He reached her and her pulse raced like a spooked horse.
The stranger took off his hat. “I don’t believe we’ve met, ma’am.”
Ida got to her feet, still gripping her plate. “Ah…no. Are you new to town?” She inwardly cringed. She could have thought of something more intelligent to say.
“Yes,” he said, a quirk to his sensuous lips. “I’m Dr. Steere.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened and her mouth popped open. She knew it was unseemly to just stand there, but she couldn’t get her wits about her.
Dr. Steere tensed, his pleasant expression transforming into one of agitation. “You don’t think I should be a doctor, miss?”
Ida blinked. Oh, he’d misunderstood her. “It is Miss Page,” she said, trying to start acting like a well-bred lady even though she was far from one. Clearly the mayor had forgotten to warn Dr. Steere about her. “Of course I think you should be a doctor. I mean you are a doctor.” She stumbled over her words and her cheeks heated. “I just didn’t realize any doctor had agreed to come way out here.”
The man’s face relaxed and he ran his fingers through his thick black hair. “I guess I am the one who should apologize, Miss Page. I jumped to conclusions. I’m just so used to people judging me and…” He drew a deep breath and returned his attention to her. “Shall we start again, Miss Page? I’m Dr. Steere. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Ida’s smile grew, stretching her jaw. It has been a long time since any man had treated her like a lady even for a second.
“I saw you sitting all alone,” he continued. “It is a shame a beautiful woman should have to endure such loneliness.”
Ida laughed. If he only knew.
His eyebrows slanted. “What is so funny about that?”
She shook her head. “It isn’t funny, Doctor. Just ironic.”
He pressed his lips together and after a second forged on. “So if you wouldn’t mind, could I sit with you?”
She should tell him no. Make a scene and embarrass him so he never came around her again. It would be for his own good, but selfishly she wanted him to stay. The good people in town would set him straight later. Since he didn’t know about her sordid past he could not be blamed for keeping her company.
“I would like that very much, Dr. Steere.”
He sat next to her, folding his legs crisscrossed. Like an Indian. He clearly had some Indian blood mixed with the white blood in his veins. Probably a half-breed. It wouldn’t be polite to ask, and his ancestry did not bother her one bit. He took off his hat and set it in his lap.
A fluttering sensation in her chest gave her a heady rush. She had been with many men in her short lifetime, but none had given her this feeling. Swallowing a sip of punch, she wished he would hold her hand. Yes, it was a foolish notion. They weren’t children stealing a kiss in the barn loft. Everyone was watching them whether he was aware of it or not.
Finishing her plate in silence, she inhaled his masculine scent, a unique combination of the outdoors and antiseptic. It fit the doctor. She drank down the last of her punch and set the empty cup on top of her plate.
Dr. Steere stood and offered her his hand.
Hesitating a second, she let him pull her to her feet.
He glanced at the couples dancing. “Would you like to join them?”
That was a terrible idea. She didn’t want to be forced to leave the picnic, but the hope in Dr. Steere’s eyes quieted her protests. And damn it, she would like to dance. She untied her bonnet and left in the grass next to his hat. “Yes,” she said, offering a smile. “I would love to.”
He hooked his arm around hers and her body tingled. Being led across the lawn to the designated dance floor she felt like a princess. The reel ended and many of the couples left to get refreshments. The musicians switched to a slow song to give the couples remaining a chance to catch their breath.
He unwound his arm and wrapped his palm around hers, placing his other hand on her hip.
The back of her neck prickled. “I feel everyone’s eyes on us,” she whispered. The waltz was a song for lovers.
He grinned. “Let them stare. It doesn’t bother me.”
It shouldn’t bother me either. She enjoyed the warmth of his hands, the heat in his gaze, and the remnants of tobacco on his breath. Focusing on him, she blocked out the unfriendly vibes sent in her direction. Though not powerfully built, she felt the strength in his arms, his suit hiding his rippling muscles.
He peered down at her, holding her gaze. The pleasure in his dark brown eyes likely mirrored her own. For a second she forgot about her past and let herself get caught up in the music, caught up in his touch, and lost herself in his sensual smile.
The song ended, and Dr. Steere did not let her go. Again Ida knew she should protest. It would be unseemly if they danced together any longer. She already knew the respectable women in town were whispering. He hadn’t been in town long. If she didn’t excuse herself he’d never have a chance to get any patients in Big Rock.
“Thank you for the dance,” Dr. Steere said, dropping his arms. He no longer touched her, but his gaze held her close.
“You’re welcome…and now I should go.”
Another song started and Dr. Steere reached for her hand again.
“Don’t you know it is polite to share?” the stagecoach driver said in a condescending tone. He pulled her to him and she wanted to scream, but the noise caught in her throat. Instead she shot daggers at him. The joy in his eyes raised her ire. He liked her struggle; it seemed to encourage him more.
Dr. Steere glared at Austin as if trying to turn the brawny man to ashes. “I don’t think she wants to dance with you, sir,” he said his voice eerily calm. “We were just getting acquainted.”
The stagecoach driver sized up the doctor and sneered. “You think because you got a degree you’re something special? You’re just a half-breed. Same as Ida here is just a whore.”
