Page 36 of Joanna's Highlander (Highland Protector 2)

“To the icing bowl!” Tyler shot out the bedroom door.

“Oh, to be seven again and have my only care in the world be licking the icing bowl,” Joanna observed.

“What part of ‘hush it’ do you not understand, Ms. Martin?” The old doctor glared at her over the rims of his glasses, his scraggly gray mustache accentuating his displeased scowl.

“I said I feel fine.” Joanna politely pushed Dr. Farthingham’s stethoscope away. Lucia was too freaking overprotective. It had been her overly paranoid idea to have the doctor show up at Grant’s house just to make sure Joanna checked out okay. “I just got a little dehydrated during the hike with Grant and had an attack of claustrophobia while we were exploring the cave. That’s all it was. I’m all good now.”

Well. Sort of good. Still gotta wrap my mind around all the weirdness Grant showed me.It made her queasy just to think about it. She wasn’t about to tell the doctor what had really happened. He’d lock her up in a loony bin and throw away the key. Besides—she felt a kind of odd certainty about the whole thing that she just couldn’t explain. She had to protect Grant and all he’d shown her. He hadn’t asked her to, but she felt it deep in her bones.I’ll make him a deal. As long as I never have to go back there again, my lips are sealed.

“Healthy folks your age don’t usually pass out and remain unconscious over twenty-four hours under such circumstances, young lady.” The blustering doctor glared at her, his black-rimmed glasses still perched on the end of his bulbous nose. His bushy gray brows knotted together like two fierce caterpillars wrestling for the best spot on a leaf. “Is there a chance you might be expecting?” His voice took on the standard “you can tell me anything—I’m a professional” tone.

“I always practice safe sex, Doc. Trust me, there is absolutely no chance I’m pregnant.”Well…there might be a kinda sorta chance, but hopefully not. No condoms yesterday—risky, but surely just that once…er…several times, but just one day will be okay.

Dr. Farthingham chuckled as he removed his stethoscope and tucked it into his worn leather bag. “I delivered a healthy nine-pound girl to the Carters last week. They always practiced safe sex too.”

“So, did she check out okay, Dr. Farthingham?” Lucia asked as she plopped down on the bed beside Joanna. “Her energy level still seems a little sapped and that’s just not like her.”

“She just needs to build her strength back up,” the doctor answered while tucking all his tools back into his bag. “Layin’ in the bed without any fluids or nutrition takes a toll and weakens even the healthiest of bodies.” The gruff old doctor made his way to the door, his short stature and rolling gait reminding Joanna of an overweight bulldog guarding his territory. He paused just outside the doorway and frowned back at her. “Tell Grant MacDara I’ll be havin’ a long talk with his mother about him not havin’ enough sense to get the proper medical care for folks when they need it. I won’t waste my breath talkin’ to him. I know it won’t do a damn bit of good.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Lucia smiled and nodded. “I’ll make sure Grant gets the message—clearly.” As soon as Dr. Farthingham was out the door and down the hall, Lucia leaned closer to Joanna and gave her a dirty look. “Grant MacDara’s got a royal ass-chewing coming from me too. I can’t believe he let you lie here since yesterday without medical attention. Now out with it. What the hell happened? You’ve never fainted before in your life.”

“I told you. I got dehydrated and then had a panic attack in the caves. You know I’ve always been a little claustrophobic.” The lie was weak and Joanna knew it, but it was the best she could do with the circumstances as they were. She hadn’t had a chance to go over all the Highland protector ground rules with Grant. They needed to have another talk about all she’d seen, what the stone had actually done to show her the past, and whether she was in any danger now that she knew the MacDaras’ story. Kind of like “we can tell you but then we’ll have to kill you”–type shit.

Time to change the subject and distract Lucia and disable her own mounting panic. “Did the Knitting Chicks get safely back home to Tennessee? I kind of abandoned them.” She made an apologetic face. “Sorry.”

