One Summer in Santa Fe - By Molly Evans Page 0,40
of a buffer between them, serving as common ground, something they could talk about if things got uncomfortable between them. Would things be the same between them when life returned to normal? Or would her greatest fears be realized? Her world was so normal and Taylor’s as big as the sky. She had to make a decision.
“So, did you go skydiving over the weekend?” she asked.
“Hang gliding.”
“You lead a dangerous life, Doctor.” Piper shook her head. What an adrenaline junkie he was. Trauma patients, hang gliding, parachuting and helping to raise his nephew. Couldn’t get more dangerous than that.
“It’s not as wild as it seems,” he said, and shifted his position. “At least, not most of the time.”
“Ri-ght.” They arrived at her car, and she leaned against it.
“How’d it go with your sister?” Though he’d told himself to wait, he apparently wasn’t listening to himself.
“Well.” Piper curved her hair around one ear, something he was recognizing as a nervous gesture, something he found endearing. “She’s determined to go through with her plans with Eduardo.” Shaking her head, she looked away from the intensity of Taylor’s eyes. “I met him. They took me to the place they’re opening. They have big plans.”
“How are you doing with all that?” he asked, and took a step closer to her.
“Oh, well, that’s going to take some getting used to.” She finally met Taylor’s gaze. “They certainly think they’re in love and are going to be successful together.”
“They could be.”
“And they could fail miserably.”
“They could. But together they might accomplish more than either of them alone.”
Piper paused a second, staring at Taylor, surprise in her eyes. “That’s exactly what they said.”
“Then maybe they’re smarter than you’re giving them credit for.”
Piper sighed, then stuffed her belongings into her car.
“You look tired.”
“It was a long weekend, then a long day today. I work the next two days, so I don’t think I’ll be catching up on rest until then.”
Taylor started to reach out to her, then clenched a fist and resisted the temptation. She wasn’t his to fix or comfort or anything like that. She was just a nurse he worked with. Just a woman he’d had the most incredible sex with. Just someone who was getting under his skin in a way he didn’t understand and wasn’t comfortable with. Just someone he was starting to think of as a friend. And more. And he didn’t like it. His idea of a long-term relationship was a four-day weekend at a ski resort when the skiing was bad. Something about Piper was changing that perspective and he resisted, though part of him wanted to embrace what she offered. Something about her resounded inside him, silently melding with the torn and hurt parts buried deep inside him, healing the things he hadn’t even known were broken.
“I’m working those days, too, so I’ll probably see you.”
“I’ll be there for green chile cheese fry day on Wednesday.” Piper gave a small smile. “You’ve got me hooked now. I may have to stay in Santa Fe forever because of those darned fries.”
Taylor smiled. “Good. Green chile is good for all that ails you.”
“Wouldn’t it be nice if that were true?” she said with a tired smile.
As she climbed into her car, he squatted down beside the door as she rolled down the window. “I know you’re too tired tonight, but maybe Wednesday after work we can meet up at the park for a run.” Taylor told himself he wasn’t pursuing her, just wanting some company for some exercise. Give himself something to look forward to over the next couple of days. That’s all.
“Just no coyotes, okay?”
“Okay.” He grinned, then stood, and he watched her drive away.
The woman intrigued him. He knew she was all about long term, commitment and loyalty. Those were things that he had taken great pains to avoid in his life, but now they weren’t looking so bad. Maybe he was changing. Maybe being around Piper had changed him. Maybe he’d had a long day and his defenses were down, and he didn’t know what the hell he was thinking. Maybe a drink with some friends would relieve the loneliness that lived inside him.
Loyalty and commitment were starting to look more appealing than they ever had.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
NOT having made any firm plans with Taylor for the park on Wednesday, Piper drifted toward the place after work. Changing into her walking shoes was about all the energy she had left after three grueling days at the hospital. Twelve-hour shifts weren’t