Dev rubbed a hand across the back of his neck as he sat in the hospital waiting room with Ken and Mary Slyder. He wished he knew something to say that would ease their worry. But if he were in their shoes, and Ben had been choppered in after an accident with a ton of bull, he would be wearing a hole in the floor with his pacing. And that didn’t begin to do justice to what he would feel.
Mary sat on one of the room’s plastic-covered sofas with her husband beside her, his arm around her shoulders. Overhead, fluorescent lights hummed, giving the room a cold, institutional feel.
The tall, thin brunette twisted her fingers together. “I wish they’d let me go in with him. Why won’t they let me see him? That can’t be good. I don’t think I can stand to wait anymore. What’s happening?” she asked helplessly.
“Hannah—Dr. Morgan said she’d find out,” Dev reminded her.
“But she’s been gone so long. What if they won’t tell her anything? She did warn us that she’s not on staff here.”
The woman’s gray-haired husband patted her shoulder. “Don’t borrow trouble, honey. If the news was bad we’d know something by now.”
“Ken’s right,” Dev said. “Besides, staff or not, Hannah will find out what’s going on with Ronnie. I saw the look in her eyes and I can tell you without a doubt I wouldn’t want to be the one who tells her no.”
He wasn’t blowing smoke. Hannah might look like a good, stiff Texas breeze would blow her away. She might be mistaken for a walking blonde joke, until you looked into her big blue eyes. Normally they snapped with spirit and intelligence—and good humor. But when he’d last seen her, they were spitting fire and determination as she’d marched down the hospital corridor on a fact-finding mission. And mission was definitely the right word. Something told him she would have information when she came back.
Hannah Morgan was a hell of a doctor, and a hell of a woman. He couldn’t stop himself from wondering what it would be like to have her in his corner. But lickety-split he backed off on that idea. It wasn’t safe to go there.
Dev glanced at the double doors and nodded confidently. “Come hell or high water, that woman’s gonna get to the bottom of what’s happening with Ronnie.” He turned his gaze back on the distraught couple huddled on the couch. “Don’t you worry. She might not be on staff, but she’s a doctor. I have a feeling she won’t take no for an answer.”
Several moments later, the waiting room’s double doors whispered open and the determined doctor in question walked into the room. She was still wearing the white lab coat she’d had on at the rodeo. Her stethoscope was curved around her neck. She wore it like most women wore jewelry. But Hannah wasn’t most women. The thought nudged his heart into a canter.
She nodded at Dev, then squared her shoulders and walked to the couple who had shot to their feet at the first sound of the doors opening.
“How is he? What’s going on?” Mary Slyder asked. Her husband was right beside her, leaning forward slightly as if he might otherwise miss something. “Is he going to be okay?”
Hannah took a deep breath. “The ER doctor is a trauma specialist. That’s a very good thing. Ronnie’s in excellent hands with Dr. Elliott. He doesn’t think there’s any serious damage, but he’s ordered a CT scan to rule out internal bleeding. And he wants a skull series—”
“What’s that?” Mary Slyder put her fingers over her mouth as the fear in her eyes kicked up a notch.
Hannah reached out and touched her forearm reassuringly. “It’s nothing more exotic than X-rays of his head—several different views. It’s standard emergency procedure because Ronnie had a contusion and lacerations. And he lost consciousness for a short time. The doctor is concerned about concussion. And he’s right to be. I am, too.”
The woman brushed away a tear. “How serious is a concussion?”
Hannah let out a long breath. Dev was looking at her face and saw something flicker in her eyes. Somehow he knew she was censoring how much information to give them. She took the woman’s arm and led her to the sofa, urging her to sit. With a sigh, Hannah settled on the edge of the plastic beside her.
“If I were you, I’d want the straight story, so I’m going to give it to you.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Mary said nodding. “The not knowing is worse.”
Hannah nodded. Understanding and comfort seemed to flow from her. “The injury is potentially serious. But there’s no reason to panic. The fact that he’s conscious now is a good sign.” She smiled. “He gave them cause for concern when they asked him what day it was.”
