“Sure, doc. Whatever you say,” I reply, biting back a grin at the small glimpse of fire in her pointed look.
“Just a few more questions and then we’ll look at cleanin’ this arm up. I’m goin’ to examine the arm now. Let me know if I cause any pain or if it doesn’t feel right, yeah?”
The moment her gloved fingers wrap around my wrist I jolt, but it’s not with pain. It’s something else entirely–awareness, proximity, a tingling feeling that radiates up my arm and over my chest.
She must feel it too because she sucks in a sharp breath and jerks away. “Shoot. Sorry," she rushes out, her cheeks blushing as she bites her bottom lip. An image of my old best friend as a quiet, studious, kind of shy girl flashes in my head at the sight. The one who’d give me a wry smile when I’d make a dumb joke just to make her laugh.
Something inside of me drives me forward to reach out and cover her hand. “Hey. it’s fine,” I say as I try to steady myself. “Your hands must’ve been a bit cold. You didn’t hurt methough.” I try to temper my reaction to the fact that the feeling has intensified now thatI’mtouchingher.
Charlie’s brow lifts. “You sure?”
That brings a smile to my face. I don’t miss Cora’s muted gasp or Rhett’s slack-jawed expression but I block them out, wanting–no,needing, to reassure Charlie. “Yeah, doc. Try again. Gimme your best shot.”
This time I brace myself for whatever weird reaction I’m going to have, and again, it's the same tingles and pin-pricking feeling that covers my skin. I can't tear my eyes away from her as she gently examines the rash and sore, her breathing a little ragged and her skin still flushed.
She grabs the stethoscope that's hanging around her neck and warms it up on her hand. When I shoot her a questioning look, she snickers. "Just makin’ sure I don’t make you jump again. Wouldn’t do much good if I’m listenin’ to your heart now, would it?”
I’m stuck just staring at her, still in a little disbelief that an itch and some blood has brought me here–toher. My confusion ramps up the longer she stands there with a questioning look on her face.
“Ah, Austin. I think the good doctor needs to listen to your chest,” Cora says with a giggle.
I turn a frown her way. “I get that.”
Rhett chuckles next. “That means you’re going to need to undo the buttons on ‘ya shirt, brother.”
My gaze jumps to Charlie who’s pursing her lips and nodding.
“Shoot. Sorry,”
Rhett and Cora laugh amongst themselves, obviously enjoying the awkward exchange. I shoot them both a playful glare before complying with Charlie's request. As I unbutton my shirt, a strange mixture of nerves and anticipation swirl inside me. Suddenly I’m not worried about anything else other than what she might think of my chest. Likethat’sthe most important thing right now.She's giving you a medical examination, Austin. She's not going to be checking you out...
Charlie places the warmed stethoscope against my skin, her touch sending shivers down my spine. I focus on her face rather than the sensations coursing through me, but it's difficult when her eyes meet mine and hold steady.
She leans in, her breath warm against my skin as she listens attentively to my pulse which has chosen this moment to start galloping like a rodeo bull on a mission in the ring. Then her leg accidentally bumps mine and static electricity snaps against my jeans, making both of us jerk away.
For a moment, we just stand there, caught in an electric silence--literally. Thankfully, Rhett interrupts whatever the hell is happening.
"He stillgota heart? You wouldn't think it with how grumpy he's been lately. Thought Toby was bad before Dee and him got together, but it seems Austin's made it his mission to be more surly and reclusive than all of us put together," he teases.
Without thinking, I flip him the bird, which just earns a snort from Cora and a smirk from my older brother.
"Well," Charlie replies, "your heart sounds strong. No irregularities that I can detect. Maybe just a bit fast but if this isan allergic reaction to somethin', that would explain the elevated heart rate."
"See, brother. You're goin' to live. You've just got to stop scratchin' the heck out of your arm," Rhett adds.
“And my neck,” I mutter under my breath.
Charlie’s eyes narrow and the next thing I know, she’s resting her hand on my head, gently bending it forward and examining where my collar is. “Hmm. Looks irritated but at least you haven’t broken the skin there.”
“See,” I say, shooting a side-eye my brother’s way. “I’m as right as rain.”
“Don’t remember you gettin’ your medical degree, Austin. Apologies,” Rhett muses, earning himself a middle finger for his troubles.
While all this is happening, Charlie busies herself with jotting down notes on her clipboard, her expression thoughtful. When she finally looks up at me, her gaze is full of curiosity but also relief. "OK. I'm thinkin' itisan allergy or your body's reaction to somethin' new or different. Could be somethin’ on the ranch or even somethin’ you ate. And the welts are likely from you scratchin' too much. Hence the sore."
"So what can he do about that?" Cora says, moving to stand next to me.
"I'll prescribe some allergy medicine and get a nurse to dress the sore for you. I'll also give you some ointment to apply once a day when you change the dressin'," Charlie explains. "The important thing for you, Austin, is to not get it wet for a few days. We need this wound to heal and not get infected, especially workin' on theranch like you do. Lots of nasties that love fresh meat–I mean,sores."
