Her Healing Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 5)

by Donna Michaels

  Tipping her head, he changed the angle of the kiss and took everything she gave. The veracity of her hunger blew brain cell after brain cell. He needed more. A hell of a lot more. Trailing his hands down her throat to her shoulders—

  “Doctor Turner.” His secretary’s voice filled the room. “We have an emergency patient who requires stitches.”

  He went still, then drew back with a curse, partly for his lost opportunity, and partly because he was taking liberties in his office he should not be taking. Either way, he walked over to hit the button to reply. “Put the patient in examining room two. I’ll be right there.”

  “Okay.”

  He turned to find Holly had moved. She stood near the door.

  “Thanks for the coffee,” she said, gaze no longer warm and open as he approached. “I should get going.”

  Back in safe mode.

  Probably for the better.

  Neither of them were staying in Texas. Hell, she could be gone by next weekend. And he was definitely leaving in the spring. Kissing her had been foolish. Acting on their attraction had been foolhardy.

  And yet, he couldn’t keep from reaching out to cup her face. Damn, she was soft, and those eyes, so green and…wary.

  She stepped back, her hand fumbling for the door knob. “I-I have to go, and you have a patient to see.”

  Her reminder brought a curse to his lips. How the hell had he forgotten that already? The woman was too damn dangerous to his thought process.

  “Hope your uncle’s x-rays turn out okay,” he said, gently brushing her fingers aside and opening the door.

  A blush rushed up into her cheeks, enhancing her mesmerizing gaze, and upping his pulse.

  “Me, too,” she muttered, before she rushed down the corridor and yanked open the waiting room door.

  Turning in the opposite direction toward the patient bleeding in exam room two, he lectured his body to simmer down and not think about the woman’s sexy sashay or sweet, heated taste.

  It didn’t listen.

  He adjusted himself, not wanting to give the patient a good view of the boner holding out hope Holly would play doctor, before he opened the door.

  Although Harland County was big, Jace knew just about everyone, having gone to school or served in the Texas Guard with someone from each local family, including the McCalls. He’d been a few years ahead of Kerri in school, and a few years behind her husband. Connor was a big, tall, broad cattle rancher, and best friends with his buddy Kade. The cowboy was also dusty, sweaty, and bleeding.

  “What’s up, Doc?”

  He smiled, and relaxed as he rushed forward to hug Kerri and shake Connor’s hand. “Hi, you two. What’s going on?”

  A quick assessment of the situation, and the dust and blood on the back of Connor’s torn T-shirt, told him the tall cowboy was his stitching recipient. Which was good, considering Kerri was in the first trimester of pregnancy. The smiling woman was a little pale, but otherwise, appeared in good health.

  He turned to her husband. “You have a fight with a fence, Connor?”

  “Yeah, you break the cow’s rules, the cow will make you pay. Kind of like my wife.” The rancher chuckled, then winced when said wife punched his arm, then jammed her hands on her hips.

  “Are you calling me a cow?”

  “What?” The big guy’s voice squeaked. “No! Hell no. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, darlin’.” He rushed to grab her hands, wincing, no doubt from stretching his cuts.

  Her chin lifted slightly, and Jace would’ve believed Kerri’s indignation was real if not for the smile tugging her lips. “Go on.”

  “In the whole universe, and I’m damn lucky to have you.”

  The cowboy was smart, and knew how to kiss ass.

  And still bleeding.

  “And I’d like to check out your wound,” he said, motioning for the giant to have a seat on the examining table. “How exactly did the cow make you pay?”

  “She didn’t like to be told what to do. Kind of like…” Connor paused and glanced at his wife, who narrowed her eyes from her perch on a chair. “Like the other cows in the heard. She just got a little overzealous when we tagged her, and she nudged me backward into the fence. I tried to tell my wife I just needed a Band-Aid, but she insisted on bringing me here.”

  “It was either here or the ER, bucko,” Kerri stated, chin lifting again, this time, minus the grin.

  Jace helped Connor take off what was left of his shirt, then eyed the jagged slices of skin near the cowboy’s left shoulder blade. “Your wife is also smart. You’re going to need more than a Band-Aid, I’m afraid.”

