Magdalena gasped and gripped the sink behind her, Claire on her left, and Mary on her right. “Y—yes, of course, I already told you.”
“What you’re telling them,” he looked pointedly at Claire, Mary, and then at Magdalena, “is a bit different from what you tried to assure me of earlier,” his voice was low and controlled.
“N—no, that’s not quite right. I told you that I’m fine,” she raised her chin, “and I am.”
“Ah,” he said, taking a step toward her. Both women squeezed closer to her sides. “Then you won’t mind if I confirm that myself, will you?”
No—yes—I mean, that’s not necessary.”
Claire crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at Lance. “She said she’s fine.”
“Claire?” Sully walked up behind Doc Holloway, “Could I see you for a moment, please?”
Claire gulped but stood her ground. “Claire Clarke, now, please,” he warned. “You, too, Mary.”
Both women looked at Magdalena and squeezed her hands before moving out of the kitchen toward Sully.
“This is completely unnecessary,” Magdalena whispered.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Lance Holloway confirmed, pointing toward a chair at the table.” Please, sit.”
“No.” Magdalena tilted her head in challenge.
“Okay, have it your way,” he agreed, moving toward her and sweeping her into his arms as though she were as light as a feather.
“Put me down you brute!” She exclaimed, struggling in his arms, but to no avail. He was 6’3” tall, and as strong as an ox. The more she struggled, the tighter he held her.
“Stop.” He commanded, and she did.
“Mary, with me,” he demanded, and she followed after Lance toward the guest room.
He plunked Magdalena down on the bed. Her chest was heaving and her eyes wild. “How dare you?” She demanded as she pushed up on her elbows, then scooted to the other side of the bed.
He stood at the near side of the bed, towering over her. “Let me see your arm.”
She bristled. “It's nothing more than a bruise.”
“Let me see your arm, Miss. Allen, or do I need to get Jim and Sheriff Sully to assist me?”
“You wouldn’t dare.” She narrowed her furious eyes at him.
“Try me.”
Magdalena quickly looked to Mary, who shook her head as though trying to convey that this was one fight she wasn’t going to win.
“Oh, fine,” she hissed through pursed lips.
“Mary,” he asked, his eyes never leaving Magdalena’s, “would you ask Jim to get my bag for me, please?”
“Yes, of course,” she agreed, offering an apology through her eyes to Magdalena before she turned.
Magdalena’s eyes widened.
Was that fear he glimpsed fear in her eyes? No, it was vulnerability. If he was going to win this fierce and wounded woman’s heart, vulnerability might just be his friend, Lance decided.
“Lay back, Miss. Allen,” he encouraged. “You’re only making this more difficult for both of us.”
She shot daggers at him with her eyes but did as he asked.
Good girl, he thought. We’re making progress.
Jim and Mary entered with Doc Holloway’s bag. “Will she live, Doc?” Jim asked with a grin stretching from ear to ear, as he set the bag down beside the doc.
“Not sure yet, Jim, but I’m hopeful.”
Jim chuckled and turned to leave the room.
“My stethoscope, please, Mary?” He asked.
“This is ridiculous.” Magdalena huffed.
Mary sat on the edge of the bed and held Magdalena’s hand to comfort her.
When Doc Holloway pulled Magdalena’s sleeve up her arm, Mary gasped. “That’s a lot worse than I thought, Mags,” she admitted.
Magdalena bit her lip, hard, as the doctor pressed against her bruised flesh. “Is that really necessary?” She asked through pursed lips, hissing.
“I want to make sure nothing’s broken, Miss. Allen,” he confirmed sternly, his hands moving to her head.
She jerked away from him when his fingers reached the tender bump from her fall against the chair.
He sighed, pulled her forward, and put his fingers tenderly on the bump. “Look at me,” he demanded.
She did, wincing as he palpated it. Her eyes filled with pain.
He proceeded to ask her questions, making her eyes follow his fingers in various directions, then pressed her back against the pillows.
“Is she okay?” Mary whispered.
Lance turned his eyes on Mary, they radiated disappointment.
“I’ll be right back,” he confirmed, turning to leave the room.
Magdalena looked at Mary as soon as he left. “He’s angry,” Mary confirmed.
Magdalena sighed. “I really did think I was okay.” She defended before pushing herself back up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Mary hissed.
“I’m going to finish helping Claire with dinner,” She announced.
Lance Holloway walked back into the room. “You’re going to stay right where you are. I’ll bring dinner to you,” he insisted. “Stay with her,” he glared at Mary before turning to leave the room once more.
“Mags,” Mary squeezed her friend’s hand, “I think he’s right, and think we’ve all had enough excitement for one day. Just do what he asked, okay? Here, I’ll help you get into a nightdress, and then I’ll bring you your dinner. You look exhausted,” she confirmed.
Magdalena sighed. “Okay,” she agreed.
Mary closed the bedroom door, helped Magdalena into a nightdress, and then opened the door. “I’m going to check on dinner. Don’t move,” she warned.
Magdalena managed a tired grin. “l will be good.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
“You were right, you know?”
