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“What’s your name?” she asked.
Don’t be him. Don’t be him.
Then he grinned like the cat who’d got the cream. “Dr. Luke Ralston.”
Damn, but then she was ticked. She’d put that memory of her time in Missoula far from her mind, not giving it much of a second thought because, really, what did it matter? She was in New York, let Luke Ralston have Montana.
Besides, Shane Draven had pulled through.
It was all trivial. Except now she was in Montana, working on their patient’s uncle’s resort and Dr. Luke Ralston was her coworker? This was a totally messed-up situation. Something she was not comfortable with.
“You knew exactly who I was.”
Luke shrugged. “Not at first, but when you fell into my arms it all came back to me.”
“And you didn’t say anything? Like, maybe, ‘Hey, we know each other, we’ve worked together before’ or something like that?”
He shrugged again and then hooked his thumbs into the belt loops on the waist of his tight, tight jeans. “What does it matter?”
“It matters a lot. You’re a jerk!”
“Why am I a jerk? I mean, I did save you from probably concussing yourself or something.”
“You were the guy I talked to in the hallway in Missoula. When I asked who Dr. Ralston was, you said you didn’t know where he was. You lied to me.”
“I didn’t really want to argue with you in the hallway. I was on my way to the ICU to check on my patient. To make sure he pulled through surgery.”
“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.
CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_e1053663-6c9b-5e7e-aee9-8e666713c7f1)
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 pants?”
“Don’t you ski?”
“I told you before, no. I’ve never skied.”
“Doesn’t every eastern WASP rich girl ski? Isn’t that what the Poconos are for?”
Her stare was icy cold and she put her hands on those curvy hips. Hips he’d thought about touching himself. “Excuse me?”
Luke groaned. He wasn’t going to get in an argument with her. “You need snow pants. If you fall out there and your pants get wet there’s no way we’re turning around so you can change. I’m here to teach you survival skills. If you were out there on your own, there would be no option to change. You’d freeze to death.”
Sarah still looked as if she were going to skewer him alive. “Fine. I’ll find some snow pants, but, really, stereotyping me, that was so not cool.”
“If the shoe fits.”
She cocked her eyebrows and smirked. “Oh, really? Didn’t we have this argument in the summer? I seem to recall bits and pieces of it …”
He groaned. “Fine. You’re right. I did accuse you of stereotyping me. I apologize, but, really, put on some snow pants before we lose the light.”
“Fine and, for your information, not all of us ‘rich girls’ ski. Some of us prefer yachts and sailing.” She winked and then disappeared into her office again.
Luke rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help but laugh to himself. He still admired her spunk.
When she came out of her office again, she was properly attired.
“Good, now let’s get down to the ski shack and get geared up. I’m going to take you up the first of the four main trails at this resort.”
Sarah fell into step behind him; the only sound was the swishing of the nylon fabric rubbing together as they walked down the hall and outside. Luke tried not to laugh, because just under that sound was some muttering. And maybe some bad words, but he couldn’t quite tell.
“I feel like a marshmallow,” she mumbled. “Do I look like one?”
“Yes. You do, but it will keep you warm.” He helped open the door to outside. “Ms. Marshmallow.”
With a huff Sarah pushed past him out into the snow. “You’re a bit of a jerk. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Several people.”
There was a twinkle to her eye and she smiled slightly. “Good.”
“Well, now that’s all settled. Let’s get the skis on and head out.” He led the way to the ski shack, which was closed up. It would open on more regular hours when the resort had its official grand opening on Valentine’s Day. Right now, Luke had full run of it and of all the equipment.
It was one of the perks he liked about working for Silas Draven. He wasn’t a huge fan of skiing, but cross-country skiing on the mountain trails was the only way to access some of the remote residents of Crater Lake. His horse just couldn’t handle the deep snow that collected on the side of the mountain in the winter.
And he would never put his horse in the way of a possible avalanche.
He glanced over to the southern peak, to the forest that was thick, before it disappeared into the alpine zone of the mountain. Old Nestor lived up in that dense forest.
Nestor was a hermit. He liked to live off the grid and away from everyone else. Luke admired him and went to check on him often. Nestor was the one who’d taught him many things about surviving on the mountain, since Nestor had been living up on the mountain for as long as Luke could remember and before that.
Only, Nestor was getting old and in the winter the cold bothered him something fierce. So Luke was thankful for access to skis and snowshoes. It made checking on Nestor that much easier.
He unlocked the door and headed over to the rack.
“Oh, cool! Snowshoes,” Sarah remarked. “I’ve always wanted to try them.”
“Really?” he asked, surprised.
She nodded. “Anything to make walking on snow easier.”
“Snowshoeing is just as much work as skiing. Skis can move you faster.”
