Janae mentioning your name.”
“Guilty as charged,” Kate said with an easy smile. “I’d love to continue seeing him. Unless you have someone else in mind?”
Meg opened her mouth to say that she and Cole hadn’t gotten around to discussing the matter yet, but Cole spoke first.
“I think it’ll be best to keep things as consistent as possible for him,” he said. “You’ll definitely be seeing him again.”
A flicker of irritation swept up Meg’s spine. Not that she disagreed with Cole or thought that they should change doctors. That wasn’t the point. This was a decision they should have made together. Yet once again he’d made a unilateral decision, leaving her out of the equation.
“How long have you been practicing in Jackson Hole?” Meg kept her tone even and forced a smile, determined not to let her irritation show. After all, none of this was Dr. McNeal’s fault. But once she and Cole were alone, they’d discuss again what coparenting meant.
“I’ve been here about a year and a half.” A tiny smile hovered at the corner of Kate’s lips. “Your brother was one of my first friends when I moved here.”
Meg wondered what her sister-in-law thought of Travis’s “friend.” She couldn’t wait to ask Mary Karen.
“Ryan was so sweet to ask me to come with him today. He—” Kate paused. Her gaze narrowed on someone or something behind Meg.
“Looks like Joel Dennes and his daughter, Chloe, have arrived,” Ryan said. “Weren’t you asking me if he’d be here, Kate? Well, there he is.”
Meg and Cole turned as one. A dark-haired man stood chatting with Lexi and Nick. A gangly girl, who looked to be around eight or nine years old, stood at his side, shifting from one foot to the other.
The man was tall, well over six feet, with a muscular body, unruly chestnut hair and rugged features. Like most of the guys at the party, he was dressed in casual pants, a dress shirt and blazer.
His daughter wore a red velvet dress and black patent-leather shoes. Even at this young age, she showed promise of great beauty. Her hair was darker than her father’s and straight, the shiny strands hanging past her shoulders. From what Meg could see, her features were delicate, her frame willowy.
“I don’t think I’ve met them yet,” Meg said.
A thoughtful look crossed Cole’s face. “I don’t remember him from school.”
“Joel didn’t grow up around here,” Ryan informed them. “He expanded his business and relocated here a couple of years ago.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to pop over and say hello.” Kate’s eyes glittered and there was a slight quiver to her voice.
Meg exchanged a look with Cole.
“I’ll go with you,” Ryan said, placing his drink on a nearby side table.
“Nonono.” Kate lifted a hand and shook her head. “Stay and talk with your friends. I won’t be long.”
Giving Meg and Cole a distracted smile, she hurried off, tossing an “it was nice to meet you both” over her shoulder.
For a second an awkward silence descended over the threesome left behind.
“She’s a beautiful woman,” Cole said finally.
Meg felt a twinge of jealousy. Yes, she simply must remember to ask her sister-in-law about Kate McNeal.
“Kate is smart, pretty and a lot of fun,” Ryan murmured, picking up the cocktail glass he’d discarded and finishing off the drink. “She’s the whole package.”
“Have you been dating long?” Meg asked, not sure if she should ask the questions hovering on the tip of her tongue or change the subject. Curiosity won out.
“A couple months off and on,” Ryan said, his eyes hooded. “Not exclusively. Kate doesn’t seem interested in commitment.”
When they moved off to the side to get out of the walkway, it conveniently gave them a better view of Kate and the father and daughter she’d hurried off to greet. The pretty doctor’s face was animated and flushed, while the man’s held only polite interest.
“Joel Dennes.” Meg rolled the name around on her tongue. “The name is familiar. Isn’t he the contractor who built my brother’s new home?”
“That’s him.” Ryan took another drink from a passing waiter. “He also built this one.”
“Sounds like he’s doing well for himself,” Meg said.
“He’s doing pretty well for himself tonight, that’s for sure.” Cole gestured with his head toward Kate and her new BFFs. The pretty doctor’s hand now rested on Joel’s forearm. “Better watch out, Ry, or your date may end up going home with another man.”
While they watched, Kate slipped her arm through Joel’s and practically dragged him with her to