The Doctor's Choice Read Online Free PDF

immunology researcher you could never make that kind of money. Don’t be an idiot. Just stay there. We’ll work something out.”
    Amazed by his words Cami stood frozen, gripping the receiver with both hands. “Clay, I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You actually want me to live here in the middle of nowhere for a year?” A rush of righteous anger flowed through her.
    “It won’t be so bad. We can visit each other. The year will be over in no time.”
    “I don’t think so,” she said, coldly.
    “Cami, I have to meet with a client right now. I’ll call you back later.”
    He hung up abruptly, the dial tone humming in her ear.
    Cami clung to the receiver, as though it might offer some reassurance of Clay’s feelings. Replacing it in the cradle, she sat for some time staring into the fi re but drew no comfort from it.
    The sky darkened rapidly. She forced herself to reheat the food brought by Silky’s friends. Surprised when the doorbell rang, Cami had thought the men would come to the back door since the bunkhouse was behind the house.
    Opening the door wide, she stopped short when she came face to face with a tall, distinguished-looking man in a western-style leather jacket and cowboy hat. A whisper of white etched the temples of his light brown hair.
    “Miss Carmichael?” Blue eyes twinkled as he flashed a wide white smile.
    “Actually, it’s doctor,” she corrected, eyeing him warily.
    Extending his hand, he walked toward her. “I stand corrected, Dr. Carmichael. I’m your neighbor, Eldon Kincaid. I came to express my condolences.”
    She suppressed a shiver recalling everything she’d heard. “Come in, Mr. Kincaid.” She stood aside for him to enter.
    He tossed his hat on the bentwood rack beside the door as though he’d done it before.
    She gestured toward the sitting room. “I’m having guests for dinner, so I won’t have much time to spare.”
    He seemed surprised, as though unaccustomed to having women brush him off. “I’ll just take a few moments of your time.” He perched on the edge of Aunt Silky’s rose-colored brocade loveseat, looking large and masculine. ”I’m sorry for your loss. Your great-aunt was quite a woman.”
    “Yes, she was. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
    “I understand you were her only surviving relative.”
    When she nodded, he continued, “Then I assume Silky left the ranch to you?”
    Cami eyed him suspiciously. “You seem to be very well informed, Mr. Kincaid.” Though her solemn face betrayed no emotion, Cami felt both disgust and apprehension. Why was this man in Silky’s parlor right after her funeral questioning her about the inheritance? She wished T-Bone and Frank would hurry and make their appearance.
    “I’m sorry to be insensitive, Doctor Carmichael, but may I inquire as to your plans for the ranch? You see, Silky and I were in the midst of negotiations for the sale of the property.” He sat back on the loveseat, glancing at her speculatively. “I can see that you’re surprised.”
    “Why, as a matter of fact, I am. I was under the impression that Aunt Silky would never have parted with the place…willingly.”
    He leaned toward her in a conspiratorial manner. “Silky and I were old friends. We first met when I was a young Land Man out scouting for the big oil companies. I got a lease on her land that ran for a long time.”
    “Oil? On this land?”
    “Nothing worth drilling for.” He gave her a one-sided smile. “All the big fields are played out around here. What’s left is too hard to get to. Gulf and foreign oil is easier to come by.”
    She nodded. “So you met Silky years ago?”
    He settled back on the small sofa, spreading his arms across the back. “That’s when I first fell in love with this area. I started buying ranches back then and, over time, my holdings have grown.”
    “I’ve heard that from various sources, Mr. Kincaid.” Cami fixed him with a non-committal gaze. “What made you think that my aunt was