The Doctor's Choice~Badlands (Contemporary Western Romantic Suspense)

by J. D. Faver

  “My turn.” he gestured to the dance floor.

  Cami felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. She put her hand in his. As he led her out onto the worn wooden floor, she glanced at Jenna who wore the same jealous expression she had seen earlier on Breck’s face.

  “Alone at last.” He took her in his arms and led her through a two-step, all the while gazing down at her.

  She felt a little lightheaded and she didn’t think it was all due to the dancing. As the song came to an end the lights went down and the band began playing an old Willie Nelson slow song, Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain.

  He slipped both arms around her, pulling her closer.

  She experienced a surge of heat as she melted against his steely chest. He bent toward her and leaned his cheek against her temple. She expelled the breath she’d been holding and tried to relax against him, recalling high school dances with long forgotten boys.

  Breck buried his lips in her hair and kissed her forehead.

  She squeezed her eyes tightly closed. When she opened them, she was surprised by the tenderness reflected in his eyes. Her lips parted and he kissed her, slowly rocking her in time to the music.

  A tear streaked down one cheek as she pulled away. “Don’t,” she said.

  “Too late.” He pulled her tight against him.

  “I…I’m engaged.” She gulped hard.

  “You know what?” he whispered against her hair. “I don’t see a ring. Did he give you a ring?”

  “No. But I’m sure he will, when the time’s right.”

  “This may sound funny to you, but if I were going to propose to a woman, I’d have a ring in my hand and it would be the biggest ring I could afford.”

  She didn’t say anything. She couldn’t speak at all. She leaned against his torso, listening to his deep voice reverberating in his chest.

  “So, until I see a ring on your finger, I’m not seriously thinking you’re engaged.” He kissed her forehead again. “Because it just doesn’t work that way.”

  The music came to a stop and the band announced a break. The lights came up and recorded music took over.

  “In your world,” she said. “But in my world it does.” She pulled away from him and walked back to the table.

  Jenna glared at her and Frank grinned. She sat down before either Frank or Breck could pull out her chair.

  Score one for the independent woman. She took a sip of her now tepid beer and grimaced.

  “Want a cold one?” Frank asked.

  “I’m not much of a drinker. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer a soda with lots of ice,” she said.

  Breck gestured to one of the waitresses circling the tables and ordered a round.

  Cami excused herself and headed for the restroom. Glancing in the mirror, she washed her hands and ran her fingers through her hair, reflecting on the fact that Breck had talked her into leaving her handbag at home. She could sure use her lip gloss right about now.

  Jenna Lewis came into the restroom. She turned on the tap and washed her hands, flicking a glance at Cami that clearly stated that she found her lacking. “I didn’t know Breck was into a serious relationship.”

  “If he is, it’s news to me.” Cami turned and pushed out through the door.

  “Doctor Carmichael.”

  She turned when she heard her name. She was staring up at a tall, blonde man with broad shoulders and eyes the color of the bright blue west Texas skies.

  “Do I know you?” she asked.

  “Not yet.” His grin widened. “My father would like to visit with you. Will you step over to our table?”

  Cami turned in the direction he gestured and recognized Eldon Kincaid who sat waving at her. He was motioning for her to join him.

  The blonde man leaned close to her ear. “By the way, I’m E.J. Kincaid.”

  She wondered why a movie star would be in the Eagle’s Hall. “I’m pleased to meet you,” she said. He put his hand in the small of her back and guided her to his father. She wondered if he, too, thought she was incapable of propelling herself forward without assistance.

  “Doctor Carmichael,” Eldon Kincaid stood up and extended his hand. “I’m so glad to see you here, young lady. Have you met my son, E.J.?”

  She turned to the man standing way too close. “Yes, we’ve just met.”

  “Would you grace us with your company and sit with us for a moment?” He pulled out a chair for her.

  “Well, I--” She looked back at Breck, but he seemed to be engaged in a deep conversation with Jenna. “Sure, I can join you for a little while.”

