by Cate Beauman
A door opened, and second later he heard a faint hum echoing from the exercise room. Recognizing the sound as hot tub jets powering on, he clicked off the television and got to his feet. If Reagan was going for a soak, he had every intention of joining her. She’d accepted his apology earlier today and let him give her a hand, but the air between them wasn’t entirely clear. They were going to be living together for the next several weeks, and by the time he left, he hoped to be able to call her a friend.
He walked to his room, stripped down, and pulled on his swim trunks, making his way to the small greenhouse-like area with the faint chlorine smell. Reagan sat among the gentle bubbles in the circular two-person tub, her sexy bikini-clad silhouette highlighted by the single blue light at the bottom of the basin. Her hair was piled on top of her head, her eyes closed while she leaned against the back.
“Looks like we had the same idea,” he fibbed.
She opened one eye, then the other, sitting up further.
“Do you mind company?”
“No. Come on in.”
He stepped into the warmth, taking the seat opposite her, his leg brushing the smooth skin of hers as he settled in. “This definitely doesn’t suck.”
“Finding this here was a welcome surprise.”
“Can’t sleep?”
“No. I’m hoping this will help.” She sunk down to her shoulders, resting her head again.
“We spent most of the day together, and I forgot to ask how things went at the mine.” He’d noticed the stack of flyers she’d brought with her sitting on her desk on his way out the door.
“Not as good as I’d hoped. Gaining people’s trust is going to be a challenge.”
He agreed, starting right here with the doctor. “I think you’re off to a good start. Sue Anne and her mother left happy enough.”
“Hopefully I’ll be able to show more people that we’re not ‘the devil in disguise.’” She made air quotes as she rolled her eyes.
He grinned. “Good old Jasper.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “This is a whole different world, a whole new culture.”
“It’s definitely a big change.”
“Mmm,” she agreed.
“So why’d you come?”
She shrugged. “Because change can be good. Did you have a chance to look over that medical book I gave you?”
Apparently that was the end of that discussion. Doc didn’t like to talk about herself. “Some of it. It’s pretty dry.”
“After I get back from my hike tomorrow, we’ll work on mastering the blood pressure, which can be kind of tricky.”
“I’m already a step ahead of you. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“Sure. I have every intention of passing Unofficial Medical Assistant School with flying colors.”
She laughed.
He grinned, loving the bold, bright sound. “It’s you and me, Doc, against the world.”
“That it is, and I don’t think that’ll be changing anytime soon.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I got an e-mail from the director not long after you left. It sounds like it’s going to be a while before they get someone else here. Applicants for the nursing position appear to be few and far between.”
“I can’t imagine why. It’s hard to believe someone would want to miss out on all this.” He lifted his arm from the water and made a sweeping gesture.
She sent a small rush of water his way. “It’s not that bad.”
He narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. “Jury’s still out.”
“I guess we’ll have to see.”
“I guess we will.”
She sat up. “I should probably get out.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve got a hike ahead of me tomorrow.”
“We’ve got a hike ahead of us,” he emphasized as he stood, grabbing a towel, watching water sluice down her sinful body as she gained her feet. “You should really eat if you’re going to be burning that kind of energy. I don’t want to have to carry you back.” He handed over the soft cotton towel.
“Thanks.” She hit a button, killing the bubbles. “You said you made burgers?”
“On the grill.”
She wrapped the towel around her shoulders. “It probably wouldn’t hurt to have one.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Didn’t you eat already?”
“Eating’s one of my favorite hobbies.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “I don’t know about you, Shane.”
As he smiled back, staring at her in the dim blue light, he knew he was looking forward to more nights like this. He got out, taking her hand as she stepped down. “I guess I’ll see you in five.”
She nodded. “I’ll see you in five.”
~~~~
Sweat dripped down Reagan’s temples as she sat in the partial shade on the Jacoby’s rickety front porch, thankful she’d chosen to wear a tank top with her navy blue hiking shorts. It was barely ten and the temperature was already miserable with the sun boring down and the drowning humidity making it hard to breathe. “Let’s take a look here.” She focused on Sue Anne, standing in front of her lawn chair, smiling at the little girl despite the wretched heat. She pulled Sue Anne closer, positioning her within the “v” of her legs, pushing the damp blond hair back from her forehead, pleased with the lack of swelling or redness around the clean line of the adhesive. “This looks good.” Her shoulders relaxed with the huge sense of relief. “Really good.”
“Mmm.” Sue Anne moved closer. “You smell real nice.”
“Thank you.” Shane caught her eye, gesturing to the water bottle in the backpack he carried on one shoulder. His white shirt clung to his tough form, soaked with perspiration. She shook her head subtly, giving her attention to Sue Anne as the little girl reached for her hands, holding them. “Does your cut hurt?”
“No.”
“How’d she do last night?” she asked Mrs. Jacoby, who sat on a rusty chair in the same pants and t-shirt she wore yesterday, seemingly far more adapted to the stifling heat.
“Fine. She didn’t need none of the Tylenol. She acted like her crazy self—nothin’ any stranger than usual.”