  “Then use the whole damn box, Doc. I don’t care.”

  “Sure,” he said, heading to the cupboard to fetch a stitch kit. “Right after I put the stitches in.”

  “Stitches? Ah, hell. Is that really necessary?” The brown-haired cowboy’s face turned a little pale.

  He moved to the sink and began to clean up. “Yep. A dozen or two.”

  “Can’t you glue it? I have some super gorilla stuff back at the ranch. That glue is tough. I’ll go get it.”

  Shaking his head, Jace dried his hands. “Sorry. The area of the wound is too broad.”

  Connor’s posture became stiffer with each passing second. “This isn’t going to work, Doc. Needles and I…we don’t get along,” he exclaimed, eyeing the door.

  “Don’t even think it, cowboy,” Kerri said, rising to her feet as Jace grabbed antiseptic, sterile water, and gauze. “Just let Doctor Turner do his job so we can get out of here.”

  Her husband’s brows rose in anticipation. “Maybe stop by The Creamery?”

  “Yeah.” The brilliant woman nodded. “I’d like that.”

  Jace would like that, too. He was envious just knowing they might see Holly if she was done with her uncle. How pathetic was that?

  Very.

  He irrigated the wound free of dirt and impurities, damn impressed the cowboy hadn’t winced or hissed once during the process that had to hurt like a bitch. He nodded to Kerri who kept her husband talking while Jace grabbed the needle encasement and opened it on the table. Before the giant could turn around and spy what he was doing, he drew Lidocaine into the syringe, flicked a finger at the needle to shake out the excess air, then began to inject the numbing agent into the wound.

  The cowboy stilled, and tried to turn his head to see what he was doing. “You still cleaning back there, Doc?”

  “Still working on it,” he replied with a slight fib, pulling the needle out and sticking it in another area. “How many ears did you tag today?”

  Connor went on to recount his day, and by the time he finished, Jace tied the last stitch, set the curved needle on the tray, then carried it to the counter. His patient twisted around, glanced at the tray and turned sheet white.

  “Jesus, Doc. Did you stick that needle in me? Is that what you were doing back there?”

  “Yep. You have seventeen stitches. Lucky seventeen,” he said, bandaging the wound.

  Smiling, Kerri rose to her feet. “And you didn’t even flinch, sweetheart. I’m proud of you.”

  “Yeah?” The stiffness eased from the tense cowboy.

  “Yeah.”

  A look of warmth and deep love passed between them, hitting Jace between the solar plexus. He’d never connected with a woman that way. He’d been too busy working, learning, deployed, taking care of his father, mother, and sister. It was during moments like this, when he saw two people headlong in love, that he wondered if he was missing out.

  Which was dumb. He’d have enough time, after his stint abroad, to worry about finding someone special and settling down.

  The image of a dark-haired beauty with clear, green eyes flashed through his mind, bringing her sweet taste with it.

  “What do you say we get going?” Connor asked, rising to his feet.

  “Hang on,” he said, preparing another shot. “There was barbed wire in the fence.”

  “Yeah…s
o…” The giant backed up, eying the needle, face going a little green as he swallowed. “Now, don’t go doing anything rash, Jace.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied.

  “You managed the stitches just fine, sweetheart,” Kerri reminded.

  “That’s because I didn’t see them.”

  “Then close your eyes.”

  As the two debated, Jace made his move, swiping Connor’s arm before sticking him.

  “Son-of-a-bitch.”

  He helped the pale guy back to the table to sit down. “You’re all done. As soon as you’re up to it, you can go.”

  “Great.” Connor drew in a few deep breaths. “You sure you don’t wanna stick, scrape or probe anymore?”

  “No, but…” Kerri stared from her husband to Jace, then back. “Tell him, Connor.”

  He stilled, switching his gaze between the married couple. “Tell me what?”

  Shaking his head, the cowboy jumped to his feet, suddenly good to go. “I’m fine. It’s just that flu going around or something.”

