The Mountain Doctor: A Steamy Medical Romance Read online

  The Mountain Doctor

  Vanessa Craig

  Copyright © 2018 Vanessa Craig

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Any references to names, characters, organizations, places, events, or incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  All ideas and situations in this story are all products of the author’s imagination. Real life jobs, professions, situations, and places may be embellished to fit the story.

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  1

  Olivia

  I sat at my desk reading emails, enjoying my first cup of coffee of the day. Outside, snowflakes fell, and I shivered as I caught a glimpse of them collecting in drifts in the usual spots around the property.

  The sight was bittersweet for me to see, but I swallowed the pain. I had a great job working in the element I loved. I was paid well and had a charming little cabin nearby. I had some wonderful friends and a pretty happy life, I didn’t need a medal to prove that I was once just this close to skiing for a living.

  I had no comforting memories of the Olympic Games since I didn’t actually qualify. I’d barely missed it, but I’d missed it just the same. Close didn’t count. The competitor in me still felt angry every time I thought about the milliseconds that had separated me from a lifelong dream. I’d not been good enough when it really counted. I breathed deeply and pushed my thoughts onwards.

  Life changed. People learn to move past the hurts and disappointments; I certainly did. Now my job took most of my energy and I was damn good at my job, to boot.

  I handled all the marketing at the Rocky Ridge Lodge and Resort and business had never been better. We were well known but only to our elite clientele who came here for the utmost privacy and enjoyment. Just like every other employee here, I had to pass a background checks and sign the non-disclosure papers prior to starting, agreeing to protect our clients’ confidential information or risk losing my job. I’d signed without a second thought, excited to have found a job that kept me tied to my old life, if only slightly. I could at least ski on my days off.

  I blinked and returned my attention to the screen. The resort was hosting a conference for some local doctors this weekend and I reread the information. I’d already arranged everything they needed, from hotel rooms to the large, comfortable conference room complete with food service; this morning, they would enjoy a breakfast of homemade omelets, bagels and croissants, and fresh fruit. I bit my lip as I looked at the clock. I had an amazing staff to handle these things, but liked to double-check everything myself. If something went wrong, it was my ass, and I had an impeccable record in my seven years of employment.

  “Morning, Olivia. How are you?” asked Brandy, my incredible assistant who helped me to keep the details together on a daily basis. I wasn’t sure what I’d do without her.

  “Hey, Brandy. Have you been by the conference room at all?” I asked as she smirked at me.

  “I haven’t. It’s been a little chaotic here with a new arrival.” Her brow raised wickedly as I shot her a look, laughing as she shrugged. “The doctor thing starts in an hour, right? I’m shocked you’re still here.”

  I ran a hand through the smooth ponytail that I wore low on the back of my neck. I preferred my blonde hair out of the way and my makeup minimal; I checked my mirror to make sure the mascara and lip gloss I’d swiped on earlier that morning were still fresh, making my bright blue eyes pop and my lips soft. It was just right for work. Professional and polished, but not so complicated that I had to worry about messing it up.

  I was so glad that Selena had taught me about makeup and how to apply it before I started working here. She was a great best friend. I took her vibrant personality and style and added it to my own straight-laced life in small doses.

  “I’m going,” I assured her as she smiled, tossing her black hair over her shoulder. I heard my phone chime on my desk and Brandy walked over to glance at the screen.

  “It’s Selena,” she told me as I rolled my eyes.

  “She’s trying to set me up on a blind date with Colton’s friend from work. She can wait,” I said briskly as I headed out of the office and into the main lobby.

  I took a long look around, noting that everything looked good. Our cleaning staff was top-notch; it was important that guests’ first view of the resort was spotless. The lobby looked welcoming with its massive central fireplace flanked by comfortable seats and a few low tables displaying a selection of local magazines and tourist guides. The floor was a warm natural flagstone that made everything cozy with its brown tones and imperfect edges.

  The lobby’s main feature was its large, sleek reception desk, where guests could check in and have their questions answered with pure professionalism and zero fuss. With our prices, we needed the celebrities to keep coming here, and we made them feel welcome. We provided them with security in the parking lot and inside and every employee was nothing but professional.

  I looked at the restaurant that was starting to fill with people seeking hot coffee or breakfast before letting my eyes move to the hallway that led to our luxurious spa, indoor pool, and large jacuzzi. We had a sprawling bar across the room and a smaller coffee shop for those who were in a hurry or didn’t want to eat in the restaurant.

  It was a beautiful building, and the energy hummed through the huge room as I walked towards the hallway that held our conference rooms. There were three large rooms and two smaller ones that people used for private meetings and events, which I also oversaw. A few people greeted me, and I smiled and waved with my free hand as I held my tablet carefully with the other.

