Highlands at Dawn Page 13

  “He’s the tiger, right?”

  “Yes. He’s a loner. Like Dracen. They both are close to one another—closer than with the others. I wouldn’t want to cross either of them. I’m not so sure she’s not the better fighter than him. Part of me thinks she’s been holding back something.”

  She looked at his face. “What makes you say that?”

  Dracen was an enigma to her. She didn’t know her well at all. Dracen was always polite when they encountered each other, but she didn’t seek her out like Taylor did. Even Tiarnán had softened toward her. Not to the extent he had to Taylor, who called him her big brother, but he no longer looked like he would be fine with ripping out her spine and handing it to her. Dracen however, still kept her distance. And it wasn’t just with her, she noticed she didn’t interact with a lot of them. When she did, it was as if her mind was elsewhere.

  “I’ve been alive for a long time, call it a gut feeling.”

  She nodded. “Save that one there out. That looks familiar to me.”

  “Mal,” Shelly spoke from behind her.

  She turned and smiled at her friend. “Hey, Shel. What’s up?”

  “I was asked to have you meet Taylor down in medical.” Her blue eyes drifted to Edmond, who watched her with acute interest. “Something you need, boyo?”

  Edmond’s smile was pure sex. “I’ve stopped being a boyo a long time ago. When you’re wantin’ a man instead of a boy, come let me know.” He returned his attention to the screen before him.

  Mal flicked her gaze between the two of them. Shelly narrowed her eyes and walked closer. Mal slid her chair back, wanting to give them their privacy and yet she wanted to know what the hell was going on here.

  “You think you’re that man?” Shelly sauntered up to Edmond’s side, reached out and trailed a finger down his bare, muscular arm.

  “I think you’ll find yourself over my knee if you keep playing with fire.”

  “You and what army, old man?”

  Mal stood and backed to the doors. She paused to look at the safe that held two artifacts. Hers and Taylor’s. The sparks and ribbons met and melded before breaking up and trailing around the items.

  “We both know I don’t need an army. You want to be over my knee?” He looked up at Shelly. “Or is that between them?”

  Okay, she didn’t need to hear any more of this. She slipped out, a smile playing across her lips. Shoving her hands in her skirt pockets, she headed down to medical. Taylor stood pacing before her office.

  “What’s going on, Taylor?”

  The woman looked up and around. “Oh good, you’re here. Do you have a minute?”

  “Of course. Come on in.” She walked up to the office door then opened it.

  Taylor passed her and Mal frowned slightly. Something was bothering her. She looked behind her at what had been the medical area. Now it was set up for basic supplies that everyone could come and get if they needed bandages or antiseptic. There was her office, where they could meet and talk to her. She had a bed in there to complete checkups. Going through another door would bring them to her operating room. As of this moment, she’d not had to do surgery on anyone—she was grateful for that, but it was there and ready, should the need arise.

  She and Shelly had set it up. Shelly took care of things if she wasn’t there and they worked together, much like they had back in Scotland. She didn’t see her friend as much now, for she was out with the children and training with the warriors—and Taylor, who’d been taught to fight. Mal still had no desire to learn. It just wasn’t her.

  She shook off her wandering thoughts and stared at the woman seated before her. Mal went to her desk and sat. “What’s going on, Taylor?”

  “Do you have—” She hesitated, wringing her fingers together. “Any birth control.”

  “Yes. I have some of that here. Did you want pills or the shot? Implant? What are you thinking?”

  “I don’t want the pills, Cale will probably find them.” She bit her lip. “I don’t need this discussion with him right now.” Her brown eyes darted around with nervousness.

  “I won’t tell him anything. Is everything okay?” She truly liked this woman she’d come to think of as a sister.

  “I’m scared,” she admitted.

  “Of?” Mal prompted.

  “Getting pregnant.”