“Why?” his mother asked.
“He kept saying it was Friday.”
“But it is Friday,” Mary said.
“They wanted to know the date. But that wasn’t the question they asked him.” The anxious parents laughed, and then Hannah continued. “Ronnie has a lot going for him. Not the least of which is his hard head.”
Dev knew she was thinking that the kid had insisted on riding with stitches in his other hand.
“He can be stubborn,” Mary said.
“No bones are broken,” Hannah continued. “But until all the tests are in, we only know he’s got a bump on his head and a cut over his eyebrow. We know he was lucky that his eye is all right. He’s young, tough and in terrific shape—all factors in his favor.”
As Hannah talked, listened to questions from the worried parents and patiently answered them, Dev never took his eyes off her. Life and death decisions. He couldn’t even imagine what kind of courage it took to do her job. He’d already seen her with Ben and knew she was good with kids. He had no doubt she was a dynamite pediatrician. But he’d never realized that she used completely different skills in handling parents. She was a champ at both.
It had taken years of training and hard work to sharpen those skills for a lucrative practice. How could he ask her to stay in Destiny and give that up? Whoa! Apparently he still hadn’t shaken the subconscious hope that she wouldn’t go back to California. He was beginning to wonder if he could ever make it go away.
“I want to see Ronnie,” Mary said.
“I don’t think they’ll let you while they’re still doing tests.” Hannah squeezed the other woman’s hand, then looked at the boy’s father. “But I’m going back. They’re not happy with me, but that’s too bad. I plan to continue being a pushy, nosy outsider. I’ll keep you informed.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Ken Slyder answered. “How can we thank you for being here for us—and for Ronnie?”
“Yes,” Mary seconded. “It’s scary enough. But we appreciate you explaining everything.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Hannah said, standing. She went to the door. “I’ll be back in a little while.”
Dev followed her into the hall. “Was all of that the truth?”
“I wouldn’t lie to them,” she said, sticking her hands in the pockets of her white coat as they walked.
There was a row of vending machines at the end of the hall and Dev put a hand on her arm as she started to round the corner. “Let me buy you a cup of coffee,” he offered.
“Thanks. I could use that. Black, please.”
He slid a bill into the slot and pushed the button. The cup plopped beneath the spout and the dark, steamy liquid filled it. He opened the clear plastic door and pulled out the container, then handed it to her. As she took it, her fingers brushed against his. The resulting heat was steamier than the coffee.
“So it’s looking good for Ronnie?” Dev asked, sticking his fingertips into the pockets of his jeans.
She nodded, then blew on the hot liquid she held cradled in both hands. “There could always be a complication, blood clot, cranial bleeding, internal bleeding. But there was no point in going there with his folks. There’s every reason to believe he’s going to be fine. Tests are done as much to rule out a problem as find one.”
“I know you were frustrated at the rodeo, about not having equipment.”
She nodded. “Fortunately in this case, it shouldn’t make a difference.” She glanced around. “This is a nice facility, the latest equipment and technology. Ronnie is in excellent hands. I’m certain he’ll receive the best of care here.”
“The Slyders appreciate you being here,” he said. “And so do I.”
“You? Why?”
Now there was the burning question. He didn’t have an emotional connection to the kid other than as a concerned adult, and rodeo volunteer. And a smidgeon of guilt about not getting him off that animal sooner. But somehow, being there with Hannah made everything better, easier. He had a bad feeling it wouldn’t matter if they were in a hospital, a five-star restaurant, a corral, or his living room on the ranch. He simply liked spending time with her.
“You’re a good doctor, Hannah,” he said lamely. He leaned a shoulder against the wall and met her gaze.
“How do you know that? I didn’t do anything. How do you know it’s not just a job?”
He crossed one boot over his other ankle. “I know you have reasons for wanting to be a success. But it’s not just a job. I’ve seen you in action. You’re a dedicated doctor.”
She shrugged noncommittally, but there was a hint of a pleased smile on her face. “Anyone can talk to the guy in charge and relay information.”
