Page 57 of Legacy of Danger
Chapter 14
The professional concern that had weighed Mariah down for the past several days lifted at the sight of Garrison wheeling Shelby toward the main hospital doors Thursday afternoon. Next to her strode a recovered Eric, who had likely refused wheelchair transport. But Vaughn hovered next to him.
Avoiding eye contact with Vaughn, Mariah approached the group in the lobby. "This is so great to see."
"I'll say." Garrison's serious expression had finally relaxed into a brief smile.
"Thank you again, Doc." Eric's voice cracked as he rested a hand on Shelby's shoulder. "For everything."
Mariah shook her head. "A lot of folks pitched in to help. A massive team effort, and it was worth it. Now don't take this the wrong way, but I'm glad to be kicking you out of the hospital."
Shelby grinned in the direction of her boyfriend. "Ha. She couldn't wait to be rid of us. You think I was a bad patient here? Just wait 'til I get home."
"You're not moving off the couch or the bed or doing anything without help. Period." Eric crossed his arms and glared at Shelby, making Mariah laugh.
The smile briefly lit Vaughn's face. "Poor Eric. He doesn't know how stubborn Taggarts are when they want something." His glinting gaze lasered on Mariah.
Her heart stopped.
Cutting her eyes away from him, she bit her lip. She must have imagined the double entendre.
"Well, folks, I need to go on a house call before the snow flies tonight. You all get home safely and take care." Mariah waved.
Eric and Garrison wheeled Shelby out the front doors.
Vaughn remained behind, a large, quiet figure in front of her.
"Where's your house call?"
She peered around him at the heavy, gray skies. "I can't say. HIPAA protection and all."
"Where?" It was almost a demand. "I don't want you going somewhere unsafe."
A pique of anger sparked along her last nerve. "Okay, mister. Look here." She came within an inch of poking him in his solid chest. "You can't flash hot and cold like this, going from the caveman act and then indifference and then back to the caveman. It's not fair. We're friends, right? So you need to back down."
His thick, dark brows shot up. That big smile only increased her frustration. "I only meant that if the call is out in the boonies, not only could I help you find it, but I have a way better vehicle than your Mini to manage dirt roads." He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his worn jeans, drawing her attention to a very un-friend-like location. "I'd hate to see you break that pretty car."
"Are you being sarcastic?"
"Not really." Honest. Straightforward. "Well, a little sarcastic about your ridiculous car, but the rest of it, no. I just want to help. Because we're friends."
Her lungs deflated. She wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor before him. "Wow, my bad." She rubbed her neck. "I made a couple of assumptions. Sorry."
"Yeah. We all make assumptions." He blinked. "So where are you headed?"
"Brand ranch."
"No." A chill and a wave of discomfort accompanied that one word.
She stepped back. "Yes. And why is that your problem?"
"Number one, I don't trust them farther than I can throw them. Number two, you're not going out there alone. And number three, the road to their place is wretched. Your car won't survive the trip." He ran his hand through his dark hair, the light catching auburn pieces. "Fuck, I hate those guys."
"So don't come. I can get there on my own."
A muscle popped in his jaw. "No. I said I'd help, so I'll help. Get your stuff and let's go."
"Don't act so happy about your offer, Robin Hood." Without waiting to see if he followed, she stomped back to her office, exchanged her white coat for her wool one, and slung her satchel with basic home visit equipment in it over her shoulder. Spinning around, she went nose to chest with a warm, male scent.
