Legacy of Danger

by Jillian David

  But instead of the limp, unconscious woman from yesterday, Shelby rested in the circle of Eric's arms, bathed by the morning sunlight that filtered into the window. Awake.

  Smiling, even. Nestled against his chest, Shelby's face relaxed in a picture of relief. Of belonging.

  The intensity of that connection took Mariah's breath away, leaving hollow nothingness behind.

  She couldn't begrudge them their emotions. Heck, they'd both earned happiness and then some after everything they'd been through.

  So why then did the image of Eric, bruised and exhausted, holding Shelby like he possessed the best gift in the entire world make Mariah's chest ache?

  Because she wanted what those two people had. Okay, maybe not the concussions and broken limbs. With a longing that brought tears, Mariah drank in the scene before her. Not the physical scene but the emotional one. Fitting with another person. Being cherished.

  "Hi, Doc," Eric murmured, his smile uneven with the still-swollen cheek. "Look." He gazed down at the woman in his arms.

  "Shelby, how are you doing?" Mariah moved over to the bed.

  "I feel kind of hung over and can't see, but other than that, I'm terrific." The woman wiggled her legs. "Ow. And apparently my leg is still broken."

  "I can't believe you're awake. Any weird feelings? I mean, not associated with the fracture."

  "Believe it or not, I feel fine. When can I get out of here?"

  Eric tightened his embrace and frowned.

  Shelby's strange gold and brown eyes remained unfocused. She patted his hand. "Easy there, Tarzan. I don't want to run a 10K or anything. I'd just like to go home."

  "Which home?" he asked.

  She settled deeper into his chest. "Negotiable, based on your good behavior."

  "Geezus," he said. "Coma for days, but the minute you wake up, you're back to being a pip."

  The corners of Shelby's mouth quirked.

  "Mind if I check you over?" Mariah asked.

  "That's my cue to step out." Eric placed a kiss into the tangled orange curls on top of her head and extricated himself from their entwined limbs. "Don't go anywhere."

  "Do I resemble someone who could make a quick getaway? Seriously?"

  Mariah stifled a giggle.

  "I'll be right outside," he said, motioning to Kerr to follow him. The door closed with a soft click.

  Mariah checked Shelby's eyes with the ophthalmoscope. No pupil dilation. But no optic disc cupping or retinal hemorrhage. Eyes were a little bloodshot but otherwise had normal physical structures. What gave?

  The woman simply couldn't see.

  "I'm sorry about your vision. We'll get you set up with an ophthalmologist." She listened to Shelby's heart and lungs, then slung the stethoscope over her neck. "Hey. Looks like Eric's pretty happy you're alive."

  "Took me going into a coma to figure out how much he means to me. Kind of like a control-alt-delete on the brain."

  Mariah smiled. "Never thought of it that way, but okay."

  "So. Is my brother being a jerk still?"

  "Kerr?" She glanced back toward the closed door.

  "No, Mr. Grumpy Pants. Vaughn."

  "He seems to care a lot about his family," Mariah gave it her best politic response.

  "Nuh uh. I might not be able to see your face, but I'm not deaf or stupid. He's being a moron, isn't he?"

  "It's really not for me to say..."

  "So, you mean, yes, he's a dumbass."

  "Shelby—"

  The woman plowed ahead. "He's had a lot of bad stuff to deal with, and, yes, he worries about us." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just want him to find happiness."

  "Of course."

  "And I think he should try to find it with you."

  Mariah's mouth gaped open. "No, I don't. That's. Not appropriate. Um..."

  "The only problem? That numb nut is too stupid to figure it out. Most guys are dumber than two bricks smacked together when it comes to women. Trust me, I know," she said with a raised brow and a nod toward the door.

  "How in the world did you go from being comatose to analyzing nonexistent relationships?"

  "It's a gift." Shelby's laugh lit up her whole face. "Seriously, when can I go home?"

  Rocking back on her heels, Mariah said, "I'd like to run a few more tests today, then maybe home tomorrow. That would be Thursday, in case you've lost track of days."

  "Works for me." A shadow of a frown came and went. "I can't wait to be back on the ranch."

