by R. C. Ryan
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 and 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.
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.”
