After injecting the shot, she covered the woman with a warming blanket and elevated the footrest on the recliner. Within minutes, Verna Thompkins was resting and breathing comfortably.
“How’d you get here, Rafe?” Colin asked.
“Drove my truck as far as I could, then carried Ma the rest of the way.”
“That’s quite a feat through all that snow.”
The man shrugged, clearly embarrassed at being singled out for courage. “She’s my ma.”
Colin nodded. “I hear you. I know I’d do the same.”
Overhearing them, Anita turned to study these two good men.
In an instant, she was thrust back to her younger days in Boston, recalling the millions of tears she’d shed. Tears over a brilliant surgeon who had cruelly trampled her poor heart. At the time, she’d thought she might never recover from the pain of her loss. Now, looking back, she realized her tears had been wasted on a vain, self-centered peacock, so full of himself he was incapable of caring for anyone except himself and his career. He would never be faithful to any woman. There had been no room in his heart for anyone except himself and his own selfish desire.
Seeing her looking his way, Colin winked.
She could barely swallow because of the way her poor heart was lodged in her throat.
All Colin Malloy had to do was look at her and she felt drawn to him in a way she’d never been drawn to any man. Without a word, with nothing more than a wink of his eye, this quiet, courtly cowboy touched her in a very special way.
The words solid, dependable, and honorable filled her mind.
Colin Malloy was all that.
And sexy as hell.
Chapter Eight
The night air was filled with the welcome sound of snowplows rumbling through the town, stopping to clear the mountains of snow that littered parking lots and side streets.
Shortly after the last of the plows echoed off into the distance, headlights danced across the glass doors of the clinic, announcing the arrival of yet another visitor.
Colin summoned Anita. “Brace yourself. Looks like you’re about to get a new patient.”
As she started toward the entrance, she said with a laugh, “More than one. I count”—she paused—“four people.”
Before the new arrivals could knock on the door, she held it open and they streamed past her.
Two men and two women wore looks ranging from worry to eager anticipation.
“Doctor?”
“Yes. I’m Dr. Anita Cross. Which of you is the patient?”
They looked from one to the other, before the truth dawned.
While the others smiled, a tall, balding man stuck out his hand. “I’m Clark Kelly. This is my wife, Bev. And these are Mary Lee and Curtis Jennings. My son Scott said he and Carly were here.”
“Oh, yes.” Anita’s smile widened. “I’m so glad you were able to make it through this storm. Congratulations to all of you. I’m sure you can’t wait to have your first look at your beautiful new grandson, Jesse.”
The two women returned her smiles, while the two men looked positively grim.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to them.”
Seeing the mixed reactions of these four, Colin fell into step beside Anita.
She paused to say, “This is Colin Malloy, a rancher in this area.”
Though they acknowledged the introduction, it was obvious they had more important things on their minds. They made no attempt at small talk.
Anita paused outside the birthing room. “If you’ll wait here a moment.”
When she stepped inside, closing the door behind her, it looked as though Clark Kelly intended to push through. Colin positioned himself in front of the closed door and crossed his arms over his chest.
His determined, imposing presence had the four stepping back a pace.
Moments later Anita opened the door and stood aside. “Scott and Carly are eager to see you.”
When they stepped around her, Colin whispered, “I don’t think it’s safe to leave them alone. From the looks of these two angry fathers, those kids might need us.”
Anita smiled. “Scott and Carly will be fine. They have a secret weapon.”
Colin shook his head. “Let’s just wait a minute, in case they start a war.”
The four parents made a quick dash inside. While Anita and Colin watched, the two women hurried across the room to embrace their children, while the two men seemed undecided just how to proceed.
Finally, at the urging of their wives, the two fathers crossed to their children. Curtis Jennings hugged his daughter. Clark Kelly offered Scott a brief handshake, before suddenly drawing his son close and giving him an awkward hug and a pat on the shoulder.
Then the four new grandparents circled the bassinet. Carly picked up the tiny bundle and offered it to her mother, who promptly burst into tears. After a few minutes, Mary Lee Jennings handed the baby over to Bev Kelly, who was already shedding a bucket of tears. By the time each of the new grandfathers was given the chance to hold his new grandson, the tears had become a gusher.
Anita touched a hand to Colin’s. “All right. Let’s leave them to their privacy. I think it’s safe to say that peace will reign.”
As they closed the door and started down the hall, he shook his head in amazement. “How did you know?”
She chuckled. “I told you the new parents had a secret weapon. A beautiful new baby has the amazing ability to soften even the most hardened hearts.”
Anita and Colin headed toward the staff room, hoping for a quiet moment. Once inside, Colin drew her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
When at last he lifted his head, she found enough breath to ask, “What was that for?”
“Do I need a reason?”
She dimpled. “No, thank heaven. Would you mind if we did that again?”
He needed no coaxing as he gathered her firmly against him. As her lips softened against his, the rush of heat was so intense they both paused before his mouth crushed hers with a fierceness that left her gasping. His fingers dug into the tender flesh of her upper arms as he dragged her close. He feasted on her lips like a starving man. Later, he promised himself, he would take the time to taste, to savor. For now, he was a glutton, ready to devour her.
