“Point proven. Best practice would have been to discuss it with a more experienced doctor who had experience with trials, but honestly, doctors make decisions all the time and correct them later. The whole thing was a terrible, tragic accident. It won’t affect our friendship in the slightest. We are BFFs for life now, girl. You can’t get rid of me so easily.” With tears in her eyes, she hugs me again. “I’m so sorry, though, you had to go through all of it.”
We sit there and talk quietly for a while before we have to go see our next patients.
CHAPTER 20
KATE
Opening the door later that evening, Lev strides in and encases me in a massive hug. Tension releases from my body as he holds me tight. This man sure knows how to give good hugs. It’s like all the warmth from him surrounds me and seeps into the cold tundra I’ve been living in for the last three years, melting it piece by piece.
“Hey there, stranger.” I’d missed seeing him the last week. He’d been busy opening a restaurant in Bozeman, the first in that location.
“Hello, sweetheart.” Raising his head, he studies my face intently. I know Lowell told him, so I wait. “It changes nothing for me. I’ve been all in from the beginning. I’m devastated for you, and anything I can do to help, let me know, and I will do it. I’ll be here to help you with your past, but know this, I want your future. That’s where I want to go with you.”
Stunned, I stare at him as I digest the serious expression on his usually easygoing face. My eyes tear up. Thinking about it, I want a future with him, too, but he still doesn’t know it all. Until he does, I don’t want to make any declarations in return.
Smiling to let him know I heard him, my response is simple. “Thank you, that means a lot to me. The last few years have been hard, as people have judged me harshly without even knowing all the facts. I started asking for shorter assignments so I could move on before they could get to know me or recognize me. The acceptance from Lowell, Sarah, and you means the world to me.”
Raising my hand to his heart, he lets me feel its strong and steady beat. “Sweetheart, we were lucky to get you here.” Leaning down, he gives me a long, deeply passionate kiss that conveys his feelings. I bask in the sensation of warmth and emotion this man gives so freely. Groaning, he breaks away and sighs. “As much as I’d like to stand here and kiss you, we have to get going so we can get to the winery before dark. Are you ready?”
Grabbing my bag and jacket, I step over and punch in the code to set the alarm. He takes my bag and hand to lead me to his SUV. Putting my bag in the back, he jumps in the driver’s seat. Once we’re on the road, he takes my hand again and doesn’t let go.
About two hours later, we pull into a driveway surrounded by vines on each side. Row after row of green lines producing yummy goodness. Excited, I give Lev a big smile.
Chuckling, he tells me, “If I’d have known you would be this excited, we’d have come sooner.”
“I thought about it every day since our first date. I wasn’t ready to visit the winery with you, but now I am.” Staring at him, I feel a blush creeping up on my face as I try to tell him I want all of him without saying the words. Well, that was subtle. Not.
Inhaling sharply, he squeezes my hand. Pulling up to the front, he helps me out and grabs our bags so we can go check in. Entering the lobby, I look around and admire the sophisticated boutique hotel. The style is more French country than Montana, and it feels like we took a longer trip than just a couple hours. There’s a massive fireplace, a restaurant and bar, and cozy spots all over the place where people can gather and socialize.
After checking in, Lev hands me a key for the room. Picking up the bags, I follow closely behind him to the elevator. Entering the room, I gasp at how pretty it is. The beautiful colors and large balcony make the suite feel like a grand room in someone’s house, not a hotel. There’s even a small gas fireplace set into the wall.
“Very romantic,” I tease Lev as he drops our bags onto the luggage rack.
“Well, I figured it couldn’t hurt.” Grinning, he gathers me in his arms and leans down and peppers small kisses on my throat. “Dinner is in a half-hour, if you want to change and freshen up. Or we could just stay right here.”
Laughing, I push him away. “I’m starving.” Looking over, I see him wiggle his eyebrows. “For food. Food first.”
