His Shock Valentine's Proposal

Carson pinched the bridge of his nose. “I thought you were against the town expansion and the building of that ski-resort community.”

“I am. Well … I was, but really there was no stopping it.”

“You could’ve attended a few town meetings,” Carson said.

When had Luke stopped caring so much?

It wasn’t his concern and by the way Luke was glaring at him Carson was crossing a line. His brother quickly changed the subject. “I guess my point was that it didn’t look like you were checking out the competition the way you want me to think you were.”

“I’ll work that out later.” Carson moved around and sat down on the other side of his desk. “What brings you down off the mountain and what in heaven’s name are you going to tie up with that rope?”

Luke grinned in the devilish way that used to cause their mother to worry. It usually meant that Luke was about to get into some serious trouble.

“Nothing much. I actually just came for some medical supplies. I’m taking some surveyors deep into the woods.”

“And the rope is to tie them to the nearest tree and use them as bear bait?”

“The thought had crossed my mind, but like you, little brother, I took the Hippocratic Oath. I swore to do no harm.”

“Hmm.”

“You need to liven up a bit, little brother. You’re too tense.”

Carson snorted. “Look who’s talking. You know the local kids refer to you as the Grinch in the winter. One of the Johnstone twins thought you were going to come down and steal Christmas last year.”

“Because I told her that. She spooked my horse.”

“You’re terrible with kids and have a horrible bedside manner,” Carson said.

“I’m great with kids. Dad just knew you were more of the office type of person and I like to run wild.”

Must be nice.

The thought surprised him, because he should be used to Luke’s lifestyle after all this time. Luke always got to run free, do what he wanted. Carson was the reliable one.

Dependable.

Never took risks.

Carson shook his head. “As long as you’re not naked while running wild then I don’t care.”

Luke grinned. “I didn’t know how much you cared.”

Carson couldn’t help but chuckle. “You need to get your butt out of my clean office before you give Louise a heart attack and get yourself back up that mountain. I have patients coming in soon. Patients who think you’re going to steal their Christmas.”

“Right. So, do I get the medical supplies? I may not have regular office time but I technically have part ownership.”

“You know where they are. I don’t have to tell you.”

“Thanks.” Luke got up.

“Take your rope, too.”

Luke winked and disappeared into the stockroom while Carson leaned back in his father’s chair and scrubbed a hand over his face.

Luke had one thing right. He was tense. He worked too much.

You’re wasting your surgical talent here. Why didn’t you take that internship at Mayo? Why are you giving up a prestigious surgical residency to become a general practitioner?

Danielle’s words haunted him.

Lately, they had been bothering him more. Ever since the old office building across the road had been bought and he’d got wind that a new doctor from Los Angeles was moving into town. There weren’t many full-timers in Crater Lake. The ageing population was a threat to the small town and now with this resort community going in, it would bring more people, but not people who would be here all the time and Carson couldn’t help but wonder if the time of the small-town doctor was gone.

Perhaps he had wasted his life? Maybe he should’ve cared less about the practice like Luke. Maybe he would’ve become a great surgeon.

More and more lately it seemed he was thinking these thoughts. He didn’t take risks, but he was happy with the choices he made.

This was the path he chose and he was happy.

He was happy.

Who are you trying to convince?

He groaned inwardly. He didn’t have to let the ghosts of his past haunt him.

Get a grip on yourself.

Carson shook those thoughts away.

No, he was doing what he’d always wanted to do. Sure, he’d been offered several amazing residencies, but surgery was not what he wanted to do.

He liked the small-town life; he liked the connection he had with the people in Crater Lake. He would be stifled in a big city; he’d be trapped in a busy hospital in the OR for countless hours. This he preferred.

Still …

It irked him that another doctor had moved into town, but he couldn’t stop it and frankly he hoped she was up to the challenge. She was from California. He doubted it very much that she would be able to survive her first winter here and that thought secretly pleased him.

Louise knocked and then opened his door. She looked worried. “Dr. Ralston, Mrs. Johnstone is in the waiting room. She needs to speak with you.”

“Is everything okay? I thought the twins’ appointment was later?”

Louise’s lips pursed together. “She’s here to cancel her appointment and take their chart.”

“Hold on!” Esme called out. She had no idea who was banging on the front door of her office. She wasn’t open yet. The big day was at the end of the week. If it was a delivery they could’ve read the sign and come along to the back alleyway.

Only the banging was insistent. It sounded almost angry, which made her pause. Perhaps she should take a peek out the window. The last thing she wanted was it to be the tabloids outside pounding on her door. Not that they’d bothered with her for the past three months.

She’d dealt with enough press in LA before she’d hightailed it to the solitude of the mountains. Of course, when she’d chosen Crater Lake as her new home, she’d known that there was going to be a resort community, but she hadn’t realized another high-end spa and hotel was going up.