Authors: Jennifer Ryan
“I’ll do everything you say, Doc. I swear. My brothers had a long talk with me about what you told them. I may be all right now, but I could still lose the leg if I’m not careful.”
“So long as we avoid an infection, I think you’ll be okay. You will let me know if you have any numbness or pain. If you spike a fever, you need to get to a doctor immediately.”
“Believe me, I will. I’m not taking any chances this goes south.”
“Good. Now, how are your ribs?”
Dane shifted uncomfortably in the bed. “They ache, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Okay. I’ll check on you again later this evening.”
“After I’m asleep, right? That’s when you like to come by.”
She frowned. “Believe it or not, I’ve been here about every three hours over the last few days. I can’t get into your room for all the honeys you’ve got at your bedside.”
He gave her a cocky smile. “Well now, honey, if you wanted them gone, all you had to do is say so.”
That insincere comment set her off. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m your doctor. So turn that smile down. I’m not one of your Dane’s Dames. I don’t answer to ‘honey,’ and I don’t compete for a man who finds every woman special while they’re in his sights.”
That stung deep. Probably because the daggers coming out of her eyes hit the bull’s-eye. “Hon . . . Dr. Bell, I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sorry.”
“A minute ago you wondered how all these women showed up to see you but weren’t here because they cared about how you are. You might consider that none of them really care because you never really mean it.”
She walked to the door but stopped when he called her name.
“Dr. Bell.”
She turned and glanced back at him.
“Are you okay?” He cocked his head to indicate her head.
She touched her fingers to the line of stitches. “I’m fine. Just a scratch.”
“You operated on me with that gash and a concussion. I’m asking because it matters. Are you okay?”
“It didn’t really hit me until after it was all over, but yeah, I’m fine.”
“I saw the video. I’ve never been more scared in my life than seeing that bull come after you and hit you, even though I knew how it turned out.”
“I’m sure flying off that bull and getting hit was scarier.”
“You’re wrong.”
She opened the door a crack, but he stopped her again.
“Hey, Doc, I still want those answers. Someday I’ll get them from you. Until then, anything you need, just ask. I owe you for saving my life, and I pay my debts.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“We both know that’s not true. Do you still live at your grandmother’s place?”
“Yes,” she answered reluctantly.
“If I came calling to say my thank-you in person, would your grandmother still tell me you don’t exist?”
“Probably. And there’s no need to call on me. Set up an appointment at my office. Your sister Ella has all the information.”
“Keeping everything professional.”
“There is nothing personal between us.”
He cocked one eyebrow. “Says the girl who admits to spying on me.”
“I wanted your horse,” she shot back, trying to deflate his ginormous ego.
Dane chuckled, and her stomach tied in knots. His deep voice resonated someplace deep inside her. That laugh made her want to join in. She’d always loved that about him. Every time she saw him, whether riding with his brothers or alone, he always had a ready smile that made him seem so happy and in on the fun. She’d never been in on anything. She’d always been alone. The outcast and outsider. Even in college, she’d been the youngest in her classes. Much smarter than the other students—and her teachers. Her poor social skills meant she said things that made others feel less smart. Being a girl made it all worse when she showed up older guys and men. They didn’t like that. Which meant they dismissed her, because they couldn’t impress her. Women did the same, because they didn’t want to look less than next to her, too. They wanted to stand out and get the guys. They always did.
“So, do you want me to send in the parade of blondes?”
He frowned. “No.” He stared out the window at the four women talking back and forth at each other, none of them listening to the others, if the heated glances and hand gestures told the tale. “The thing is, I don’t want to hurt their feelings any more than it appears I have. You see, I never see more than one girl at the same time. I like to keep things casual, but I’m not a total douche bag. If they all come in here, demanding to know which one of them I choose, when the answer is none of them, I’m going to have to do some fancy dancing to get myself out of this crap. And why the hell do they want me in the first place?”
Bell tried to hold back the laugh. After all, this wasn’t funny, but seeing a guy who had a line of women coming in and out of his room the last few days and didn’t know what to do with all of them made her laugh. “You don’t know what they want from you? Are you serious?”
“Maybe it seems obvious to you, but seriously, what is it?”
