Buckhorn Beginnings by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online

couldn’t quite seem to pull his gaze away for more than a few minutes, and his thoughts wouldn’t budge from her at all. She was in his bed—and he knew it, on every level imaginable.
    It had taken her less than two minutes to fall deeply asleep, and since then, he’d been checking her every few minutes, drawn by the sight of her cuddled so naturally, so trustingly in his bed. He leaned in the door frame, watching her sleep, enthralled by the way the gentle lantern light played over the curves and hollows of her body.
    â€œShe doin’ okay?”
    Sawyer quickly pulled the door shut as he turned to face Jordan. “She’s asleep, and her breathing sounds just a little easier. But she’s still really sick. I think she needs some rest more than anything else. She’s plain wore out.”
    â€œIf you want, we can all spell you a turn on waking her up through the night.”
    â€œNo.”
    Jordan’s eyes narrowed. “Sawyer, it’s dumb for you to do it alone. We could—”
    â€œI’m the doctor, Jordan, so I’ll do it.” He was determined to get his brother’s mind off altruistic motives and away from the room. “The rest of you don’t need to worry. It’s under control.”
    Jordan studied him a long minute before finally shrugging. “Suit yourself. But I swear, you’re acting damn strange.”
    Sawyer didn’t refute that. His behavior did seem odd, considering his brother didn’t know why he was so insistent. But when Jordan walked away, Sawyer again opened the door where she slept. Nope, he didn’t want his brothers seeing her like this.
    The little lady slept on her stomach, and she kept kicking her covers off; the jersey had ridden to her waist.
    Damn, but she had a nice backside. Soft, white, perfectly rounded. The kind of backside that would fit a man’s hands just right. His palms tingled at the thought, and his fingers flexed the tiniest bit.
    With a small appreciative smile, Sawyer once again covered her. At least her fever must be lower, or she’d still be chilled deep inside. The fact she felt comfortable enough not to need the blankets proved the medicine was doing its job. Still, he touched her forehead, smoothed her hair away, then forced himself to leave the room.
    When he walked out this time he ran into Morgan.
    â€œWe need to talk.”
    Sawyer eyed his brother’s dark countenance. He’d have been worried, except Morgan pretty much always looked that way. “If you’re going to offer your help, don’t bother. I’m more than able to—”
    â€œNope. I figure if you want to hover all night overthe little darling, that’s your business. But I want to show you something.”
    For the first time, Sawyer noticed Morgan was gripping a woman’s purse in his fist. “Our guest’s?”
    â€œYep. I decided I didn’t like all this secretive business, and being she’s staying here, I was fully justified—”
    â€œYou snooped, didn’t you?”
    Morgan tried to look affronted and failed. “Just took a peek at her wallet for I.D. I’m a sheriff, and I had just cause with all this talk of someone hunting her and such.”
    â€œAnd?” Sawyer had to admit to his own overwhelming curiosity. He wondered if the name would match the woman. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”
    â€œYou won’t believe this, but it’s Honey Malone. ” Morgan chuckled. “Damn, she sounds just like a female mobster, doesn’t she?”
    It took Sawyer two seconds before he burst out laughing. Honey. No wonder she thought he knew her name. He was still grinning when Morgan poked him.
    â€œIt’s not that funny.”
    â€œAh, but it is! Especially when you know the joke.”
    â€œBut you’re not going to share it?”
    Sawyer shook his head. “Nope. At least, not until I’ve shared it with