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  The woman was turned away from him, her shawl was clutched tightly around her shoulders and head. She looked like she wanted to become invisible, but from the looks of things, those men weren’t going to allow her to leave.

  “Here now. Let her be. You have no right to terrorize this young woman like this.” Doc clutched his medical bag. He would use it as a weapon if he was forced to.

  The men turned at once and he recognized all three. They were the Swindell brothers and they gave meaning to the word trouble. And what was worse, he could tell they were drunk off their butts. He’d learned over the years of doctoring, there was nothing more destructive than a troublemaker drunk beyond reasoning.

  “This ain’t no business of yourn doc. You stick to mending. We ain’t gonna hurt this little dolly none. We’s just wantin’ to have a little fun wit’ her, that’s all,” the oldest of the brothers declared quite clearly considering his level of intoxication.

  “Travis, Leroy, Henry. Go home before you get into trouble?”

  The woman tried to walk away while the men were distracted by his arrival, but the youngest, Leroy, grabbed her by the arm and jerked her up against him. Henry, the middle brother, was standing next to Leroy and pulled on the woman’s shawl. She tried to hang on to it with both hands, but he was stronger.

  When the shawl ripped, Doc’s heart sank when he saw who it was. “Mary, what are you doing out here alone?”

  Travis’s gaze raked over Mary and his lecherous grin made Doc’s gut boil. “Now wouldja look at that boys. The Indian whore’s got red hair.”

  “She’s not a whore, and you boys are about to bite off more trouble than you can imagine. This woman is from a respected, well-connected family in this town. If you harm one hair on her head, they will pay a hired gun to hunt you down for disrespecting their daughter and sister this way.”

  Henry and Leroy sent each other an incredulous look to Mary focusing on her tattooed face, then they burst out laughing.

  “I’m gonna give you a thirty-minute head start before I go find Sheriff Grayson and tell him what you three are up to. He ain’t gonna take to kindly to knowing that—”

  “She ain’t no woman. Look at her, she’s a damn Indian whore,” Travis growled and jerked her to him, one hand clamped around Mary’s arm, the other roamed freely over her body.

  Doc knew he was losing control of the situation and he had to think of something quick, but he was half a second too late. He heard Travis scream out in pain and fall to the ground. It was then Doc saw the blood.

  It took the other brothers a minute to comprehend what had just happened. It would have been comical if the situation wasn’t so serious. The two brothers looked at each other in confusion. “Did that whore just cut our brother?” Leroy asked.

  Doc rushed to Mary’s side and grabbed her arm, quickly pulling her down the alley. “You gotta get outta here, Mary.”

  “But he attacked me. You saw it.”

  “You know that’s not gonna matter. Go to the Hanovers and don’t leave that house for any reason. I don’t care if the damn thing is on fire. Don’t leave that house. Do you understand me?”

  Mary nodded and headed toward the Hanovers while Doc figured out a way to fix this.

  “She cut our brother,” Henry yelled out so drunk he was barely able to stand.

  “No, she didn’t cut him, Henry. He just fell down and skinned his arm. I got my medical bag right here. Don’t worry, I’ll fix him up as good as new.”

  The brothers wobbled and stared down at Travis who was holding his arm. “She cut me,” he warbled.

  “Nobody cut you, Travis. You fell down and did it to yourself. That’s what happens when you boys get so drunk. Now, shut up and let me take a look at it.”

  The man on the ground blinked in confusion and looked at his arm again. Luckily, the cut wasn’t as deep as it could have been if Mary had meant to dismember him . . . or worse. Not that they didn’t deserve it. “I fell down?”

  “Yes. You and Henry and Leroy were fighting in the alley when I was walking by. Lucky I was here, or you might have bled to death, my friend.” Doc opened his medical bag, grabbed the necessary supplies, and wrapped the wound. Though it had nearly stopped bleeding on its own.

