She kept stitching.Three.Four.
"Tetanus can be dangerous," she said. "I'd recommend abooster—"
"I'm current." His words were bit off, but when she adjusted her stance and glanced up at his face, he showed nothing of the pain he must be feeling. Good pokerface.
She refocused on her task.Seven.Eight.
"I didn't see it on yourchart—"
"I'm current." This on an exhale, the words would've been a howl if they’d been louder than a puff ofair.
"Almost done." She just needed to tie... her opposite hand brushed his back as she manipulated the needle, and this time he did jump—away from hertouch.
"Sorry," she muttered. "Holdstill."
He went back to not breathing, and she tried to stifle the nerves. He was clearly not attracted to her. What was herproblem?
"It's been a long day," she said. "Packed with appointments. It seems like every person in Taylor Hills wants to meet the new doctor. We could do a church potluck or something, but they all just want to bookappointments…"
She forced the rambling words to a stop, snipped the end of the thread, and found her hand shakingslightly.
"Okay, you'redone."
He was already off the table, his broad back to her as he reached for hisshirt.
She backed toward the door. She hadn't been this flustered since herresidency.
She didn't get it. She'd treated plenty of men. Handsomemen.
The cowboy had barely looked at her. What—twice? Obviously, the flare of attraction she'd felt had been only in her mind. He couldn't wait to get out ofhere.
And then, his head turned as he shrugged into his shirt. Not all the way, as if he didn't dare look at her square on. "Thanks."
She saluted with his chart, which was silly because he couldn't see her, and ducked out, closing the exam room door behindher.
She rubbed a hand over her face. She was exhausted. Long days and interrupted sleep had worn her clear out. That's what the problem was. This had been ananomaly.
Maybe she'd imagined the wholething.
She'd go home, feed the kids dinner, and get to bedearly.
Except it was summer. And Fridaynight.
The kids would be wired for the weekend. Not for the first time, she had the thought that she wasn't cut out for thislife.
But it was hersnow.
Lady Luck was right there.Beckoninghim.
Daringhim.
Dan looked away from the gas station's lottery ticket display. Even from across the room, it had power over him. He hatedthat.
He slurped his fountain drink, trying to divert his attention. He waited while the attendant checked out the woman at the counter while his drink sweated almost as much as hedid.
He'd only left the ranch a few times since his release. The first time, he'd gone to pick up a load of feed, and the store owner had made it very clear he wasn't welcome. Taylor Hills had a long memory, and he could see judgment in folks' eyes. He was still the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Still the screw-up.
Only worsenow.
