by J. D. Faver
The smile froze on Cami’s face. “Come in, Milita. Loretta, get a room ready. What happened?”
“This is Mateo. He cut his hand on the meat slicer.”
Cami sat the man in a chair in exam room one and carefully unwrapped his hand.
“Omigod, Omigod” Milita leaned against the wall as blood spurted from Mateo’s wound.
Cami wrapped the hand and pressed her fingers against the major vessel feeding the blood flow to the hand. Elevating the hand, she held it at her shoulder level. “You need to go to the hospital, Mateo. We can call for air transport and they’ll get you there pretty fast.”
“Cami,” Milita interrupted. “He speaks no English and… Mateo has no papers.”
A tightening in Cami’s stomach signaled her dismay. “He’s illegal?” At Milita’s nod, she took a breath before ordering Loretta to bring a suture kit, and something to sterilize and deaden the wound.
“I’m sorry to bring this trouble to you, Cami,” Milita said. “I didn’t know where else to turn.”
Cami frowned. “Understand that I’m not a plastic surgeon. I can’t guarantee that his hand will function the same way it would if a skilled hand specialist worked on him.”
A rapid dialog in Spanish passed between Milita and Mateo. “He says he wants you to do your best.”
Cami administered a tetanus shot and used a local anesthetic to deaden the area around the wound. Muscle and tendon had been sliced through, but she took her time to meticulously repair the hand.
At the end, she drew a deep breath and stepped back. “I think it will heal well. Tell him to come back in one week or sooner if he notices any red streaks running up his arm. He mustn’t get it wet and the dressings must be changed daily.”
“I can do that for him,” Milita said.
“He shouldn’t be working at the restaurant with a wound. It could get infected and he could pass it along if he handles food.” She gave Mateo a week’s worth of oral antibiotics.
Milita helped the man to her car, mouthing a silent thank you.
“Please tell me this day is over,” Cami said.
“Over and done with.” Loretta pushed her toward the door, keys in hand. “Get some rest. Monday will be here before we know it.”
Cami drove away from the clinic, feeling tired but strangely satisfied. She could see how it might be gratifying to be the only doctor in a small town. Not like the thrill of immersing oneself in research, seeking the keys to prevent or cure disease. Instead she would be treating the day-to-day maladies of a small population. But she had felt needed and today, that was enough.
She cruised through the hardware store and amused the locals by purchasing a few sheets of sandpaper, an oak colored stain and clear varnish.
Her next stop was the Bag ‘n’ Save. Shopping for groceries, she reflected that she had no idea what was on hand, but she didn’t want to make another trip. She had visions of climbing into her nest and locking the door.
She pawed through her selections, sighing when she realized there was very little nutritious fare. A basket full of junk food stared back at her, but she wasn’t inspired to cook. Chips, French onion dip, soft drinks, chocolate ice cream and frozen pizza. That took care of all the food groups she was currently interested in.
She drove toward the ranch. A brilliant palette of crimsons and purples painted a thrilling sunset across the sky. By the time she reached the house, the sun had retreated behind the mountains to the west.
She stumbled over the threshold and made a grab for the ringing telephone.
“Cami, you sound breathless. I hope it’s because you’re glad I called.” She could hear the grin in E.J. Kincaid’s voice.
“No, I was just bringing in the groceries.” She let the plastic bags slide to the floor.
“What are those worthless hands of yours up to? They should be doing that for you.”
“E.J., I’m capable of schlepping in a couple of bags of groceries. Do you think I had a staff to tote my bags back in Houston?”
He chuckled. “No, I suppose not. What are you doing tonight?”
“Going to eat and go to bed early. I held clinic for Doc today.”
“It’s Saturday night, Cami and we’re young. You should let me buy your dinner and take you to a movie.”
“No thanks,” she said. I just want this day to be over.”
“Another time then?” E.J. rang off and Cami hung up. She was barely out of one relationship and now she was apparently neck deep in another one, although E.J. Kincaid was much less threatening than Breckenridge T. Ryan.
She lit the oven for the pizza and put away the rest of the groceries. She fed the animals and let Shadow out the back door for a run. She started up the stairs when she heard a tapping at the beveled glass inset in the front door.
She opened it to Breck who held a brown paper bag in his arms. His grin could melt a statue as he looked her over from top to toes.
“Mister Trouble with a capital T,” she said with a sigh. “Come right on in.”
A small cut on his lower lip was the only remnant of his fight with Clay. He leaned down to brush a soft kiss across her lips. “I heard you were running the clinic for Doc. I thought I should show you some appreciation for your hard work.” He lifted the bag.
“And what’s in the bag that will make me feel appreciated?” She followed him as he headed for the kitchen.
“I certainly hope this does the trick.” He set the bag on the countertop and started unloading it. “First, we have a bottle of merlot and two juicy ribeyes that have been swimming in the Ryan ranch special marinade. Next, we have two large baking potatoes and a few other things to round out the meal.” Flashing a grin in her direction, he rolled up his sleeves, baring muscular forearms.
“I’m too tired to cook,” she said. “I was going to put a frozen pizza in the oven.”
