by Liliana Hart
“L…let me go. You c…can’t keep me here.”
“Watch me, sweetheart. You’re in Surrender, Montana. My name is Thomas, and I’m a doctor. The sooner you let me fix your leg, the sooner you can leave.”
Pain-filled laughter, verging toward hysteria, escaped from her white lips. “You’re a doctor?” she asked. “Am I dead? Is this heaven?”
“No, sweetheart. It’s Surrender.”
He smiled into her delirious eyes, though his brow creased with worry. Her fever was high and her teeth chattered violently. She caught him by surprise when she brought her hand up and rested it on his cheek. Thomas froze. Her skin felt like satin, and he had the most insane urge to nuzzle against her hand and kiss her palm.
She smiled sweetly and stared at him with a depth that made him yearn. “My fallen angel,” she said, and passed out into a quiet sleep.
Thomas released the pent up breath he’d been holding and brushed her hair back from her face.
“And you’re mine, sweetheart. You just don’t know it yet.”
He pulled his tray close and gave her a shot to counteract the fever. Her clothes were ruined and bloody, and he tried not to notice how perfectly she was formed as he stripped her naked. He threw a sheet over her body and exposed only the upper flesh of her thigh, trying like hell to keep a sense of propriety. The sight of her pale flesh marred with bruises and the jagged wound was enough to have his fists clenching in fury.
What the hell had happened to her?
He washed away the blood on her leg and gave her a local anesthetic before checking to see if the bullet was still lodged inside. It wasn’t, so he began work on extracting the fibers from her clothes and then pulled the flesh together with small, neat stitches. When he was finished, he wrapped it in gauze. Her ankle was almost healed and didn’t need a brace, and her head could probably use an ice pack. A good night’s sleep is what she needed most. That and a good meal to replenish her strength.
Thomas held her hand loosely in his own, finding comfort in the simple touch.
“I came as soon as I heard,” Cooper said from the doorway.
He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t heard his brother open the door. The late afternoon sun shone through the French doors that led to the deck outside, and he looked down at his watch. No wonder his neck was sore. He’d spent more time watching his unknown guest sleep than it had taken to tend her wounds.
“Did you get the car towed?” Thomas asked.
“Yeah, and I started a trace on the plates so I could get you a name.”
Thomas froze. He knew that specific tone of voice his brother rarely used. Bad news.
“The plates traced to a woman named Lucy Rowe. A little digging into her background showed her deceased as of two years ago. Miss Rowe had no living relatives and no record of ever owning a black Audi. When I looked a little further I noticed Miss Rowe had only acquired a social security number four years ago. The whole setup is bogus. I’m going to have some questions for your patient when she wakes up.”
Thomas kept his back to Cooper as he adjusted the woman’s sheet so it covered the bandage on her thigh completely. Cooper was much too good at reading facial expressions, especially his brothers’ facial expressions.
“Riley said she was covered in blood.”
Thomas cursed his older brother and his big mouth. “I stitched her up,” he said, omitting what had caused the wound. “The bump on her head and the fever is my biggest concern now.”
“Thomas,” Cooper said. “I want to know the minute she wakes up. Do you understand? She could be dangerous.”
He didn’t want to believe it. There was no way the woman who had looked at him with such trusting innocence could be a criminal. But he knew Cooper could be a bulldog about such things, so he nodded his head in agreement.
“I expect she’ll be out through the night and morning. You might come by after dinnertime tomorrow and see if she’s up to answering your questions.”
“Fine. I brought the bag I found in the backseat of her car.” Coop put it on top of the dresser. “There was no ID. Just a cell phone. It’s a disposable, so it’s not registered to anyone. I can bunk here tonight if you’d feel more comfortable.”
Thomas gave Coop a look of pure injured male pride. “You think I’m scared of a woman? You’re overreacting. I’m sure she has a reasonable explanation for everything. Stop being so suspicious.”
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks.”
