A Cowboy for Christmas

by Sara Richardson

  With a smile, Anita signaled for Colin to follow her from the room.

  “I think, after all they’ve been through, they’ll sleep now.”

  She paused at a door marked STAFF and opened it to reveal a simple sitting room with several leather chairs and a cot in one corner. There was a sink and several cabinets, as well as a refrigerator and a coffeemaker.

  As she started in, Colin placed a hand on her shoulder. “What you did back there…” He shook his head. “It left me speechless. You were amazing. In the midst of all that storm of pain and fear and confusion, you were so calm. So professional.”

  She gave him a gentle smile. “That’s what I’m trained to be.”

  “Maybe. But I found it incredibly sexy to watch the way you calmly took charge. Each time they started to panic, you knew exactly what to say to bring them back from the edge. Despite all that was happening, you led them forward without a pause.”

  She arched a brow. “If you think that was sexy, remind me to invite you to my next surgery.”

  He chuckled. “No thanks. I’ll just leave that to my imagination.”

  She closed a hand over his. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard what you told those two. I’m so sorry, Colin. I had no idea you lost your brother and his wife.”

  “It was a long time ago, but in truth, the loss still haunts our family.”

  “I can tell. Sharing it with Scott and Carly was extremely generous of you. Standing there, listening to you, I couldn’t help hearing the emotion in your voice. Seeing a man open his heart to strangers is also”—she sighed—“incredibly sexy.”

  He arched a brow, unable to hide his surprise at her admission.

  She put a hand on his arm. “I think your honesty may be the one thing that could persuade those two sweet young people to contact their families.”

  He absorbed the heat of her touch, enjoying the way it charged through his system. “I hope they do. They’re going to need all the love and support they can get.”

  She nodded.

  As she started to turn away, he leaned close to whisper, “I think we were speaking of sexy…” He lifted a hand to her hair and gathered her close before glancing at the cot across the room.

  Seeing the direction of his gaze, she burst into laughter, even while she shivered at his touch. “Your timing couldn’t be worse. In case you’ve forgotten, you walked miles through a blizzard and I’ve just come through a storm of sorts myself. Why don’t we see if there’s anything to eat in this fridge and treat ourselves to a Christmas meal before we think about”—she shrugged—“anything else.”

  “You’re not going to make this easy, are you? The only thing I’m hungry for is you.” His smile slowly returned. “I guess I could be persuaded to eat something. Especially since it will fuel us for”—he mimicked her shrug—“anything else.”

  Still laughing, she crossed the room and opened the small refrigerator before turning with a teasing look. “I do like the way you think, cowboy. Food first. And then, hopefully, a little time all to ourselves to indulge…other hungers.”

  Chapter Seven

  There’s a plate of cheese and some tuna salad.” Anita turned from the fridge. “My uncle’s favorite snack. Also a longneck he stashed behind the jar of mayo.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “There’s bread up there.” She pointed to a cupboard. “And plates and mugs up here.”

  He reached over her head at the same moment she turned.

  Their faces were mere inches apart, and Colin nearly bobbled the plates in his hand. The need to touch his lips to hers had him sweating.

  He stepped back and carefully set the dishes on the small table, cursing his bad timing and wishing for a replay of the moment. He’d gladly sacrifice a few plates for a chance to kiss that tempting mouth.

  With a wicked smile he muttered, “Can I get a do-over?”

  She arched a brow.

  “That missed opportunity.” He gathered her close and covered her mouth with his, drawing out the kiss until they were both struggling for breath.

  He drew a little away. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Anytime.” She drew in a deep draft of air. “Would you like another?”

  Without a word, she lifted her face to his and he kissed her with a thoroughness that left them both trembling.

  Anita was the first to step back. With a hand on her heart, she sent him a smoldering look. “If we’re not careful, we could starve to death.”

  “It would never happen.” He caught her shoulders, running his hands up and down her arms. At her questioning look, he grinned. “All of a sudden, I believe in the old expression of living on love.”