Ida’s blood boiled in her veins. She clenched her teeth, seething. “Don’t cause a scene, Mr. Austin,” she pleaded.
“Oh I’ll cause a scene all right. After that stagecoach ride I crave some female company.” He bent down and kissed her, turning her lips to ice. Her heart rammed her rib cage. In his tight grasp she felt trapped. She stomped on his foot and he broke the kiss.
Dr. Steere swung at him, striking Austin in the jaw.
“Why, you dirty Injun,” the stagecoach driver cussed. Both his hands formed meaty fists, and he struck with an uppercut.
Ida backed away from the fight not wanting to get caught in the middle. “Please,” she begged. “This is Independence Day. Don’t fight.”
Dr. Steere showed he was quick on his feet, dancing around the grass and ducking several of the next blows, biding his time until he punched Austin in his pudgy stomach.
Austin’s mouth gaped open. “You bastard.”
Dr. Steere endured a blow across the cheek while he reached for the man’s shirt collar. Holding onto his collar with one hand he struck him in the throat with the other. The stagecoach’s driver’s eyes bulged and he looked like a stunned animal. That’s just what he was; not much more than a brute.
Dr. Steere let go of his shirt and took a step back. Once Austin regained his breath he took a running start and tried to tackle the wiry doctor to the ground.
Dr. Steere merely stepped aside and let Austin fall on his face. Someone in the crowd laughed. The big bully was getting what was coming to him.
The stagecoach driver got to his feet and bared his teeth. “You’re sneaky. I should have known.” He swung at Dr. Steere, and the man blocked his punch. Even though he was much smaller than his opponent he was able to hold the man’s wrist and keep him from lowering his arm.
Austin hissed and kicked him in the shin.
Ida gasped. She didn’t want the doctor to get injured. He’d come to her aid. If he had known better he would have stayed out of this mess.
Austin kicked him again and Dr. Steere w
inced.
Stepping out of kicking range, Dr. Steere looked to be contemplating his next move. He pulled back his arm and struck his burly opponent in the nose, drawing blood.
The stagecoach driver grabbed his bloody nose. “You savage! You broke my nose.”
Dr. Steere stood calmly, returning his stare. “Are we through?”
Austin pulled his hand away and Ida feared the fight would continue, but instead he merely nodded. “You fight dirty.”
Dr. Steere grunted. “You’re lucky I didn’t have a tomahawk.”
Austin’s eyes glazed over and he hurried away, still holding his nose.
“Thank you,” Ida whispered. “But I’m afraid you did more harm than good.”
“He had that coming. He called you a whore.”
She bit her bottom lip, her pulse drumming in her ears. “Well, Dr. Steere, that’s what I am. I mean I was. Everyone in town knows it.”
Dr. Steere’s brow furrowed, but he did not respond for a minute. “You still didn’t want to be with him, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Good.” He flexed his fingers. “That man sure has a hard jaw.”
“And a hard head,” Ida added, and then laughed. Here she was giggling like a silly schoolgirl, but it felt good. Ever since the mayor forbade her business her life had turned sour and glum.
“I’ll have to watch out for him, I reckon,” he said. “Likely he’s not the only one around here who thinks I’m nothing but an Injun. My mother was Creek,” he added as if reading the question on her mind.
“And your father?”
“A white trapper. He preferred living with the Indians than in a white town. Can’t say as I blame him. In many ways the Creek are more civilized than white men.”
“From my life experience I can see why someone would think that,” she whispered.
Instead of pressing her for more information his attention went back to Austin where he stood by the punch bowl brooding, pressing a handkerchief to his nose. The tightness in her chest lessened.
“Don’t tell him but I’ve never even touched a tomahawk. I was raised in a mission school since I was a young boy.”
Ida shook her head. “You sure fooled him.”
Dr. Steere shrugged. “Not hard to do. If a man already thinks you’re a savage.”
“Savage,” Ida repeated and a shiver ran down her back. “A dirty word just like whore.”
“Yes, Miss Page. I do believe we have a lot in common.”
“Would you tend to his nose if he swallowed his pride and asked?”
Dr. Steere let out a small sigh. “I took an oath. So yes I’d tend to his nose. I doubt he’ll swallow that pride of his, though. If he tried, he’d probably choke.”
Dr. Steere walked over to the cottonwood where they had sat earlier and picked up her empty dishes. “Would you like something else to eat, Miss Page?”
“No, thank you. I should probably head home before more trouble starts.”
“You were not the one to cause the trouble,” Dr. Steere said. “I wish you’d stay.”
Ida’s chest ached. How could she say no? “All right. Maybe I can stay for a little while. I do have work to do when I get home.”
“So what is your new profession?” he asked, setting her dishes with the others on the buffet table.
“Laundress.”
“A vital necessity in these parts just like a doctor.” He stared at Austin, who stood at the other end of the table.
Ida held her breath afraid the fight would resume. The stagecoach driver sulked off instead. Dr. Steere had not only come to her defense, but he’d beaten the biggest bully in town. The handsome half-breed might be the perfect man for her if the townspeople didn’t run her out of town. Or him.
