Jackson Hole Valentine (18 page)

“Yet—” Cole cupped her elbow in a possessive gesture as they strolled around the room “—I sense a particular fondness for this bad-boy brother of yours.”

Cole, Margaret realized, was very perceptive.

“I think all my siblings would agree there’s something special about him.” Meg took another sip of her martini, savoring the delicious blend of peppermint schnapps and vodka. “He’s creative and talented. And despite his sometimes cocky exterior, Zac has a good heart.”

“Where does he live?”

“Actually, that’s a rather interesting sto—”

“I was hoping I’d run into the two of you tonight,” Ryan interrupted, a pretty dark-haired woman at his side. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

For the party, Meg had chosen a nubby wool skirt with a green cashmere sweater. With snow on the ground and more predicted over the course of the evening, she’d forgone pumps for heeled boots. When she’d glanced in the mirror before leaving home she thought she looked stylish, even pretty. Cole’s eyes had widened when he’d seen her. A low wolf whistle had even escaped his lips.

Yet, standing next to this slender beauty in her jersey dress the color of silver haze and stilettos that showed off long, shapely legs, Meg realized how Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters must have felt.

She listened as Ryan introduced his companion as Dr. Kate McNeal, a local pediatrician. Kate’s hair hung to her shoulders in a sleek bob, jet-black and silky. Long dark lashes framed hazel eyes. Tall and lean, she had a fashion sense that made her look more like a model than a children’s doctor.

The woman seemed pleasant enough, although her hand appeared to linger a heartbeat too long when she shook Cole’s hand.

“I was sorry to hear about Joy and Ty,” Kate said. “They were nice people and such good parents. How is Charlie coping?”

Something clicked in Meg’s head. “You’re Charlie’s pediatrician. I remember Joy mentioning your name.”

“Guilty as charged,” Kate said with an easy smile. “I’d love to continue seeing him. Unless you have someone else in mind?”

Meg opened her mouth to say that she and Cole hadn’t gotten around to discussing the matter yet, but Cole spoke first.

“I think it’ll be best to keep things as consistent as possible for him,” he said. “You’ll definitely be seeing him again.”

A flicker of irritation swept up Meg’s spine. Not that she disagreed with Cole or thought that they
should
change doctors. That wasn’t the point. This was a decision they should have made together. Yet once again he’d made a unilateral decision, leaving her out of the equation.

“How long have you been practicing in Jackson Hole?” Meg kept her tone even and forced a smile, determined not to let her irritation show. After all, none of this was Dr. McNeal’s fault. But once she and Cole were alone, they’d discuss
again
what coparenting meant.

“I’ve been here about a year and a half.” A tiny smile hovered at the corner of Kate’s lips. “Your brother was one of my first friends when I moved here.”

Meg wondered what her sister-in-law thought of Travis’s “friend.” She couldn’t wait to ask Mary Karen.

“Ryan was so sweet to ask me to come with him today. He—” Kate paused. Her gaze narrowed on
someone
or
something
behind Meg.

“Looks like Joel Dennes and his daughter, Chloe, have arrived,” Ryan said. “Weren’t you asking me if he’d be here, Kate? Well, there he is.”

Meg and Cole turned as one. A dark-haired man stood chatting with Lexi and Nick. A gangly girl, who looked to be around eight or nine years old, stood at his side, shifting from one foot to the other.

The man was tall, well over six feet, with a muscular body, unruly chestnut hair and rugged features. Like most of the guys at the party, he was dressed in casual pants, a dress shirt and blazer.

His daughter wore a red velvet dress and black patent-leather shoes. Even at this young age, she showed promise of great beauty. Her hair was darker than her father’s and straight, the shiny strands hanging past her shoulders. From what Meg could see, her features were delicate, her frame willowy.

“I don’t think I’ve met them yet,” Meg said.

A thoughtful look crossed Cole’s face. “I don’t remember him from school.”