  "You do understand you can't do a whole lot, right? Your immediate future includes rest, more antibiotics, additional procedures, and physical therapy."

  "I know. It's just... time to be home. Where I belong. With family."

  Another twist of the imaginary knife in Mariah's chest made her cough.

  Then the air changed. Became heavier, solid.

  Secure. Warm.

  A quick headache came and went, and she rubbed her forehead.

  Vaughn stepped into the room. "Man, am I relieved you're awake." A leather jacket was draped over his arm, and he leaned against the doorjamb. But nothing else about his demeanor signaled casual. Every line in his big body was tense.

  Mariah froze, her pulse pounding so loud that the others had to hear it.

  Damn him, did he not own any loose shirts? It took all of her power not to auscultate the guy's heart sounds, just to get close to those pectorals.

  "You sound tired." Shelby turned her head in Vaughn's direction.

  "Little bit," he said. "I'm fine." He faced Mariah.

  How had she not noticed the shadows under his cheekbones? He still filled the room with a massive physical presence, but it looked like the guy had lost weight. He appeared exhausted, even when he stared at her with that stark, tight gaze.

  "Well, I'm going to go put in some orders," Mariah said, her face warming under his intense perusal. "I'll check back with you later."

  Shelby sat up straight. "Actually, I want Vaughn to leave as well."

  "What?" He pulled his chin back.

  "Dude, I need to go potty and, no offense, but I do not want your participation or observation in the blessed event."

  A splash of red colored his neck as he backpedaled to the door. "Got it. I'll be out here with Kerr and Eric."

  She waved a hand. "Fine, fine. Hey, get me a nurse, would ya?" Laughing, she added, "And not Nurse Eric, either. I don't know how he ever got licensed, but he's terrible."

  Mariah pulled the curtain as she followed Vaughn's broad back into the hall. The nursing assistant nearby ducked into the room to help Shelby.

  Before Mariah could walk away, a warm hand on her shoulder stopped her. A jolt of adrenaline shot through to her toes.

  "Doc?" Damn his rumbly, sexy voice, especially after...

  She would remain professional or die trying. "Yes?"

  Rubbing the stubble on his chin, he said, "I need to apologize for last night."

  She shook her head. "No need. An error, and not one I will make again." Her insides quivered like Jell-O. Stay calm.

  "It's just—"

  "Please stop. You'll only make it worse." She stuck out a hand. "Friends?"

  The fire glinting in his dark eyes spoke of anything but friendship. He wrapped her hand in his large, warm one. "Fine. Friends."

  Why would friendship made her weak in the knees?

  * * *

  "So, got a thing for the doctor?" Kerr needled him after Mariah walked away.

  Vaughn groaned. "Just friends." They walked down the hall to the family waiting area.

  "Friends don't look at friends like a tasty rack of ribs."

  "Man, for real? Drop it."

  Despite the haunted circles under Kerr's eyes, he still grinned. "Tell me, am I getting warmer or colder?" He ducked Vaughn's jab. "Here, let's try another one. You think she's cute."

  Vaughn clamped his mouth shut as he took a seat in an uncomfortable vinyl chair.

  "I'll take that as 'warmer.'" Tapping his chi
n, Kerr stopped and studied Vaughn. "Oh, my. You would like to hook up with pretty doctor. I thought you were joking the other day."

  "Okay. Conversation over." Because, hell yes, Vaughn wanted to think about things like getting a physical from that woman. He'd gotten a taste of her curves and her lips. God help him, but he wanted more.

  "Red hot!" Kerr plunked down on a two-person couch.

  Vaughn lifted a fist. "Enough!"

  Kerr played the part of helpless younger brother perfectly, hands up and all innocence written over a face that was designed for the sole purpose of irritating the piss out of Vaughn. Kid brother hadn't lost his touch over the years. "Let me know if you need some advice. You know, in the woman department."

  "Kerr..." It didn't help that Vaughn was tired, hungry, and grouchy. Making weight this quickly and then dealing with that... whatever the hell it was last night at the ranch... had drained his energy reserves. He was one more misplaced comment away from snapping.

  Annoying brother crossed his legs at the ankles and laced his hands behind his head. "Advice is free."