  The man hadn’t said anything about not feeling well, and his skin hadn’t been clammy or hot.

  “Connor.” Kerri stepped in front of her husband and blocked his exit, again. “It only happens whenever I’m nauseous.”

  Catching the meaning of her words, Jace had all he could do to hold back a grin. He’d read about legitimate cases, but never actually treated one. “You’re saying you get sick whenever your wife does?”

  After a moment’s hesitation, Connor nodded.

  “Any other issues?”

  The cowboy ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “Lately, I-I’ve been getting these strange cravings, Doc. It’s ridiculous. Pickles and vanilla ice cream. Peanut butter and glazed donuts. What the hell is going on?”

  Again, Jace had to fight to keep a straight face. The thought of this big, broad, barn of a man suffering pregnancy symptoms was a bit of a hoot. But, laughing would be unprofessional, so he bit the inside of his cheek and dropped the dirty equipment into the sink while he drew in a deep, deep breath before turning around.

  “You’re fine, Connor,” he reassured with a straight face. “Once the baby arrives, all your strange cravings and impediments will go away.”

  “Ah…hell, Jace. Are you saying this is related to Kerri’s pregnancy?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Her snicker echoed around the room despite the hand she clamped over her mouth. Connor’s gaze narrowed, first on his wife, then him.

  “No. No, you’re wrong. This is just a bug. A virus.”

  “Yeah, a nine-month one.” Kerri giggled.

  “Damn. If Cole ever finds out, or Kade…or, ah, hell, if Kevin…” He dropped onto the chair and stared at his dusty boots. “I’ll never live this down. I’m doomed.”

  “They aren’t going to find out, because we aren’t going to say anything,” Kerri stated as she pulled her husband to his feet.

  “What about Jace?”

  He stepped forward and shook his head. “Your secret’s safe with me. You’re my patient. I can’t discuss patients with other people.”

  The cowboy released a breath and visibly relaxed, looking a lot less green. “Okay. Thanks.” Then he frowned as if he thought of something. “You are my doctor, so as such, don’t you have something I could take to get rid of these symptoms? I don’t want them.” Two big hands clamped down on his shoulders. “Make them go away, Doc. Give me a pill. I’ll even take a shot. Just get rid of them.”

  The desperation in the man’s voice and gaze made him consider lying. He didn’t like to see his friend in distress, but believed in being truthful. “I can’t. There’s nothing to give. But, you should feel special, Connor. Very few men are so tuned into their wife’s needs that they get to experience this journey together.”

  His patient turned to stare adoringly at his wife, and gently traced her flushed cheek. “I’ll always know what you need, Kerri.”

  The warmth radiating from her smile was so sweet, yet in a way, painful to Jace, because it reminded him how empty his life was, again.

  “Come on.” She grabbed her husband’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Let’s go to The Creamery. I’ll share my pickle with you.”

  “Thanks, darlin’.” He winked, dimples glaring. “It’s only fair. I shared mine with you.”

  She punched the grinning cowboy’s arm, again. “You goof. Behave, or I’ll have the doctor give you another shot.”

  Jace laughed. “True. I could administer your antibiotics that way.”

  “Nope.” Connor shook his head, dimples completely gone. “Just give me a prescription and I’ll get out of your hair.”

  The ink was barely dry on the paper when it was yanked from his hands by the anxious man who promised to make an appointment to get the stitches taken out as he whisked his wife from the room.

  With a smile tugging his lips, Jace cleaned up in a hurry. It was only a matter of time before his office was inundated with an influx of bruised females who had fainted at the sight of the shirtless, six-foot-four, cowboy that just left the building. His buddy always did leave a trail of swooning women.

  If only he had that affect on a certain green-eyed beauty.

  Chapter Four

  Holly was surprised to find herself actually smiling and enjoying herself as she photographed the impromptu bridal shower for Shayla thrown by Caitlin, Brandi, and Kevin’s sister Jen, catching the bride off guard by holding it at the McCalls’ ranch on a Saturday.