  “Now, do you think you three boys can make it home without getting into any more trouble? Or do I need to call the sheriff to escort you to jail to sleep it off?”

  The man’s eyes grew round in fear. “Not jail time. No, we don’t want no more jail time, Doc.”

  “Then I suggest you two pick up your brother and take him home. And go the back way out of town. If there’s any more trouble outta you three, I’m sending the sheriff straight to your house.” The three brothers looked at each other and decided taking the back way home was a great idea.

  Doc picked up his medical bag and shoved everything inside. He watched the brothers stumble down the road until they rounded the corner and then he made a beeline for the Hanover house. Five minutes later, he raced up the steps two at a time. But before he made it to the back door, Mary stepped out of the shadows.

  “Thank you, Doc. I—”

  He dropped his medical bag at his feet and pulled her into his arms. “Damn it, Mary. What on earth were you doing out there alone? I told you there’d be trouble. I just hope, for your sake, there won’t be anymore.”

  Chapter 8

  Mary leaned against Doc’s strength. She had just wanted to get away. Spend some time by herself and away from everyone’s watchful eye. She knew they all meant well, but she was suffocating.

  She thought a quiet walk along the backstreets of Creede would be the safest place to seek some solitude for a few minutes. She had avoided the busy streets where people would be sure to notice her. How could she have known her path would cross with three stupid idiots.

  Doc pushed her away from him and hooked his finger under her chin forcing her to look at him. “Mary, I thought you understood how dangerous it would be for you to wander this town alone. This is a rough town. It’s full of miners and drifters and men who are running from the law. Those men and men like them, they don’t care about anything or anyone, but themselves. And they certainly aren’t going to think twice about—”

  “I can see that now. I will try to remain inside unless I have a guardian,” she promised, but the thought of being always watched made her feel trapped. Imprisoned. “It’s just that I feel . . .” She was unsure how to make Doc understand how she felt, but if anyone would understand, she sensed he would. She tried again. “I feel as if—”

  “You feel like the world is closing in on top of you. You can’t breathe. You can’t think. You are lost to Mother Earth and Father Sky. They can no longer see you. Does that about sum it up?”

  Mary nodded. She was shocked at how well he put her feelings into words. “Yes, that’s exactly right. I feel like I will suffocate if I don’t get back to the solitude of Mother Earth’s nurturing mountains. You understand me so well, Doc. How is that?” She searched the depths of his dark eyes looking for answers. It was as if they were truly connected somehow. As if they shared the same soul, but that was impossible.

  Doc was looking at her as if he truly knew her. His gaze was open and searching. Searching for something in hers. But the slam of a door somewhere in the house stole his attention and the shutters were back over his eyes, closing that shared connection.

  “What will become of me now that I have drawn the blood of a white man,” she worried, unsure if she wanted the answer.

  “Nothing . . . this time. Luckily, the three Swindell brothers were as drunk as they were. They are convinced they hurt Travis themselves while fighting with each other.”

  “And how did they come to that conclusion,” she asked.

  “They had a little guidance.”

  Doc reached down and grabbed his medical bag. “I have to go. But please promise me you won’t ever do that again. Don’t go out without an escort.”

  “I promise. Does that mean
you would be agreeable to walk with me, that is if Liam or someone else cannot?”

  She watched him hesitate and she wondered if perhaps he felt he should keep his distance from the crazy redheaded she-devil. Perhaps he had decided his reputation as a respected doctor would be tarnished if he—

  “I’d be delighted to walk you anywhere you want to go. At any time. Delighted indeed.”

  “How about tonight?” She saw the surprised look on his face and decided she should probably explain. “I know this is short notice, but would you be agreeable to come to dinner tonight? Liam and his family are coming over and I thought maybe you’d like to come too.” When he didn’t say anything, she added. “I’m sure Aggie and Hiram won’t mind at all if—”

  “I would love to come. What time should I be here?”