  "Isn't it time for you to leave and go back to the ranch?"

  His brother's smile drooped. "You bet it is. I want to find whatever the hell you all saw out there last night. Garrison texted me a few details."

  Vaughn lowered his face in his hands and scrubbed, trying to get the image of that evil creature out of his mind. Didn't work. "Same thing we saw with Shelby and Eric."

  "Shit." He sat straight up. "How'd you stop it?"

  "Garrison shot at it with a 12-gauge, and my power did something wacky and attacked it." His head still ached from the effort, and Vaughn's hearing had only this morning returned to normal.

  "Really? That's weird. But it sounds like a good start to me."

  "We didn't destroy it, though. That fucking thing is still out there. I'll be damned if it gets close to my family again." He leaned forward, anything but relaxed.

  Kerr took a big breath and steepled his fingers. Uh oh. "First of all, way to go with making up for lost time, with that 'being there for the family' shtick." He held up a hand. "Second of all, you're not going out there half-cocked. God knows what that thing will do to you. Therefore, I'll go with you, as we discussed before."

  "When?"

  "As soon as we get Shelby and Eric safe and settled. Then you and I will go on a nasty-critter hunt."

  "Garrison?"

  "The less he knows, the better. While he'll probably be on board with the concept, Mr. Play It Safe won't like the risk."

  "Guess that creature out there explains why our dogs are gone."

  "Yeah, they disappeared a little over a month ago. We figured they ran off or coyotes got to them. But now...?"

  "Understood." Vaughn rolled his neck, making it pop. "What do we do in the meantime?"

  Kerr shifted on the vinyl couch, the material creaking under his back. "I recommend you get an appointment with a certain medical provider. You might need some treatment for whatever condition you have."

  "Man, come on now." Damn his brother, but the idea had merit. Or trying again for that bagel and a coffee. He could keep his baggage well hidden for a brief not-date. Make sure the outing stayed light and breezy. What the fuck? Did the phrase "light and breezy" actually go through his mind? Christ.

  A hand waved in front of his face. "Earth to knuckle dragger. You still in there?"

  "Fine."

  "Uh, that wasn't the answer to my question."

  "Has anyone mentioned how annoying you can be?"

  "It's a gift." Kerr leaned back again and crossed his arms over his chest. What Vaughn wouldn't give to knock that stupid grin off his kid brother's face. "Go on, now. Go to the ranch, do chores, punch stuff, continue not eating." He waggled his fingers. "Whatever you people like to do."

  The growl burst out of his lips. "Jesus Christ."

  "Most folks call me by my nickname, JC."

  Vaughn shoved out of the chair and backed away. Leg or no leg, Kerr had pushed Vaughn's last button. If Vaughn didn't exit soon, his next action would be fratricide.

  "Toodles!" Kerr winked.

  Chapter 14

  The professional concern that had weighed Mariah down for the past several days lifted at the sight of Garrison wheeling Shelby toward the main hospital doors Thursday afternoon. Next to her strode a recovered Eric, who had likely refused wheelchair transport. But Vaughn hovered next to him.

  Avoiding eye contact with Vaughn, Mariah approached the group in the lobby. "This is so great to see."

  "I'll say." Garrison's serious expression had finally relaxed into a brief smile.

  "Thank you again, Doc." Eric's voice cracked as he rested a hand on Shelby's shoulder. "For everything."

  Mariah shook her head. "A lot of folks pitched in to help. A massive team effort, and it was worth it. Now don't take this the wrong way, but I'm glad to be kicking you out of the hospital."

  Shelby grinned in the direction of her boyfriend. "Ha. She couldn't wait to be rid of us. You think I was a bad patient here? Just wait 'til I get home."

  "You're not moving off the couch or the bed or doing anything without help. Period." Eric crossed his arms and glared at Shelby, making Mariah laugh.

  The smile briefly lit Vaughn's face. "Poor Eric. He doesn't know how stubborn Taggarts are when they want something." His glinting gaze lasered on Mariah.

  Her heart stopped.

  Cutting her eyes away from him, she bit her lip. She must have imagined the double entendre.