“Yeah, but you could have made a phone call. Not everyone would take the time and trouble to be here at all. You did.”
“I’m smart—”
“This isn’t about intelligence quotient,” he interrupted. “This is about decency and caring. Destiny could use more like you.” Dev blinked. He couldn’t believe he’d said that.
There it was again, that hint that he wanted her to stay. What the hell was he thinking?
“Thanks, Dev,” she answered, then glanced at a spot over his shoulder as if she was afraid he would see something in her eyes. “But all I did was show up. For selfish reasons. I needed to know that Ronnie was getting the best care. If that makes me a good doctor, then I’ll accept that.”
He noticed she’d ignored his comment about Destiny needing her. But dammit, the town was growing and they could use her skills. He was a concerned citizen. That had to be the reason he’d blurted it out. He wouldn’t let it be about wanting Hannah to stick around.
No way did he want to come in a distant second to a woman’s career. Not again.
She blew on her coffee. “I have to go be the squeaky wheel and find out everything I can.”
He grinned. “Okay. You go, girl. Let me know if you need any muscle.”
She nodded, then started to walk away. Her sneaker squeaked on the linoleum floor as she half turned to look at him. “It’s late, Dev. You don’t have to stay. I’ll find a ride back to the ranch.”
“I’m the guy who brought you. I’ll be seeing you home, ma’am,” he said, touching the brim of his hat.
A smile curved the corners of her lips. “Thanks. See you soon.”
He watched her walk away, the doctor in denim. He couldn’t stop the heat that filled him. The coat hit her at the knee, but he imagined the sway of her hips, and admired her shapely calves and slender ankles. What was it about Hannah that got to him?
Maybe if he’d never kissed her. That night in the moonlight was coming back to bite him in the butt again. So much for using a lesson to his son for selfish purposes. Dev realized he was the one who’d learned something.
Tonight he’d seen for himself Hannah’s deep-seated enthusiasm and excitement for her work. He should have realized it sooner. She was a passionate woman. From firsthand—or should he say mouth-to-mouth experience—he’d found that out. He’d bet the farm that she was capable of deep personal feelings. The man she cared about would be a lucky son of a gun.
“But it won’t be me,” he said to the row of vending machines. “I can’t take the chance.”
Hannah was too keyed up to go into the house. “I think I’ll stay out here for a little while,” she said to Dev as they walked past the gazebo on the way to the front porch.
He had driven her back to the ranch after the results of Ronnie’s tests had all come back negative. The cut above his eye had required three stitches, which he said would impress the girls. The doctor was keeping him in the hospital overnight to be on the safe side. And all was right with the world, she thought with a happy sigh.
“I’ll keep you company.” Dev’s voice was deep.
The husky quality made her think of tangled bodies and twisted sheets.
“That’s not necessary,” she protested. “It’s been a long day and you get up before God.”
“Someone has to tell Him to start the world,” he said.
Hannah noticed something else about his tone. In fact, all the way home from the hospital he’d hardly said two words.
“What’s wrong, Dev?”
He sat down on the wooden steps leading up to the porch. Hannah settled beside him, knowing it probably wasn’t the smartest move she’d ever made. The sparks she felt from just the barest brush of their shoulders confirmed her suspicion.
“Does it show?”
She was surprised he didn’t blow her off. “Yeah. Want to talk about it? Does it have anything to do with Ronnie Slyder getting hurt?”
“Indirectly, I guess.” He rested his forearms on his thighs and let his hands dangle between his widespread knees. “I kept picturing Ben in that hospital.”
“Yeah,” she said. “Me, too.”
Hoping the move looked casual, she slid away from him, putting a couple of inches between herself and the heat of his body. If only it were as easy to shut out the masculine scent that was so Dev.
“I’d like to wrap my son in plastic and keep him safe,” he admitted.
“Be sure there are airholes in the protective covering. It’s hard to breathe through plastic,” she said, trying to lighten his mood.
“I’m serious, Hannah. Kids think they’re immortal.”