“Besides, if she knocks me unconscious and robs us blind, Riley will be here to call you to the rescue.”
“Negative to that. Susie Mobley invited him to her house for dinner. You’ll be lucky to see him till after lunch tomorrow.”
“She does make a damned good peach pie,” Thomas said with a laugh. “Maybe he’ll bring us back a slice.”
“I’ve had a slice of that pie, thanks. It has a tendency to be too clingy and demand marriage. I think I’ll pass on any more pie from Susie. Someday, Riley will learn that some pies aren’t worth eating.”
Thomas couldn’t help but snort out a laugh. “Get out of here and go give someone a parking ticket.”
Cooper closed the door behind him and Thomas moved to get up and stretch, but some sixth sense had him looking into the face of his patient. Dark blue eyes stared at him through a fringe of russet lashes. Her lips were pressed into a thin line of pain, and her face was flushed with fever. But she was awake. That was a start.
“How much of that conversation did you hear?” Thomas asked, automatically touching the back of his hand against her forehead. “Hold that thought.” He went to the kitchen and brought her back a glass of orange juice and then tapped three Tylenol into his hand.
“I don’t want anything to drink,” she rasped out as he folded her fingers around the glass. “I’m not thirsty.”
“Drink it anyway. You need to replenish your fluids, and I imagine you’ve got a hell of a headache to go with the bump and the fever.”
He almost laughed at the mutinous look in her eyes as he forced her to take the pills and drink the juice. A redhead’s temper to go along with the soft hands and peaches n’ cream complexion. She was a fighter. And that turned him on like crazy.
He felt the slow burn of desire start low in his stomach, and he sat down in the chair by the side of the bed to keep her from noticing his erection. It was a hell of time to for his libido to wake up. He’d been too busy with his newfound position to do much dating lately. And he’d had no desire to mess around with the women who were desperate enough to fake a sickness just so they could try and molest him in his office.
He crossed his leg over his knee and cleared his throat. “So are you going to answer my question? How much of the conversation did you hear between me and my brother?”
“Enough to know that he thinks I’m a criminal, and he has rather loose morals. I don’t think I like your brother. Do you share all your women?”
“Cooper has his moments. And no, we don’t share our women. But this is a small town and there’s not a huge dating pool. That’s part of the reason I haven’t dated anyone since I opened my practice here. I’m Thomas, by the way. Thomas MacKenzie.”
“Yeah, I remember you telling me that before.”
“Now it’s your turn to tell me your name. That’s how introductions work.”
“I couldn’t tell you my name even if I wanted to?”
“And why’s that?”
“Because I can’t remember it.”
Chapter 2
Cat saw the disbelief and disappointment in her rescuer’s eyes just before he carefully blanked his expression. She found it strange that she instinctively wanted to reassure him. She didn’t want to disappoint him. But common sense kicked in and she pressed her mouth shut before she could spill out her life story.
It didn’t matter if Thomas MacKenzie believed her. It’s not like she’d ever see him again. All that mattered was no one found out who she was before she’d h
ealed enough to make an escape and deliver the item she’d been contracted for.
The mask was hidden under the wheel well of the car, wrapped in protective plastic. If the sheriff became too suspicious, she wouldn’t put it past him to do a complete search of the car. She had to move the mask before he found out she was claiming a lost memory. As soon as she had a minute alone she’d call her contact and let him know things had gotten complicated and the shipment would be delayed. The buyers wouldn’t be happy, but there was nothing they could do about it.
Cat had a feeling the sheriff was going to be a problem. He was a big bruiser of a man. He was similar in looks to Thomas—black hair and a rugged athleticism that spoke of plenty of time spent outdoors. They were both tall men, but the older brother was huge. She’d never want to cross him in an alley. His eyes had been like chips of blue ice, whereas Thomas’s reminded her of melted chocolate.