“Really? How so?” Doc Holloway asked Magdalena, watching her carefully from the end of the bed.
“I am too tired and sore to teach today,” she admitted. “I thought I would feel fine, but well, you were right.”
He nodded. “I’ll stop by later today and then we can decide if it’s wise for you to teach tomorrow, Miss. Allen.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Okay,” she agreed, her eyes focused on his. “And you can call me Magdalena.”
He nodded, squeezed her hand, then rose to leave.
“Doctor?”
He turned back, his eyes curious.
“I’m sorry,” she dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry I was so difficult.”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, Magdalena,” he confirmed, reaching out to caress her cheek before he turned and left her room.
What was that supposed to mean? She wondered.
Claire walked into her room with a breakfast tray. “Good morning! How’s the patient today?”
“Not you, too,” Magdalena groaned.
“All I can say is you’d better eat every bit of this because I’m under strict instructions to deliver a full report to the doctor when he returns later today.”
“Really?” Magdalena asked as the corners of her mouth turned up ever so slightly.
“Yes, really,” Claire confirmed with a smile before sitting on the corner of the bed. “You got us all in trouble, you know,” she confided.
Magdalena grimaced. “I’m sorry. It was foolish of me, but honestly, I think I was still in shock. I truly did think I was fine.”
“Yes, well, Sully was furious with me, Lance was disappointed with all of us, and now they’re never going to believe us when we tell them we’re fine.”
“How’s Sister Theresa? Have you heard?”
“She’s about the same, but expected to be fine. Lance is headed there now, and Sully is beefing up the number of deputies.”
“He is? Why?”
“Well, when Lance saw the extent of your injuries, he told Sully he needed to get more
men over to the orphanage. He told him he thinks they are violent men, and should not be underestimated.”
Magdalena shivered. “Yes, they were dripping with it, now that I think about it. He didn’t even hesitate when he shot Sister Theresa—a sister!”
“Mm. I know. I think they’re trying to decide what to do about Raphael.”
“What do you mean?” Magdalena asked, sitting up straighter.
“Eat,” Claire demanded. “Well, the children of the orphanage may not be safe with him there, and the best way to ensure those men do not return is to make sure Raphael is not there if they do return.”
“But—that wouldn’t be good for Raphael. The children there and the sisters are like his family now.”
“Yes, but we are too close to the Mexican border, and Sully thinks Raphael may need to be moved to an orphanage or family further away.”
Magdalena tilted her head. “I can ask my father. I’m certain he knows the administrator of an orphanage in Philadelphia. I think he must because I know he’s done volunteer work at one in the past.”
“Are you talking with your father?” Claire asked.
“We’ve written,” Magdalena confessed. “He won’t back down from the ultimatum, and now I’m down to just over five weeks. I just wish I had more time.”
“Maybe you won’t need more time.”
“Claire, please don’t. I don’t need your help with this.”
“What are you talking about? Of course, you need my help with this. Do you want to be forced to marry a man you don’t know or have feelings for?”
“No,” Magdalena admitted, her eyes thoughtful.
“You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” Claire exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Magdalena smiled at her friend. “I don’t know about that, but I can tell you that it’s incredibly embarrassing every time he tries to take my pulse or listen to my heart and it’s racing…”
Claire jumped up, then hugged her friend.
“Don’t get excited. I have no idea how he feels, and just because there’s chemistry, doesn’t mean it’s the right match.” She paused. “He’s incredibly bossy and stubborn and overprotective—I’m not sure if I could handle that long-term,” she admitted.
“Trust me, I know exactly what you’re talking about and I thought it would be harder with Sully than it is, but the truth is, when you know your husband is asking—or telling—you to do something, and you know it’s because deep down they love you and believe it’s best for you, it makes all the difference in the world.” Claire’s eyes were shining, and her face flushed.
“You’re pathetic,” Magdalena teased.
“I know,” Claire admitted. “Who would have guessed.”
TWENTY-NINE
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Magdalena spun around. Claire stopped laughing, mid-laugh.
“I—I’m just helping Claire,” she whispered.
Lance narrowed his eyes at the women. “Where are you supposed to be?” He asked, his voice a low growl.
Magdalena swallowed. “Home? Here?”
He shook his head no and took a step toward her.
“She was feeling so much better, Lance, and we just—we just—,”
“Where are you supposed to be?” He asked Magdalena one more time, ignoring Claire’s protest as he drew closer.
Magdalena crossed her arms over her chest. “You did not tell me I had to stay in bed—not today. You said I couldn’t teach.” She inclined her head with emphasis.
“In bed. Now.”
Magdalena licked her lips and skirted around the doc before running for the room.
Lance tossed a grin at Sully and then followed after her.
“You—you—Sullivan Clarke!” Claire’s eyes narrowed, “Are you in cahoots with Lance Holloway?”
Sully took three long steps toward his wife and she backed up quickly against the kitchen sink. “Mrs. Clarke, are you challenging me?” He asked, his face a mere inch from hers.
Her eyes grew wide, and she licked her lips. “Yes, sort of,” she admitted with a mischievous grin.
