And that was an understatement. His family were con men, gamblers, and worse. He peered at her and waited for her to condemn him. When she waited for him to continue, he did.
“I rode into Mistletoe while a robbery was in place. Three men held up the mercantile and killed the previous sheriff. I caught them off guard, I guess, and captured them. After I locked them in the jail, the townspeople offered me the job.”
Memories of that day always left him stunned. The town’s misfortune was the luckiest day of his life—his chance at redemption. His father and brothers would laugh their heads off if they knew.
“I don’t blame them. You saved the town. Were the Murphys the owners of the mercantile then?”
He nodded, needed a few moments to regain his voice. “They were and big supporters. I never claimed to have any qualifications for the job, Shannon. In fact, I don’t have. If they knew my past, many of the people here would have considered me a bad sort, close to a criminal myself. But, I do my best to keep the peace and look out for people in town and as many nearby as I can.”
“I know you take your job seriously and you’re amazingly good at it. People in Mistletoe are lucky to have you as their sheriff. No wonder they look to you to solve their problems.”
“There’s not anyone else in charge—no mayor or councilman of any kind. Amherst would like to be mayor, but no one likes the man.”
“He’s no friendlier than his wife, so I don’t wonder.” She hung a wreath on the inside of the back door.
He scanned the kitchen and parlor. “These rooms looks festive. Where to next?”
She struggled with a long garland. “This goes on the banister. I suppose you’ll think I’m too sentimental, but I plan to decorate each room.”
He held out his arms. “Just load me with decorations and point me.”
She completed the banister and tied a large red bow around the newel post. “Grab that pile nearest the door and follow me.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Even though I’m the only one who’ll see these rooms, I want them to look merry. I didn’t go overboard for up here.”
At the top of the stairs, she tacked a tiny nail through a ribbon on the fabric wreath. “Inviting you upstairs isn’t really proper. I hope you won’t think badly of me.”
She’d be horrified if she knew his thoughts while this close to her bedroom. To reassure her, he lied. “I’m just helping you decorate. Nothing improper about that.”
“That little wreath is for my bedroom door. Then the garland is for the top of my bureau.”
He draped the decoration across the bureau while she hammered another tiny nail through the hanger for the door wreath. She stood back and judged the décor.
“If I stay here, I’m changing the colors in this room.”
He peered at the navy walls and mahogany furniture. “Kind of dark, isn’t it? Not something I’d picture you choosing.”
“Well, we’re through upstairs. Shall we tackle the medical rooms?”
He loosely caged her with his arms. “I think we should pause here for a while. There’s something I’ve been thinking about since the last time I saw you.”
***
Shannon’s breath quickened at the passion in his dark eyes. Her heart pounded in her ears. She ached to touch him, to caress his strong jaw and sift her fingers through his dark hair. Wasn’t she crazy to invite him to her bedroom?
When he tightened the embrace she raised her face to meet his kiss. He didn’t disappoint her. His kiss revealed yearning, pent up emotion he’d stored. She hoped the longing was for her and not just for any woman.
She had dreamed of having his arms around her again. All week she’d needed him near her. Perhaps subconsciously she maneuvered him up here with the hope he’d respond to her. She didn’t regret her actions.
When his kiss grew more fervent and he inserted his tongue into her mouth, she gasped. Under his coaxing, she responded. He tightened his hold on her and his pelvis pushed against her.
Instead of repulsing her, the action encouraged her to hold on to his shoulders and get closer to him. She sensed his fingers on the buttons of her dress and set to work on his shirt fastenings. He lifted her and laid her on the bed and shrugged out of his shirt.
His muscles rippled with each movement, proving he was as strong as she’d imagined. “I dream of you every night, Shannon. I’ve burned for your touch.”
She finished opening her dress. “I seem to have lost my inhibitions. Good thing you placed me on the bed because your kisses melted my bones.”
He released her chemise to reveal her breasts. “Even more beautiful than I imagined. I have to taste you.”