  Oh boy. Mal leaned forward and placed her arms on the desktop. She wasn’t sure how much she should be getting into here, but bottom line was Taylor was her friend. So she could at least be an ear for her. And as a doctor, it would be confidential. “You can talk to me, Taylor. Whatever you say here is between us, as friends or as doctor-patient.”

  The relief that spread across her face was immediate and complete. “Thank you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Any news from Aminta or Roz?” Billy leaned back in his chair and glanced around the room.

  Cale, with a goofy smile on his face, was in his seat. Edmond sat at the computer working on something. Dracen reclined in hers, playing with a knife. And Tiarnán had zero expression as he sat propped back against the wall. His family. He loved them all.

  “Haven’t heard a thing. Not that Roz would tell me anything, but Aminta hasn’t contacted me.” Cale hooked his fingers behind his head.

  “Still, you two act like you did when you kids.” Billy shook his head. “I would have thought you’d have grown out of that by now.”

  Cale shrugged. “It’s how we show our love for one another.”

  He snorted. Sure it was. “I guess no news is good news.” He cracked his knuckles. “Everything okay with Taylor?”

  Cale cocked his head to the side, eyebrows up. “Why do you ask?”

  “I saw her leaving Mal’s office. Wondered if she was feeling okay?”

  The concern that leeched into Cale’s expression told him he hadn’t known a thing about it.

  Billy felt bad. “I’m sure she’s fine, man.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He glanced to the door and Billy knew he wanted to bolt.

  “Anything else we need to cover, Tiarnán?” Billy tried to help his brother out by letting him go as soon as he could.

  “That’s all I had. Edmond has told us what he knows. Anyone else have anything?”

  They’d met to talk about everything going on. All they knew about the other two siblings was that they’d found their artifacts. That left Tiarnán and Dracen. Billy wondered how they would find theirs if they never left here, but what did he know? Hell, the artifact might be in the house somewhere for each of them.

  Cale jumped up and ran from the room while the rest of them rose at a more leisurely pace. With a wave to Edmond, Billy strode to the door. Before he walked out, he peered back and saw Dracen and Tiarnán standing together. He left them there, well aware there were things they only discussed with one another.

  He snagged one of the kids in the hall and asked where Mal was. Billy headed to the stable to find her. Taylor was with her and so was Cale, as they leaned against the corral fencing.

  “I’m fine, Cale. Let it go.”

  “Then tell me, Taylor, why you went to see Mal.”

  That didn’t sound good.

  “I went to talk to my friend. Let it go.” Taylor threw up her hands and walked off.

  Cale looked at Mal. “What did she need?”

  “It’s like she said, Cale. Besides, if it was something medical, I wouldn’t tell you.”

  “She’s my mate,” Cale snarled.

  Billy bristled and hurried the remainder of the way, not liking how this was unfolding. Mal didn’t need him. She flicked a piece of lint from her shirt and shrugged.

  “I don’t give a damn. If, and I do mean if, she came to me in the capacity of being my patient, I wouldn’t tell you what went on. Doctor-patient privilege.”

  “If there’s something wrong with her, I have a right to know.”

  “Mind your tone, Cale,” he warned.

  Mal crossed her arms. “I don’t give a
damn who you are, Cale. You’d never be able to get me to break that confidence. And just so you know, I hold friendship confidences in the same regard. You want to know what we spoke about, you need to talk to her. You won’t get a damn thing from me. So don’t ever demand that again.” She faced back out over the corral and watched the horses.

  “Your wife is not helping.”

  “You need to mind your tone with her.”

  “She needs to tell me if something is wrong.”

  “I get it, Cale. You’re frustrated, but snapping at my wife isn’t going to help you. Don’t do it again.” Billy knew the warning was in his tone. He leaned in and kissed Mal, ignoring the seething Guardian beside him. Eventually Cale left, leaving them alone with the horses.

  “What was that about?” He slipped his arm around her waist.

  “You were there, you heard. Don’t think I’m going to tell you anything either.” Her tone was sharp.