  E.J. sat on the other side of her. Cami could smell his cologne. Not too bad. Masculine, but not heavy.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Kincaid?” she asked.

  “My dear, we don’t discuss business on a purely social occasion. Tell me about your practice. Are you going to treat patients here in Langston?”

  “I’m just here for the short term,” she said. The band returned to the stage and led off with a polka. “I’ll be back in Houston in a couple of weeks.”

  “Well, son,” Eldon said, “we don’t have much time to change her mind.”

  “Would you like to dance?” E.J. spoke close to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

  “I don’t know how to dance to this,” she said.

  “It’s a polka. Can you waltz?” he asked. “It’s like the waltz, only faster.”

  Cami felt herself being sucked into his deep blue gaze. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Trust me.” E.J. took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

  A wave of shyness swept over her as E.J.’s arms encircled her. She found herself staring straight into his chest.

  “You’re very pretty, Doctor Carmichael,” he said.

  She squealed as he swung her into a circle. “You, too.” The music sped up and she felt lightheaded as the room spun around. Her fingers were clutching his shoulder.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve got you.”

  The music came to an end and he twirled her under his arm and then pulled her close.

  She was laughing as she came into contact with his chest again.

  “If you do start seeing patients here, let me schedule a physical,” he said.

  “Not going to happen,” she said. A slow song started up and Cami started to return to the table.

  “Just one more, please,” he said.

  She glanced toward the table where Breck and Frank sat with Jenna and discovered all three were staring at her.

  “Sure,” she said. When the dance was over, she insisted on returning to her table. “Tell your father I’m not staying.”

  E.J. walked her back to her table. “I’d like to try to change your mind. Could we have dinner tomorrow evening?”

  “I’m not going to change my mind,” she said.

  “But you can share a meal with me, can’t you?”

  “I’ll think about it,” she said.

  “I’ll call you.” He brushed a kiss on the back of her hand. He met Breck’s glare with amusement as he turned away.

  “I thought you got lost,” Breck said.

  “I’m back!” Cami took the chair Frank held for her. “I just got sidetracked.” She spent the rest of the evening dancing with Breck, Frank and E.J. in turn. She thought this was much better than high school dances with long-forgotten boys.

  At the end of the night, as the Eagle’s Hall was emptying out, Breck walked her to the front door and buttoned her borrowed jacket.

  “You stay warm,” he said. “I’ll go get the truck.” He anchored his Stetson and stepped out into blowing snow.

  “Doctor Carmichael,” E.J. spoke close to her ear.

  She rolled her eyes. “Friends call me Cami.”

  “I like that,” he said. “I’m going to give you a call tomorrow. Maybe you’ll decide to have dinner with me.”

  “Maybe,” she said. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Come on boss,” Frank said. “I�
��ll walk you out.” He offered his arm and E.J. grinned at her.

  “G’night, Cami,” E.J. said.

  She smiled and took Frank’s arm. The wind blew the door back against the wall when Frank opened it.

  “It’s going to be a cold night.” He pulled the collar of his jacket up.

  Breck drove up in his truck and started to get out, but Frank opened the door and handed her up into the cab. Breck nodded at him and he slammed the door.

  “I thought you were going to wait inside where it’s warm.” Breck put the truck in gear and drove out onto the road.

  “Frank seemed to think there was too much E.J. around.”

  “Good man.” He snorted and cleaned the fogged windshield with the back of his glove. “He’s right. I can’t stand that guy.”

  Cami considered. “Is that because of his last name or has he done something in particular to offend you?”

  He expelled a deep breath. “You mean I can’t dislike a guy on general principles?”

  “Nope. He seemed okay to me.” At his sharp glance, she added, “Maybe a little too gorgeous.”

  He made a noise in the back of his throat. “E.J.’s a slimy, double-dealing, land-grabber in league with the devil himself. That would be his old man.”