“You want my honest assessment?”
“Lay it on me, hon—” He caught her narrowed gaze. “Doc.”
“Not one of those women ever said they love you. Not one of them asked me how you were doing. They’re out there comparing notes to see which of them you paid more attention to. They’re one-upping each other, recounting personal details about your time together to show the others that you favored them more. None of them actually believes you care for them. How could you, when you regard them as single-use women?”
“What?”
“Disposable.”
His lips pressed into a tight line. “Harsh. I’m not that bad.”
“Yes you are. Even you admitted that to me and yourself ten minutes ago. You just don’t want them, or me, to point it out, because then you have to do something about it. Easier to ask me to send them away, you fly home to Montana, and your problem is solved. Let’s face it, none of them is going to chase you across several states, because they know they’ll get the cold shoulder you pull out when you’re done. They’re hoping you’re in need of a sexy nursemaid now that you’re laid up. You pick one of them, they’ll spend the next days or weeks trying to convince you how much they care about you and want to be with you. That will get old for you real fast, because you are in no condition to do the one thing you always do with them.”
“What’s that?”
Yes, that smirk would drive her crazy. In a good way. If she spent any length of time with him. Which she wouldn’t. Other than checking up on his recovery progress, she had no reason to see him. He had no reason to want to see her. The thought kind of made her sad, because despite the fact he was a womanizing man whore, she liked him.
“Sex.” Even though the topic made her uncomfortable, she’d learned as a doctor to be frank. Dane needed a good dose of truth. As his doctor, and because he’d asked, she’d give him a big dose.
“I kind of expected you to sugarcoat it, or at least beat around the bush.”
“Why? You hold no special value to it, like you hold no special value to them. One thing is required to have the other. That is the only link between them. There are no special feelings, no connection you share other than your body connected to theirs for as long as it takes you to find satisfaction and move on to the next conquest.”
“I guess your diagnosis is that I’m a womanizing asshole who wants nothing more than sex.” He frowned and looked embarrassed. The truth stung.
“Maybe that’s who you were. Now that you’ve had this near-death experience, you’ve discovered that’s not who you want to be. It’s up to you. Maybe that’s your past standing in that hallway and walking through the revolving door that has been your life up until now. Maybe you want something new and different for your future. Who knows, given a few weeks’ recuperation, you’re back up on your feet, or at least crutches, and you’ll be back to chasing every blonde Betty in Montana.”
“Maybe I’ll find the one woman worth settling down for.”
“Why do men always think they have to settle down to stay with one woman? Why can’t you find a match to who you are?”
“I’m damn glad you’re one hell of a surgeon, but you might have missed your calling as a psychiatrist.”
“Nothing I said hadn’t already occurred to you. Just remember one thing.”
“What’s that?”
She stared him right in the eye. “Everything changes.”
“Don’t I know it.” Dane stared at his leg and wiggled his toes because he could.
“You’ve been through a lot. Your leg won’t be exactly what it used to be. You’re moving back home, but that isn’t going to be what it used to be, since you’ll be taking over your family home alone. The business your father ran isn’t the business you’ll continue and expand. Nothing in your life is the same as it was days ago. Take the time you need to figure out what you really want in all the facets of your life. Concentrate on getting better and spending time with your family.”
“I hate lying around in this bed doing nothing.”
“Well, I’ll just send in the Barbies, and they’ll keep you busy.”
Dane groaned. “Doc.”
“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“But true. Seems I need a good dose of that along with some more pain meds.” He shifted in the bed, trying to get comfortable.
“I’ll get your meds. What would you like me to do about the ladies?”
He laughed under his breath at that term. “Send them in. I made this mess, I’ll clean it up.”
“I’ll send them in two at a time. I’ll start with blue and pink shirt. They seem to be the most mellow.”
Dane looked out the window. “Wait. No. Send her in.” He pointed to a new arrival. “Her name is Brandy. She’s a friend.”
“Bachelorette number five it is.”
Dane grabbed her arm. “No, Doc. She’s an actual friend.”
