Healing Hearts (Easton Series #2) by Murray Anna

Author:Murray, Anna [Murray, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

It hadn’t taken a lamb tail shake for Hannah to weave herself into the wool of Wounded Colt society. Jed realized she was kicking up a storm when Easton asked him to join a card-players group, and then the men peppered him with questions about her between hands. Did Doc Hannah like Wounded Colt? What books did she read? Watkins wanted to know if there any items she wanted, but couldn’t find, at the general store. Farrell pointedly asked him if he’d consider making Hannah his naked partner, letting lose with the fact that the whole town, especially the womenfolk, liked Hannah and expected a damned romance.

Jed couldn’t let himself think about such things even if he’d had a pleasant dream that very evening: He stroked Hannah’s shoulders, touching warm ivory flesh. Absorbing her warmth appealed to him in ways it shouldn’t. I won’t hurt you, he reassured her. I’m going to help you forget the fire.

It helps, she admitted quietly. My mother rubbed my back when I was little, but your hands are bigger, and more practiced.

His heart ached and it felt like he had fist in his gut. Offering comfort came naturally to Jed, and part of him wanted to give her something more. He’d searched his memory for an image to power his strokes, and a recollection eased into his consciousness -- a vague ghost of himself sitting on a porch swing with Mariah. He was holding her hand and entertaining the idea of marrying her. In his dream he bent forward and trailed kisses from the nape of Hannah’s neck to her cheek. It was easy to be with her, mostly because she had no demands, no expectations of a man. Her affection was pure and sweet guileless; it asked nothing in return.

Jed woke, feeling restless and rueful. He had no right to feel her skin beneath his fingers, even if only in a dream, even if it offered him great comfort.

The day dragged, and the evening brought a quiet surprise: Hannah was hauling him over to Hawkins’ hotel for a meal she’d bartered in exchange for a painting.

“Has John Hawkins seen your painting?”

“Oh no! Nelda wants to spring it on him. I hope he’ll like it.” Her arm was raised high to keep the clutched canvas above the dusty street as she darted between wagons.

“It’s one of your best.” Jed had observed as she created the piece, and he was secretly hoping to hang it in the surgery. He’d received many compliments on her first work, and the scenes were a soothing distraction for his patients.

Jed drew air into his lungs and quickened his step to arrive at the hotel door ahead of Hannah. He opened it for her, and she sashayed past him into the small lobby. Proprietor John Hawkins was peering through spectacles at a ledger on the desk, and he stiffened when he saw the doctoring duo. He peeled off the wire-framed glasses with a nervous hand and set them down with a clack on the counter.

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