  “I believe in food first.”

  “Spoilsport.” He released her.

  They worked companionably together, spreading tuna salad on bread, cutting slices of cheese. Minutes later they sat across from each other, enjoying a snack while sharing her uncle’s longneck.

  “I’m sorry you have to eat such plain food on Christmas. Uncle Leonard said your family’s meal would be a feast.”

  “There’s no doubt of that. With Yancy in the kitchen, it’ll be fancy.” Colin sat back. “What were your holidays like in Boston?”

  She smiled. “When my mother was alive, they were really special. She always cooked a turkey and made a special oyster stew for my father.”

  “When did she die?”

  “Just as I started college.”

  “Was she a doctor?”

  Anita shook her head. “She was a high school teacher. She always hoped I’d follow in her footsteps, but I’ve been drawn to medicine since I was a girl going with my father to his clinic.”

  “Your dad’s a doctor?” He paused before asking, “Why aren’t you working with him?”

  “I always thought I would. But while I was doing my internship, he met someone and married again. They moved across the country to be closer to her family.”

  Colin saw a hint of pain in her eyes. “You didn’t want to join them?”

  “I didn’t really know what I wanted. While I was trying to figure out where I fit in, Uncle Leonard called to ask me if I would help him here in Montana, and I honestly felt he’d thrown me a lifeline. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I had to give it a try.”

  “And now that you’re here? Are you glad you came, or is a part of you wishing you’d stayed in the big city?”

  Colin didn’t even realize he was holding his breath until she smiled. “I’m so glad I was given this choice. I love it here. I’m never going back.”

  She glanced at his unfinished sandwich. “Is it that bad?”

  He chuckled. “I guess I just forgot to eat. I’d rather listen to the sound of your voice. In truth, I can’t remember the last time a tuna sandwich tasted like heaven.”

  “When did you last eat?”

  He thought a minute. “This morning, or rather yesterday morning, up in the hills.”

  “Oh, Colin.” Alarmed, she placed a hand over his. “Here you are, after walking miles in a blizzard, your last meal a day ago, and I never thought to offer you anything to eat until now. It’s a wonder you’re still standing.”

  He went perfectly still, absorbing the thrill of her touch through his entire system. “I told you I believe in living on love.”

  He gave her one of those famous Malloy smiles. “If I’d known you were going to fuss over me like this, I’d have told you sooner.”

  “I have juice and cookies I keep in the cupboard for our patients. If you’d like—”

  They both looked up at the sound of a buzzer.

  Anita was on her feet in an instant. “That’s Carly.”

  With a sigh, Colin pushed away from the table to follow her to the birthing room.

  Scott and Carly were huddled around the bassinet, their faces wreathed in smiles.

  Scott held up his cell phone. “I got service and decided to take your advice and call my folks. They’re with Carly’s
folks, driving together, on the road somewhere trying to find us. They’ve been out all night and were relieved to hear that we were all right.”

  “Relieved is probably an understatement.” Anita’s smile was quick. “I’m glad you called them. Did you tell them about Jesse?”

  Carly nodded. “Our moms were screaming in the background. Our dads said they’d try to make it to Glacier Ridge if the roads are passable.”

  “That’s just grand. Now, how about some food?”

  The two shrugged, more concerned with staring at their baby than with thinking about food.

  A short time later, Anita and Colin brought in a tray bearing the last of the tuna sandwiches, along with cans of apple juice and several sugar cookies.

  While Scott and Carly ate, Colin dug out his cell phone. Finding service, he phoned the ranch to report that he was safely in town at the clinic. He could hear the relief in his mother’s voice when she heard the news.

  In a soft voice he added, “I know how you worry about snowy roads, Ma, but without service, there was no way to assure you until now. All’s well here, though. I guess I won’t be seeing you until morning.”

  He disconnected and took hold of Anita’s hand, leading her toward the privacy of the staff lounge. Once inside, he drew her close.

