She walked to the side of the bed and touched his forehead. “You were sleeping, and I decided to wait to give you medicine. I should’ve woken you.”
He pulled the sheet up to his neck. Shay draped the blanket over him. “Do you have any other bedcovers?”
“No.” His teeth chattered as he closed his eyes.
* * *
Shay woke against a warm body. Matt lay at her back with his arm across her waist. A ripple of shock went through her. What was she doing here? All she planned to do was help keep him warm until he settled. Heavens, she had fallen asleep. In bed. With Matt. It did feel good to have a man holding her close. It had been so long. Yet she couldn’t stay here.
Heat no longer radiated off him. At least his fever had broken. She’d removed the bags of ice, gave him pain medicine trying to make him as comfortable as possible, but he still pulled into a ball and shivered. She’d found an extra blanket in the closet, but it had done little good. He continued being miserable. Unable to sit by and watch him in misery, she’d crawled under the covers and wrapped her arms around him, intending to stay for only a few minutes.
Now here she was in bed with Matt hours later. He shifted, and she took her chance to move away, but his arm tightened. His breath was but a soft whish across her cheek. She had to get out of bed before Matt really woke. What would he think about her sleeping with him?
Matt’s breathing changed. He nuzzled her neck. “Mmm...”
“Matt?” she whispered.
“Uh?”
She’d been tempted to move her head, giving him better access to her neck. His lips against her skin had her thinking and feeling things better left alone. “I need to get up.”
“I like you right here,” he grumbled, but his arm moved off her waist.
She slid out of bed, then looked down at him. “I, uh...didn’t mean to go to sleep.”
He watched her too closely. “I didn’t mind.”
“How’re your legs feelings?” She needed to get this conversation going in another direction.
He grinned. “Better than other parts of my body.”
She shivered. “Really.”
He rolled to his back, the covers showing more of his chest than she would have liked. Then again, she would have liked to see more. She needed to get out of here before she got herself in trouble.
“Better I think,” Matt answered.
“I’m glad to hear it. I need to go, but before I do, I should check your legs.”
Matt lay back on the pillows. She pushed the covers up to reveal his calves, and he watched her as she went about examining his legs. She felt his attention as if it were a hand resting on her. The muscles in her middle quivered. Why didn’t that bother her? Instead, she wanted to get back in bed with him.
Why wouldn’t she let go and take what she wanted? What she believed Matt would be willing give. Because she wanted forever, and Matt wouldn’t be that.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SHAY MADE IT through an unbelievable day—barely. It had been difficult on two levels and all because of Matt. Without his help she’d been busier than usual and when she wasn’t seeing a patient she walked around in a haze of what-ifs.
She wanted to say that fog had to do with the long stint she’d gone without sex, but she feared it had more to do with Matt in particular. Being wrapped in his arms that morning had been enough to whet her appetite.
Having a fling wasn’t like her, but she wanted to, badly. Her life stayed under a microscope. She had an obligation to the town who had expectations of her. Still there was nothing like the feeling of being desired. Matt had given her that as no one else had. Her and John’s relationship had been about youth and dreams and being comfortable. With Matt it was about being mature, of knowing what she wanted; and the fact Matt made her uncomfortable in a good way. It has been too long since you’ve been held in a man’s arms, much less been kissed into oblivion. It was a heady experience. She could so easily get drunk on need.
That morning when she’d come out of the bathroom, he’d still been in bed. The temptation to join him had almost taken her control. Instead, she’d gone into doctor mode and cared for his legs. “I’m going to ask Ms. Gladys to check on you.”
“You’re going to do what?” He sat up in bed. “Are you trying to punish me?”
She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips as if talking to a child. “Someone needs to check on you. To make sure you aren’t running a fever.”
“I’ll go to work. I can make it.” He grabbed the sheet as if planning to flip it back.
“No, you won’t. You need to stay off your legs for the day. Without you at the clinic I can’t get away to see you.” Her look bore into him. “That leaves Ms. Gladys. And if I know her, and I do, she’ll see that you are fed. I already have her bringing you soup.”
Matt groaned and leaned back.
“I’d suggest you get a shower now.” She glanced down at his hips barely covered by the sheet. “And put on some clothes because ten minutes after I talk to her, she’ll be over here.”
He glared at her much like he had the night before. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Shay grinned. “A little.”
He gave her his best wolfish look that made her eyes widen. “You do know I’ll have to get you back for this.”
“I’m not the one who stepped in the fire ants.” She stepped back toward the door.
“You can be a cold woman, Dr. Lunsford. How’re you going to handle the clinic by yourself? Why don’t I come in after lunch?”
“I’ll deal. You need to stay off those legs all day. Keep in mind I’ll be asking Ms. Gladys for a report this evening when I stop by to see how you’re doing. Now, I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late.”
Shay called at lunchtime to check on him.
