as a nurse and midwife in the area, so presumably she’d know.
He was handsome, all right. But Tori knew he was a snob and unfriendly. He’d thought he was dealing with a receptionist, and he was much too important to even introduce himself. And he was going to be her neighbor?
She reached the office and sat down at her desk, trying to fix her mind on the work at hand. She had a lot to do. Business was good. After she’d gotten her accounting degree and the C.P.A. designation, she’d studied for her broker’s license, too. Their offices, hers and Russ’s, offered full financial services.
She’d bought in as Russ’s partner after Bill Johnson had died. He’d had the original practice and Russ had become his partner. When Bill passed away, Russ had bought the office building and the accounting business from his widow. That big an investment had made things difficult. He’d been pleased when Tori had expressed an interest in investing with him.
So, she decided, blowing out a long breath, she should’ve told the doctor who she was. Why had she reacted as coldly as she had? That wasn’t the way she was.
The office door opened and she looked up, expecting the doctor to have returned. Instead, she greeted her uncle, Griff Randall.
“Hi, Uncle Griff.”
“Hey, Tori. I was in town and thought I’d stop by to see if you’d read the Kiplinger letter yet. They just recommended the stock we bought last week. That endorsement should make the stock go up.”
“Yes, I did this morning.” She grinned. “Our timing was perfect.”
“I think we should hold on to it for a while. Its profit-to-earning ratio is good.”
“Very,” she agreed. “Let me show you something if you have time. I’ve been looking at another stock.” She turned to her computer screen and quickly brought up some research she’d done.
Griffin had been a broker in Chicago before he came to Rawhide. His mother had been her father’s aunt, but she’d left Rawhide as a pregnant teenager and no one had heard of her again. In the end, she’d asked her son to bury her on the Randall ranch.
When Tori had expressed an interest in the stock market as a teenager, her father had suggested she talk to her uncle Griff, who now lived on a neighboring ranch. He’d been her mentor ever since.
Griff circled the desk and was leaning over Tori’s shoulder to see the information she’d found when the door opened again and the doctor returned.
Tori stiffened and said, “Yes? Do you have any questions?”
“Yes, several. But don’t let me interrupt.”
Even though she was irritated with him, Tori couldn’t bring herself to be rude. Especially not in front of Uncle Griff. “Dr. Wilson, this is my uncle, Griffin Randall. Uncle Griff, this is the new doctor in town. Dr. Jonathan Wilson.”
Griff reached out his hand and the doctor shook it. “Glad to meet you. I hear you’re from Chicago.”
The doctor appeared surprised that Griff knew that information and Tori shook her head. He had a lot to learn about small towns.
“Yes, I am.”
“Me, too. Born and raised there.”
“So you’re visiting?”
“No. I live here now. Once Rawhide gets its claws into you, you never leave.”
The handsome man raised his eyebrows. “I will. I’m returning to Chicago in four years. I’m required to stay that long.”
Both Tori and Griff were surprised. At least, Tori guessed at Griff’s reaction when he asked the next question.
“Why four years?”
“It’s a government program. They offer interest-free loans to med students if they’ll work four years in rural areas after graduation.”
“And then you’ll just abandon the town?” Tori asked, her voice rising in horror. Doc Jacoby, the current doctor, had been in Rawhide for almost forty years. He wouldn’t be retiring now except that he was old and tired. He said he wanted to spend his sunset years fishing and visiting with friends.
“I’m sure the government will find someone else to do four years,” the doctor said, showing no concern for Tori’s reaction.
There was an uncomfortable silence. Then Griffin said, “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”
The man gave a brief smile, not the least bit warm, and said nothing.
“Do you want to leave a message for Russ?” Tori asked abruptly.
He looked at his watch. “I think I’ll get some lunch and come back. According to what you said earlier, he should be here in about half an hour, right?”
“Approximately.” Russ usually had lunch with Abby, his wife, at the elementary school. He’d be back when Abby’s afternoon class started, but Tori didn’t feel like sharing any personal information with the new doctor.
“All right. Thanks.” The doctor started turning toward the door when Griff stuck out his hand.
“Glad to meet you, Dr. Wilson. Hopefully my family won’t be in too frequently.”
“Of course, glad to meet you, Mr. Randall. Anytime I can be of service.” Then he nodded to Tori and left the office.
“As long as it’s within four years,” she said, mocking the man’s words. “And probably not unless it’s convenient! I can’t believe that jerk is going to replace Doc!”
Just as she finished her complaint, the door opened again and the doctor reappeared. “I forgot to ask. Is the other door another apartment?”
Her cheeks flushed, she nodded.
“Is it rented?”
“Yes,” she snapped.
“Will I have nice neighbors?” he asked.
She couldn’t believe his nerve. He wouldn’t be a nice neighbor. How dare he expect better than he’d give?
Griff gave her a quizzical look. Then he answered the doctor’s question. “You bet. Your neighbor is the cream of the crop.”
“Great. Thanks.”
When they were alone again, Griff said, “I gather you didn’t bother to inform him that you live in the other apartment.”
“No. It wasn’t any of his business. He hasn’t rented the apartment yet.” She sighed, then said, “I didn’t mean to be rude. But he wouldn’t even introduce himself. How’s he going to replace sweet old Doc?”
“Doc deserves his retirement.”
“I know, but…you’re right. Hopefully, I won’t get sick in the next four years!”
“I’ll