His mouth on her breast sent her into a flight of ecstasy. “I had no idea anything could be this wonderful. Don’t stop, Riley.”
Barking interrupted their lovemaking. Pounding on the door pierced her infatuated brain.
“Good heavens, someone’s at the office door.”
He slid from the bed and grabbed his shirt. “I’ll go down while you straighten your dress and your hair.”
She wondered what the time was. When she’d buttoned her dress, she checked her lapel watch. Eleven o’clock. No excuse in the world would cover this. Her reputation, what there was of one, was ruined.
Leaving her hair pulled back and tied with a ribbon at her nape, she hurried downstairs. In her office, Riley was calming Tobias Doan.
“Mary said the doctor warned her. We didn’t know things could be this bad. Every one of them has the spots.”
Shannon had her coat and hat on and pulled on her gloves. “I’ll go with you, Mr. Doan. Since you said all the children are ill, let me add a few things to my medical bag.”
“You got to hurry, Ma’am. Joey and Polly are plumb out of their head with fever.”
She sent Riley a longing glance. “Let’s go, Mr. Doan. Oh, and let me take a tin of cookies for the children who aren’t quite so ill.” She raced to the pantry and grabbed one of the tins she’d filled this week.
Riley followed her. “I’m sorry, Shannon, this will ruin your reputation.”
“Please stay as long as you wish but close up when you and Sylvester leave. Or, leave him here so his feet won’t be frozen.”
He gave her a quick kiss then she hurried to go with Mr. Doan.
Chapter Eight
When she arrived at the Doan home, the children were all in bed. Mary should have been also from her slumped posture and the dark circles under her eyes.
“Mary, have you and your husband had the measles?”
The harried mother pushed strands of hair away from her face. “We both had them as children. I don’t remember them being this scary.”
“Likely because you were busy being sick and didn’t know how much your parents worried about you.”
Shannon opened her medical bag and drew out her stethoscope. “One of the dangers is pneumonia. Let me listen to the children’s chests and take their temperature.”
The Doan children were in an upstairs room fitted with two full- size beds and one small one. Blankets were pushed against the wall but hung from a rope across the center of the room to divide boys from girls.
When she touched Joey, the heat from his small body shocked her. Quickly, she took his temperature, alarmed to learn his reading was almost to the 104 degree Fahrenheit mark.
Two chairs were in the room and Mary dropped into one of them. “You warned me, but this came on during the blizzard. I knew they were getting sick before they broke out but I was afraid Tobias would get lost trying to go get you.”
“I’m here now and I’ll do what I can to help. The main thing is to keep them quiet and contain the fever.”
Mary’s eyes filled with tears. “I knew a family who lost two children to measles. I’ve been near sick with worry.”
“We’ll both work to keep the fever down, Mary. Maybe the family you knew of didn’t keep the children in bed and warm. Even though they’re feverish and want
to kick off the covers, they can’t be allowed to catch cold.”
“I’ve tried to keep them in bed. Polly had diarrhea and couldn’t stay off the pot, pardon my language.”
“If Mr. Doan could bring up fresh water for them to drink, that would help. Polly can use some weak tea and soda crackers if you have them. Then you should go to bed and get as much sleep as you can. I’ll take care of the children.”
Mary’s eyes widened. “Alone? When will you sleep?”
“I’ve had plenty of sleep this week during the blizzard. In fact, I made Christmas ornaments and baked cookies. The sheriff and I were decorating my house when your husband arrived. We’d finished with the living quarters and were about to start on the medical rooms. I brought some of the cookies for your family.”
Mary stared at her as if she hadn’t heard a word Shannon said. “You really plan to stay here all night?”
“I do and I’ll call you if I get overwhelmed. You have to get some rest or I’ll be taking care of you, too.”
Mary Doan’s tear-filled eyes overflowed. “Thank you. I’m sorry we haven’t been more welcoming and here you’re being so nice.”