  While this was a social place after hours, I always kept it all business. I enjoyed the perks of skiing anytime I wanted and a massage here and there, but I mostly kept to myself. Everyone knew me, and it was overwhelming to be the girl that almost went to the Olympics. The looks of sympathy and words of pity over the knee injury that I got right after I missed the cut were even worse. I was sure some people found me to be a bit on the cool side, but I didn’t know how to be an extrovert.

  I made my way to the largest conference room and walked through the open doors to see that breakfast was already set up and people were serving themselves. I was familiar with some of the doctors and smiled as we made eye contact. I strode across the room to the two new employees who were there to ensure everything stayed neat and convenient, smiling warmly at them.

  “Good morning. Is everything going well?” I asked brightly as the girls stared nervously at me.

  “Yes, ma’am. The caterers just set up and there are extra supplies in the kitchen. We’ll make
sure everything stays stocked for the guests,” said the blonde told as I looked into her young face.

  “Look, we’ll be working together a lot. Call me Olivia,” I told her as her face relaxed. I glanced around to see men and women beginning to take their seats with plates and coffee as they talked together.

  I made sure the girls knew how to reach me if they needed anything and left the room to head back to reception. As I exited the conference room, I crashed into someone entering it. My tablet tumbled to the carpeted floor and I watched it fall in horror, then raised my eyes to look into the dark maple ones of the gorgeous man who towered above me, his face in an angry sneer.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you,” I offered as he looked me over for a moment. A very long moment. “Are you okay?” I knelt to grab the unharmed device, wanting to create distance between us.

  “I’m fine,” he growled and I widened my eyes at him. He continued to walk in and I watched for a second before I stood up and moved down the hallway, out of sight.

  I knew that not all of our guests were warm and fuzzy, but he had been an absolute jerk. “Some of these doctors think the world should revolve around them,” I muttered to myself as I attempted to release my irritation. I needed to make sure we were set up for the newlyweds who were arriving this afternoon after their wedding ceremony nearby. That was more important at the moment.

  2

  Adam

  I scowled at the room of colleagues as I paused for a moment. My practice partner could have easily handled this routine conference, but there was another conference in Los Angeles that he needed to attend. He was much better at these things than I was. Tough luck, the two conferences our practice never missed were at the same time this year. At least this one was in our backyard and I didn’t have to travel.

  I had a waiting list of patients at any given time. I hated having to push out their appointments, especially if they’d waited a while to be seen in the first place. Running the top plastic surgery practice west of the Mississippi had perks and it had downsides. I tried to shake away that ridiculous thought. Running the top plastic surgery practice west of the Mississippi was fantastic. I had nothing at all to complain about after working my ass off to get to this point.

  Except for the fact that today, instead of seeing patients, I was here. Lucky me.

  I ran my hand through my hair and sighed as I practically stomped to the corner to get some coffee. I’d been running late this morning and on top of being grumpy, I was also starving. A few of the others greeted me and I nodded at them as I approached the table. I got some coffee and looked at the offerings on the table with a frown.

  I cleared my throat slowly, making the two girls who were setting up plates and silverware jump. They both looked up with wide eyes and I watched them for a moment.

  “Is this all there is?” I gestured to the large trays of bread and fruit and directed a scathing gaze at the omelet bar. “I don’t think I’m going to get through an all-day meeting on this. I thought we were getting a full breakfast.” I knew I was being an asshole, but a man needed a hearty breakfast on a cold day like this.

  “There’s an omelet bar over there, sir. They have everything you could want, and they’ll make it fresh for you,” the redhead told me with a nervous smile as I glared at her.

  “I could have stopped in a drive-through and eaten better,” I muttered as I tried the coffee. It was the best blend I’d had in a while, though I wouldn’t admit that.

  The girls whispered together, and one tapped the screen of a tablet that looked identical to the one I’d just seen on the floor when that woman bumped into me on my way in.

  I felt a buzz in my jacket pocket and pulled out my phone. Frowning again, I read a text from a woman I’d met in a bar a few nights ago. She’d been an almost one-night-stand—I’d cut out before it got that far, turned off by her desperation. I had no idea how she’d managed to get my number and it annoyed me to no end that she had. I ignored the text, realizing I was probably being a bit of a jerk and wondering how to shake my mood. I just hated opportunistic women.

  At that moment I’d have given anything to be at work. I could control everything in the clinic. I owned it and made it what it is today with hard work and dedication. I preferred being there, where I felt comfortable, to mingling with a group of doctors that generally bored me.