Throughout the rest of the festivities Dr. Steere kept an eye on her almost as if he was afraid she’d flee if he turned his back. That was never a thought. Unlike most of the people in Big Rock she liked his company. She’d been kissed by too many men to count, and yet she knew if he kissed her it would be different. Her chest tingled at the thought. She wanted to feel his kiss. He smiled at her, but he didn’t even brush across her fingers.
Damned propriety.
The mayor had called an end to the dancing and was now preaching about the importance of Independence Day and the United States’ break from Great Britain. The man was a good orator and a lively one, but Dr. Steere barely paid attention, stealing glances at her throughout the whole speech. And she caught him every time since she couldn’t keep her eyes off him either.
When the speech finally ended the people clapped and some fireworks were set off commemorating the holiday in style.
“It is getting late,” Ida said.
“Yes it is,” he said, getting to his feet and then extending her a hand. “May I escort you home?”
She looked at all the people around her. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think you should.”
“Why?”
Her cheeks turned pink. She’d never blushed this much in her life and nothing indecent was involved. “Well…people might get the wrong idea.”
He laughed, as if brushing off her concern. “I don’t plan on staying, Miss Page. I just want to see you safely home. I don’t trust Austin.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’ve tangled with him in the past.” Inwardly she recoiled at the memory of him touching her inappropriately and no one caring. It seemed people thought a man could steal a kiss or a touch from the former town whore whenever he wanted.
He clenched his teeth. “If he causes you any more trouble I want you to come to me.”
“All right. I will.”
He tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow. “Promise?”
Did he really want to take care of her? Maybe it was the fact he was a doctor and didn’t want to see anyone hurt. He’d said he’d even tend to Austin’s broken nose if asked. That was it. He was just being a doctor.
“Yes, I promise. It has been a pleasant afternoon, Dr. Steere,” she said as they walked down the street. “I’m afraid looking after me took most of your time.”
“Nothing to be afraid of. I did all the introductions before you arrived. I just hadn’t found anyone I wanted to get to know better.”
“Oh.” Her ears burned. Even after he knew her past, he’d still said that. Did he not care about all the men she’d slept with? Her heart skipped a beat at the thought she could have a chance with him. A chance with a good man, and then she scolded herself and forced the thought from her mind. He was only being a polite gentleman. She shouldn’t read more into his words.
“I live on the edge of town,” she explained. “It is just a small shack. It isn’t much.”
“I lived in a tent for four years, Miss Page,” he said. “Anything that keeps the rain off your head is a good place to live.”
She laughed. He had a good point.
They walked along in silence for several minutes. She struggled to act like a proper lady when all she wanted to do was take him in her arms. They exchanged heated glances, letting her know he was thinking the same thing.
They arrived at her home just in time. She cleared her throat and it shook his gaze from hers.
“This is home,” she said, motioning to the shack.
He unwound his arm from hers and she stepped onto her porch.
“May I call on you, Miss Page?”
She blinked. Did she hear him right? “Call on me?” Her voice came out thin and squeaky.
“Yes, ma’am. Is it so hard to believe?”
She wetted her lips. “Um…no. I mean, yes. Yes, you can call on me again.”
He grinned, showing off his dimples. “You’re the rose in this dusty town.” He bowed to her. “Until we meet again, Miss Page. Good day.”
He turned and walked back down the street leaving her speechless. She unlocked her door and headed for the pitcher of water in her bedroom, splashing water on her face. She
hadn’t been dreaming. The doctor just said he’d call on her again.
Dizzy with delight, she sat on the bed. Dr. Steere said that they’d had a lot in common although he hadn’t shared much of his past. They had one thing in common she knew—they were both outcasts.
Could two outcasts find a place in each other’s arms?
Chapter 3
William headed back to the picnic even though most of the families had left or were in the process of leaving. He didn’t have any patients yet, and he had no desire to return to his office so soon.
Mayor Caldwell walked over to him, his wife with him.
“It was an enjoyable picnic,” he said to both of them. “Thank you for the invitation.”
“No invitation necessary,” Mayor Caldwell said. “Big Rock is a friendly town. Everyone is welcome.”
Everyone except Miss Page? From meeting the citizens he had to agree that the people were friendly. Although none of the people seemed excited to meet him, most of them had been polite. Reverend Wade had even welcomed him to come to church on Sunday.
“I’m glad to hear that. And the fried chicken was delicious, Mrs. Caldwell.”
“Thank you, Dr. Steere. I was going to warn you about Miss Page, but Mr. Austin managed to do that in a grand display.”
“Yes, I hope Austin doesn’t cause any more trouble.”
Mrs. Caldwell looked away as if embarrassed. Great, the mayor’s wife thinks I’m an Injun too.
“I don’t think a warning about Miss Page was warranted, but I thank you all the same.”
Mrs. Caldwell put a hand on her chest and let out a little gasp. “You intend to spend more time with Miss Page after learning her past?”
The mayor shot her wife a warning look, but it was too late. She’d already asked the question, and William knew he had to answer. “Yes, ma’am. I do. She’s a lovely woman. And a very good dancer.”
Wild and Tender Care Page 2
