The Doctor's Cowboy

Wyatt opened his container and inhaled deeply. “Will you marry me?”

Chloe froze for a moment before forcing herself to laugh. She hoped he didn’t notice the jolt that went through her at his joking proposal. What was it with Wyatt and all these references to marriage? She seriously needed to get a grip. Just because she’d decided maybe it was time to start her own family before she was too old did not mean she had to latch on to the first guy who crossed her path. Sure, he was good-looking—really good-looking—but you couldn’t base a relationship on looks alone, even if that person didn’t live his life on the road cheating death most of the year.

Remembering that she hadn’t made any sort of response to his “proposal,” Chloe shook her head and opened her plastic utensils. “I think you might have that concussion after all.”

Thankfully, he didn’t pursue the topic, instead diving into his meal as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Maybe he hadn’t had a decent dinner in a long time. She’d been around enough rodeo cowboys, especially the ones who weren’t at the top of the rankings, to know they didn’t have enough cash to toss toward pricey food.

“So, what’s life like in Wyoming? I’ve never been there.”

He shrugged, and she saw the wince that motion caused.

“Probably not much different than here, just a lot colder in the winter.”

“How’d you get into bull riding?”

“Looked like fun.”

Chloe stopped eating and stared at him. “You’re going to make me work hard for every scrap of information, aren’t you?”

He met her gaze. “Frustrating, isn’t it?”

She knew he was talking about her first name. “Fair point.”

He took another bite of his gravy-covered chicken-fried steak and chased it with a drink of tea. She’d just taken a bite of her green beans when he spoke again.

“My grandpa was a rodeo announcer, so I was around rodeo from the time I was young. Can’t really say why I chose bull riding other than I was full of myself, thought I could do anything.”

“How long have you been riding? I can tell you’ve had several broken bones and probably more cuts and bruises than you can count.”

“Since I was thirteen in junior rodeo.”

“I still can’t believe they let kids ride bulls.”

“They’re not the rank ones you see in rodeos like the other night.”

“They’re still bulls with horns that can do damage.”

“Have to learn sometime. Is it any different than being a doctor? When did you know that’s what you wanted to do?”

She stared at him then sighed. “You need to stop making valid points.”

He laughed and winced again.

“Are your injuries causing you pain? We can look at the dosage of the painkillers again.”

Wyatt shook his head. “No, nothing I can’t handle. I want off those drugs as soon as possible.” The intensity of his words caused her to look at him more closely. Had he experienced a problem with painkillers in the past?

They ate in silence for a couple of minutes before she noticed Wyatt was watching her.

“What?”

“I was wondering why you decided to come back.”

This time, she was the one to shrug. “I’ve worked here long enough to know how incredibly long and boring the days can be when you’re stuck in the hospital. It’s as if time moves slower inside these walls.”

“That’s perceptive.”

She smiled then wiped the edge of her mouth with her napkin. “I like to think I’m a bit smarter than the average bear.”

“Guess you’d have to be to become a doctor.”

“It’s certainly not easy. There were times when I didn’t think I could cram one more medical fact in my head or it would explode or start oozing out my ears.”

“Nice image.”

She gave a little bow. “Thank you, thank you very much.”

“You make a habit of this, then?”

“I’ve been known to spend extra time with patients, watch a movie or two, hand out cupcakes from time to time. I’m probably too softhearted.”

“No, it’s great. More doctors should be that way.”

“There are lots of doctors who care or they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing, especially in small communities like this.”

“But do they bring their patients dinner or sit and watch TV with them?”

“Well, no, but I understand the need for distance, especially if you want a long career. Lots of people we see don’t make it, and it carves a little part out of you if you’ve allowed yourself to get close to them.”

“But you do it anyway.”

Chloe twirled her fork in her mashed potatoes. “I can’t seem to help it.”

When Wyatt didn’t say anything in response, she looked up to find him staring at her as if he’d just stumbled upon the eighth wonder of the world. He seemed to realize he was staring and shifted his gaze back to his food.

“I’m surprised a doctor would bring me fried food.”

“You shouldn’t eat it every day, but sometimes you just need comfort food. Like when I get sick, I’m going to eat some chicken and dumplings, carbs be damned.”

When they both finished their meals, Chloe tossed the containers in the trash. She didn’t resume her seat on the edge of the bed, but she picked up the crossword book and flipped through the pages. Wyatt had already completed a dozen of the puzzles.

“Don’t look so surprised,” he said.

“What?”

He pointed toward the book. “You looked surprised I’d done any of those.”

“You just haven’t had the book that long.”