Lucia rolled her eyes, rose from the bed, and refilled the half-empty glass of ice water sitting on the bedside table. “Yes. All the ladies made it back to Tennessee just fine. Annamae and Georgetta both emailed and said the group plans on coming back next year because they had such a great time.” She handed Joanna the glass and stood with arms crossed, waiting for her to drink. “Drink up, sweets. We wouldn’t want you to stay ‘dehydrated.’ ”

“Sarcasm makes you look old and bitchy. You know that, right?”

“You scared me, Joanna. I can’t handle another scare with you. Please. Don’t ever do that again.” Lucia took the glass from her and turned away, but not before Joanna spotted unshed tears shining in Lucia’s eyes. “You’re the only family that T and I have.”

“That old bastard is a meddlin’ fool.” Grant stomped into the room, coming up short when Lucia whirled around and faced him. He sheepishly ducked his chin in a polite nod. “Beg pardon, Mistress Lucia. I thought ye’d gone down to the kitchen with young Tyler.”

“For your information, I agree with that ‘old bastard.’ You are now number one on my shit list, buddy.” Lucia jabbed the air with her finger, aiming it at Grant’s chest and closing in on him with every word. “You should’ve called him sooner. What the hell is wrong with you? What if Joanna had needed immediate medical intervention? If you don’t treat her right, you won’t only have Tyler’s BB gun to worry about. I’ll make you wish your ass was back in Scotland.”

Joanna scooted up higher and elbowed the pillows tighter behind her back, thoroughly enjoying the show. Except the part about Scotland. That shot might hit a little close to Grant’s heart. But the man might as well learn right now, Lucia could be a tigress if properly provoked.Poor Grant. Doesn’t stand a chance.She winked and blew him a kiss when he looked her way for help.

“I’d ne’er let any ill befall Joanna. Surely, ye ken that.” Grant sidled his way around the room, giving Lucia a wide berth as he made his way to the bed. He slowly lowered himself and sat on the edge of it, scooped up Joanna’s hand, and clutched it to his chest. “Ye have no idea how dear this woman is t’me.”

Lucia sucked in a deep breath but before she unleashed another rant, Joanna interrupted. “We’re all good here, Lucia. Please. Let it go.” She held out her free hand to her friend and wiggled her fingers. “Come on. I need a truce between you two. I’m happier than I can remember being in a very long time. Let’s not spoil it with fussing over what could’ve or should’ve happened, okay?”

Lucia didn’t answer, just folded her arms across her chest again and glared at Grant.

“By the by, Taggart will be stoppin’ by later. You and the lad will still be here, aye? He asked after ye.” Grant visibly brightened and smiled as though he’d just told Lucia she’d won the lottery.

“You’d better teach him that I’m not that stupid or that easily distracted.”

Oh shit. Lucia’s in a ripe mood.Joanna wasn’t surprised. Lucia was as protective of her as she was of Tyler and once someone landed on her shit list—much less the number-one slot—he’d have one hell of a time getting back on her good side. “Lucia. Come on. For my sake? Truce?”

Lucia’s eyes narrowed as she took in a deep breath, then seemed to forcibly assume a more relaxed stance. “No, Mr. MacDara. Tyler and I will be leaving in a little while. He’s got baseball practice. His first game is tomorrow and this is the first year he’s played baseball instead of T-ball.”

“I see.” Grant didn’t say anything else. Apparently, Lucia’s mood and her calling him “Mr.” had been an effective warning.

“What time’s the game tomorrow?” Joanna nudged Grant. “We could go. Cheer on T.”

“Aye.” Grant risked a sideways glance at Lucia. “That is…if it would be okay with his mother.”

“Of course it would be okay.” Lucia snorted like a bull preparing to charge, then strode closer to the foot of the bed. Locking her glare with Joanna’s innocent gaze, she jerked her thumb toward the door. “T would love it and you know it. Game’s at three. We’ll see you both tomorrow.” Shifting her glare to Grant, her expression softened the barest bit. She lifted her chin and barely shrugged. “And you can tell Taggart he’s welcome to come tomorrow too. If you want. And he’s not busy.”

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