Speaking of her doctor…he was going to be an even bigger problem than his older brother. His face was one of pure beauty—the kind of man who’d hit the genetic lottery and knew it. Those melted chocolate eyes were framed by a long sweep of lashes she’d kill for. His lips were full and sensual and made her lower body throb with need. His cheeks were stubbled with a day’s growth of beard, and from what she’d seen of his body when he’d been standing, there wasn’t a soft spot on him. Anywhere.
“Hmm, well, you hit your head pretty hard,” Thomas said. “Maybe I should just make up a name for you until you can remember your own, hmm?”
His eyes were teasing and she had the sudden urge to roll her eyes. “You’re a pretty nosy doctor.”
“In a town this size, everyone’s middle name is nosy. I think I’ll call you Matilda. How does that sound?”
“Horrid.”
“Yeah. I think it’s perfect.”
“You’re a lunatic.”
His fingers touched the ends of her hair, and she wanted to beg him for something more, but she wasn’t sure what. His smile dimmed and he looked at her with a sincerity that frightened her.
“I think it’d be pretty hard to forget if someone was shooting at me, but I’m sure things will come back to you in no time once you get a little rest.” He cleared his throat and seemed a little embarrassed. “I know you don’t know me, but I want you to know you can trust me. Anything you want to tell me will stay between the two of us. Doctor-patient privilege and all that.”
Cat felt tears prick at her eyes and broke the gaze. She hadn’t had anyone to lean on since her father’s death when she was eighteen. He hadn’t been much of a father even before then, considering he’d been in prison for grand larceny. But this man…there was something about him that made her want to trust him. She just wanted him period. And the thought scared the hell out of her.
“All right, Matilda. Keep your secrets. I like a challenge. I hope you realize the can of worms you’ve opened. I won’t rest until I know everything about you.” His gaze raked down her body in a slow, sinuous gaze that had her nipples puckering to tight buds beneath the sheet. He noticed immediately, of course. The rat.
Cat inhaled a quick breath as he leaned closer—close enough so she could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips. He traced the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip, and her eyes fluttered closed in surrender.
“I didn’t realize you’d hurt your lip,” he said.
Her eyes snapped open in surprise, and she stared straight into his satisfied expression. He knew exactly what kind of effect he had on her.
“You must have bitten it when the car hit the tree. I know just the thing to make it feel better.”
He moved closer and rubbed his lips against hers—a soft touch that captured her heart even as it aroused. She would have pressed him for more. In fact, she wanted more—the harder press of mouth against mouth, the swirl of tongue and the bite of teeth. But he backed away, the flame of desire hot in his eyes and his control rigid. He was compelling her to confide in him, to trust him, without the use of words
Cat stared at him with defiant determination. She wouldn’t be intimidated by Thomas MacKenzie. Nothing could intimidate her. She’d been raised with felons. His lips quirked in an amused smile at her stubbornness and his gaze lowered to her mouth once more. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks in embarrassment of how readily she would have accepted him again, and she made herself turn away and close her eyes.
“I think I’d like to sleep now, if you don’t mind. I’m really tired.”
“Sure, sweetheart.” He ran his fingers along her hair once more. “If you need anything there’s an intercom on the wall over there. Try not to walk on that leg just yet. It’s just a flesh wound and there wasn’t any serious muscle or nerve damage, but it’s going to be sore for a couple of days. I wouldn’t want you to pull open the stitches.”
“Sure, Doc. And thanks. That cow scared the hell out of me. Driving on the 101 in LA is nothing compared to the streets of Nowhere, Montana.”
“It’s Surrender, honey. And it takes some getting used to. Especially for a stubborn red-head like yourself.”
Cat narrowed her eyes as he left the room and wondered what she’d just missed. Thomas MacKenzie was going to have to be watched if she was going to make an escape. She tried to tamp down the emptiness that filled her soul at the thought of leaving him. She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. She had a big night ahead of her.