He growled, “I’m fine and I’m going to get you for this. Ms. Gladys is killing me with kindness. Come save me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
As soon as she locked up the clinic she headed to Matt’s. Her heart beat faster as she drove closer to his house, yet her mind pushed down the excitement. She had no business getting involved with a man who wouldn’t be around after the next two weeks.
When she arrived at Matt’s house, Ms. Gladys met her in the drive with her mouth pinched with worry.
“How’s the patient doing?” Shay climbed out of the car.
The older woman placed her hands on her hips. “He told me he was going to take a nap and locked me out.”
Shay put her arm around Ms. Gladys’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I appreciate your help today. I know Matt will tell you he’s thankful when he’s feeling better. I’ll check on him, but he should be able to take care of himself from here on out. I’ll call you if we need you.”
“Please do, dear. His legs really are a mess.” Ms. Gladys shook her head and started toward her house.
The lawnmower still sat in the yard and Shay went after it, pulling it in under the carport. She knocked on the door and waited patiently. On his bad legs it would take Matt a while to get to the door, plus she had no doubt he was hiding out from Ms. Gladys.
Finally, she saw the curtain move and an eye peeking out. The click of the door soon followed. It was quickly opened.
“Get in here,” Matt snapped, looking around frantically. “Hurry.”
Shay stepped inside the house, barely controlling her laughter. “Aren’t you being a little dramatic?”
Matt glared at her. “You aren’t the one she threatened to bathe!”
Shay burst into laughter. She held her waist as tears rolled down her face. Matt gave her a look of disgust and hobbled off. Working to get the merriment under control, she followed him into the living room.
He plopped into the recliner and pulled the footrest up. His legs looked awful. S
oon they would start to itch without mercy. He wouldn’t like that either.
“You have no idea what I’ve endured today and now you’re laughing at me. Is this your idea of a good bedside manner?”
She couldn’t help but huff at that. Which had him glaring at her again. “I’m not at your bedside. I’m making a house call to check on your legs. Do they hurt? It looks like the swelling has gone down.”
“It has. I started feeling better this afternoon. The only problem was that I couldn’t convince Ms. Gladys of that.”
Shay chuckled, covering it with a cough. She glanced around the room. “You know if you’d open some of these curtains and get some sunlight in here it would help your feelings.” She stepped toward a window.
“Don’t open that. I like watching TV in the dark, plus I’m afraid Ms. Gladys will look in the windows.”
She dropped her hand to her side. “Now you’re just being silly.”
“I know she’s just being nice, but I’m not in the mood.” He reached down and scratched his leg.
“Don’t do that. I brought you some aloe to put on it to keep down the itching.” She went to the kitchen where she’d left her bag on the table. Opening it, she pulled out the plastic jar with the green gel and returned to Matt. She handed it to him. “This should help. I also have a couple of allergy pills for you to take. You should be able to return to work on Monday.” She took those out of her pocket. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving me?” His disappointed look fed her ego.
“I am. I have a committee meeting tonight.”
His mouth turned down. “Thanks for coming by, then. I’ll be fine.” His attention returned to the sports on TV. “I’ll see you at the clinic.”
Shay left feeling like she’d done something wrong. Had he been upset with her for not wanting to stay with him? Being around Matt outside the clinic only increased her chances of heartache. She had enough of those for a lifetime.
But she liked him, like no other man in a long time. Matt intrigued her. Kept her on her toes. Excited her. All of that had been missing in her life. She felt invigorated being around him. She’d been going through the motions, the same old actions, for so long it was liberating to break out of the mold.
* * *
By the time Saturday afternoon rolled around, Matt had had enough of being the invalid. His legs were much better but looked awful. He would recover. Having become desperate for company, he answered the door when Ms. Gladys had come over to see how he was. She’d brought him lunch. He’d had mercy on her and been civil, but the person he really wanted to see was Shay.
He picked up his phone and called her. She answered on the second ring. “Matt, are you all right?”
“My legs are fine, but I’m bored out of my mind. If I order in pizza will you join me? Stay and watch some TV. I promise to behave myself. Just a friendly night in.” She took so long to answer he feared she wouldn’t do so.
“Sorry. I already have plans.”
Disappointment washed through him. “Okay, I understand. See you later.” He prepared to hang up.
“Matt?”
“Yeah?”
She hesitated a moment. “If you want to go with me you can.”
His blood quickened. “I’ll be ready when you get here.”
“You don’t even know where we’re going.” Surprise filled her voice.
Desperate to get out of the house, and a chance to see Shay, it didn’t matter where they were going. “I don’t care. I just need to get out.”
“All right. Dress casual and bring a change of clothes.”
“Now, that does sound interesting.” Where could they be going?
“Don’t get any ideas. I can change my mind,” Shay said.
“I promise to be a gentleman.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Don’t bother coming to the door. I’ll be watching for you.”
Shay chuckled. “You really are wanting to get out.”
“And I’m looking forward to seeing you.” He was, too much.
