by Leann Harris
Was she worried there would be a repeat of the mind-blowing kiss they had shared last night? He could understand her concern. It certainly had put him on edge. With all the commotion in town this afternoon, he and Alex had never had a moment alone to talk about what had happened between them the previous night. Maybe if he reassured her that there wouldn’t be a repeat of the incident, it would help her to relax.
“I hope you didn’t mind me not waking you this morning,” he said, hoping to ease into the subject.
She jumped as if he’d fired his gun.
“You didn’t answer the first call,” he continued, “and I thought you might want the rest.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
Silence filled the room.
“Alexandra, I want to reassure you there won’t be a repeat of last night.”
Her brow puckered in a frown. “What are you talking about?”
It was obvious from her reaction that she wasn’t stressed out over the intimate exchange she’d had with him.
“You mean our...” Her voice trailed off and she worried her bottom lip as the memory washed over her. “Oh.”
What could he say, with his ego shot to pieces? Sorry my kiss was so wimpy you don’t remember. Yet as Derek stewed over her reaction, it occurred to him that maybe there was something else preoccupying her. Was what happened today in town with Fred the center of her thoughts?
The accident had resulted in fallout for him, too. All afternoon people had stopped by his office to discuss what had happened to Fred. Alexandra had managed to win over those who had seen her in action. Oddly enough, no one had ever mentioned the few moments in the feed store when Alex had stood over Fred, frozen, her eyes blank.
But he had noticed it. And it had gnawed at him—along with his thoughts of kissing her—all afternoon. What had happened? Why had she hesitated? If she was an emergency room doctor as she claimed, surely she would have seen worse accidents than Fred’s.
But what did they know about Alexandra Courtland, apart from the information she gave them? They had taken her at her word that she was a doctor, but they had no proof except for the parking sticker on her car, and that could be fake. He hadn’t even asked for a driver’s license, so for all he knew, she wasn’t even who she claimed she was.
His cop’s intuition told him that scenario was way off base. He felt Alex was who she claimed to be. But she was hiding something critical and he would rest easier if he knew what that something was.
Her actions tonight only strengthened his suspicion. Alex was wound tighter than an eight-day clock. Her movements during dinner had been jerky and her conversation formal and brief. Since he’d eliminated his kiss as the cause of her stress, that left only Fred’s accident.
Why would treating a patient with a few stitches cause an ER doctor anxiety? Thinking back over the past two days, Derek could see a pattern that each time Alex saw a patient, she became stilted and edgy.
She put the book down and looked at him. “Is there something else wrong?”
“I was wondering about this afternoon.”
She visibly stiffened. “Yes?”
The word was hard edged, full of challenge. The tight line of her lips added to the picture of a woman ready to fight.
“You were very efficient and good. I must’ve had a half-dozen folks stop by my office, wanting to talk about you. They asked if I could maybe charm you into staying.”
Her eyes widened.
He could identify with her surprise. He’d had exactly the same reaction when it had been first suggested to him—stunned surprise. He’d never considered himself a lady-killer and was amazed to hear that folks thought he could seduce her. “Yeah, it surprised me, too, that anyone thought I had that much charm.”
She flushed and lowered her gaze to her lap. “And what did you tell them?”
“I told them you had a job elsewhere.”
She nodded.
“I also pointed out that after nearly being hijacked, you were probably in no mood to make this place your home.”
An odd emotion darkened her blue eyes. It might have been longing or hopefulness, but it quickly faded. “What was the reaction to that?”
“That’s where my charm was supposed to overwhelm you.”
The space in the room seemed to shrink to a tunnel that held only the two of them. He saw her swallow and knew she felt the current running between them. The power of it could have run the lights of Saddle and the surrounding ranches for years. Maybe that kiss had more effect than she was willing to admit, even to herself.
Alex’s tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip and if he hadn’t been sitting in the chair, he would’ve been knocked off his feet.
“I hope you told them I wasn’t susceptible to that kind of bribery.”
The words hung between them, and suddenly they both knew they were a lie.
“I told them.”
Her fingers worried the frayed edge of the novel in her lap. “That’s good.”
“There’s something else I noticed while you were working on Fred.”
Her head jerked up and she stared at him. “What’s that?”
“When you first saw Fred in his store, you hesitated. Why did you do that? Is there something wrong, Alexandra? Is there a problem that I can help you with?”
She set aside the book. “Did you find fault with my technique?”
“You know I didn’t.”
“Then that’s all that matters in the end, isn’t it?” She stood. “Good night.”
He wanted to call her back, reassure her that he was a good listener and she didn’t have to face her problems alone. But her reaction made it clear she didn’t want to discuss anything with him. And, he noted, she hadn’t denied that there was a problem.
Whoa, cowboy, a little voice in his head cautioned. You’re leading with your heart and it’s going to get stepped on if you keep going down this path.
That was true. But at this moment that particular road didn’t look so bad. Especially if it led to a certain beautiful doctor.
* * *
Alex sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep, calming breath. She should’ve expected it, but had hoped that Derek hadn’t noticed her freezing up at Fred’s store. He had and he’d confronted her with it.