Reagan grinned. “We’ll take it.” She squeezed Sue Ann’s hands before letting them go to examine the girl’s forehead one more time, gently pressing around the injury. “I think you’re well on your way to recovery.”
Sue Anne’s bottom lip tipped down in a pout.
Reagan frowned, her shoulder tensing again. “What’s wrong?”
“Mommy says I’m not to be goin’ in the creek.”
She unclenched her jaw, realizing there were no major problems. “I’m afraid your mommy’s right.” But the heat was already dangerously oppressive and the shack-like home didn’t have air conditioning or any fans she could see through the opened screen door. “Or maybe you can sit with your feet in the water, but you can’t get your head wet just yet or I’ll have to glue you back together again.”
“I think in to your knees sounds like a mighty fine thing.” Mrs. Jacoby nodded.
“Even better,” Reagan agreed, winking at the little girl.
“I was—” Sue Anne gasped, her face lighting up. “Daddy!” She ran toward the man walking their way, giving him a big hug, Sue Anne’s brothers and sister following.
Reagan smiled, recognizing him as the stranger she waved to everyday—the one who never waved back.
Mrs. Jacoby got to her feet. “Byron, this is the doctor who gave Sue Anne a hand.”
“Hello.” She stood smiling, extending her hand. “I’m, Reagan.”
He gave her a nod, returning her shake.
“This is Shane,” Reagan added.
“Hey,” Shane said, shaking Mr. Jacoby’s hand next.
The man nodded again.
“Byron works nights at the mine, and more if they’ll have him. Most days he’s able to get rides back to
the bottom of the road. If not, he stays on for another shift.”
Mr. Jacoby had hiked six miles one way, Regan thought. “That’s quite a walk.”
“Brings in the money,” he said, brushing his hand across his mouth full of teeth in desperate need of a dentist.
“Yes.” She smiled again, sensing an odd tension in the air. “Well, we should be on our way. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to come see us.”
“I’m owin’ you for the visit.”
“We don’t charge at the clinic.”
“We pay our debts,” Mrs. Jacoby said. “How about a chicken?” She took the two steps to the ground from the porch and grabbed one of the birds walking by, holding it upside down by its legs.
“Oh. Well.” Reagan looked to Shane for help, unable to see his eyes now that he’d pulled his shades back on. “As much as we’d like to take that off your hands, I don’t know that we have a place to keep a chicken.”
“We definitely don’t have a cage,” Shane said, moving to Reagan’s side.
Mrs. Jacoby took the animal by the neck, swinging it in three jerking circles, breaking its neck.
Reagan swallowed, stifling a gasp, as Shane muttered, “Jesus.”
“This will taste fine for your dinner tonight.”
“Uh, yes, it certainly will.” Trapped by manners, she reached for the still twitching bird, glancing at Mr. Jacoby watching her as he lit a cigarette.
“Thanks.” Shane stepped in front of her, taking the animal, holding it by the leg.
“This really is wonderful.” Reagan swiped at stray strands of hair blowing in the stingy breeze. “Really wonderful.” She looked at Shane again.
He nodded. “Yeah, definitely.”
Growing more uncomfortable by the second, Reagan clasped her hands, clearing her throat. “Mrs. Jacoby, I’m embarrassed to ask, but how exactly do we prepare this?”
“You’re gonna need to do some defeatherin’.”
“Yes. Right. And how do we do that?”
“Good Lord above. Don’t you folks eat?”
“We do but I can honestly say I’ve never had anything quite this fresh.” She slid the dead bird another glance. “If you could just tell me how, I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
Mrs. Jacoby took the chicken back. “We’ll eat the chicken. Sue Anne,” she looked over her shoulder, calling to her daughter as the little girl ran around with her brothers and sister. “Go on and fetch some eggs.” She turned back to Shane and Reagan. “I’ll send you on with eggs.”
Reagan nodded, relieved. “I love eggs.”
“From the market I imagine.”
“The only kind I’ve had.” She sent Mrs. Jacoby a sheepish smile.
“Then you’re in for a treat. Fresh eggs is like a bit of heaven, I believe.”
Sue Anne came back with a bucket filled with half-a-dozen eggs.
“Thank Doc Reagan for bein’ so kind,” Mrs. Jacoby instructed Sue Anne.
“Thank you, Doc Reagan.”
“Thank you for the eggs. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s breakfast.” She slid her hand down Sue Anne’s hair. “Please come and see me again, but hopefully not for stitches.” She winked.
Sue Ann smiled.
“Bye.”
“Bye,” Mrs. Jacoby and Sue Anne said at the same time.
She and Shane turned, starting down the path they’d followed on the mile hike, disappearing into the blessed shade of the tall trees. She glanced Shane’s way several times in the silence. “Well, that was certainly interesting.”
He sent her a look as he pulled the water bottle from the pack.
“Don’t say anything.”
He shrugged, used his teeth to open the nozzle, gulped, then handed it over.
“Thanks.” She swallowed several refreshing sips of cool water.
“Am I allowed to talk yet?”
She rolled her eyes. “Go ahead.”
“Because we’re almost too far for me to turn around and trade those eggs for that bird if you’ve had a change of heart.”
