Falling for Dr. Maverick
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Kathy Douglass
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15,2K
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13
Prologue
Mike Burris sat beside his parents in the beautifully decorated ballroom at the Bronco Convention Center and looked at his brother Jack. Mike couldn’t believe that Jack was getting married—and as part of the Bronco Summer Family Rodeo no less. Jack must have felt him staring because he looked over at him, the wide smile that had been permanently affixed to his face all week even broader. Mike flashed his brother a thumbs-up. He’d never seen Jack this happy. And why wouldn’t he be? He was marrying the love of his life. Audrey Hawkins and Jack might have butted heads while their families competed in the Battle of the Sexes in last year’s inaugural Bronco Summer Family Rodeo, but it had been clear from the beginning that the two of them were perfect for each other. Clear, that was, to everyone but them. They had stubbornly resisted the attraction. It had taken Jack losing Audrey for him to finally admit that he was in love with her.
Now that Mike thought about it, this was the perfect place for Jack and Audrey to get married. The rodeo had played such an integral part in their relationship. If they hadn’t been forced to spend time together doing promotion as the Rodeo Sweethearts, they wouldn’t have gotten past their initial rough start and gotten to know each other. Since the entire town of Bronco, Montana, had been emotionally invested in the relationship, Jack and Audrey had decided to share their big day with as many members of the community as possible. Although the ceremony was private, there had been plenty of press about the nuptials. Jack and Audrey had even made a brief appearance at the rodeo earlier today.
A string quartet had been playing softly as guests took their seats. Now a soloist started to sing about love and devotion, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. Mike turned his attention toward the center aisle where the bridesmaids and bride would be making their entrance. But he wasn’t looking for his future sister-in-law. He was waiting to see Corinne, Audrey’s youngest sister and the woman Mike was sort of involved with.
Mike and Corinne’s relationship had once been so uncomplicated. They’d been instant friends who’d enjoyed hanging out with each other whenever they were home in Bronco or competing in the same rodeo. They’d kept in touch when they’d been apart, texting and talking on the phone.
But that was before he’d started medical school last year. His first year had been busy, leaving little time for a serious relationship. Corinne and Mike had agreed that although they liked each other—really liked each other—it would be for the best if they were just friends.
At the time, the decision had seemed reasonable. It had prevented problems and reduced their stress. Since she was busy competing with her sisters, and his time was spent either in class or studying, it had been the wrong time to even consider a romantic relationship. Being friends was the best way they knew to remain on good terms.
Corinne couldn’t feel neglected if Mike didn’t have time to talk to her every night. She couldn’t expect him to share the big and small events of his day with her. Mike wouldn’t feel guilty about not finding time to see her. Nor would he have the right to be jealous if she spent time with other men. Friends didn’t have those rights. He’d hated the thought of Corinne dating other men, but he reminded himself they were free agents who could see whoever they wanted. He couldn’t have it both ways. Until he was in a position to fully commit to a romance, friendship was the way it had to be.
He only hoped Corinne was still a free agent when that day eventually came. Not that he had any right to think that way.
That plan had worked well until this past summer. School was on break and Mike was once more on the rodeo circuit. He and Corinne had spent lots of time together, picking up where they’d left off. And going even farther. They’d kissed a couple of times—more than a peck, but less than a make-out session. Even so, those kisses had rocked Mike’s world. Only knowing that he would be returning to school had kept him from going too far.
Mike felt a sharp elbow in his side and glanced at his mother. She mouthed pay attention. He nodded.
The soloist sang the last note of her song, and instantly the air became charged with excitement. People shifted in their seats, turning to watch the procession. The quartet began playing as the first bridesmaid started down the aisle. Although Mike wasn’t the groom, and Corinne wasn’t the bride, she hadn’t wanted him to see her before the ceremony. He’d agreed because it had been important to her. Corinne stepped into view and his mouth fell open. She was an absolute vision in her deep pink gown. The long dress was modest, yet Corinne looked sexy as hell.