He returned the pizza to the freezer. “Save it for another day. Tonight, I’m cooking for you.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “You’re cooking?”
“That I am, so relax and let me pamper you.” He uncorked the bottle of merlot and poured her a generous glass.
Cami settled at the bar and sipped the wine. She told him about her day at the clinic and the latest update she’d received on Doc’s condition.
“Is he going to be alright?”
“Time will tell. The human body has an amazing ability to heal itself.”
“I hope so,” Breck said. “I can’t imagine Langston without Doc Parker.” He moved with certainty around her kitchen. He seemed to know where everything was stored.
She watched with interest as he set out ingredients. “Breck, what happened when you
drove Clay to the airport?”
A derisive snort was his response. “He pouted all the way. He seems to think we’ve been having a steamy romance from the moment you got here.”
“Poor Clay,” she said.
“Good riddance.”
Cami arched her brow. “You’re, uh, girlfriend came to clinic today. She seemed most anxious to tell me about your relationship.”
Breck looked up at her. “Give me a hint.”
“You mean you have so many women after you, you can’t even remember their names?” She propped her elbows on the counter and leaned her face against her palms.
He looked at her, suddenly serious. “Cami, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I didn’t have anything special going on with anyone before I met you.”
“Well, maybe you didn’t take it seriously, but Celeste told me she divorced her husband because she thought the two of you had a future together.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You’re talking about Celeste Pigeon? I dated her in high school.”
She shot him an amused glance. “She seems to think you’re dating now.”
Breck sent her an amused look of his own. “When I came back to Langston after I passed the bar, her divorce was the first one I handled. Brad Turner had left her before I returne
d and was living in a house trailer with a waitress over in Sandy Creek. I had nothing to do with her divorce other than filing the paperwork.”
Cami mentally chided herself for receiving this news with such pleasure. “I wonder how the poor, deluded woman got the idea you were dating.” She struggled to keep a straight face.
“Cami, she was just yanking your chain. I haven’t taken her out since the Senior Prom.” He came around the bar to pause beside her. “But, I’m liking this jealous streak of yours. I was beginning to think I was the only one who could be eaten up with the green-eyed monster.” He leaned over and kissed her temple.
She grinned up at him. “I’m not jealous.”
“Right. You just keep telling yourself that.”
Breck served her a perfectly broiled steak with all the trimmings. They ate in the living room in front of the fireplace.
“This is really nice, Breck. I was too tired to manage anything like this.” She smiled as he took her hand and raised it to his lips.
“I’ll take care of you, Cami. I can make your life better.”
“Whoa!” she protested. “I just signed on for dinner.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll let you get your rest tonight.”
“I’m just barely out of one relationship, thanks to you,” she said. “I’m not ready to jump into anything complicated.”
Breck kissed her hand again and gave her a quirky grin. “Who says I’m after anything complicated? I’m only interested in a lifetime of love and happiness. That’s not complicated.”
She drew her hand away. “Clay and Celeste think you’re only interested in me because of the ranch.”
He put down his eating utensils and gazed at her with a somber expression. “If I wanted the ranch I could have encouraged you to go back to Houston. The ranch would become mine automatically under the terms of Silky’s will. I don’t want you to be miserable, but this ranch has a lot of value and it’s not all monetary. God’s not making any more prime Texas ranch land.”
Under Breck’s scrutiny, a warm flush swept through her. She busied herself in cutting a bite of steak and chewing it thoroughly. “This is really tasty.”
“Glad you approve.” His lips curved with the hint of a smile.
She acknowledged the tingle that spiraled through her when he gazed at her. “This place is sort of growing on me. I got to see a spectacular sunset tonight.”
“I’d like to show you an amazing sunset. We’ll have to go on horseback but it will be worth the trip.”
Cami yawned and then giggled. “I’m sorry. I’m really tired and two glasses of wine puts me in a coma. Don’t take it personally.”
“I know you’re tired. Finish up and I’ll let you go to bed.”
The meal came to a close in companionable silence. The wine was delicious and when he refilled her glass, she protested. “No more. I’m falling asleep in my seat now.”
“At least you’ll sleep well tonight.”
She set her glass on the coffee table and put the last bite of steak in her mouth. “This was so much better than frozen pizza. Thank you for this treat, Breck.”
“No problem.” He gave her a look that scorched. “You have no idea how I’d spoil you if you’d let me.” He took her plate and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. She heard the clink of glassware and china but no more as she slipped into a lovely wine-assisted sleep on the Queen Anne brocade sofa.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Breck returned from the kitchen to stand beside Cami. He smiled at the image she presented curled up with her cheek resting on her hands. A soft glow from the fireplace touched her features, warming her face and casting glints of flame in her honey-colored hair.
He considered arranging the knitted throw over her and tiptoeing away, but he couldn’t seem to move his feet.
He glanced at Shadow, sprawled nearby. “I can’t leave her. She’s got my heart wrapped around her little finger.” He climbed the stairs and opened the door to the newly painted pink room. He smiled when he looked around at the changes she’d made. An old-fashioned pink and white quilt looked all girly and sweet, like Cami. He switched on the small bedside lamp and folded back the covers before returning downstairs.