“Go get some sleep, Mary. This is my job and I’ll do my best.”
When the parents had gone to bed, Shannon went from child to child. She soothed them as much as she could. She made sure Polly drank enough water and weak tea to make up for her stomach problems.”
Riley appeared at her side during the wee hours of the morning. “Figured you could use a helper.”
Even the sound of his voice aided her in coping. “I wouldn’t turn you away. I didn’t hear you knock.”
He hung his coat on a peg and rolled up his shirt sleeves. “Door wasn’t locked and I slipped in. What can I do?”
“Bathe Joey’s face and torso. He has the highest fever. I’ll do the same with Polly. Those two are the sickest. Toby and little Mary have a light case. Nancy is covered but her fever isn’t as high as Joey’s and Polly’s.”
She was surprised at how easily Riley shifted into children’s caregiver. After all the things he did for the people in town, she should have realized he’d be good at this too. Thoughts of him as a father invaded her mind.
At daybreak, Tobias came into the sickroom. “Sheriff? Didn’t hear you get here.”
“Dr. Callahan is having a two-for-one sale. Which means, by the way, that I work for free. Joey’s fever is down.”
Shannon smiled at Mr. Doan. “So is Polly’s and her stomach is quiet.”
“Having all five sick at once has been hard on us. Mary kept worrying one of them would die. Near drove us both crazy.”
Shannon tucked the cover around Polly and Nancy. “You don’t need to worry about that, Mr. Doan. I imagine you’ve had a hard time the past few days.”
“Nancy came down first on Wednesday and Toby soon broke out the same day. Little Mary didn’t break out until Friday afternoon. Joey and Polly broke out Thursday but both come up with high fever last night. We don’t have a thermometer so we couldn’t tell exactly, but their skin sure felt hot.”
“They did have a high fever. I hope your wife is still asleep.”
“She’s making breakfast. Doctor, don’t know how I’m gonna pay you, but you can be sure I will.”
“Don’t concern yourself, Mr. Doan. The town provides my home and I don’t have to pay rent.”
“But you have to eat and feed your horse. I aim to do right.”
Riley asked, “Tobias, did you sleep any last night?”
“Ashamed to say I did. Once my head hit the pillow, I was out. Didn’t wake up until I heard Eunice Harper’s rooster crowing at sunup. I tried to slip out of bed without waking my wife, but she popped up when I did.”
Shannon touched little Mary’s forehead. “Do you think your wife slept?”
“Said she did, but she’s a light sleeper. Always listening for a child, you know.”
Toby sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Sheriff? Where’s your dog?”
“He’s at the house. I don’t like for him to stay out when it’s this cold. The pads of his feet can’t take the snow for long.”
“All us wanted a dog but Pa says we don’t need one until we’re older.”
“Your pa’s a smart man. You ought to listen to him.”
Toby smiled at his father. “I know. Uh, Pa?” He nodded toward Shannon then stage-whispered. “I hafta pee.”
Riley rose and drew the blankets across the rope from one end then the other. “I imagine the girls would like some privacy, too.”
Shannon cautioned, “But that doesn’t mean you can run around, Toby. Just take care of business and get back in bed.”
She took advantage of the closed curtains to get the girls to use their chamber pot. After Polly’s stomach problems, the smell almost gagged her but she also took advantage before she replaced the lid. As soon as she got the girls settled, she’d take the container downstairs to be emptied. Surely the father could take care of that chore.
“Okay to open the curtains?” Riley asked.
“Yes, thank you.” She carried the chamber pot but Tobias stopped her.
He held a similar pail with a lid. “Set that in the hall and I’ll empty it and this one. Then I’ll be back up and stay with the kids while you two eat breakfast.”
Toby said, “I’m hungry, Pa.”
“Son, when have you ever gone without a meal? You’ll get your turn to eat.”
Shannon and Riley finished breakfast while Mr. Doan fed the children. Riley left to go take care of being sheriff.