Oh, he’d done it nicely, but Alex had the feeling that he wouldn’t let go of the incident until she answered him. And what could she say to him? I’m having flashbacks to the terrors of the past year in Bosnia? No, she wouldn’t share that with him. It wasn’t his business.
Alex stood, walked to the window and looked out at the mountains in the distance. They glowed in the bright light of the moon, taking on a magical, fairy-tale quality where there was only goodness and happiness.
Wrapping her arms around her waist, Alex found herself wishing the enchanting feeling would remain in the harsh light of the day.
Her last conscious thought before falling asleep that night was maybe she was supposed to be here, that what she had thought was a cruel twist of fate was the hand of heaven.
It was a disturbing thought.
Chapter 8
Derek didn’t know what woke him. He listened carefully and heard a low moan. At first he thought the sound was the wind, but when it came again, accompanied by an agonized no, he knew it wasn’t the wind.
Slipping on his jeans, he went to investigate. It might be Sarah. After the divorce, she’d had nightmares nearly every night. But it had been a while since that had happened.
He walked to Sarah’s door and listened, but all was quiet. A sigh of relief escaped him. He was almost back to his room when he heard another sob. It came from Alex’s room. Quickly he went to her closed door and lightly knocked.
“Alex,” he called softly.
A moan answered him.
“Alex.”
Still nothing.
He debated the wisdom of opening her door until he heard her cry in a choked voice, “No, don’t, please, no.�
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Turning the doorknob, he entered the room. Alex’s head was thrashing on the pillow and her hands clenched the blanket as she fought off some inner demon only she could see.
Sitting beside her, he lightly touched her shoulder. “Alexandra.”
“No,” she shouted, sitting up. From the glassy expression in her eyes he knew she still saw whatever hell she was fighting her way out of.
He grasped her elbow. “Alexandra, it’s just a dream. Everything is all right.”
As she turned toward the sound of his voice, her gaze remained unfocused. After several long moments the glassiness disappeared and she really saw him. A shudder shook her slender frame and she started to collapse.
Unable to bear the pain radiating from her, Derek pulled her into his arms. She resisted for an instant, then melted into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Her warm tears against his naked shoulder were like acid burning his skin, and made him painfully aware of the woman he held. He tried to ignore the signals his body was frantically sending his brain and tried to concentrate on comforting her. Instead, what his mind registered was the fullness of her breasts pressed against his chest, the softness of her cheek as it rested against his neck and the temptation of her lips caressing the skin below his collarbone. His mission of mercy was quickly dissolving under the heat of her body.
“Dad, is Alex okay?”
Alex jerked out of Derek’s arms and swiped at her tears. Derek turned and saw Sarah standing in the doorway to the room.
“Yeah, she just had a bad dream.”
Sarah moved her head so she could see Alex. “Maybe she would like some hot chocolate? Remember when I used to wake up with bad dreams and you told me the only cure was a cup of hot chocolate? It worked for me. Don’t you think it would work for her, too?”
Derek’s gaze met Alex’s. “Would you like a cup of hot chocolate? You can hear from my daughter’s experience that it’s a surefire antidote for nightmares.”
The panic and sorrow were fading from Alex’s face and a quiet thankfulness replaced it. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“Good.” He stood, walked to the door and wrapped his arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “You want a mug, munchkin?”
She lifted one shoulder. “It might help me to go back to sleep,” she answered with a sauciness that only a twelve-year-old possessed.
“I thought so.” He looked over his shoulder. “We’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
Once they were out of the room, Alex hugged her legs to her chest and rested her head against her knees. She was still shaking from the aftereffects of the nightmare.
Another scene from Bosnia had replayed itself in her mind’s eye while she slept. The young woman had been raped, and held a gun to her own head, wanting to kill herself. Alex had not been able to talk the woman out of it.
Shaking off the terrible memory, she climbed out of bed and struggled into her robe. Having Derek there had eased the raw edge of the dream, and she had gladly melted into his strength. It had been the first time since she’d returned to the United States that someone had been there to share her pain, even if he didn’t have the slightest idea why she’d been crying.
As she walked to the kitchen, she heard Derek and Sarah talking.
“Do you know why Alex had the nightmare?”
“No, and it would be impolite, young lady, to ask.”
Alex reached the doorway in time to see Sarah throw her dad an exasperated look.
“Okay,” she muttered, her disappointment plain. Sarah noticed her and blushed. “Oh, hi.” She flashed Alex a self-conscious grin.
Alex motioned to the pan on the stove. “I’m looking forward to this special treat.”
“This is Dad’s secret recipe.” Sarah’s voice lowered. “It worked every time I had a bad dream.” She fingered the buttons of her robe. “I used to have bad dreams every night. But after Dad and I drank this hot chocolate, I could go to sleep.” She glanced at her father. “It’s been a long time since I had a nightmare, hasn’t it, Dad?”
“You’re right. It’s been a while.”
Both father and daughter looked pleased.