“Personally, I think anyone who would voluntarily get on the back of a ton of bull needs a psych evaluation.”
That flippant remark actually rewarded her with a small smile. Then he stared into the darkness again. “I’m not just talking about the rodeo. Although I’d like to lock him in a room, or hire a twenty-four-hour-a-day bodyguard, I know Ben needs to be allowed to grow.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m talking about decisions kids make that can affect the rest of their lives. How do I teach him to do the right thing? How can I be sure he’ll do what’s best for him and the kids he’s with?”
“This is more than Ronnie, isn’t it?”
He met her gaze for several moments, then nodded. “I talked to Grady tonight at the rodeo.”
“I saw you. He left just as I arrived. Is something wrong?”
“He’s got some legal stuff going on.”
Hannah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then linked her fingers and rested her joined hands in her lap. “Since he’s the sheriff, that’s not a stretch. He’s sworn to uphold the law, I’d say that’s in his job description.”
Dev shook his head. “It’s personal stuff and it’s trouble.”
“What?” She looked at him for explanation. It was like staring at a sphinx. “Yanking out a hot appendix isn’t this hard.”
“Something happened, Hannah. Ten years ago.”
“What?” she asked again.
He shook his head. “I— Hindsight is twenty/twenty. I could have done something. Things might be different if only I’d—” He stopped and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “I wish I’d had my head on straight back then. I was just a kid. We all were. But it’s done now.”
Standing, he took several steps, just to where the glow from the porch light butted up against the shadows. He folded his arms over his chest and stood staring into the darkness.
Hannah wanted to stay where she was, after all she had a front row seat to admire his spectacular cowboy butt from a safe distance. But she couldn’t. With a sigh she pushed to her feet and walked the several steps to where he stood. She only hesitated a moment before resting a hand on his upper arm. The muscle flexed beneath her fingers and she resisted the urge to wrap both hands around the masculine curve.
“I can’t say anymore than that,” he said.
“Okay. But I have something to say, and you’re not going to like it.”
He looked down, then covered her hand with his large, warm palm. “Unless you’re going to offer me an inoculation against teenage trouble, I’m not sure I want to hear it.”
“You have no idea how much I wish I could.” She sighed. “My job would be so much easier. I deal with the highs and lows all the time. As far as Ben is concerned, all you can do is your best. Sometimes all you can do is nothing. When he was learning to walk, you had to stand back and watch him fall. Sometimes it hurt—you more than him. But if you’d picked him up and carried him, granted you would have saved him pain at the time, but he wouldn’t be running now. When he started to talk, if you’d anticipated his needs before he could voice them, there would have been no reason for him to say the words.”
“There are times I wish he didn’t,” he said with a grin.
“You don’t really mean that,” she chided gently.
“No. And I know you’re right. It’s just that looking back at my adolescence, if only I’d—”
“Don’t,” she said, taking her hand from beneath his and settling it on top of his fingers. She squeezed lightly, willing him to absorb her words. “It’s tempting to second-guess yourself. It’s so easy when the pressure’s off to look back and critique. To see what you could have done differently, maybe better. With kids, we let go, watch them wobble, stretch their muscles, walk, run, grow and mature. No pain, no gain. Maturity is the great equalizer—or something like that.” She rested her cheek against his arm for a moment and sighed. “Sorry. I seem to be spouting clichés like an uncapped oil well.”
“No big deal.”
She lifted her head and looked up at him. “You’re absolutely right. Hindsight is twenty/twenty. If we could see into the future we would probably all make different decisions, on the spot.”
“Not everything,” he said.
His voice had that husky quality again. It raised goose bumps on her arms. Because she was still touching him, she felt the exact moment when he tensed. His gaze found hers and his eyes turned smoky and intense.
“What do you mean?” she asked breathlessly.
“I could never regret this.”
