“He was my patient.”
He grinned, smugly. “I brought him down off that mountain. He was my patient. You were just a locum surgeon. You didn’t stay to make sure he made it through the night. You headed back east, to wherever you came from. I knew nothing about you and I didn’t trust you. Of course, now you’re going to be a regular here in town.”
“Had I known there was a Ralston in Crater Lake I would’ve turned the job down.”
Luke chuckled. “You must’ve taken this job on an impulse, then.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If you’d researched Crater Lake you’d realize the family practice in town is run by a Ralston. I wasn’t really hiding my identity. Not in my town.”
Damn. He was right. She hadn’t really looked to see what physicians were in town. She’d taken the job so quickly. She’d just been so eager to get out of New York City and away from her father’s control. Crater Lake had sounded like a nice small town, and a job catering to the rich and famous in a resort had sounded perfect. It was a chance to prove herself to those who moved in her parents’ circles.
Then maybe she could step out of her father’s shadow. She wouldn’t be Sarah Ledet, New York heiress and daughter of Vin Ledet, one of the wealthiest men on the eastern seaboard. She’d be Dr. Ledet, physician.
“You’re regretting your decision to take this job, aren’t you?” Luke asked. “I can see it on your face. You look absolutely horrified.”
“Not the job, just who I have to work with.”
He grinned and then laughed. “You’re still a spitfire.”
“Spitfire?”
“It’s a compliment.”
Sarah tried not to smile. She didn’t want to smile. He was the jerk who’d disrupted her OR, given her a hard time and then lied to her. He was the one who’d questioned her surgical procedure and every move she’d made on that patient until she’d snapped. Only his smile had been infectious and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed, even though she was ticked off that it was him. The thorn in her side from last summer, standing right there in her office.
She should just throw him out. As she should have done from her OR.
When she glanced back up at him the lighthearted mood had changed. He looked annoyed and uncomfortable.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“Something changed. Just a moment ago you were complimenting me and joking. Now you look annoyed.”
“I’m annoyed we’re wasting the light standing around pointing fingers.”
“Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Well, I would gear up. I don’t have all day to wait around for you.” He walked out of her office leaving her standing there absolutely confused.
What had just happened?
Sarah wasn’t sure, but she knew it would be best to keep her distance from Luke Ralston, though that was going to be tricky seeing how she was about to be dragged out on the mountain in the bitter cold with a man who was a little bit dangerous.
Not just a little bit dangerous.
A lot.
DAMN. IT HAD to be the spitfire.
Luke had forgotten all about her when he’d returned to Crater Lake after Shane Draven had pulled through. For a while he’d thought of that trauma surgeon he’d butted heads with in Missoula, but as he’d dealt with the last messy stages of his divorce, he’d put her from his mind.
Dealing with his ex just reminded him of all the reasons why he didn’t trust women or romantic entanglements.
It hurt too much, but Christine wasn’t the only reason. Hurt went both ways. He liked his life too much and part of that was doing risky things to save lives up on the mountain.
He’d given up his life in the army for a woman he loved and look how that turned out.
To live the life he’d made for himself since leaving the army, he couldn’t have love. He wouldn’t give up his life for anyone.
He threw himself completely into his work and avoided hanging around the town of Crater Lake as much as possible. It was bad enough being divorced, but having your ex-wife and former best friend, who was now your ex’s husband, living and working in the town you grew up in was a little too much for him.
The problem was, his former best friend was the town sheriff. That was why they were staying in Crater Lake, but Luke wouldn’t be driven out of town.
He’d grown up here. He was going to stay here.
And an injury to his leg during an avalanche last winter prevented him from returning to active duty, even after giving up his commission.
Besides, he preferred being up on the mountain.
He liked being alone in his cabin. He liked the work; though he missed surgery and envied Carson just a bit for seeing patients every day, there was no way he could’ve chained himself to a desk, to an office or a hospital. He would suffocate, but he’d been willing to do it for Christine.
Maybe if you hadn’t joined the army Christine wouldn’t have left. Maybe you could’ve been happy.
Only his call of duty had been strong. He’d always wanted to serve and further his medical education in the army. And Christine had known that when they’d got together.
Luke cursed under his breath.
No, she would’ve left. Just as he hadn’t wanted to change the course of his career, Christine hadn’t wanted to be his wife. Of course now he wasn’t a soldier, but by the time his career in the army was over Christine was over him.
No, he wasn’t going to think about her. She’d broken his heart and he wouldn’t let her or anyone else make him feel that way again.
Why did it have to be her? Why did it have to be the spitfire?
Silas hadn’t told him the name of the physician who would be working at the resort. All he’d said was that she was from out east and had asked if Luke could train her on mountain survival and survival medicine.
She’s from money, Ralston. I’m sure she’s been on skis, but probably not in a way that would satisfy your sensibilities.
Which was why Luke was here. It was just fate was a bit sick and twisted by making that physician Dr. Ledet, the surgeon he’d butted heads with.
As if dealing with her in the summer wasn’t enough? Maybe it was karma? He’d teased Carson when Esme Petersen had come to town. Perhaps this was retribution?
The only difference was Carson had found love with Esme and Luke was not looking for that at all.
Carson hadn’t been looking, either.
“Is this okay?”
Luke shook that little voice from his head and glanced over at Sarah. She had a good parka on, waterproof mitts, a hat with ear flaps, boots, but nothing on her legs except black stretchy pants that fit her curves like a glove. His blood heated.
Think about something else.
“Where are your snow pants?” Luke asked, tearing his gaze away from her. He didn’t want to look at her at the moment. He had to regain control.
“Snow