Coast Guard Sweetheart (20 page)

Even though Graham was close to six feet tall, Cash towered over him. His friend passed him in inches...and brawn. The fact that Cash ran a ranch from dawn till dusk and Graham saw patients inside all day might have a little something to do with that second thing.

“I can't believe you're finally here!” Olivia took a step back from her sister, her brown hair contrasting with Lucy's sunshine blond. “Where have you been? I thought from the last time I talked to you that you were going to get here an hour ago.”

“Flat tire.” Lucy grimaced.

“Where's your car? Did you change it? What happened?”

Lucy laughed, a lyrical sound that tightened Graham's throat. Was he coming down with something? There'd been a lot of rash/fever combinations in the office last week. It was either that or this woman had some strange effect on him.

Definitely had to be germs.

“Still on the road. No, I didn't change it because I didn't want to unpack everything. And Graham stopped and ended up giving me a ride.”

Olivia's gaze jumped to him. Seemed she hadn't noticed his arrival. But then, he would guess Lucy's entrance anywhere would pretty much overshadow anyone else's.

“Thanks for taking care of my little sister, Graham.”

He nodded.

“Yeah.” Lucy flashed bright white teeth in his direction. “Thanks for the ride.”

He opened his mouth but no sound came out.

Olivia bent to eye level with Mattie while Graham still choked on his words. Or lack of them. Honestly. What was wrong with him?

“Hey, Mattie. It's good to see you.” Her hand trailed along one of Mattie's brown pigtails, coaxing a grin from his daughter.

“Mattie is practically a superhero. She swooped in and saved me from having to make the choice between a long walk or unloading my car.” Lucy shared a fist bump with Mattie, her head tilting in his direction. “Along with her trusty sidekick.”

Graham's mouth gave in to a slight curve at the acknowledgment. He'd take the demoted status just for the look on his daughter's face.

Lucy turned to Cash. “About my car. I thought maybe I could borrow your truck. I'll change the tire. I can do everything if you'll just let me—”

“What?” Cash snorted. “You really think I'm going to send you back out to take care of a flat tire on your own? What kind of brother do you think I am? I'll take care of it.”

By the way Lucy's chin jutted out, she wasn't satisfied with that answer. “I don't want you to have to deal with all of my stuff. The car's jammed full.”

“I have a thing for taking care of little sisters, and since Rachel up and left for college, you're stuck with my overprotective nature. I might even have a spare out in the garage we could use. And if I don't, not that much can fit into that tin-can car of yours anyway.”

“Listen, McCowboy.” Her finger poked into Cash's gray T-shirt. “I'm absolutely helping with the tire. Don't even think about going without me.”

McCowboy?

Cash shook his head, glancing at Olivia with amusement. “You did mention what a complex your sister has about accepting help.”

So it wasn't just Graham she fought. Good to know.

Lucy squeaked. “That's not true! I just accepted a ride to your house.” The woman beamed as if she should win a prize.

“Lucy's car is near the big oak tree that got hit by lightning when we were in high school.” Graham's lips twitched, and Lucy's eyes started dancing with mischief. She certainly wasn't embarrassed about her tree climb. He got the impression not much caused her to experience that particular emotion.

“So, Graham.” Olivia turned to him. “It's actually perfect that you picked up my sister. I wanted the two of you to meet.”

A cold sweat snaked under his collar. Was Olivia trying to set him up with her flighty sister?
Not
going to happen. Graham had already had the love of his life. Now he had Mattie and absolutely no desire to remarry. Olivia would just have to take her matchmaking ideas elsewhere.

“Lulu, Graham's office manager is out on maternity leave and he needs someone to fill in.”

What?

He hadn't expected that
.
And this conversation sounded like trouble. Yes, the woman who ran Graham's front office had gone on maternity leave unexpectedly early last week, leaving him completely strapped, but that didn't mean Lucy Grayson was the right person for the position.

“I think it would be a perfect start for you, Lulu.” Olivia gave Graham a look he couldn't quite decipher. Did she expect him to offer Lucy a job right here and now? Bend down on one knee and start begging?

Lucy studied him long enough to make him squirm, determination sparking in her eyes. “I do have a business degree. I don't have experience in a medical office, but I could learn.”

How was he going to get out of this? Graham wanted someone for the position who could walk right in and know what they were doing. Someone with experience. Exactly the type of person he'd been looking for since well before Hollie went into early labor. Unfortunately, after three different temps had filled in last week, Graham was beginning to think that person didn't exist.

Olivia was still talking about the possibility of Lucy working for him, how it would be a great fit, how it would be beneficial for both of them.

Graham could only stare. He felt as though he was sliding down a treacherous slope with little chance of rescue.

“Sorry, Red.” Cash looked far too amused and not nearly concerned enough. “I don't think there's any saving you from this one.”

“Seriously? You're just going to leave me hanging? I am never prescribing anything for you ever again.”

Cash laughed. “I can't imagine anyone going up against Liv and coming away with a win. Trust me, I know from experience.” His gaze slid to his wife, filled with enough admiration that a twinge of jealousy came over Graham.

Graham remembered that look, that feeling, well. He'd give anything to look at his wife like that again. But those days were gone, and he was healing. He was moving on. Just not into another relationship.

Unfortunately, at the moment, his friend was right. By the look on Olivia's face, she was going to win this battle. Graham wanted to run for the door. Either that or rewind the evening and not stop at the sight of a stranded yellow Beetle.

“What do you think? Should we give it a try?” Lucy looked so hopeful that something in him tugged. She couldn't be worse than the temps, could she? Maybe he was overreacting about the fact that he'd found her up a tree on the side of the road. Perhaps they could help each other out.

She'd have to be trained, but he'd figure out that part. Besides, it wasn't as if he had any other choices lined up.

Graham would usually pray about a decision like this. Take his time. Wait on God's guidance. But he was desperate. Desperate enough to hire a woman who looked like a model, smelled like sunshine and didn't have a lick of experience.

Her words came back to him. A try, she'd said.

The tension in his body untangled. That was what he would do. He'd hire her on a trial basis. That way, when she couldn't do the job, he'd have no issue letting her go.

Copyright © 2016 by Jill Buteyn

ISBN-13: 9781488007248

Coast Guard Sweetheart

Copyright © 2016 by Lisa Carter

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