Page 107 of Beat of Love
He gave a harsh laugh and settled down beside the deer to wait for help.
*
“Well?”
“Give me a chance to examine her properly,” Siobhan snapped.
He rubbed a hand over his head, hooking it behind his neck. “Sorry. It’s just …” He trailed off, shrugging.
His sister’s look softened. “No,Iam sorry. You did good rescuing her. Let me clean her wounds, put her on a drip, and by morning we’ll know more.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“You’re welcome. Now, go home. It’s pointless hanging around here. I’ll give you a call first thing with an update.”
He nodded. “Thanks,” he said, giving the unconscious doe a light rub. “You hang on, Rosie.”
“Rosie?”
He met Siobhan’s gaze again and told her the circumstances of how he stumbled upon the deer, ending with a shrug. “Calling her Rosie seemed appropriate.”
Siobhan crossed to him and gave him a hug. “I’m glad you’ve got a guardian angel looking after you.”
He returned her hug, blinking rapidly. “Me, too.”
“And we’ll do our best for Rosie.” She cupped his cheek. “Promise.”
“There’s nobody I trust more to look after her.” It was a true statement. His sister was an excellent veterinarian. “I’m glad you were on call tonight.”
“Now leave and let us get to work on her. Shoo,” she added, waving her hands.
He flashed her a smile and gave the assistant a chin lift. “Thanks.”
Fifteen minutes later, chilled to the bone despite the jacket Kurt had loaned him, he pulled up to the Main House like a half-frozen popsicle. It was in darkness, and he walked around to his veranda, glad his room had an outside door. He paused before climbing the step, looking through the opening in the grove of trees to the cabin a couple of hundred yards away.
It, too, was shrouded in darkness.
And he couldn’t help but wish he was climbing that veranda.
32
Four-legged harem
Rafferty opened the back of Mammy’s Jeep and stared at the deer lying on the blanket. Rosie stared back at him, her doe-eyes — no pun intended — as puzzled as his.
What was I thinking?
He hadn’t, that’s what. He’d acted impulsively, as always, letting his heart rule and not his head.
The deer belonged in a wildlife sanctuary. Not on Lawson’s Landing.
But he was unwilling to hand her off, and so, here they were, him and Rosie.
And the unborn fawn she carried.
Yep, Rosie was pregnant. That’s what had sealed the deal for him.
“The enclosure’s all set,” Mom said, walking over to him.