  Wild Creek had been hustling with activity for the outdoor party, giving it more of a cookout feel, thanks to unseasonably warm weather. Back home, they’d be discussing snow packs and powder in early October. It was strange to find herself wearing a dress and sandals, and equally strange to find she liked it.

  A definite sign she’d been in south Texas too long. She hardly missed the start of the new snow season, celebrated the whole week, ending with a big outdoor bash, including bonfires and concerts.

  She glanced down at her sandals and wiggled her toes, smirking at the mint green polish on the tips. Yeah, not something one would expose on a slope.

  “I can’t believe you all pulled this one over on me,” Shayla said to her sister, Kerri, and Holly, as the four of them sat drinking iced tea at an empty table after the last guest had gone home. “I’m usually not so gullible.”

  “Why do you think we held it here at my place?” Kerri asked with a grin.

  Caitlin nodded. “Yeah, sis, there was no way we could’ve surprised you with a bridal shower at Shadow Rock.”

  True. It had made more sense not to plan the surprise on the Dalton ranch where Shayla and her baby girl had moved the week after Kevin had proposed. She told her that Amelia was way too attached to her soon-to-be new daddy to wait until October.

  Holly suspected it wasn’t just the little girl who couldn’t wait.

  “I’m not so sure you couldn’t have surprise me at home.” Shayla snickered, rubbing her belly. “This baby seems to have sucked all the common sense from my brain lately.”

  “A sexy cowboy will do that, too,” Kerri said, then promptly blushed.

  Or a sexy doctor.

  What the hell had she been thinking, kissing Jace in his office?

  That was the problem. She hadn’t been thinking. Not with her head, anyway. No, as soon as he drew near, touched her face, shared a breath, she had no coherent thought left in her muddled brain.

  Her body sure hadn’t complained. No. It had been all warm, and toasty, and tingly. Then he kissed her…well, maybe she sort of lifted up a little to meet him halfway. Okay, all the way, but he started it by getting so damn close.

  Bugger had tasted even better than she’d imagined, and felt deliciously warm and solid and…

  Holly realized the conversation had stopped, and the three women were staring at her, knowing grins on their faces.

  “What?”

  Shayla tipped her head a
nd raised a brow. “When did it happen?”

  “When did what happen?”

  “The kiss you shared with Doctor Hottie.”

  Kerri nodded. “Yeah, we want details.”

  “All of them. I’m not getting any, so I need to live vicariously through the only other single female here,” Caitlin insisted. “So, come on. Spill. Who kissed who first and where?”

  “It wasn’t that…not much happened,” she finally said, stammering the whole time. Her mind was still trying to process the off-the-charts kiss.

  Shayla’s damn brow rose again. “I’m hearing the words, but your eyes tell another story.”

  She snorted. “Then you need glasses, because there is nothing to tell. We kissed. It was nice. I left.” On shaky legs, with a heart beating way out of control. But they didn’t need to know that part. Hell, she barely remembered leaving his office, or heading down the hall to her uncle’s specialist. Just thinking about it now brought on the warm, tingly sensations the good doctor induced.

  “Yeah, sure. You may have left, but that kiss certainly wasn’t nothing. Your blush gives you away, honey,” Shayla said, touching her arm. “It’s okay. In fact, it’s great. It’s about damn time you two did something about the attraction simmering between you.”

  “I agree. Go for it.” Caitlin nodded. “Don’t let the fact you plan to leave Texas stop you from having some fun. I didn’t let that stop me up in Pennsylvania, and I don’t regret it.”

  “Really?”

  She’d forgotten about her friend’s dalliance. She eyed the grinning woman. Caitlin wasn’t the type to have flings, and yet, she seemed to fair okay. Maybe she was making too much out of all the formality.

  Nah. She couldn’t just fall into bed with someone. It wasn’t her, no matter how damn sexy the doctor was, or how sweet.

  Holly blew out a breath and faced her cheering section. “Thanks. I know you mean well, but I think it’s best if I keep my lips to myself for the rest of my stay in Harland County.”

  “Okay.” Shayla held up her hands. “But, just so you know, things have a way of not going as planned. I’m living proof.”