“Matt.” Her voice held a warning.
“Understood. See you in a few.” He ended the call.
Good as her word she pulled into his drive minutes later. He was out the door before she stopped the car. He glanced over to see if Ms. Gladys stood at the window. He didn’t see her. Opening the passenger door, he threw his bag in the back seat and climbed in. It was one thing to have his neighbor concerned about him, another to have her in his business all the time. “Let’s go before Ms. Gladys comes out and starts asking questions.”
“In a hurry?” Shay grinned as she backed out of the drive.
As she left the city limits, he asked. “Where’re we going?”
“To my farm.”
“I didn’t know you had a farm.”
“I don’t talk about it much. It’s my hideaway. The one place where I can be me.”
He looked at her. “Be you?”
“Yeah. Not the doctor. Not the daughter. Not the daughter-in-law, not a hero’s wife. Just plain old me.”
“I didn’t know you minded being all those things.” He’d thought Shay was happy being all things to the town.
Her mouth thinned. “I don’t mind most days, but others it’s a burden. So sometimes I need to get away.”
“You still haven’t really answered to where.”
She turned and headed out of town going west, putting the sun in their eyes. “We’re going out to my grandparents’ homestead. I bought it from my parents a few years ago.”
“Your mother’s or father’s side?” As they left the regular stores and businesses of the city and the homes of the suburbs the scenery turned into flat farmland with rows of cotton and corn. Occasionally there would be fenced-in fields with cows grazing.
“It belonged to my grandparents on my mother’s side. She inherited it. There isn’t much to it, but it’s mine. I’ve spent any extra time I have fixing it up. I had a few things I wanted to do this weekend and you happened to call as I was going out the door.”
“How far away is it?”
“About forty-five miles from your place. A little closer from mine.”
“You ever thought about moving out there?” He looked out at the rich delta dirt.
“About every day.”
He glanced at her. “Then why don’t you?”
She pulled up the corner of her mouth. “I don’t know. I guess because it’s easier to stay where I am.”
“Really? Forever? So when you remarry you’ll want to live where you and your ex-husband lived?”
She shrugged. “I’ve never really given it any thought.”
“Which one? Remarrying or where you would live.”
“Either.”
Matt looked at her in complete disbelief. “As smart, vivacious and beautiful as you are you don’t think someone would want to marry you? You’d be a real catch. Perfect, in fact.”
Shay narrowed her eyes. “Are you offering?”
He gulped. It had sounded like that. “No, I uh...was just saying. Maybe we should change the subject.”
“You know I was kidding you about the offer of marriage.”
This wasn’t what he wanted between them. He’d gone too far. “I’m sorry, Shay. I said more than I should. It’s not my business. I should use my manners. I’m your guest on this trip.”
Her body relaxed. She made a right turn down a dirt road. Dust billowed up behind them as they traveled. Soon they drove into an area with fenced grass fields on either side of the road. She made a turn up a drive with grass down the center of the lane.
“This belongs to me.” Shay waved a hand at both sides of the drive.
“How many acres do you have?” Matt watched as they approached an area with trees.
Among them he could just make out the corner of a white clapboard building with a red tin roof.
“There’s twenty acres left, but I did manage to save some along the river. Even though it’s at the back of the property. The house couldn’t be too close to the river because it might flood.”
As they drew closer, he could tell the trees were a cluster of large oaks. Shay drove onto a grassy area then around one of the trees and pulled to a stop in front of the house. A porch ran the length of the front. On either side of the door were a set of red rockers with yellow pillows in them. Between the chairs sat a white table with a red flowering plant on it.
Everything about the place looked like peace and tranquility. It couldn’t be more different from the house Shay had shared with her husband or his apartment in LA.
“I know it’s not much, but it’s mine.” Pride filled her voice.
“I like it. It looks like you.”
Shay smiled, obviously pleased with the idea. She had the best smile. It reached her eyes, made her face glow.
“Come inside. I’ll give you the grand tour of all four of the rooms.”
He followed her onto the porch and held the screen door while she unlocked the wooden door with a glass panel across the top. She pushed it wide and they stepped inside. The walls of the room were painted white and the wooden floor gleamed. An overstuffed sofa sat at an angle in the far corner. Two matching chairs faced a fireplace with a large footstool in front of them. A small desk and bookcase had been positioned against another wall. Thin white curtains hung on each side of the two windows in the room.
“Obviously the living room.” She moved to a doorway off the living room. “This is your bedroom.”
A regular-size bed with a high wooden headboard and matching footboard filled the small space. A bedside table and a chest of drawers were the only other furniture. A braided rug lay on the same type of flooring as the living room.
She directed him down a short hall to a room to the left. It was a kitchen which looked to have been recently redone in a retro look. Even the refrigerator was a sea foam green. A farmhouse sink faced one of the windows. The small wooden table had two mismatched chairs.
Taming the Hot-Shot Doc Page 9