“Joel didn’t grow up around here,” Ryan informed them. “He expanded his business and relocated here a couple of years ago.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to pop over and say hello.” Kate’s eyes glittered and there was a slight quiver to her voice.

Meg exchanged a look with Cole.

“I’ll go with you,” Ryan said, placing his drink on a nearby side table.

“Nonono.” Kate lifted a hand and shook her head. “Stay and talk with your friends. I won’t be long.”

Giving Meg and Cole a distracted smile, she hurried off, tossing an “it was nice to meet you both” over her shoulder.

For a second an awkward silence descended over the threesome left behind.

“She’s a beautiful woman,” Cole said finally.

Meg felt a twinge of jealousy. Yes, she simply must remember to ask her sister-in-law about Kate McNeal.

“Kate is smart, pretty and a lot of fun,” Ryan murmured, picking up the cocktail glass he’d just discarded and finishing off the drink. “She’s the whole package.”

“Have you been dating long?” Meg asked, not sure if she should ask the questions hovering on the tip of her tongue or change the subject. Curiosity won out.

“A couple months off and on,” Ryan said, his eyes hooded. “Not exclusively. Kate doesn’t seem interested in commitment.”

When they moved off to the side to get out of the walkway, it conveniently gave them a better view of Kate and the father and daughter she’d hurried off to greet. The pretty doctor’s face was animated and flushed, while the man’s held only polite interest.

“Joel Dennes.” Meg rolled the name around on her tongue. “The name is familiar. Isn’t he the contractor who built my brother’s new home?”

“That’s him.” Ryan took another drink from a passing waiter. “He also built this one.”

“Sounds like he’s doing well for himself,” Meg said.

“He’s doing pretty well for himself tonight, that’s for sure.” Cole gestured with his head toward Kate and her new BFFs. The pretty doctor’s hand now rested on Joel’s forearm. “Better watch out, Ry, or your date may end up going home with another man.”

While they watched, Kate slipped her arm through Joel’s and practically dragged him with her to the buffet table. Chloe disappeared into the kitchen with Lexi.

“I think his daughter may be one of Kate’s patients.” Ryan’s eyes never left his “date.” “She’s probably trying to make sure the girl and her dad feel comfortable. I don’t think they know many people here.”

“Whatever you say.” Cole’s expression turned serious. “Just keep your eyes wide open, my friend. Trust me. There’s nothing worse than finding out you’ve been played for the fool because you ignored the signs that were there all along.”

Something in Cole’s tone told Meg that he’d been down that path himself. She wondered when he’d gotten hurt. Had it been in college? Or perhaps once he started his own business?

“Kate and I are just friends,” Ryan snapped. “She can see whoever she wants.”

“I didn’t mean—” Cole began.

“Drop it, Lassiter,” Ryan said through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know about you two, but I’m hungry. Why don’t we check out the food?” Meg tried to keep her tone matter-of-fact. “We can snag one of the round tables and save a place for Kate. And for Joel, too, if he’d like to join us.”

Ryan paused for a moment then shrugged. “Okay by me.”

When he turned and headed for the buffet table, Meg exchanged a worried glance with Cole.

He simply smiled and gestured for her to follow Ryan to the buffet table. Along the way Cole and Meg paused to speak with David Wahl and his wife, July.

David had been Travis’s best friend since they’d been little boys and Meg regarded him as a brother.

“Charlie was telling some interesting stories in the kitchen.” David’s eyes held an impish gleam.

His wife elbowed him in the side.

“Ah, July.” David leaned over and kissed the top of his wife’s striking red hair. “It’s not as if Trav won’t give her a hard time. At least this way Margaret will be prepared.”

Meg kept a smile on her lips even as her heart sank to the tip of her boots. If David thought Travis would be upset, this must be big. “What did Charlie say?”

“Nothing important.” July’s hand fluttered in a dismissive wave. “Something about you and Cole kissing just like his mom and dad used to kiss.”