It wasn’t the dress that captured and held his attention. It was Corinne. She was just so beautiful. With clear brown skin, large dark brown eyes and high cheekbones, her face was exquisite. She looked straight ahead as she processed, but when she was standing across from him, she glanced over and smiled. His heart lurched and he smiled back.
Once all of the bridesmaids were standing at the front of the room, Audrey entered, holding her father’s arm. Mike had only met the man once—yesterday—but he liked him. He seemed a decent man who loved his daughters. They loved him in return, which was all that mattered. Audrey’s father kissed her cheek and then he stepped aside, leaving Audrey standing beside Jack.
Although Mike told himself to pay attention to the ceremony, he couldn’t keep his eyes from straying to Corinne. Unlike him, she was paying rapt attention, hanging on every word the minister uttered and being swept away by each song the soloist sang. When Jack and Audrey recited their vows, Corinne’s eyes floated closed as if she were drifting into a daydream of her own. Mike couldn’t help wondering what she was thinking at that moment.
Before long, Jack was kissing the bride. Afterward, the bride and groom jumped over the broom, and the minister formally introduced the newlyweds to great applause. Mike wasn’t a big fan of weddings, but he had to admit that this had actually been pretty nice.
There was a lot of commotion as the wedding guests congratulated the bride and groom before moving to the section of the arena that had been transformed into another beautiful space for the reception. The dirt and barrels that had been there for the rodeo earlier had been replaced by linen covered tables and pink and white roses. Mike loved nothing more than a party. With his brothers and close friends in attendance, this would be a great one. But it was Corinne’s presence that was the icing on the cake. Mike and Corinne might not currently be involved romantically, but she was the person he wanted to spend his time with.
“Wasn’t that a beautiful wedding?” Corinne asked as she approached. Her face glowed with happiness. She’d been posing for pictures with her sisters, and Mike had grown increasingly impatient as the photographer had insisted on taking one more picture. “I didn’t think that getting married in a conference room would be romantic, but it was.”
“It was a bit nontraditional,” Mike agreed.
“But I suppose it was fitting,” Corinne continued. “After all, they were the Rodeo Sweethearts last year.”
Mike laughed. “Whatever you do, don’t mention that to Jack. You know how much that whole situation annoyed him.”
Corinne nodded. “Audrey was just as irritated. At least in the beginning. Once she admitted that she was in love with Jack, she didn’t mind the attention.”
“Speaking of attention, everyone is looking at you. You look positively stunning.”
“Thanks. It’s this dress.” Corinne ran a slender finger across the fabric. “Anyone would look good in it.”
“The dress is nice, but it’s all you.”
The smile Corinne flashed him easily outshone the sun. He hadn’t been exaggerating. Corinne looked even more gorgeous up close. Before they could continue their conversation, the wedding planner announced that dinner was about to be served.
“Do you need to sit with the wedding party, or can you eat with me?” Mike mentally crossed his fingers.
“I need to sit with the wedding party. But after the cake is served, I’ll be free to party.”
“In that case, I’ll see you later.”
Corinne turned and walked to the head table. As he went, Mike couldn’t tear his eye away from her round bottom, admiring the gentle way it swayed with each step.
“I thought you were just friends,” his brother Ross said, coming to stand beside him.
“A man can still look.”
“Is that right?” Ross turned to look at Corinne and Mike nudged his shoulder.
“This man. Not you.”
Ross laughed. “Just checking. Come on, let’s sit down. I’m ready to eat.”
Mike and his brother were seated at a table with some of their closest friends, and they laughed and joked throughout the meal. Though he had fun kidding with the others, Mike was glad when the wedding cake had been eaten. Now he could hang out with Corinne.
He was getting out of his chair when Ross grabbed his arm. Mike looked at his brother. “What?”
“The first dance.” He nodded to where Jack and Audrey prepared to sway to their chosen song.
Mike sighed and turned his chair to face the dance floor. Dang, all of these traditions were conspiring to keep him and Corinne apart.
