The Doctor's Former Fiancee. Caro Carson

that his mother thought he might need to fake a phone fight with Lana. They’d had plenty of real ones, burning up the line from Boston to Austin, back in the day. He waited for the fifth ring that would cue his assistant to answer, then enjoyed the silence while he began the long drive down the ranch road.

      The phone rang again within seconds.

      For the love of—

      His emotions were engaged now. This negotiation was breaking down. Phone calls with Lana always had been disastrous.

      He answered without taking his eyes off the long ranch road. “Give it a rest, Lana. I’m not going to argue with you all night. Those days are long over.”

      There was a moment of silence, which Braden imagined meant Lana was suitably subdued by his show of temper.

      A woman’s voice finally spoke. “Lana? Who is Lana?”

      Braden let his eyes flick to the screen, although it was unnecessary. Of course, the name and thumbnail photo of Claudia St. James were displayed in full color.

      “I’m sorry, Claudia. It was nothing. A business call.”

      “It didn’t sound like a business call. Who is Lana?”

      Braden sighed in defeat. The drive into Austin was going to be a long one.