  “Easy there, Mal. I’m just curious.”

  “I have friends, Billy, and I am not going to spill their secrets to you so you can run tell your Guardians. He needs to realize I take confidences seriously.” She pinned him with her gaze. “As do you.”

  “Duly noted.” He kissed her cheek and took her hand. “You know, for a woman who claims she doesn’t want to fight, you sure have it in you.”

  “I am passionate about my job.”

  “I know you are and that’s admirable. You are a different kind of fighter. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for those under your care.”

  He tugged her into the barn and smiled at two of the boys working there. They waved and kept on with their tasks.

  “What are we doing in here?”

  He waggled his brows at her. “Want to do what we did in your office a while ago?”

  “No thanks. I don’t need hay in places I’d rather not think about with children around.”

  He huffed playfully. “Fine. I want to go riding with you.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  He grabbed two geldings and had them saddled in not too much time. After walking them outside, he swung up in the saddle and waited for Mal to do the same. She was a fairly good rider and looked comfortable in the saddle. He led the way and off they went.

  They rode slowly, enjoying the sun that shone upon them. He took her past the winery and on into the forest, sticking to one of the trails. They chatted amicably to one another.

  “Are you settled in now, Mal?” he questioned, as they guided their mounts through a stream.

  “Pretty much so. I’ve been so focused on getting medical ready I’ve not thought about myself.”

  “I’ve noticed.” He slowed his roan and waited for her to catch up. “Are you getting enough sleep? You’ve been restless at night for a while now.”

  Her smile warmed his heart. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me so much, Billy. I’ll be okay.”

  He reached over and halted her horse, then his. Hand on her chin, he stroked the soft skin. “I don’t want you to just be okay, Mal. I want more than that for you. For us.”

  “Is something bothering you?” She canted her head to the side, watching him with her straightforward light brown eyes.

  “I’m concerned about you. That’s what husband’s do.”

  “Because I’ve not changed anything in the room? You think I’m expecting to leave and head back to Scotland.”

  He dropped his hand and readjusted himself in the saddle as he nudged his horse on. Mal had hit it perfectly. That was exactly what was worrying him. “Yes.”

  “Billy, I married you. Sure, at the time I’m not sure I was completely on board with this entire thing, but what we’ve gone through, what I’ve seen. I’m in this with you—one hundred percent.”

  “And after it’s over?”

  She tucked some hair away from her face. “Look, I know you think I’m looking for any reason to get back to Scotland. I love it there and I want to go home again, but I will learn to like it here more. It’s beautiful and it’s not like I’m hiding away in the room. I do go out daily and walk. I’ve gone out with the children and the others.”

  “But you’re still not happy.”

  Her expression was pained. “That’s not it, exactly. I am happy, Billy. With you. I love you. But Scotland is in my blood. It’s what my heart beats for. Oregon is beautiful but it doesn’t have the same hold on me as my Highlands. I don’t know how to explain it. I just hope you understand I’m not looking for the first out to head back across the pond. I married you. I’m staying with you.”

  He angled his horse in front of her chestnut. “You love me?”

  “Yes, you daft man. I love you. How do you not know this?”

  “You’ve never said the words before.”

  She lifted an eyebrow at him. “Neither have you, but I know you love me.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Christ, he wanted to haul her off the horse and make love to her. He remained on his with the distance between them. She maneuvered around him and continued on.

  Billy just watched her trot off, his ride content to stand there and wait for him to decide when they were going. Funny, I thought there would have been more emotion involved with the declaration of love. Mal just accepted it and moved on.

  He smiled as he encouraged his mount to head out. She didn’t do a lot of flowery type of behavior. She didn’t ask for flowers or need to be pampered. She was pragmatic and blunt. Not that wanting flowers would be a bad thing, he would happily get them for her.