With his mouth on hers, he drove her back against the open door. His lips left hers to nuzzle her throat. Impatient, he unbuttoned the front of her lab coat to nibble hot, wet kisses along the sensitive hollow of her neck and throat.
“All these clothes.” His muttered curse had her attempting to laugh. Instead it came out as a soft sigh.
“Do you think we could lock ourselves in here for an hour, Dr. Cross?”
“The way I’m feeling right now, you have me so hot we’d need only minutes.”
He shot her a dark look. “Woman, for what I have in mind, an entire night wouldn’t be nearly enough.”
He dragged her so close, she could feel his heartbeat inside her own chest. With a sigh of approval, she wrapped her arms around his waist and gave herself up to the most intense pleasure. She knew, without a doubt, that this was what she wanted.
Colin Malloy was what she wanted.
Wrapped around each other, lost in their newly discovered feelings, they almost missed the string of headlights that flickered across the windows of the clinic.
Two heads came up sharply.
Two figures reluctantly stepped apart once more.
Colin caught Anita’s hand and, with a moan of frustration, led her toward the entrance.
“More patients,” he muttered. “I’m beginning to think it’s some sort of conspiracy to keep us apart.”
As they watched, a convoy of trucks, all bearing the logo of the Malloy Ranch, circled the parking lot and came to rest just outside the doors.
When the truck doors opened, Colin’s family streamed out, each of them carrying something.
Leading the way was Grace, on the arm of her husband, Frank.
“It’s my family.” Colin turned to Anita. “They must have left the ranch as soon as the roads were plowed. Brace yourself.”
Colin pulled open the heavy front door and bent to kiss his mother’s cheek.
She patted his shoulder before pausing in front of Anita, who was quick with an apology.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t make it to your Christmas Eve dinner, Miss Grace.”
“Hush, now. Not a word about it. You’re a doctor, doing what doctors do. We can’t expect people in need to just wait patiently while you celebrate.”
“Oh, Grace, I’m so glad you understand.” She kissed Grace’s cheek and was rewarded by an embrace from the older woman, followed by a hard, rib-cracking hug from Frank.
Trailing behind them was the Great One, supported by Burke.
The old man gave his grandson a punch to the shoulder. “Aren’t you the sly one? You offer to pick up a dinner guest and then get snowed in. Not a bad excuse to spend alone time with the pretty doctor.”
Burke leaned close to whisper, “I saw your truck in a snowbank. I don’t think the others noticed, with all the snow swirling around the windshield. That had to be some walk here.”
Colin gave a grunt of amusement. “I hitched a ride with a snowplow driver along the interstate. I only had to walk in from there.”
“What’s a few miles in a blizzard when you get the chance to spend it with your lady?”
“Yeah. That’s what I figured.” Colin looked beyond him, to the parade of family bearing covered dishes. “What’s all this?”
Hearing him, Yancy had a grin from ear to ear. “Miss Grace figured if you and the good doctor couldn’t make it to the feast, we’d bring the feast to the two of you now that the roads are plowed.”
Anita clapped her hands in delight. “Oh my. All this food.”
“And these are the leftovers,” Yancy said with a chuckle.
As the others streamed past, they gathered around the reception area until old Dr. Cross stepped in and directed them toward the staff lounge.
Inside, under Yancy’s direction, they began setting out a buffet on the long countertop.
Matt and Luke were put in charge of unloading a box of dishes and silverware, while Matt’s wife, Nessa, and Luke’s bride, Ingrid, arranged them in some sort of order.
Soon the entire clinic was perfumed with the wonderful fragrance of prime rib, roast goose, garlic mashed potatoes, an assortment of rolls and vegetables, and even a tray of sweets.
After a quick peek in the other rooms, Dr. Leonard Cross returned to confront his niece.
“So many patients here. I finally managed to get through to Dr. Miller. He was stuck in a snowbank somewhere between Rock Creek and here. How did you manage alone?”
She smiled at Colin. “Thank heaven I wasn’t alone. I don’t know what I would have done without Colin here. When he arrived, the clinic was in darkness, and I didn’t know how to get the generator working. As soon as Colin got heat and light, we found a young couple on our doorstep about to deliver a baby.”
“A baby?” Grace’s head came up, sensing drama. “However did they get through the blizzard?”
“Believe it or not, the young husband pulled her on a toboggan he had stored in the back of his truck. She delivered a baby boy they’ve named Jesse, and their parents just got here to celebrate with them.”
“Then we’ll invite them to join us in our feast.” Grace turned away, eager to handle the invitation personally. “It’s the perfect night for the celebration of a baby’s birth. I should think that will make our little party extra special.”
While the family commented over that, Anita added, “Then one of the snowplow drivers arrived with a dislocated shoulder. After he left, we were visited by a rancher in the area, Rafe Thompkins, and his mother, Verna, who was having an asthma attack. In fact, they’re still here, staying warm in room two.”
Frank looked pleased. “I know Rafe Thompkins and his mother, Verna. If they’re feeling up to it, I’ll go and invite them to join us, too.”