  “Now that the new parents are content and my family can relax knowing I’m safe, maybe the two of us can have some quiet time and really get acquainted…or something.”

  She lifted her face to him with a smile of delight. “Now that sounds heavenly. Especially that ‘or something.’”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.” Wrapping his arms around her, he ran soft kisses over her upturned face, brushing his lips over the curve of her brow, the corner of her eye, before pausing to tug on her lobe.

  She shivered as his mouth continued its exploration. With his tongue, he traced the outline of her lips before dipping lower, to the softness of her throat.

  She trembled. “You’re teasing me.”

  “I am. Is it working?”

  “You know exactly what you’re doing.” With a sigh, she caught his face between her hands and pressed her mouth to his.

  On a moan of pleasure, he gathered her firmly against him and kissed her with a thoroughness that had them nearly crawling inside each other’s skin. And still it wasn’t enough.

  They both looked up at the sound of snowplows heading through the main street of Glacier Ridge. Headlights glared through the glass doors of the clinic as one of the plows swung into their parking lot.

  Minutes later there was a pounding on the door. Anita gave a sigh of frustration as she hurried over to admit two men bundled to their chins in winter gear.

  “You the doc?” one of the men asked.

  She nodded. “Dr. Anita Cross.”

  A second man, his face contorted in pain, was moving slowly behind.

  “My name’s Blake, Doc. Rusty here tried to adjust one of the plow’s blades, and it slipped. I think his shoulder is dislocated.”

  She was suddenly all business. “Follow me.”

  Once in an examining room, she and Blake helped Rusty out of his heavy parka. Each movement had Rusty moaning.

  His face, Anita noted, was bathed in sweat.

  It took no more than a quick examination to concur with Blake’s assessment. She nodded. “Definitely dislocated.” She turned to Rusty. “The solution is pretty quick, but I have to warn you that the pain will be much worse before you find any relief.”

  His teeth were chattering. “I know, Doc. I’ve been through this once before.”

  She walked to a locked cabinet and returned with a hypodermic needle. “Sit here, Rusty. I’ll give you something to ease the pain a little.”

  “No need, Doc. Just do what you got to do.”

  She set aside the needle and called Colin to join them.

  Once he was there, she said, “The two of you will get on either side of Rusty. When I tell you to pull, you’ll pull in opposite directions while I manipulate the shoulder back into its socket.”

  She looked into Rusty’s eyes. “I really recommend you take that sedative first.”

  He shook his head. “I need to be clearheaded enough to drive tonight, Doc. We’ve got miles of roads to clear.”

  “Rusty, even without a sedative, you’ll be in too much pain to do any more driving. When this is over, I recommend your friend take you home.”

  After a few moments of discussion, with Blake forcefully insisting there were enough drivers to handle the snow, Rusty nodded. “Okay, Doc. Give me the shot and let’s get this over with.”

  She picked up the needle and plunged it into his arm before he had a chance to change his mind.

  She indicated his arms, and Blake and Colin each took hold.

  “Now,” Anita said, and the two men pulled.

  Rusty let out a holler that could be heard blocks away while Anita quickly and efficiently maneuvered the shoulder back into the socket.

  Moments later, Rusty sat, his breathing labored, sweat pouring from his face, before a smile creased his brow. “You’re good, Doc. That’s the fastest I’ve ever been lifted out of that kind of hell. I thank you kindly.”

  “You’re welcome.” She put a hand to his forehead. “You may want to lie over there on that table for an hour, until your strength returns.”

  He gave a shake of his head and motioned for his friend to help him into his shirt and parka. “Blake here has to get to work. There’s a mountain of snow to move so the folks in town can get back to their routine.”

  “But not you, Rusty.” Anita trailed behind him as he and his partner started from the room.

  At the front door he said, “Mind if I come in tomorrow to settle my bill?”