  "Well, folks, I need to go on a house call before the snow flies tonight. You all get home safely and take care." Mariah waved.

  Eric and Garrison wheeled Shelby out the front doors.

  Vaughn remained behind, a large, quiet figure in front of her.

  "Where's your house call?"

  She peered around him at the heavy, gray skies. "I can't say. HIPAA protection and all."

  "Where?" It was almost a demand. "I don't want you going somewhere unsafe."

  A pique of anger sparked along her last nerve. "Okay, mister. Look here." She came within an inch of poking him in his solid chest. "You can't flash hot and cold like this, going from the caveman act and then indifference and then back to the caveman. It's not fair. We're friends, right? So you need to back down."

  His thick, dark brows shot up. That big smile only increased her frustration. "I only meant that if the call is out in the boonies, not only could I help you find it, but I have a way better vehicle than your Mini to manage dirt roads." He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his worn jeans, drawing her attention to a very un-friend-like location. "I'd hate to see you break that pretty car."

  "Are you being sarcastic?"

  "Not really." Honest. Straightforward. "Well, a little sarcastic about your ridiculous car, but the rest of it, no. I just want to help. Because we're friends."

  Her lungs deflated. She wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor before him. "Wow, my bad." She rubbed her neck. "I made a couple of assumptions. Sorry."

  "Yeah. We all make assumptions." He blinked. "So where are you headed?"

  "Brand ranch."

  "No." A chill and a wave of discomfort accompanied that one word.

  She stepped back. "Yes. And why is that your problem?"

  "Number one, I don't trust them farther than I can throw them. Number two, you're not going out there alone. And number three, the road to their place is wretched. Your car won't survive the trip." He ran his hand through his dark hair, the light catching auburn pieces. "Fuck, I hate those guys."

  "So don't come. I can get there on my own."

  A muscle popped in his jaw. "No. I said I'd help, so I'll help. Get your stuff and let's go."

  "Don't act so happy about your offer, Robin Hood." Without waiting to see if he followed, she stomped back to her office, exchanged her white coat for her wool one, and slung her satchel with basic home visit equipment in it over her shoulder. Spinning around, she went nose to chest with a warm, m
ale scent.

  Yum.

  Not yum. Friends.

  Besides, she was still mad. She stepped back.

  "Can I carry that for you?" His low voice flowed over her like a caress, making her hips ache.

  Tilting her head far back, she scowled at him. Damned corner of his sexy mouth twitched. Yeah. He was so busted for making fun of her.

  "Fine." With one fluid motion, she slid the bag off, picked up a little momentum, and swung it into his rock-hard gut, triggering a muffled oof. She brushed her hands together. Good.

  Ignoring the raised brows and whispers behind hands of the medical assistants and nurses, Mariah hurried out the side door and into the cold dusk. The frigid air smelled of impending snow.

  "Where's your car?"

  "Truck," he muttered.

  "Okay."

  "It's Eric's and it's not fancy."

  "Who needs fancy?"

  As they approached the old, beat-up Ford, her heart sank. She'd need a rope ladder to get into the passenger seat.

  He opened the door. "Jump," he said.

  "What?" She gave a lame bounce with her feet, and his hands clamped around her waist, lifting her in a smooth motion into the truck. Then the satchel hit her in the gut.

  Oof.

  He grinned as he closed the door.

  Well played.

  He climbed in with ease and pulled out of the parking lot.

  "Do you know how to get there?" she asked after he steered the vehicle away from town.

  "Unfortunately, yes."

  "I know Hank Brand kidnapped Sara and Zach, so it's understandable that you don't like him. Hank disappeared, didn't he?"

  "Yeah."

  "But what about the rest of the Brand family? Izzy seems really nice. And her mom is kind of... interesting."

  He snorted. "Let's see. You've met Wyatt, and he's a real piece of work, as you well know. He was tormenting Shelby a few weeks back. If he's switched over to bugging you full time, let me know and I will put a stop to it."

  "Pretty sure I can handle Wyatt Brand."

  He snorted again.

  As the truck rolled down the highway, Vaughn flicked his eyes to her and back to the road. "What skills exactly do you have to handle someone like Wyatt?"