Within minutes, the room was filled to overflowing with all the patients and their families.
Reed popped the cork on several bottles of champagne and was soon passing among them with a tray of fluted glasses.
Scott and Carly stood within the circle of their parents, beaming with pride.
Rafe Thompkins and his mother, now completely recovered, looked surprised and pleased to be included in such a lovely celebration.
The Great One, accustomed to directing important events, took charge.
Getting slowly to his feet, he lifted his champagne flute and used his dramatic voice to its full effect. “We came here tonight to celebrate Christmas with one of our family who was missing. But now we feel truly blessed to celebrate with all of you as well. For this night, unto you”—he turned to bow slightly toward Scott and Carly—“a child has been born. Instead of a donkey, the young mother arrived on a toboggan. Instead of an overcrowded inn, you came to our little clinic and found a welcome. However it happens, wherever it happens, the birth of a baby is always cause for celebration. Let us hope, as we pray at the beginning of all new life, that this child will bring love to all whose lives he touches.”
For the space of a heartbeat, there was an awed silence, as though they were in some grand cathedral. Then, as one, they lifted their flutes and called out in agreement.
From his vantage point, Colin saw Scott’s parents and Carly’s parents draw closer to their son and daughter, before placing their hands on the tiny bundle in Carly’s arms.
Rafe and Verna Thompkins were smiling and nodding, Verna’s earlier discomfort completely forgotten.
Then Colin glanced around at his family, noisily laughing and teasing, filling the air with the sound of so much energy and love. He experienced a deep sense of pride at the determination of his family to bridge the miles that had kept one of their own from this very special Christmas celebration.
The knowledge of the sacrifice they’d made to be here with him filled him with a sense of wonder and delight.
“To family.” Colin lifted his glass.
“To family,” the others called.
Colin caught Anita’s eye as she stood beside her uncle, drinking a toast to his family. When he winked, her smile grew until it rivaled the sun.
They may not have had much time to themselves, and wasn’t it a shame? he thought. But they had something even better. Right now, this minute, they were sharing something life-affirming. Sharing something truly amazing, with all the people who mattered most to them.
Christmas Eve supper had never before tasted so sweet.
Chapter Nine
Oh, Yancy.” Anita looked over at the ranch cook after her first taste of prime rib. “This is amazing. I swear it melts in my mouth.”
Yancy couldn’t hide his pleasure. “I’m glad, Dr. Anita. I wanted your Christmas Eve supper to be perfect.”
“It is. Thank you.”
The cook was soon flanked by Bev Kelly and Mary Lee Jennings, who were begging for his recipes. He looked proud and happy as he wrote down their addresses, with a promise to send them all the information.
“Have I told you lately how much I love your family?” Nessa pressed a kiss to her husband Matt’s mouth.
“They’re your family, too.”
“Yes, they are.” She touched a hand to his cheek. “And if you ever do me wrong, I’m keeping them.”
“There’s not a chance in heaven I’ll ever let you go, woman.”
Her smile could have melted all the snow in town as she began passing around a tray of homemade cookies.
“Try these.” She indicated the small, round disks. “They’re Yancy’s snickerdoodles. I dare anybody to eat just one.”
Amid sighs and words of praise, the tray was soon empty. As were most of the platters of prime rib, roast goose, potatoes, vegetables, and rolls.
Luke grabbed the last roll and offered it to his wife, Ingrid, tucked up against h
is side. She bit into it with a sigh of pleasure.
Luke shook his head in disbelief. “You’d think a swarm of locusts passed through here. Look at this place. Picked clean.”
The others merely smiled and sipped their coffee or champagne, too content to move.
At last Rafe Thompkins started toward the door. “I’ll just walk a couple of blocks and see if my truck is still stuck in a snowdrift or if the snowplows were able to free it.”
Burke eased himself from a chair. “I’ll drive you, Rafe. If it’s stuck, I’ll give you a push.”
“Thanks, Burke.” Rafe moved around the room, shaking hands, thanking the Malloy family for the feast and thanking Anita for her help. “I should be back soon to pick up my mother.”
He and Burke left, returning less than half an hour later. Rafe helped his mother into her coat, and the two thanked everyone again before taking their leave.
Rafe turned to Dr. Leonard. “Your niece, Dr. Anita, is a welcome addition to the clinic, Doc. She treated Ma just the way you always do. I can tell you it wouldn’t have been much of a Christmas if Ma had to spend the whole night suffering.”
Old Dr. Cross merely beamed at the praise heaped on his niece.
After a brief consultation with Anita, to assure themselves that it was all right for Carly to leave the clinic, the two families packed up Scott, Carly, and baby Jesse, and crowded into their SUV for the long drive back to retrieve Scott’s truck and return to Timberline.
The Malloy family and the two doctors crowded around the entrance to wave good-bye to the new family.
Carly rushed over to throw her arms around Anita’s neck. “Thank you, Dr. Cross. You’ll never know what your kindness meant to me.”
“You’re welcome, Carly. Take care of yourself. And take care of that sweet baby boy.”
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