Though she didn’t glance in his direction, Meg could feel Cole’s eyes on her.

“Who was all in the kitchen when he made this declaration?” she asked, grateful her voice came out casual and offhand.

Though Meg wasn’t ashamed of kissing Cole, she really hadn’t wanted others knowing they were anything more than friends until she knew where she really stood with him.

“Just my troublemaking hubby and me.” July shot David a wink. “And Travis and Mary Karen, of course.”

Of course.

Meg stifled a sigh. Charlie might as well have put it up on a billboard. Then, she stopped herself. It was a kiss, for God’s sake. Who cared? Besides, Travis better think twice about razzing her about something so mundane. After all, when he’d been single, it wasn’t as if he’d spent his spare time in church praying.

“Of course, that wasn’t the interesting part.” David picked up two dinner plates, handing one to his wife. He shook his head and chuckled. “You should have seen your brother’s face when Charlie mentioned Cole was lying on top of you at the time…keeping you warm.”

“He said
what?
” Meg’s voice rose then broke.

A sympathetic look crossed July’s face. “I’m not looking forward to the day when our Adam turns into a little tell-all machine.”

For a second Meg was struck dumb. She could hardly deny she’d kissed Cole. Or that he’d been on top of her. But nothing more had happened.
At least not that time.
Besides, they were both consenting adults.

She shifted her gaze to Cole and found him staring. Though he didn’t appear particularly disturbed by Charlie making their little escapade on the bed public, there was a strange watchful look in his eyes.

Thankfully she was spared the need to answer when Lexi appeared. Once again Meg was struck by how stunning their hostess looked in her black dress and pearls.

“Lexi,” Meg said immediately, seizing the opportunity to change the subject. “This is a lovely party.”

“Yes, it is,” Cole echoed. “Thanks for the invitation.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Lexi brushed back a strand of hair, her large diamond ring glittering in the candlelight. “Unfortunately, I’m afraid your evening with us is about to be cut short.”

“You’re kicking us out?” Meg said with a laugh.

“I wish you could stay.” Lexi sighed. “You barely arrived and I was hoping for a chance to get better acquainted with both of you.”

For the first time Meg noticed the lines of worry edging the social worker’s eyes.

“Is there a problem?” Cole stepped closer to Meg’s side.

“I’m afraid your boy, Charlie, is a bit under the weather.” Lexi spoke quickly as if wanting to make sure she relayed all the facts before they began asking questions. “Travis thought he looked flushed, so we checked his temp. He’s running a fever and his throat is bright red. Now he’s saying his tummy hurts.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Panic rose up inside Meg, but she pushed it down, telling herself there was no need to worry. After all, he’d been fine an hour ago. “He was laughing and joking around all afternoon. No complaints at all.”

Meg turned to Cole, seeking confirmation.

He nodded then focused on Lexi. “I hope you know we’d never have brought him tonight if we’d known he was sick.”

“No worries.” Lexi’s understanding smile widened to include Meg. “Almost everyone here has kids. We know how quickly illnesses pop up.”

Apparently having overheard the discussion, David returned to join the group, a partially filled salad plate in one hand. “There’s a nasty virus going around. Fever, headache, sore throat
and
gastrointestinal issues. It’s been hanging on a good seventy-two hours. Very contagious.”

“Does he need medical attention?” Cole asked.

“Well, it sounds as if Uncle Travis has already checked him out.” David’s lips tipped up in a wry smile. “But then again he is only an obstetrician.”

Meg couldn’t even manage a smile at the joke.

“Where is Charlie now?” Cole’s tone might give nothing away, but Meg knew he was as worried as she.

“Rachel took him upstairs to rest in the spare bedroom while I came to get you.” Lexi smiled reassuringly. “She’s a nurse so he’s in good hands.”

Meg shifted her gaze to Cole. “How about I run upstairs and get him and we’ll meet you in the foyer?”