  “Come on,” she said. “Tell me what you really think. Don’t hold back.”

  “I think,” he cast an amused glance in her direction. “You’re sitting too far away. Why don’t you slide over here a little closer?”

  “Because that might be construed as encouraging you, when I’m already spoken for.”

  “No ring, no engagement.”

  “You hold onto that thought,” she said.

  When Breck pulled up in Silky’s circle drive he turned off the motor before helping her down from the high vehicle. The wind had lessened and a light dusting of snow crunched underfoot. Breck followed her up onto the porch and stamped his feet.

  “Thanks for a lovely evening,” she said.

  “Open the door,” he said, gruffly. “I’m freezing my back-side off.”

  She laughed and opened the door. Shadow sat just inside, his ears on alert. “Were you waiting for me, Shadow?” She bent down to pat his head.

  He removed his jacket and hung it on the rack just inside. He crossed to the fireplace and placed logs and kindling.

  She watched him, knowing she should insist he leave, but not sure she wanted to be alone. She took off her outer wrappings and sank onto the Queen Anne loveseat. Shadow stretched out at her feet.

  “Cami, you seem to have charmed all of the creatures here at the ranch.” Breck stepped over Shadow and settled beside her on the loveseat. The kindling had caught and slender tongues of flame licked hungrily at the logs.

  “I’m on my honeymoon here,” she said. “An unknown quantity. I feel like everyone has to try me on.”

  “You certainly got checked out tonight. I hardly got to dance with you at all.”

  An uncontrollable giggle bubbled out. “You were dancing to Jenna’s tune. I was glad Frank was there to keep me company.”

  “And E.J.,” he said. “Don’t forget about your other admirer.”

  “I couldn’t,” she said. “E.J. also did his best to keep me company while you were otherwise occupied.”

  “You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe.” She gave him the benefit of her wide grin, complete with dimples. “Okay, I’ll admit, I enjoyed dancing with three attractive men. That hasn’t happened to me before. I went to a few dances in college but, basically I was a bookworm. Then I went into the fierce competition of medical school, followed by a brutal internship. Other than long hours, my residency was a breeze compared to that. And I worked so hard to be awarded the fellowship. So you see, I haven’t had much time to dance the night away.”

  His brows drew together in a frown. “What kind of doctor are you, anyway?”

  “Internal Medicine.”

  “What does that mean, exactly?”

  “One step up from General Practice. I’ve spent more time studying internal disease processes. I’ve always been curious. I want to know why someone develops a particular illness, how diseases are transmitted and I hope that by going into immunology research I can be a part of the prevention and cure.”

  Breck leaned back on one elbow, his gray eyes assessing her. “You’re not what I expected.”

  “What did you expect me to be?”

  “A spoiled little rich girl.”

  She cleared her throat. “Silky provided for my education and upkeep after my parents died. It was a costly schooling, but it wasn’t like I was driving a sports car or jetting to Europe.”

  “No frills?” Breck raised his eyebrows.

  “All the necessities were provided, but I would have traded it in a heartbeat for one more of my mom’s hugs or to spend five minutes curled up in my dad’s recliner with him reading to me.”

  “It sounds like you were a lonely kid.”

  Cami nodded and blinked as tears stung her eyes.

  He picked up her hand and held it to his cheek. “I’m sorry, Cami. I wish I had known you then.”

  A rush of emotion swept over her, rendering her incapable of speech. She turned away.

  “Cami.” His voice held a rough, smoky quality.

  She turned back to face him and drew in a breath when she caught his expression.

  He gathered her into his arms and cradled her head against his shoulder.

  She swallowed hard, feeling like she was sinking in quicksand. A feathery feeling swirled through her chest as he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently, his tongue exploring her mouth. A soft moan escaped her throat.

  He pulled back to gaze into her eyes. Something he saw there made him kiss her again. A deep, hungry kiss followed by another. “Cami, I…”

  “Don’t!” She put a finger on his lips. “Please don’t.”

