Page 87 of Beat of Love
“They’re at BVC?” Bulwark Veterinary Clinic was the main domestic animal hospital in town.
He nodded. “Siobhan’s on duty this morning.”
Movement behind the sheriff drew her eye. Her heart skipped a beat.
Rafferty swaggered through the doorway, dressed in a black leather jacket, snug blue jeans, worn boots, ballcap worn backwards, and a wicked gleam in his bright blues as they swept over her, setting her belly aflutter and her lady parts atingle.Lordy, why did he have to be so … ruggedly roguish. It galled her that the description suited him so freaking well.
He dropped a duffel on the visitor’s chair. “Morning, Red. Kurt.”
There was something different in his voice today, something buoyant.
He moved nearer and gave her a devastating smile. “You’re looking a lot better today.” Bracing his hand against the upright back of the bed, Rafferty leaned down and placed a brief kiss on her forehead. “And smell rather … fruity?” he said close to her ear. Her heart skipped a beat as his warm breath whispered over her skin, the tip of his nose brushing against the shell of her ear before he straightened.
Caught off guard by the display of affection, she patted her still damp hair. “I showered.”
Duh. That was obvious, Brandy.
And wow,hesmelled divine — an earthy yet woody scent with a hint of cardamom. It suited him. All dark and mysterious and sensual. And dangerous.
Unfortunately, his glorious scent dissipated as he stepped back, smile dimming. “Hopefully not with help from that brawny nurse out there.”
“Nurse Juan?” The senior nurse was delightful. And yes, brawny and attractive. “He’s gay.”
Rafferty folded his arms and growled, looking at her down the length of his nose. “He’s a man.”
“He’s anurse.” She tipped her head to the side. “And why should it bother you that Nurse Juan saw me naked?” The idea that it bothered him pleased her.
He scowled, his brows meeting above that perfect nose. “It just does.”
Kurt chuckled.
Rafferty swung to look at his brother-in-law. “Nothing funny here.”
“Beg to differ. Must say, did not see this” — the sheriff waved his hand between the two of them — “coming.”
“Not your concern, Kurt,” Rafferty muttered. “Whatisyour concern, is to ensure the accident won’t affect Amelia’s provisional driver’s license.”
Brandy gasped. Amelia losing her license hadn’t even crossed her mind. She surged upright. And whimpered as pain shot through her neck and into her head. Snapping her eyes shut, she slumped against the pillows. Maybe she still needed that neck brace.
“Whoa. Easy, darlin’.” Rafferty was back at her side in a flash.
Grabbing hold of his forearm, she whispered urgently, “Accident wasn’t her fault. Dog ran across the road. Ask Sheriff Wheeler.”
Trailing his fingers along her hairline, he said, “Nothing’s gonna happen to Mimi’s license.” He twisted his neck to look at the sheriff. “Right, Kurt?”
“Correct. The accident won’t count against her.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
“No thanks needed. And as we’re as good as family, there is no need for formality. Kurt will do.”
*
Brandy-Lyn winced, her head pounding, but she was determined to see the dogs. Rafferty walked beside her, his presence and his hand on the small of her back a steadying force. She noticed how he kept glancing at her, a mix of concern and quiet understanding in his eyes.
They were led to a small examination room, and her eyes fixed on the golden retriever lying motionless, tubes snaking out of its body, ribs visibly showing beneath its grimy fur. The other was awiry terrier mix, as grubby as its friend. It lay with its snout up against the wire of its cage, clearly in discomfort but not taking its eyes off the retriever.
Siobhan greeted them with a nod, a curious gleam in her eyes as her gaze moved between them. Then those blue eyes, identical to her brother’s, fixed on Brandy. “Glad to see you’re up and about, Brandy. It could’ve been so much worse.”