He put his hands on either side of her, trapping her against the sink. “Do you know what happens to women who disobey their husbands in the Clarke household, Mrs. Clarke?”
She giggled, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Why do I have a feeling I’m going to find out?” She asked turning her face up to his.
“I will not reward this behavior, Mrs. Clarke, regardless of how tempting you are.” His left eyebrow raised as he looked down at her.
She sighed. “Are you avoiding my question?”
“Possibly,” he admitted, keeping her pinned in front of him.
“Maybe we should pick this up later, Sheriff Clarke,” she suggested.
His eyes narrowed, then he reached for her hands and pinned them behind her back. She squealed as he placed kisses from her ear all the way to the base of her neck. “Do you know what happens when you play with fire, Mrs. Clarke?”
She groaned.
“We will resume this later,” he promised, releasing her hands, and walking out of the kitchen.
She stood there, panting, before she finally moved, heading for the guest room.
The door was ajar, but she knocked softly before entering. “Is the patient cleared for dinner, doctor?” She asked.
He turned, giving Claire a second glance as he took in her flushed cheeks. He smiled and her cheeks reddened further.
“The patient,” he declared, looking back at Magdalena, “is cleared for dinner, although still in trouble for not minding doctor’s orders.”
“Oh, my,” Claire feigned shock. “What’s the penalty for that? Is it serious?”
Magdalena’s mouth dropped open as she stared at her friend.
“We’ll have to see,” he admitted. “If she’s on her best behavior, she may get off with a short walk with the doctor after dinner.”
“And if she’s not?” Claire asked, biting her lower lip as Magdalena glared at her.
“As I said, we’ll see.” He said as he closed his bag with a last look at Magdalena and turned to walk out of the bedroom.
“What was that about?” Magdalena asked, mortified. “I thought you were on my side.”
Claire giggled. “Let’s eat. Dinner’s ready.”
THIRTY
The conversation around the dinner table was animated. Mary and Jim stopped by with Mary’s famous strawberry pie, and Claire invited them to stay for dinner. It was the second night in a row they’d all been together, and a great opportunity for Lance to observe Magdalena in her element.
He found her to be far more open in this environment surrounded by her friends, and quite funny. Jim teased her as though she were one of his sisters, and she responded in kind, tit-for-tat.
She’d only caught Lance staring at her once, but she’d blushed when she had. That combined with her increased heart rate whenever he was near, and he had hope that she might be developing feelings for him, as he was her.
She was beautiful. She had full, just waiting-to-be kissed lips, her honey-brown eyes sparkled when she laughed and were always lit with intelligence. There were gold flecks that danced when she was angry, and her petite nose and high cheekbones were framed perfectly by her sun-kissed light-brown hair. She was thin with curves in all the right places, and she was the first woman he’d found himself attracted to both physically and as a person.
The fact that she treated him as an equal rather than a potential husband was very appealing—God knew he was tired of the single women in Bareglen Creek making their attraction and pursuit of him so obvious.
Sully’s advice that he not back down from being who he was as an authoritative and dominant man, had actually helped. She even seemed to be responding to letting him care for her.
The truth was, he didn’t want a wife who was like a wet blanket; he wanted a woman who was his equal in every way. He couldn’t abide by a sullen or rebellious spirit,
and he would expect her to obey him and respect his wishes, yet he also loved her strength and honesty. Magdalena had proven that she had an incredible heart while being strong, independent, kind-hearted and even God-fearing.
The more time he spent with her, the more convinced he felt that she truly was the woman for him.
Before his grandfather had died, he’d told him not to settle for a woman, but to wait for the one woman on this earth who could complete him like no other. His own parents were still very much in love, and he’d wondered if he would ever find that same level of respect and intimacy in a wife. Now that he’d found Magdalena, he had to figure out how to court her and convince her that he was equally the one for her, and he had one month in which to do it.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Magdalena addressed Lance, her eyes open and thoughtful.
He smiled. “I was thinking about my grandfather,” he admitted, meeting Magdalena’s eyes. “He was one of the best people I’ve ever had the honor of knowing, and he told me, right before he died, to wait for the one woman on earth who could complete me like no other.”
“Oh,” Magdalena whispered, her eyes locked on his.
He smiled into her eyes for a long moment before she blushed and looked away.
The conversation at the table halted until Claire jumped up offering to clear the table, and Mary jumped up telling them she’d be back with Strawberry pie. When Magdalena offered to help, they refused to let her, telling her to stay put.
Magdalena turned her attention toward Sully. “So what is going to happen with Raphael?” She inquired.
“I’m not sure yet, Magdalena,” he admitted. “For now I have three deputies standing watch at the orphanage, but that’s a short-term option and can’t be sustained long-term.”
She nodded. “But they’re his family,” she suggested, watching his reaction.
He sighed. “Yes, I know,” he hesitated, “but I have to tell you that it’s not safe for Raphael or the sisters or the children for him to stay there much longer.
Magdalena’s eyes filled with tears. “There’s no way to stop them?” She asked, rubbing her arm subconsciously, her eyes fixed on the wall beyond Sully, her mind elsewhere.
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