  Breck kissed her finger and nodded. “I’d better be going. It’s late and I’m getting way too comfortable.”

  She walked with him to the door.

  He shrugged into his jacket and turned to her, but she stepped back. “Cami, don’t be afraid of me. I’m not out to hurt you.”

  “You confuse me,” she said. “Be careful out there.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He stepped out onto the porch. The wind had died down and the moon lent the landscape an ethereal glow. “I’ll come tomorrow morning to take you riding.”

  “Thanks, Breck.” Her voice had gone thick and raspy. “For tonight and for everything.”

  He smiled at her and then crunched through the snow to climb in his truck. He pulled out of the circle drive and left her standing on the porch, staring after him.

  She glanced down at her left hand and wondered why there wasn’t an engagement ring there.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  On Saturday morning, Cami leapt out of bed feeling energized and eager to explore. She pulled on her thermals and jeans and robbed Aunt Silky’s closet of a faded blue plaid flannel shirt.

  Grabbing an apple, she ran out to the stables with Shadow at her heels. She peeked around the corner and made eye contact with the biggest horse she’d ever encountered. Red swished his tail and whinnied softly. He was much larger and stockier than the elegant little Arabs she’d ridden at school.

  “Hey, Red,” she said softly, holding out her hand. “I want to be your friend.” He nuzzled her palm. She stroked his nose, admiring his white and red pattern.

  “I brought you a present.” She took a bite of the juicy red apple and held it out to him. He inspected it and took it from her. She watched him crunch it in his big teeth.

  She stepped inside his stall and swiped a curry brush down his neck. Brushing him was a pleasurable chore. “You’re such a pretty boy.”

  “Not as pretty as you.”

  Cami jerked her head up and saw Frank grinning at her. “Thanks.” She continued brushing the big horse.

  “Do you need any help
?” he asked.

  “I just wanted to make friends.”

  He grinned. “I think you have a knack for making friends wherever you go.”

  “Tell that to the veterinarian. If looks could kill, I’d be a dead woman.”

  “Jenna’s not so bad,” he said. “She just doesn’t have as many suitors as you do.”

  “I’m engaged,” she protested. “I’m not on the market.”

  “If you say so.” Frank tipped his baseball cap and headed out of the stables. “I’m taking hay to the herd in the east pasture.”

  Cami watched him saunter away. She grinned, admiring his departing backside. Frank was quite a hunk. North Texas seemed to be headquarters for great looking men. She reminded herself that her fiancé, Clayton Tremont was planning his future with her by his side.

  She glanced down at her left hand. No ring. Damn Breckenridge Ryan, anyway. She was engaged, ring or no ring. She brushed Red’s neck and worked her way down his back.

  She started as she caught sight of Breck leaning against the doorway leading from the stable.

  “What a beautiful sight,” he said.

  “And what would that be?” she asked.

  “A beautiful woman and a beautiful horse.”

  “Are you always so full of it?” She began stroking the brush down Red’s forelegs.

  “Full of what?” he asked innocently.

  “I think the Irish call it blarney,” she said. “Other people aren’t so polite.”

  “How Irish do you think the name Ryan is? But, I’m speaking the truth.”

  “In that case, thanks.” She glanced up at him, surprised by the expression on his face. He was gazing at her with a warm smile. She recalled her first impression of Breck when she’d seen him at the funeral. Maybe she’d been wrong about him.

  She opened another stall and put a bridle on a sorrel mare. He led her into the center of the stable.

  “This is Gypsy. She’s a great little ride.”

  Red whinnied and nodded his head up and down.

  “Hey, none of that, big boy. You can fool around later, but I’m taking Cami for some exercise.” He selected a blanket and saddle, cinching them around Gypsy’s girth.

  She grinned at him. “Which horse are you going to choose?”

  “I brought my own ride,” he said.