  I looked back at the girls, who were now staring at the door. I glanced back to see the blonde woman from earlier walking back into the room with a scowl on her face. She met the eyes of the girls behind the table and then looked at me as a flush passed over her cheeks. The scowl changed to a pasted-on, fake smile as she looked me in the eyes.

  “Can I help you?” Her words were friendly, but her tone was guarded as I resisted the urge to walk out of the room.

  “This breakfast food. I don’t like any of it. I’d expect better in a place like this and for a distinguished group like this,” I said, looking around the room as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. I faced her with a deeper scowl as I put one hand on my hip. She looked at me quietly for a long moment. In addition to being beautiful, she looked vaguely familiar.

  “You don’t like any of it?” Her eyes widened as she scanned the room and glanced back at the chef cooking omelets.

  “I’m a man. I need real food for breakfast if I’m going to be here all day. Not this light stuff. I couldn’t get full on what you’re offering.”

  I knew people were watching me, but it felt good to release a bit of my demons. They weren’t anyone’s fault but my own, I was smart enough to admit, but I’d already begun. I was going to make my point, no matter how silly I looked. It was too late now to do otherwise. I put my hand on my hip and scowled again.

  “I see,” she responded, resigned, and a cool smile spread across her pink lips. “What would you like? I can place a special order at the restaurant.”

  Her eyes flashed with annoyance, but she kept it under control.

  “Steak. Over easy. Eggs. Three of them. Some of those cottage fried potatoes, too, with sourdough toast.” I knew it was an obnoxious order, but it’s what I wanted.

  She glanced down at the tablet and tapped the screen quietly, looking up when she finished. She seemed satisfied.

  “Is your coffee to your liking?” She looked pointedly at my cup and tilted her head just a little.

  “It’s fine.”

  She nodded. “Wonderful. I have your breakfast request on a rush order and will bring it to you myself as soon as it’s ready.”

  Her smile was polite, and I noticed how full her lips were. This woman was stunning. Girl-next-door beauty with haunting eyes. She turned to say something to the other girls and I opened my mouth to speak but closed it without saying anything and made my way to an empty seat at the table.

  My colleagues were all seated and eating the provided breakfast. It didn’t look bad at all, I admitted to myself, but I’d already caused a bit of a scene—it was obvious from the awkward silence from the doctors at my table—and all I could do now was sit, stay quiet, and wait.

  I watched the woman leave the conference room, her hips swaying as she walked. She had a hot little body, and I took it in as I watched her. She wasn’t my type, I decided. But why not? I thought about that a little harder as people stood at the head of the table, preparing to begin the day.

  The truth was that I didn’t even know what my type was, beyond a woman I could use for a night to fill my needs and then never call again. I wanted them as empty as possible and didn’t feel the need to get to know them much more than physically. This woman didn’t look like she’d go for that.

  My schedule dictated my romantic life, and with a roster full of surgeries every week, I didn’t have time for a serious relationship. My focus was on work and running the clinic. The practice was my life.

  My family was important to me, but I didn’t see the much, aside from my brother Eric, who handled the financial side of my clinic. I really only saw my parents
on holidays, when I traveled to Montana to visit. That’s where my dad had wanted to retire after a long career in the Navy and then running a private security business. And he had done it. I admired him for achieving his dreams and taking such good care of my mom, but I couldn’t see myself ever being that committed to one person, one relationship.

  The meeting had just started when an electricity filled the room. I turned to see the blonde woman walking towards me, eyes locked on my face, arms laden with food. Everyone fell silent as she moved to set the plates in front of me.

  “Is there anything else you need, sir? I’ll be happy to bring whatever you need,” she asked with a fake smile that didn’t show her teeth. She stepped back as she waited on a response.

  “Thank you, no. This will do.”

  She nodded and signaled to the girls working the serving table in the back of the room. I watched her walk away, the food in front of me momentarily forgotten.

  The serving girls walked out of the room and the blonde took their place behind the buffet table. She set down her tablet and busied herself arranging things, and I watched her move around with a tight frown on her face.

  The plate was far too full, I realized, looking it over. The kitchen had made a huge effort to see that a complaining guest didn’t go hungry. After making a scene and getting my way, I had to eat as much as I could now. I already had a reputation in this circle of colleagues as an introvert with a touch of arrogance. Okay, more than a touch.

  I kept to myself most of the time and focused on my job, but my attitude still managed to come through. I was in high demand and good at my job, which probably went to my ego from time to time.

  I shoveled eggs into my mouth and vaguely followed the conference speakers’ remarks. My thoughts kept drifting to the blonde woman. She had stayed all morning, looking busy as she assembled snack food and drinks. At the first break, she was all smiles with the other doctors and seemed to know a few of them more than just casually.