He glanced at the head table. Corinne’s hands were clasped to her chest as she watched Jack and Audrey slow dance together. She might not have been able to look away from the newlyweds, but Mike couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
After the traditional dances, the lead singer of the band announced that the dance floor was available for everyone. Finally. Mike rushed over to Corinne and held out his hand. She took it without hesitation. Her fingernails were painted to match her dress, which Mike found incredibly sexy.
After two dances, one of the Jack’s friends tried to cut in. Corinne shook her head, saving Mike the trouble of telling the other guy to find another girl. He and Corinne didn’t see each other often enough and he wasn’t willing to share her with anyone.
“It’s so good to see you,” Corinne said as they moved to the ballad. He’d forgotten how good she felt in his arms. “I’ve missed you.”
That was so Corinne. She’d always been direct and honest. He’d always appreciated the way she didn’t play silly games, trying to make him guess what was on her mind. Her openness made him respond in kind, and he’d revealed things to her that he’d intended to keep to himself. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“Nothing is the same,” she continued. “I’ve been trying to convince my sisters that we need to coordinate our schedule so that we’re competing at the same rodeos as you and your brothers. They haven’t been all that eager to do so in the past, but now that Jack and Audrey are married, she should be on my side. That means we could be seeing each other more often.”
“Not necessarily so,” Mike said. “I’ll be going back to school soon. I was able to compete and take classes while I was in undergrad, but medical school is an entirely different beast. My first year was rough and I expect this year to be even more challenging. I don’t think I’d have even one weekend a month to travel. And I definitely wouldn’t have time to practice.”
She looked surprised. “So, are you saying that you’re quitting rodeo for good? That the rodeos you compete in this summer will be your last?”
Mike hesitated before he answered. The idea had been floating around his head for a long while, but he hadn’t made a firm decision yet. Although his brothers had always intended to make a career in rodeo, that had never been Mike’s plan. He’d always wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. From the time he been a kid, medicine had been his goal. Rodeo had simply been a means to an end.
Now that he was getting closer to making his dream a reality, he was surprisingly reluctant to leave his cowboy days behind permanently. Rodeo had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. He’d made a lot of friends and had many great experiences. Quitting was harder than he’d expected it to be. But if he wanted to succeed in medical school, he couldn’t compete in rodeo every few months.
“Yes. I knew the time was coming when I would have to end my career. Even so, it’s been a hard decision. I’ve given it a lot of thought. And it’s time. I need to spend my time studying. Trying to be a full-time medical student and part-time competitor just isn’t workable.”
“So I won’t be seeing you on the circuit anymore?” She sounded crestfallen and he felt like a jerk.
“That’s not true. I’ll still try to catch shows whenever I can. I’ll just be a member of the audience instead of another competitor.”
“So, what does that mean for us?” They’d been having such a good time that he hated to have this conversation now. But he knew that he couldn’t avoid it forever. As hard as it was, he knew Corinne deserved better than that.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” he said, struggling to maintain eye contact with her. “I think it would be best if we stick to our plan to just be friends. I know that we crossed the line a time or two, but I think things work best for us when we don’t try to have a romantic relationship. I’m focused on school now. And you’re focused on your career.”
Although Corinne’s expression remained unchanged and she didn’t move a muscle, Mike felt the change in her. The lightness of spirit that he had come to associate with her faded, taking her earlier happiness with it. He’d ruined the moment and he felt like a heel, but he’d done it for her.
“Oh. Okay.” She took a step back.
He reached out and took her hand, unwilling to let the moment end on a sour note. “Can we go outside and talk?”
She pulled her hand away and tucked it behind her back. “Why? You just said what you meant. I understand completely. More talk won’t change anything.”
“I’m not pushing you away. Far from it,” he said honestly as Corinne began walking away. “I just want to go back to the way things were when we were just friends. It was easy and fun.”
Corinne paused and his heart stuttered to a stop. Giving her less than she deserved would only lead to disappointment. Resentment. Anger. And the end of their friendship. And that he could not accept.
Finally she nodded. “Okay, Mike. We can do that, if that’s what you really want.”
It wasn’t. But he had no choice. And he regretted his decision the instant he watched her walk away...
