The Substitute Bride by Linda S. Glaz

Author:Linda S. Glaz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

A cool rag soothed Jared’s forehead, pulling him from sleep. Opening his eyes, he watched as Becca wrung the cloth and bathed his face again. “Thank you. Feels so good.”

Her face still held the fearful expression she had worn the evening before, and it was all his fault. He’d caused her worry by coming home when she already had enough to be concerned with on the ranch.

“You’re burning up this morning. I’ll be going to town for the doctor.”

He struggled to his elbow. “Let me saddle—”

“No. If Mrs. Cain can do it, I can do it. I’ve been watching you saddle the horses. I know how. I’ll be back as soon as possible. Keep this on your head. You’re terribly hot, Jared. Why did you come home last night? You should have stayed put, you know.”

He fell back against the pillows and stared at the ceiling. “I was afraid for you, Becca. That Fletcher fella’s been nosing around hereabouts. Blanche told me he was out bothering her yesterday. I was afraid he might come back.”

“Oh, Jared.” Her words were filled with compassion. If only she would wrap her arms around his neck and bury her face in his chest. He longed to show her how much he cared, but she kept to herself, her hands at her sides, the stoic little soldier who didn’t care to share her emotions with him. Or maybe she truly didn’t feel anything for him. How was he to know?

“Take Strawberry. She’s gentle like Tinker. Besides, Charger might still be shy after the snake.”

“All right.”

Her fingers brushed his hot skin and the soft touch reached deep into his belly. If only she’d stay. He wouldn’t need a doctor. He wouldn’t need anything else in the world. “Thank you, Becca. For everything. I owe you my life.” Needing rest more than wishes, he allowed himself to slip deeper into the comfort of the feather pillow.

* * *

After more than a dozen attempts to saddle Strawberry, Becca finally managed to ride into town in record time. She slid off Strawberry’s back and dashed into Dr. Parker’s office. “You need to come right away. He’s hurt bad. Please, Dr. Parker.”

“Whoa. Hold on there. What happened? Who’s hurt?”

“Jared! Who else?” She spent the next few minutes explaining and then trying to make excuses for Jared riding back home in such a condition. Embarrassed that he had risked his life, she mumbled and scrambled for explanations.

In a matter of minutes they were in the doctor’s buggy riding for home, Strawberry tethered to the back.

“You think it’s broken?” Parker asked.

“I’m not sure of anything. I only know he said Charger shied from a snake, threw him and landed on his ankle. There was a rock under it. Mrs. Cain didn’t think there was a break, but he lost a lot of blood. The wound runs the length of his leg. I’m afraid of infection. And as if that’s not enough, he was holding his side. Said it’s hard to breathe because his ribs hurt so.

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