  Maybe it would change once she began focusing on what she wanted for their room and her space. Not anything work related. Still, she loved him. What more did he need? Not a damn thing. Urging his horse to a trot, he caught up with and they continued on, side-by-side.

  * * * *

  Mal stood in the kitchen, dishing herself up some ice cream. He loved her. And he’d admitted it.

  She gave a short burst of amused laughter, even as she shook her head.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Just being fanciful, Shel. That’s all.”

  Her friend reached for the scoop next and dished a generous amount into her own bowl. “Has to do with that husband of yours, I take it?”

  “He finally told me he loved me.”

  “Congrats.” She licked off the scoop. “Didn’t get all mushy did you? Nope, of course not.” Shelly smiled. “I love how level-headed you can be at times.”

  “I will take that as a compliment.”

  “You should. That’s how I meant it. Honest, Mal. Look at a lot of the women we worked with. What did they like to do in their spare time?”

  “Shop. Go to spas. That kind of thing.”

  “And us?”

  She ate a bite of the Rocky Road. “Hiking for me and weapons for you.”

  “Not just weapons. I love working on cars too.”

  “I know. I recall many afternoons under a hood with you.”

  Shelly grinned. “You’ve got those great surgeon hands. Nice and steady. Plus they’re strong.” She finished with the scoop and took it to the sink. “But how many times did we feel the need to dress up and go out so men would drool over us?”

  “I can count the times on one hand we wanted to.”

  “God, business parties were the worst.”

  Mal nodded. “I don’t mind skirts, in fact I wear them, but I don’t need the pampering stuff.”

  “Look, who cares if you do or not. There’s not something written that I know of which dictates how someone responds to those three words.”

  Edmond appeared by them and reached for Shelly’s spoon, helping himself to her ice cream. “What three words?”

  “Get your own,” Shelly bit off.

  Mal covered her mouth and tried to hide her laughter. Shelly’s blue eyes sparked indignantly while Edmond’s gaze sparkled with amusement and humor.

  “Such a prickly woman.”

  “Just not a fan of unwanted hands in my food.”

>   Edmond stroked his knuckles down the side of her face. “That was my mouth, not my hands. You’ve had my mouth elsewhere, I’m sure on your spoon isn’t a problem.”

  “Okay,” Mal said, standing and swiping her bowl off the counter. “I think that’s my cue to leave. I’m not needed for where this is heading. Shel, I’ll see you later. Bye, Edmond.”

  She took her ice cream then headed to the main room, where she took a seat by the window, curling her legs beneath her as she stared out at the lovely night sky. Mal ate slowly, just enjoying her time of solitude. Surprisingly she had some now—there was usually someone around. Whispered voices eventually broke into her bubble of quiet. Blinking, she turned away from the window to find two of the foster children there—one boy and one girl. The boy looked worried and the girl had her arm behind her back, and her expression was filled with pain.

  What were their names? Buying herself some time, she removed—very slowly—the spoon from her mouth. Nope, didn’t help. She was horrid with names unless they were her actual patients.

  “Hello there. Can I help the two of you with something?”

  “You really the doctor?”

  She swung her legs to the floor, leaned forward, and set her remaining ice cream to the side. “I am. Something you need?” she asked, focusing more on the little redheaded girl.

  “You talk funny,” the boy said.

  “I’m from Scotland.”

  The little girl clenched her jaw.

  Mal cocked her head. “Come here, lass.” She beckoned when the child hesitated. “Let me see your arm.” Mal’s heart jumped when she moved back the towel to expose the long laceration. Tears glistened in the large green eyes watching her. “Looks like you should have come to me sooner. How did this happen?” She ensured her tone remained calm and gentle.

  “We weren’t supposed to be there. I broke the rules and this happened.” He gestured. “I don’t want my sister and I to be in trouble.”

  Mal stood and lifted the girl. “Put my ice cream in the sink then meet your sister and I in the medical bay.” When he appeared as if he would argue, she gave him a look she used in the hospital. No arguments. He listened.