The night was completely black. Clouds lay like thick quilts across the sky, snuffing out the stars and sliver of moon. Cat lay in bed, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness, before throwing her legs over the edge. She bit back an oath as her feet hit the cold wood floors. The stitches in her leg pulled with every move she made and the painkiller Thomas had given her had worn off. The muscle throbbed, and she breathed deeply and blinked tears out of her eyes as she put her full weight on it.
She went to the bathroom and took care of necessities and then washed her face in the sink. She needed clothes and shoes, and she needed to know where the hell she was. She remembered passing an auto shop on her way into town—before the cows ruined her life. If the Charlie that owned the shop was the same person Thomas had mentioned earlier, then she knew where to find her car. But first she had to steal one.
The clothes came first, though. Fortunately, her host had taken care of that for her. A pair of men’s dark grey sweats and white socks sat folded on the dresser. She sat down to dress, afraid to put weight on just one leg, and then covered her hair with a black bandana she found after rummaging through all of the dresser drawers.
The house was completely still. The clock on her bedside table said it was just after three AM. She slipped down the long hall that led to the family quarters. The part of the house that held Thomas’s office and exam rooms were contained to one side of the farm style building. The main family rooms were open and airy. Comfortable was the first word that came to mind. It was a house for a family, with overstuffed furniture and a big kitchen. The shelves were cluttered with family photos and a smattering of random sports paraphernalia that looked well used.
It was the kitchen where she found exactly what she was looking for. A set of keys sat in an oversized ceramic bowl on the blue tiled countertop, and she found paperclips and a screwdriver in a drawer. Cat stuffed them in her pockets and slipped out the kitchen door into the darkness, doing what she did best. Blending with the shadows.
A black Jeep was parked at the side of the house. She recognized the French Doors that led into her room, and noticed there was another set of doors leading into the room next door. A sign hung on the door that said Call if There’s an Emergency, and a number was printed below in a messy scrawl. Obviously the doctor’s office entrance.
Cat slid into the Jeep, ignoring the blood that was beginning to seep through the bandage at her thigh and her sweats, and started the engine. She didn’t turn the headlights on until she was a good ways down the road. If all went well, she’d be back in bed in a half hour.
The
entire town was dead to the world. There wasn’t even a 24-hour gas station. She didn’t know how people lived like this. Cut off from civilization. On second thought, the people of Surrender probably weren’t that much different than she was. Except for the whole thief thing. In her line of work, it wasn’t like she could have any close friends or a relationship.
It didn’t take her long to find Charlie’s Automotive. It was the first building on the way into town—a neat, white metal building with a blue awning over the garage bays. Two planter boxes flanked the front door and spilled over with green ivy and yellow flowers. If she hadn’t known going in that Charlie was a woman, she would have guessed just by looking at the place. Despite the masculinity of auto repair, the garage had a decidedly feminine touch. It was nice.
In fact, the whole town was nice. The businesses were neat and in good repair—old two story brick and mortar buildings connected to one another like town homes. Old fashioned streetlights flickered along the sidewalks and carnations were planted in wooden barrels in front of all the stores. It was really nice, and greedy fingers of envy wound through her.
Cat saw the wrecked Audi through the window of one of the big garage doors, so she drove the Jeep around to the back of the building, where she spied another entrance. It only took her a few seconds to pick the lock on the door with the paperclip and slip inside. Motor oil and grease assaulted her senses as she crept between the cars. The Audi’s front end was in pretty sad condition, but there was no damage to the rear. She stuck her hand under the back wheel well and felt the bag taped there. Cat ripped it free and left as quietly as she’d come.
She found her way back to the MacKenzie house with little trouble and deposited the Jeep back where she found it. The locks on the French door to her room were no challenge at all, so she let herself in and dropped down on the bed. Her body was covered in sweat from exertion and the blood was flowing a little freer at her thigh. She pulled the bandana from her head and tossed it aside. She might have overdone it a little.