She bit her cheek, refusing to smile. “It was a very nice gesture.”
“Absolutely.”
She grinned, snorting out a laugh. “You have quite a poker face. If it wasn’t for your ‘Jesus,’ I never would’ve known you were as shocked as I was.”
He grinned, grabbing the water bottle from her, spraying her with an icy-cold stream. “You’ve never had chicken so fresh, huh? I liked that.”
She laughed again as he chuckled. “What else was I supposed to say?”
“Hell if I know.” He shook his head. “It’s not everyday someone hands over a dead bird.”
“I think it’s safe to say there will never be a dull moment here in The Gap.”
“True.” He stopped, setting the bag down, pulling off his shirt. “Damn, it’s oppressive out here. Right about now I’m craving a cold shower.”
She stared at his damp, beautiful muscles, then looked straight ahead. “That makes two of us.”
“We could dump a shit-ton of ice cubes in the hot tub and chill out.” He wiggled his brows.
“Tempting.” Too tempting. “But I have to get to work and you have a test.”
“Blood pressure one-oh-one.” He slid the pack back on his shoulder.
“Absolutely.” She smiled at him as they continued on, deciding that Shane might not be so bad after all.
Chapter Five
“Knock, knock.”
Shane looked up at Reagan standing in his doorway, her mouthwatering figure accentuated by black yoga pants and a sky-blue spaghetti-strap top. “Hey.” Smiling, he pulled the ear buds from his ears.
“I called you, but I guess you didn’t hear me.”
“No. I was finishing up a couple of preliminary reports for my boss—big meeting next week.”
“Ah. I didn’t realize you still did work for your company while you’re all the way out here.” She took a step into his room.
“Work never stops.” He tossed a quick glance toward his bed, glad he took the extra second to pull his covers up and put the pillow back in place when he woke this morning. “There’s always something going on.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to tell you dinner’s ready.”
“Great. I’ll be right out.”
She took another step toward the small desk he was sitting at, looking at the grouping of picture frames he’d set in the corner—a little piece of home.
“Is this your family?”
He pointed to one picture. “This is my mother, father, sister, her husband, my brother, and his wife.” He pointed to another frame his sister had given him for Christmas with two smiling boys and a baby girl posed for the camera. “These are my twin nephews and niece.”
She smiled. “They’re beautiful.”
“They’re loud and messy, but we’ve decided we’ll keep them.”
Her smile widened. “Your family lives in California?”
He shook his head. “Oregon. About thirty minutes outside of Portland.”
“Oh. What about this one?” She tapped the picture taken a couple weeks ago of him, Stone, Sophie, and Abby standing by the arbor on the beach, smiling as the waves crashed behind them. “Those are my friends, Stone, Sophie, and Abby. Stone and I work together.”
She leaned in closer, the scent of her shampoo invading his nose as her hair brushed his knuckles. “Is that Abigail Quinn?”
“Yeah.”
She gaped at him. “You know Abigail Quinn?”
He nodded. “Abby’s husband, Jerrod, was my roommate.”
She raised her brows. “I have to admit I’m pretty impressed.”
He shrugged. “I guess I don’t see her the way everyone else does. She’s Jerrod’s wife and a super nice person. She also happens to be a world-famous clothing designer.”
“Wait a minute.” She frowned, easing closer yet, picking up the frame. “That’s Sophie McCabe. You were the best man at Sophie McCabe
’s wedding?”
He grinned. “Sophie’s a friend.”
“Who makes insanely awesome jewelry.”
“It’s pretty nice.”
“Nice?” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Men.”
He smiled, thrilled that she was standing so close, wanting to know something about his life. They saw each other everyday, walking together into the hills every morning and hanging out in the clinic, but she still kept her distance, rarely speaking of anything but the people of Black Bear Gap, clinical procedures, or ideas that might make community members more comfortable and likely to seek medical care. “I said it’s pretty nice.”
She rolled her eyes for the second time. “Who are all of these people?” She pointed to the group photo of his coworkers and their spouses and children posed for the shot at Stone and Sophie’s cliff-top wedding reception.
“My coworkers and their families.”
“They’re all stunning. Everyone of them.”
“Not bad, huh?”
She turned, her face inches from his. “You love them.”
He nodded, looking back at the frame as she did. “I’m damn lucky to work with some really great people. “This woman, Wren, she just found out she’s pregnant. Abby too, but that’s a secret.”
“My lips are sealed.” She slid her thumb and forefinger across her mouth as if zipping a zipper.
“Stone mentioned he and Sophie were trying, and Sarah and Ethan are on the verge of being parents for the third time.” He sat back, stretching. “Basically, it’s a baby bonanza back in LA.”
“And you’re missing it.” She smiled sadly as she stood upright again.
He was, but it wasn’t so bad now that he and Reagan had found an easier rhythm—morning hikes to introduce themselves to weary community members, afternoons spent endlessly training for the off chance someone might come into the office for medical care. But no matter how Reagan tried, the people of Black Bear Gap were not receptive to outsiders nosing into their business. “I’ll be back soon enough.”