The Outlaws: Jess by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page A

animal a measure of oats,
rubbed him down, and returned to the house with his saddlebags. He
dropped them beside the attic door and strode down the hallway
toward Meg's bedroom. The door was open and he paused in the
doorway, frowning when he saw Zach carefully spooning food into
Meg's mouth.
    Meg looked up and saw him.
    "I should check Meg's bandage one last time
for blood," Jess said as he approached the bed.
    "Soon as she's done eating, Doc."
    Meg pushed the plate aside. "I've had
enough."
    "No, you ain't, honey. You gotta get your
strength back, don't she, Doc?"
    "Zach is right, Meg," Jess concurred. "How do
you feel?"
    "I slept most of the afternoon but I'm still
tired. And I hurt. But I suppose that's normal. I'll be on my feet
in a day or two."
    "Like hell," Jess argued. "I should have
listened to my better judgement and insisted that you stay put for
another day or two before attempting the journey home. The ride
wore you out. Maybe even set you back some. You're not getting out
of that bed until I say so."
    Meg's chin tilted stubbornly. "After you're
gone I can do as I damn well please."
    "I forgot to tell you, Meggie-girl," Zach
explained. "I asked Jess to stay on a few days, until you're
feeling better. Since he ain't headed anywhere in particular, he
agreed. You're to do as he says, hear? I ain't taking no more
chances with your life."
    "What does that mean?" Meg challenged.
    "It means your bounty hunting days are over,"
He said sternly. "I don't want to lose you, honey."
    "You won't lose me, Zach," Meg said, touching
his face.
    Jess didn't know how much longer he could
watch the tender display between Meg and her lover. For some
unexplained reason he wanted it to be his face Meg was
caressing.
    "If you've finished eating, I'll check your
bandage before I turn in," Jess said, interrupting the poignant
moment.
    "I'll take the dishes to the kitchen and
clean up," Zach said, relinquishing his place to Jess. "I'll come
back when the doc's finished.
    "There won't be any need for you to return,"
Jess said. "I'm going to give Meg laudanum for the pain. She should
sleep the night through."
    Zach sent Jess an unwavering look.
"Nevertheless, I'm gonna be right here beside her all night."
    Did Zach intend to lie in the bed with her?
Jess wondered, picturing Zach in bed with Meg and not liking it one
damn bit.
    "Try not to jostle her," Jess said sourly.
"She's still in considerable pain."
    "I ain't gonna hurt her," Zach defended. "You
don't have to warn me. Just see that you practice what you preach."
With a last look at Meg, he picked up the dirty dish and shuffled
out the door, closing it softly behind him.
    Meg searched Jess's face. She couldn't
imagine why he hadn't already left for parts unknown. "Why did you
agree to stay?"
    Jess shrugged. "You're my patient. I want to
make sure you're completely healed before I leave. Besides, like
Zach said, I've no place in particular to go."
    He lowered the blanket and opened her shirt
so he could inspect the bandage he'd changed earlier. "Looks good
so far." He pulled the blanket down further. "You're still dressed.
Do you have a nightgown? You'd be much more comfortable without
those tight trousers."
    "There's a nightgown in the chest at the foot
of the bed. Bring it to me and I'll put it on."
    Jess found the nightgown and shook it out.
"I'll help you. You can't possibly manage on your own."
    Meg groaned inwardly. Though Jess had seen
every inch of her, she was suddenly uncomfortable with the thought
of him looking at her. At first she'd been too ill to care, but now
those incredible hazel eyes touching her flesh made her feel...not
exactly uncomfortable but...tingly all over.
    "Just give me the gown, I'll do it myself,"
Meg bit out.
    Jess searched her face. "Oh, I understand.
You'd rather have Zach help you."
    Meg grit her teeth. What an impossible man!
Whatever gave him the idea that Zach was her lover instead of the
father she had adopted as her own? Her own father had given