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

her
away, without a thought to her welfare.
    "No," she said, slowly and precisely, "I'd
rather do it myself."
    Jess handed her the nightgown and stood
aside, arms crossed over his broad chest. "Very well. You're
welcome to try."
    Meg grabbed the gown with her left hand.
"Turn your back."
    Jess complied with incredible good humor.
    Meg's movements were clumsy as she tugged at
her shirt with her left hand. She managed to shrug out of it
without help, but when she attempted to pull her camisole over her
head, pain stole her breath away and she whimpered.
    "Are you ready to accept my help now?" Jess
asked.
    Meg glanced up. He had turned around and was
watching her, compassion etched in every line of his face.
    "I can't stand to see someone suffer."
    Meg nodded, overwhelmed by waves of stabbing
pain coursing down her right side.
    "I'll try not to hurt you." Carefully he
raised her into a sitting position and worked her camisole strap
down her left arm. He did the same with the right strap, lowering
the garment until it was bunched around her waist. Immediately
Meg's hands flew up to cover her breasts.
    Jess slanted her an amused glance. "They're
beautiful, you know."
    "You're not supposed to notice."
    "I'm a doctor, not a dead man. Lift your
hips," he ordered hoarsely as he unfastened the waistband of her
trousers.
    Meg raised her hips and Jess slid her
trousers down her hips, over her legs, and off, tossing them into a
chair. His expression was unreadable as he removed her bloomers and
camisole.
    Did Jess pause a moment longer than
necessary, stare at her with more heat than a doctor should
display? Meg wondered, feeling her cheeks flame.
    "Now for the nightgown," Jess said. "I'll
ease it over your head first, then you can work your left arm into
the sleeve. If it hurts too much to move your right arm, we can
leave it."
    Meg had never known such gentleness from any
man save Zach. She felt no pain, at least not from her injury, as
Jess slipped her nightgown over her head and helped her ease her
left arm inside the sleeve.
    "Shall we try the right arm or leave it as it
is?" Jess asked.
    "I'd feel more comfortable with both arms
inside the sleeves. The nightgown buttons down the front, almost to
the waist, so you'll be able to treat my wound without removing my
nightgown."
    "All right. Ready?"
    Meg sucked in a steadying breath and held it
as Jess carefully eased her right arm into the sleeve. By the time
he finished, tears were rolling down her cheeks.
    "Oh, God, Meg, I'm sorry," Jess said, wiping
away her tears with the callused pads of his thumbs.
    "It's all right, Jess. I'll survive." She
gave him a watery smile. "This will teach me to be more careful
next time."
    Jess went still, his expression fierce.
"There won't be a next time."
    Meg returned his scowl. "Who's going to stop
me? Bounty hunting is my profession."
    "Zach might have something to say about that.
He loves you. I think you love him, too."
    "Of course I love Zach," Meg exclaimed,
indignant. "But that has nothing to do with anything. I'm my own
woman. I've learned to make my own decisions. Life is never easy,
Jess, as you probably know. It's even harder for a woman."
    "Not if a woman has a husband. Or in your
case, a protector."
    "You're so damn sure of yourself, aren't
you?"
    Jess heaved a weary sigh. "Meg, I didn't save
your life so you can go out and take risks again. I had a talk with
Zach. He agrees with me."
    "You've had a busy day," Meg said sourly.
    "You're right. I'm exhausted. I'm going to
give you some laudanum to help you sleep. Zach will be here soon."
He gave her a hard look. "And Meg, don't attempt any strenuous
exercise until I say it's all right. I'm sure you know what I
mean."
"Strenuous..." His meaning finally became clear to her and she sent
him a contemptuous look. "Don't worry, doctor , I'll try to
control myself." She turned away.
    Jess captured her face between his hands, forcing her
to look into his eyes. "Meg, I how it is between you and Zach,