Bell stared down at his hand on her skin. He released her, but she got the point. He wanted her to understand that some women did matter. Brandy mattered to him. Funny, the touch sent a shaft of heat through her, but the fact that woman mattered to him left her cold.
“Okay. Your family will be here soon. I’ll let the others know you’re not up for more guests.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
Bell opened the door. The ladies moved forward, anxious to get into the room. Bell stood her ground, blocking the entrance. “Brandy, Dane would like to see you. Please come in.” The other four ladies expressed their disappointment in a collective huff that turned to pouty frowns all around.
“Dane, honey, I came all this way to see you, sugar,” black skirt called out.
“Dane, baby, I miss you,” white tank top shouted.
Dane adjusted his position in the bed and groaned in pain. Maybe he laid it on a bit thick, but it gave Bell an excuse to dismiss the ladies. “I’m sorry. He’s in a lot of pain. I can only allow one visitor before his family arrives. You’ll have to come back another time.”
Brandy moved forward as the other girls left down the hall in a huff. “Uh, Doctor, is he okay? His leg, it looks really bad.”
Bell stepped back into the room with Brandy and caught Dane’s look.
“Told you.”
Yeah, okay, this one was a friend. She actually cared about Dane’s health, not necessarily his wallet. At least on the surface. Bell’s heart sank. She tried to ignore the surge of jealousy. What did she want with a man like Dane anyway? What the hell would he see in her? She definitely wasn’t his type and didn’t want to be either.
“Brandy, it’s so good to see you. Where’s Kaley?”
“At home with my mom. I drove in from Arizona when I heard about your accident. Are you okay?”
“Doing better, thanks to Dr. Bell. She put me back together.”
“I’m so glad. I was really worried.”
“You must have new pictures. Show me.” Dane looked up at her. “Doc, you got to see this little girl.”
Brandy beamed with pride. “He’s a sucker for all girls.”
Bell smiled. “I got that from the line he’s had out the door.”
“That’s Dane for you. There’s always a line, but sometimes he manages to be a good guy.”
“Hey, I’m sitting right here.”
“You know what I mean. You know when to put aside your fun to help out a friend.”
“How are things with Rowdy these days?”
“He’s my ex,” Brandy explained for Bell’s benefit. “He didn’t get that nickname for no reason. He’s come around a few times, but I’ve stuck to my guns like you told me. You were right, if I give him an inch, he weasels his way back into my life. I can’t have that. Not anymore. Not with Kaley.” She pulled up the picture on her cell and handed it to Dane.
He smiled and traced the little girl’s face. “She’s grown so much.”
“Like a dandelion. I don’t know what I would have done without your help, Dane. The money you send means everything to me. If something happened to you . . .” Her words came out choked up.
The money he sent? Was the child his? Bell didn’t ask. Not her business. But with the way he lived his life, one woman after another, it very well could be that he’d gotten at least one, if not many, of them pregnant. These things happened. She was living proof.
Dane took Brandy’s hand. “Hey now, honey, I’m fine. Good as new, thanks to the doc. I’ll be going home in a couple of days. You can contact me at my family’s place. You know the number. You’ve got my cell. Anytime you need me, I’m there.”
Bell felt like an intruder. These two were definitely friends. Probably even more. “I’ll let you two catch up. Dane, I’ll have the nurse come back with your meds.”
“You said you’d get me out of this bed today.”
“The physical therapist will be here in an hour. Do not put any pressure on that leg.”
“Is there any way I can take a shower?”
“No. But the nurse can give you a sponge bath.”
“You sure you can’t help me out with that?”
Yep, that smile would charm an eighty-year-old woman into doing his bidding. The heat flashed in her gut again. Damn hormones. “I’m on vacation.”
Bell walked out the door, trying not to smile about the sly flirt.
Dane appreciated Brandy
driving in from Arizona to see him. He’d met her four years ago on the rodeo circuit, and they’d become fast friends. He loved her sweet, funny personality. She used to be a world-class barrel racer. At the time, he and Rowdy were good friends and comparable competitors. Rowdy took one look at Brandy racing around the ring and fell head over heels for her. Rowdy and Brandy and Dane and a fourth went out on many double dates. Rowdy and Brandy always together, Brandy teasing Dane about his latest date.