Whirlwind Reunion by Debra Cowan Read Free Book Online Page B

attackers or to indicate where they had gone. Matt had shown Russ and the others the impression she had made, but none of them could identify the pattern or the weapon either.
    She walked past Cal Doyle’s law office then stepped inside her clinic.
    And found four women gathered around her patient, who was sitting up. Catherine Blue and two of her sisters-in-law, Deborah and Jordan. And a lone blonde named Willow. Annalise remembered her from the night she and Matt had run into each other outside the Fontaine. The woman worked for Russ and Lydia at the hotel.
    Surrounded by females, Matt was saying somethingthat made them laugh. The smile on his face faded when he saw Annalise.
    Even so, her heart thudded hard. She eyed him dispassionately. The last thing she wanted was for Matt Baldwin to know how much he still got under her skin. At first glance, he looked fit enough, but she saw strain around his eyes.
    â€œHi, Annalise.” Catherine, a trained nurse who had quickly become a friend, walked toward her.
    â€œHi, Doc.” The other three women chorused.
    She greeted everyone, smiling at Catherine as the others took turns reading the latest edition of The Prairie Caller to Matt. Whirlwind’s newspaper had the news about Josie being ordered to bed for the duration of her pregnancy. There was also the announcement of the arrival of a man known only as Cosgrove, the manager for the Eight of Hearts Ranch, owned by new resident, Theodore Julius.
    Squashing a sudden burst of irritation, Annalise caught sight of a pie on the bedside table next to Matt’s bed. She glanced at Catherine. “Cora’s been here?”
    The raven-haired woman nodded. “Also May Haskell as well as Chesterene Eckert and Zoe Keeler.”
    No wonder Matt looked tired, she thought crossly. “How’s Evie?”
    At the mention of her one-month-old daughter, Catherine glowed. “She’s doing well, for as little sleep as she’s getting.”
    â€œIs she colicky?” Annalise asked with a frown.
    â€œNo.” The other woman laughed. “Her father seems to think he has to hold her every minute he’s with her. When Jericho finally puts her to bed, she doesn’t stay asleep long.”
    Despite the sharp pang of loss in her chest, Annalisesmiled at the image of the former Texas Ranger being so enamored of the infant. She used to wonder what kind of father Matt would’ve been to their son, but it hurt too much to consider.
    Hearing his deep chuckle, she shifted her attention back to him just as Catherine asked, “Have you seen good results with the honey you’ve been using on his wounds?”
    â€œYes, and there’s been no inflammation. Everything’s healing nicely.”
    As she and the other woman talked, Annalise’s irritation with Matt grew. She had told him not to tire himself out, yet here he was, sitting up, laughing and flirting. Of course he hadn’t followed her orders. What had she expected?
    Though he looked as if his energy was flagging, she knew he would never admit it. He would tire easily until he was fully recovered, but if his wounds still looked as good as they had yesterday, she planned to tell him he was free to leave. He was ready and so was she.
    When her conversation with Catherine lulled, Annalise turned to the other women. “Ladies, I need to examine Mr. Baldwin, so maybe you could continue your visit later?”
    â€œYes, of course,” Deborah Blue said.
    Willow shared a look with Matt that spoke clearly of sexual knowledge between them. “I’ll see you after awhile.”
    Annalise knew from the blonde herself that she was a former prostitute. It appeared Matt knew the same from firsthand experience.
    A few minutes later, Annalise was alone with him. “I guess you ignored my suggestion that you rest.”
    â€œYou didn’t suggest.” No charming smile for her. “You ordered.”
    She didn’t respond,