  “No need. It’s on the house. Call it an early Christmas present.”

  He shook her hand. “That’s a first. Thanks, Doc.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  As he and Blake headed for the entrance door, she called, “And, Rusty.”

  “Yeah, Doc?”

  “Enjoy your night with your family.”

  He was grinning broadly. “My wife is going to be so happy. She was having fits when I got the call to start plowing. We’ve got two little boys at home who are still waiting for Santa.”

  “I hope Santa is good to them. To all of you. Merry Christmas,” Anita called.

  He flashed her a gleaming smile. “Merry Christmas, Doc.”

  When she turned, Colin was standing behind her with a look of admiration.

  “You did it again.”

  “Did what?”

  “Worked a miracle without even trying.”

  She flushed. “I’m sure you’ve seen a dislocated shoulder a time or two.”

  He nodded. “I’ve even had one myself. It’s not something I’d ever like to go through again.”

  “How long did you have to suffer before it was made right?”

  “Long enough that I agree with Rusty. It’s like being in hell. Unlike Rusty, I wasn’t lucky enough to have a compassionate doctor to help. I was up in the hills, too far to go for help. I had to tie my arm to a fence post and pull in the opposite direction until I heard that pop telling me the shoulder had gone back into the socket.”

  Anita could only stare in amazement at this rugged rancher. In her years of practice, she’d seen grown men close to hysteria because of the pain of dislocation. Yet he’d calmly gone about doing what needed to be done.

  Not that she was surprised. There was something so strong and sure about Colin Malloy. She suspected he could always be counted on to do whatever necessary to see a job done.

  It was one more in a growing list of things about this cowboy that she found absolutely fascinating.

  Colin carried the tray of empty juice cans from the birthing room to the staff room. Once there, he walked up behind Anita, who was busy at the sink.

  “Alone at last.” He set aside the tray and turned to her.

  “How are Scott a
nd Carly getting on?”

  “Good. As far as I could tell, they were starting to wind down from their adrenaline high.” He shot her one of those sexy smiles. “If we’re lucky, they may even sleep for a while.”

  She laid a hand on his cheek. “Mmm. That would be lovely.”

  He closed a hand over hers. “I was thinking…”

  They both looked up at a pounding on the entrance doors.

  Colin muttered, “Next time you have maintenance on the generator, remember to have those doors part of the extended power so they can open and close without doing it manually.”

  She merely laughed. “If they were working properly, we could be surprised and embarrassed by people crowding in here without warning.”

  “Yeah, but at least I’d have a few more minutes alone with you.”

  They started down the hall and paused at the front doors to see a man with his arm around the shoulder of a frail-looking older woman.

  “Hello.” Anita pushed open the heavy door and held it as the two started in.

  “Dr. Cross?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m Rafe Thompkins. I know your uncle, Dr. Leonard. This is my mother, Verna. She’s having trouble breathing.”

  “Rafe. Verna.” She gave them both a smile before saying, “Follow me.”

  Once inside an examining room, she indicated the reclining chair. “I think this might be more comfortable for your mother than the bed.” She moved efficiently across the room, helping the older woman remove her coat before helping her into the chair.

  With just a few quick questions, she learned that the woman had suffered from asthma for most of her life and that this episode had begun shortly after the power went off and the ranch house grew cold, even though she’d used her inhaler.

  “Cold can be a trigger.” She smiled gently at the woman. “And so can fear. A storm of this size is bound to make us fearful, especially once the heat and lights go out.”

  She removed a vial from a cabinet and filled a syringe. “A shot of this epinephrine should bring you relief within minutes.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Rafe Thompkins visibly relaxed. “That’s exactly what your uncle always does to bring Ma around.”

  At his words, Anita realized she’d just garnered this man’s approval. He’d been watching and listening, comparing her care of his mother to that of her uncle. Not that she minded. She recognized that she was new to town, and many of her uncle’s regular patients would be uncomfortable until they came to know her better and to trust her.