  Delight chased away all remnants of her fear from this morning’s interaction with those men. She wasn’t certain why she felt so at ease in this man’s presence, but she did. “That’s wonderful. I’ll see you at six o’clock sharp.” She smiled and squeezed his arm to convey how happy she was he would be there. “Doc, thank you for everything. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I would be right now.”

  He started to say something, but she placed a finger over his lips to stop him from denying his part in bringing her and Liam together. She had only meant to stop him from denying the compliment, but when her finger touched his lips, she felt something. Something more than the connection she knew they had on a deeper level. No, this was something that had been bubbling on the surface between them since she had met him in the woods. She had thought it was his kindness, his dark good looks, his gentleness and understanding of the Utes, even his wicked sense of humor. She was most certainly attracted to the good doctor, but she had dismissed it as a passing emotion. But when her finger touched his lips, that simmering attraction she had for him turned molten, and she wanted him as she had wanted no other.

  The realization hit her brain as the jolt of white-hot desire hit her woman’s core. The feeling was so intense it stole her breath away. She took a step back and searched for a sign—any sign—that this man was feeling the same toward her.

  “Mary, I—” he started to say something when the back door swung open wide.

  Aggie stood there in the doorway. “There you are, Mary. I was getting worried about you. When Sarah said you left this morning by the back door, I was afraid you might run into trouble . . . you know, not knowing your way around town.”

  Mary knew Aggie was being kind in her explanation about not knowing her way around town being the reason she shouldn’t go outside without an escort rather than the fact that someone who looked like her could run into trouble.

  She cut a sharp look to Doc silently begging him not to say anything about how they came to be together. She needn’t have worried. Doc understood her concerns completely.

  He turned to Aggie. “I was headed to see old Spencer and that cut on his leg when I ran across Mary strolling down the street. Luckily, I was headed this way and it was my pleasure to escort this beautiful young woman home.” He turned back to her. “And now if you’ll excuse me, I have a cantankerous old patient that needs me.”

  She sent him a grateful smile and nodded. “Of course, Doc. Thank you for escorting me home. I look forward to seeing you this evening.” She’d forgot to check with Aggie if that was alright. “Aggie, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t overstep, but I invited Doc—”

  Aggie’s gaze bounced between her and the good doctor. Mary could see the look was full of questions, but the woman was as gracious as everyone had said she was. “Of course not. Doc is always welcome in this house.” She turned to Doc. “We will eat promptly at six o’clock sharp. And as you are aware, if you have any hopes of getting in on the meal, you won’t be late. Hiram is quite the hearty eater and he won’t hesitate to start without you.” Aggie grinned. “Mary, come to the parlor when you are finished talking with Doc.”

  Mary nodded and her hostess closed the door leaving her and Doc on the back stairs. “Well, I guess you should go. I’ll see you tonight at dinner.” She heard the sound of her breathy words and realized how much she was looking forward to tonight.

  “My pleasure, Mary. Promise me you won’t leave the house again without an escort.” He pulled both her hands into his and squeezed. “Promise?”

  She looked down at where their hands touched and then up at him wishing she had a better sense of what he was really thinking . . . about her. “I promise. I’ve learned my lesson,” she admitted. As much as she hated it, she knew she would cause everyone less trouble if she did as she was asked.

  “Look, I know this isn’t easy for you, but I have an idea I’d like to discuss with you at dinner.”

  “What kind of idea?” She wanted to know, her excitement rising at the prospect.

  “At dinner. Tonight. We can discuss it then,” he teased, his grin pulling at her emotions. Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. His face lingered so close to hers, she could smell his earthy scent. Pine. Lavender. The musty scent of his maleness.

  Her heart punched inside her chest and she turned her face ever so slightly to give him access to her lips . . . if he wanted them.

  But to her disappointment, he pulled away and lifted his medical bag from the stair. “Until tonight, June Bug,” he teased.

