sighed. No one did. Time to change the subject.

      “I really love this house.” She shoved her mittens and wool scarf into her soft leather, oversize tote and then looked around the guest room of the quaint Craftsman bungalow.

      “Thank you,” he replied.

      “Too bad it’s not somewhere else.”

      Ben chuckled. “Do you have everything?” he asked.

      Beth walked around the large four-poster bed. “Aha! Cell phone charger. I would have been very unhappy if I’d left this behind.” After unplugging the cord, she straightened, her gaze moving to the window. “It’s really snowing now. We’d better go.”

      “Your flight isn’t until two.” He glanced at his watch. “The airport is less than forty-five minutes away. That puts you there more than three hours early.”

      “And that’s fine with me.”

      “Okay. Okay. Let’s tell Sara we’re leaving. I think she’s with the babies.”

      He picked up Beth’s suitcase and she followed him down the stairwell to the first floor. His wife, Sara, stood in the living room between two baby swings. She was talking to a tall man in a black ski jacket with a black Stetson on his head, while simultaneously rocking identical babies in their swings.

      “Dan. What are you doing here?” Ben called.

      “Hey, Doc.” The cowboy grinned, his glance moving to Beth.

      “Dan Gallagher, this is my cousin, Dr. Elizabeth Rogers.”

      The cowboy removed his hat and nodded politely before putting the hat back on. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

      Beth shot him a distracted smile, her gaze pulled to the window, where enormous snowflakes obliterated the view. She needed to leave. Now.

      Sara turned to Ben. “Dan brought the twins’ antibiotics. The pharmacy is closing early due to the forecast.”

      “Much appreciated,” Ben said. “This is their second ear infection in six months and none of us are happy about it.”

      As they chatted, Beth chewed her lip. She wasn’t going to panic. Relax. Just relax. She repeated the mantra.

      “Maybe we’d better get going, Ben,” she suggested in her calmest voice.

      “Ma’am, I don’t think you’re going anywhere for a while.”

      Beth inhaled and avoided looking at Dan Gallagher, as though she could erase what he’d just said by ignoring it. “I have to go,” she finally stated.

      “Weather report has recently upgraded the storm. Conditions are ripe for this to be the worst one of the season. The roads are closing as fast as that snow is moving in.”

      “But it’s the end of March,” Beth quickly countered. “It’ll be April in a couple of days.”

      “Welcome to Colorado,” Dan said.

      “Ben?” she pleaded.

      “Beth, I know. I get it. But I can’t control Mother Nature. If this storm is coming in as fast as Dan says it is, then there won’t be any airplanes going anywhere.”

      “I’ve got to be in New York by Monday.” She tamped down a bubble of panic, searching for a rational thought. “Surely things will clear up by morning?”

      “That could happen,” Sara commented. She reached out to pat Beth’s arm. “Sometimes our mountain storms hit quickly and then leave.”

      Dan gave a shake of his head, indicating he doubted that was going to be the case today. “I’m making a delivery in Gunbarrel,” he said. “I’d be happy to take you that far. You can reevaluate the situation tomorrow. They’ve got a small hotel with an airport shuttle. At least you’d be halfway to the airport.”

      Beth brightened at the suggestion. “Yes, that would be great. Thank you.”

      “I thought you were on call tonight,” Ben said, looking at Dan.

      “On call?” Beth asked.

      “Dan’s СКАЧАТЬ