He lifted Cami in his arms, held her for a moment as he gazed at her features. She settled her head against his shoulder. His chest filled with a rush of emotions new to him. He wanted to keep her and protect her. He wanted to believe that she would see things his way soon.
Carrying her to her room, he placed her carefully in the center of her bed. He unlaced her boots and gently removed them. He drew a deep breath and exhaled, not sure of his next move.
The jeans. He would just remove them so she could sleep more comfortably. He popped the snap loose and unzipped her zipper, then stepped back, gazing at the triangle of pink lace visible within the void of the open zipper.
Breck swallowed and took another deep breath. “I can do this,” he whispered aloud. He knelt on the bed and carefully slipped off her jeans, frowning as he stared at the pink lace panties that were even more tantalizing than he’d imagined.
He pulled off her shirt to find, not a bra but a thermal knit sleeveless undershirt beneath it.
Cami lay sprawled on the bed, her face the picture of peace while a war raged within him.
“I shouldn’t stay here with you,” he moaned. “But I can’t go either.”
He removed his boots and jeans, letting them fall beside the bed. It only took a second to rip open the snaps on his western-style flannel shirt and drop it atop the pile.
He climbed onto the bed beside Cami and gathered her in his arms. Just for a minute. I’ll just hold you for a minute and then I’ll leave.
Cami stirred and opened her eyes. A little smile graced her lips as she closed her eyes again and snuggled against him.
Breck experienced a rush of passion as her soft female parts crushed against him, her breasts against his chest, her thigh across his genitals. He concentrated on breathing in and out and not biting her remaining clothing off. His fingers traced the line of her panties across her hip, appreciating her firm rounded butt.
He brushed a kiss against her forehead and pulled the quilt over them both. If she was going to kill him, let it be tomorrow. For tonight, he’d try to get some sleep and try not to molest the woman he loved.
#
The first rays of sunshine slanted in through Cami’s undraped bedroom windows. She cautiously opened her eyes. She was sprawled, face down, on top of Breckenridge T. Ryan, and they were almost naked. She closed her eyes tight again.
What happened last night? What did I do? She carefully reviewed what she could recall of their activities on the previous evening. She remembered the meal and conversation and she remembered the wine. She remembered Breck pouring wine into her glass.
A flare of indignation ignited inside her. He got me drunk and he took advantage of me.
She opened her eyes to stare at Breck’s sleeping countenance. He looked pleased with himself, a little smile on his lips. He held her firmly with one arm wrapped around her and the other resting lightly on her thigh.
She was acutely aware of Breck’s muscle upholstered body. He held her as though she was something precious to him. Whatever they did last night, she was sorry she missed it. She pressed her lips to his chest. He stirred a little, moving his hand from her thigh to caress her hip. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant to her.
Breck opened his eyes. “Are you playing possum?”
“Are you?”
He flashed a grin at her. “Maybe. I didn’t want you to move.”
She raised her head, fixing him with a questioning glare. “What did you do to me?”
He swept her with a scorching gaze. “I didn’t do what I wanted to do.” He rolled her onto her back and himself on top of her. “I didn’t do this.” He raised her knit top and kissed her stomach as his fingers softly stroked her breast. “And I didn’t do this.” His tongue drew circles around her nip
ples, teasing them to tautness.
Cami felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. She struggled to speak, but her only focus was on the places Breck was touching her, licking her, sucking on her skin.
He pulled off her knit undershirt and tossed it on the floor.
“And I didn’t do this.” He slipped his hand into the tiny pink panties and stroked her with his fingertips.
She opened her eyes wide as he made contact with her most sensitive parts, his fingers probing her wetness. She drew in a breath, melting under his warm gaze.
He leaned down to kiss her and then slipped off her panties.
She knew that he’d stop if she asked him to, but his lips were kissing hers and she was more aroused than she could ever recall. With no direction from her brain, her thighs drew apart and he slipped between her legs.
He paused a moment, looking into her eyes. “Oh, Cami,” he breathed against her lips. “Don’t break my heart.”
She giggled and he grinned, settling himself on top of her. She wrapped her legs around his torso and, arching her back, she pressed her nipples into the firm flesh on his chest.
A muscle twitched in his jaw as some unreadable expression crossed his face, some hesitation that she hadn’t anticipated.
She drew away, leaning back on the bed. He seemed to come to a decision and lowered his mouth, devouring her lips in a fierce kiss that muffled her gasp of pleasure as he entered her.
Mister Ryan came very well equipped.
Cami cried out as Breck delivered stroke after stroke deep within her. He caressed her with his hands and lips as his body invaded, plundered, captured hers.
Running her tongue along his damp shoulder, she tasted his salt. She grazed his skin with her short nails, with her teeth. Her senses heightened as every stroke brought her closer to a spiraling summit.
They had become one passion-driven being, intent upon pleasuring themselves and each other.
She recalled standing on the edge of the canyon and the fear as she faced the sheer drop off. Now she soared as a wave of passion spiraled through her and she rode it to the screaming end. Cami realized it was her own scream as their pleasure crested and eased, leaving her spent.