Shannon sat with the children all day. About eight o’clock that evening, Joey’s fever broke and he began breathing naturally. Polly’s lungs weren’t clear, but she was better.
***
Riley went by to check on Shannon more than on the children. By now she was sure to be ready to drop. When he arrived, he was glad to see her donning her coat and hat.
“Mary and Tobias are sending me home. She’s upstairs but Tobias offered to walk me home.”
Tobias said, “We can’t thank you enough, Shannon. Having you here sure eased our minds.”
Riley took her arm. “I’ll see her home, Tobias. You get back to your children.”
Shannon turned back to Tobias. “If you need me, please let me know. Make sure you and Mary take turns sleeping so neither of you gets sick.”
Riley offered his arm because he figured she needed the support. “Pastor Nichols said if the epidemic gets bad, you can use the church as a hospital. Here, let me carry your medical bag and you hold on to me.”
“Thank you.” She quickened her steps. “Dear heavens, I forgot about poor Plato. He must be hungry and I hope he hasn’t run out of water.”
He held her back. “Slow down. I took care of him. You had your hands full.”
“Seems to me you’re doing everyone’s job. Who’s taking care of you?”
“You are.” He grinned. “My backside thanks you.”
She nudged him with her elbow. “Your tune has certainly changed. When I treated you, you acted as if I was the devil incarnate.”
“Shannon, when a man has the misfortune to have something as disgusting as a boil on his backside, the last thing he wants is to have a pretty woman privy to that fact. Pretty hard on the ego.”
She looked at him through her lashes. “You think I’m pretty?”
Might as well confess. “I noticed that the first time I met you.”
She gasped and pretended to be peeved. “When you were so mean to me because I’m a woman doctor.”
“Shannon, how old are you?”
“You know you shouldn’t ask a woman’s age, but I’m twenty-six. Why?”
“If you hadn’t gone to medical school, you’d be married with a couple of kids by now.”
She bristled and snapped at him. “I told you I still plan to marry and have children. At least if I fall in love with a man who returns my feelings before I’m too old to conceive.”
Ho
w could she? She hadn’t thought that notion through.
“What would you do with the children while you were at the Fraser or Doan home? You can’t just park them in a stall like Plato.”
Her glance was fiery enough to melt metal. “You think I haven’t considered that situation? I’d have a housekeeper-nanny. Even a busy physician has free time. I could still be a good mother and wife while treating patients.”
He guided her up the walk and erased the note on the blackboard that said she was at the Doan home.
Inside, Sylvester ran up to them.
She bent to hug the lucky dog’s neck. “So nice to see you, precious boy. I didn’t know you were here.”
“I said he was safe at home but I didn’t say whose home. Afraid I’ve sort of camped out here. I can’t explain why except Will always made me feel welcome here. At least the house is warm for your return.”
The smile she offered turned his knees to rubber. “Nice to come home to and now you don’t have to rush off to take care of Sylvester.”
“Ah, but you have to go upstairs and crawl into bed and sleep. I’ll let Sylvester help me check on Plato.”
A desperate expression crossed her face. “Y-You won’t leave without telling me, will you?”
She shook her head. “What am I saying? I’m used to being on my own here.”
He grinned since her wishes matched his. “If you don’t mind, I’ll hang around.”
She rubbed her forehead with delicate fingers. “Must be fatigue making me melancholy but I’m glad you’re not leaving. I’m so tired I wouldn’t be a good conversationalist this evening. You could win at chess without even trying.”
He walked her upstairs. As soon as she crawled between the covers, she was asleep. When he returned later to check on her, she hadn’t moved. He got a blanket from the linen closet and went back to the parlor to bed down on the sofa.
What the hell was he doing here in her house? Sure, he’d spent a lot of time here with Will, but now the place was Shannon’s. He didn’t even approve of a woman being a doctor, so why was he helping her?
Mistletoe Mistake Page 7