Derek poured the hot chocolate into three mugs and Sarah carried them to the table. Once they were all seated, Alex picked up her mug. “Here’s to pleasant dreams.”
The other two nodded and took a sip of the warm liquid.
“Isn’t it good?” Sarah asked.
“Very good,” Alex agreed. “Much better than I made last night.”
Sarah gave her a puzzled frown.
Alex felt her cheeks go warm with embarrassment, thinking back to what had occurred between her and Derek. “I made some while I waited for your dad. And of course, you know my kitchen skills are very poor.”
Sarah giggled. “You can’t even make hot chocolate?”
“Now, wait a minute,” Alex objected. At least while she was engaging Sarah in conversation she didn’t have to think of her dream or her attraction to the man across the table. Of course, it didn’t help that he hadn’t put on his shirt, and she had to stare at his naked muscular chest. “I said this was better, not that I couldn’t make hot chocolate.”
That set Sarah off into another round of giggles.
“If you’re finished, I think it’s time for you to get back to bed,” Derek told his daughter.
“Okay, Dad.” She rose, then leaned over and kissed her father on the cheek. As she passed Alex, she paused and gave her a peck, too. “Good night.”
Sarah’s actions surprised Alex. Her wide-eyed gaze met Derek’s. He looked as shocked as she felt, but his shock quickly turned to disapproval once Sarah left the room.
“Sarah’s still getting over her mother’s rejection,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to see her hurt again.”
Alex gawked at him, unable to believe she’d heard him correctly. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“Sarah likes you.”
“And I like her.”
“But if you continue to encourage her friendship, she’s going to suffer when you leave in a day or so.”
“So are you telling me not to be friendly with your daughter?”
He hesitated. “I know it sounds stupid.”
“You’re darn right it sounds stupid.”
“Now wait a minute.”
“No, you wait a minute.” She stood so fast that the chair nearly tipped over. “I wasn’t the one who asked to be thrust into this situation. I have a little more than twenty-four hours before I have to read Norma’s test. I suggest you contact Billy Mayer and tell him to get his rear in gear and fix my car, then I’ll be out of your life so fast you won’t see my smoke, Mr. Deputy Sheriff.”
With one final indignant glare, Alex turned and marched to her room.
Derek ran his fingers through his hair, then rubbed the tense muscles at the back of his neck. He had certainly made a fine mess of things. As his grandmother always said, “Who hit you with a stupid stick?”
“I don’t know, Gran,” he muttered to the empty room, “but whoever it was sure did a good job.”
He couldn’t believe he had asked Alex not to be friends with Sarah.
“You’re a real idiot,” Derek told himself. He shook his head, still stunned by his own actions. Yet, when he had seen Sarah’s face light up as she talked to Alex and had seen her giggle in response to Alex’s comments, a fear had gripped his soul that his daughter would be hurt again by a woman she cared for.
What made things worse was that this situation was in no way Alex’s fault. She was completely innocent. She’d been dragged into this mess kicking and screaming. If anyone was at fault, it was Billy Mayer. Yet it wasn’t Billy who had just made an ass of himself.
Knowing he couldn’t sleep until he apologized to Alexandra for his unjustifiable words, Derek made his way to her room and knocked lightly.
“Alexandra.”
He didn’t have to call a second time. The door jerked open, and she
stood there with her fist on her hip. “What?” The fire glowing in her eyes told Derek if he made one wrong move, he was going to eat a knuckle sandwich.
“Did you forget to say something? Do you have another insult to offer me?”
Derek winced. She could wield words with as much skill as she had sutured Fred this afternoon. “I forgot to apologize to you. I was way out of line a minute ago, and I’m sorry. The only excuse I can offer is I tend to worry too much about Sarah.” He leaned against the wall. “She’s just starting to act like a normal twelve-year-old and to see her so free with you, I panicked.” He lifted one shoulder. “I guess I’ve become a little too protective.” He tried to look into her eyes, but found she was staring at his bare chest. “Alexandra?”
Slowly she lifted her gaze to his. The insistent current of awareness that always flowed between them suddenly surged. “Yes?”
“Uh—” His response disappeared from his brain in the rising heat. “I hope you’ll accept my apology and explanation.”
She seemed to snap out of her wandering. “Yes, apology accepted.”
Pushing away from the wall, he nodded. “Then good night. If you like, I’ll take you out to the ranch in the morning and you can spend the day out there with Cathy. She’s much better company than I am.”
“I won’t get in the way of the DEA agents?”
“Not unless you decide to go with them on one of their searches.”
“No, I believe I’ve had enough of law-enforcement officials.”
“Ouch.”
“It was deserved.”
“You’re right. It was.”
She gave him a satisfied grin and closed the door in his face.
Derek went to his room feeling as if he had wrestled a wild cat. Well, maybe he had.
* * *
“Morning, Derek. I was wondering if you know where the doc is this morning.”
Derek looked up from the DEA report and leaned back in his chair. He’d taken Alex out to the ranch after Sarah had left for school and had picked up a copy of the report the DEA guys had filed with his superior.
Charlie Weaver, an old cowboy from the Triple R ranch, stood inside his office door.