He turned the hand she was holding and captured hers, pulling it to his chest. As if they were about to start the steps of a difficult dance, he placed his palm over her fingers, trapping them against the strong, steady throb of his heart. She got the feeling he was listening to a tune that she couldn’t hear as his other arm encircled her waist, drawing her slowly to him. Warmth from his skin seeped through his cotton shirt to the sensitive nerve endings in her fingertips. Heat from his hand burned through the material of her blouse and branded his touch into her back.
Her breasts pressed against the solid, unyielding wall of his chest. Hannah knew she was brighter than the average bear and had been all her life. But right now, she didn’t have to be the brightest star in the sky to know that Dev Hart intended to kiss her.
She froze as he lowered his head. It would be stupid to let him. It would be dumb to ignore the fact it was all about the attraction sizzling between them and not because he cared deeply for her. It would be idiotic to forget that attraction and forever-after were as far apart as Texas and California. But for the first time in her life she wanted to forget, ignore, overlook and disregard her superior brain, and wallow in hormone heaven. She actually wanted to be a dumb, stupid idiot.
As his lips touched hers, she found that this foolish state worked for her, more than she’d ever thought possible. His mouth was firm yet soft, taking and giving, seeking and sampling. Liquid heat flowed through her veins and pooled in her belly, radiating outward. She didn’t need a dermatologist to tell her that her skin was flushed and hot. Or a pulmonologist to diagnose her shortness of breath. The cause was at once simple and complicated.
Dev.
He shifted slightly, then removed his hand from hers. The light evening breeze caressed her exposed knuckles even as his palm closed over her breast. The longed-for contact made her forget to breathe as she seemed to swell into his hand. Her skin tingled through the material of her bra and shirt. She felt like the princess and the pea, sensation in spite of all the barriers. Against all the odds.
Just like she and Dev were a long shot.
What were the odds that she would wind up kissing one of Destiny’s most eligible bachelors a second time? Until this magic moment, she would have guessed slim to none.
It was time to stop thinking and just feel. Let go. Her nipple puckered at the same time she arched her back, urging her breast more securely into his palm. She heard his quick intake of breath at her response, and felt his other hand tighten at her waist.
He traced the outline of her lips with his tongue, and instantly her mouth opened, admitting him inside. She heard the harsh rasp of his breathing and took supreme satisfaction in her feminine powers. But satisfaction of a different sort stole over her as he stroked the roof of her mouth, sending desire arcing through her.
He lightly kissed the corner of her mouth and nibbled his way over her cheek and jaw. Her breath caught as he slowed to a spot in the sensitive hollow just behind her mandibular joint and below her earlobe. She was sure she would die of sheer pleasure when he caught it between his teeth and tenderly tortured her. But that was nothing compared to the pure and simple sensual exhilaration she felt when he stroked the oh-so-responsive spot with the tip of his tongue.
She squirmed in his arms, pressed herself even closer to his warmth and solid strength. Her hand stole up his chest to his neck where her fingers channeled into the hair at his nape.
“Oh, Dev,” she whispered. “That feels so wonderful.”
“Hannah, I— Damn.” He let out a frustrated breath.
The next thing Hannah knew, he wasn’t touching her anymore. He’d stepped away. She opened her eyes and blinked, trying to stifle her disappointment.
“I can’t do this,” he said.
She didn’t know what to say. Define this? Make love to her? Take her now? All of the above? Nothing? Then she got what this was. He didn’t want her. She couldn’t believe she’d been so foolish. She’d wondered what it would be like to finally have Dev Hart notice her. Now she knew. It would be humiliation and mortification.
It was just like ten years ago. He didn’t want to go any further with her. Didn’t want to know anymore about her.
“I can’t do this either. It’s late. I have to go in.” She ran trembling fingers through her hair, then turned away.
“Hannah, wait—”
“What?” she asked without looking at him.
He cursed under his breath, then huffed out a sound of frustration. “Nothing. You’re right. It’s late.”
She walked up the steps and into the house without looking back. It was late, all right. Too late to take back what she’d just done. But tomorrow was another day.
It would bring her closer to the time when she would leave Destiny. And Dev.
If only that thought brought her comfort instead of profound sadness and wrenching pain.