  Then he turned and walked out of the yard and disappeared down the street. She stood on the stairs and stared at the spot where the most remarkable man she had ever met had just disappeared. She reached up and touched the spot on her cheek where he’d kissed her. Her fingers raked across the ridges of her tattoo. He’d kissed her on her tattooed cheek. What kind of man would do that, she wondered and she suddenly wanted to know more about this most extraordinary man. “Yes, until tonight, Doctor Howard.”

  Doc spent the rest of his morning going from home to home seeing those patients too sick to travel. He usually rented a horse from the livery stable, but since he’d purchased the big bay gelding for Mary’s ride to Creede, he had his own transportation now. He had intended to sell the horse, but the more he spent time with the gelding, the more he hesitated. He hadn’t allowed himself to get attached to another living creature, be it human or animal, since . . . well, attachments didn’t end well for him. But something made him hold off letting the horse go. After all, there really was no hurry.

  Around noon, he returned to his office and by late afternoon, he and Hope had seen their last patient. There was just enough time to clean up the office and grab a bath and a change of clothes before dinner at the Hanovers. He realized he was actually looking forward to tonight, but he refused to give the credit to the fact he would be spending time with Mary. It was just any other dinner as the Hanovers’ guest. After all, he had spent a considerable amount of time at their table. Tonight was no different. And yet . . . “Alright, Doc. What is it?” Hope’s voice pulled him to the present.

  “What do you mean? What is what?” He had no idea what Hope was talking about.

  “That grin. You’ve been doing that all afternoon.” Hope and her mind reading capabilities were starting to get on his nerves.

  “Now when did a grin become something to question. Can’t it simply mean I’m having a good day?” He groused even though he wasn’t really aggravated at Hope’s question.

  “That’s true. It could. I suppose. But you don’t usually grin to yourself.” She said and finished wiping down the examination table.

  “And how do I usually grin, if you don’t mind me asking for clarification.”

  “You laugh when something’s funny like when Billy was so jealous of you. Remember when he tried to stop me from going with you to—”

  Doc welcomed the opportunity to change the subject. “Oh, yes. I remember. The lovesick fool invited himself along and then he nearly killed himself falling off a cliff overlooking the river. It’s a wonder he—”

  “You are doing it again, Doc. You’re trying to get me off
subject, but I sense there’s a female reason behind that smile of yours today. Am I wrong?” Hope turned and studied him. He knew she saw more than he wanted her to. He started to deny it, but then stopped. He looked deep in those vivid green eyes of hers and knew he trusted her. They had become good friends over the years since he took her on as a student, mentoring her in the art of medicine. He was confident she would keep their conversation between them if he asked her to and he could use some advice.

  “Alright, I’ll admit it. I have a new friend and I find her quite remarkable.”

  “A new friend, huh? And it’s a she?” Hope finished her cleaning and sat in the chair next to his desk which was her usual place when they had serious things to discuss. When she was seated, she patted the desk indicated he should sit down too. He glanced at the wall clock and nodded. “Alright, but only for fifteen minutes. I have to take a bath and get dressed because—”

  “Because you have a new lady friend and you don’t want to keep her waiting?” Hope offered her own take on the matter. Of course, she was right, so he didn’t try to lead her away from the truth.

  He took his chair at his desk and picked up his pencil off the desk. He twirled it between his fingers to relieve some of his nervousness. “Something like that I suppose.” He wasn’t ready to talk specifically about Mary O’Brien. Not just yet. Hope knew Liam’s long-lost sister had returned from the dead, but the family had yet to meet her. The Hanovers, and Liam, thought it best to give her some time to settle in before the whole crazy family descended on her. And he didn’t want to talk out of turn about his feelings for Mary until he’d had a chance to speak with Liam. He felt it was his duty, as a friend, to discuss the matter before spending more time with her, in order to make sure there were no misunderstandings regarding his intentions towards her. Because, as he told himself—he had none.

  “I’m glad to hear that, my friend. You’ve been a sought-after bachelor for long enough. How old are you now? Thirty?” Hope asked.