Unlawfully Wedded Bride

Mrs. Greene nodded staunchly. “I wouldn’t say a word about it. It certainly wouldn’t do Emily any favors for everyone to know.”

Somewhat comforted by their agreement, she followed Doc to Nathan’s room. She stepped inside and immediately noticed Nathan’s prone body stretching from one end of the bed to the other. He was still pale, though some color was beginning to return to his face.

“I think he’ll be fine if we can bring him back to consciousness,” Doc Williams said.

She frowned slightly. “We? But what can I do?”

“I’m hoping the sound of your voice might bring him back.”

She looked at him in suspicion. “Why should it?”

“You’re the only one he knows in town—the only voice that will sound familiar. And even though he’s not awake, you’re probably in his thoughts. He was hurt protecting you.”

Kate stiffened. “That isn’t my fault. I could have taken care of myself.”

Doc sighed. “Kate, I didn’t agree with what Lettie was planning at first but she convinced me it was the best thing for you.” He shook his head. “I know you can take care of yourself. We all do. But you shouldn’t always have to. That’s what marriage is for.”

Kate sent him a knowing look. “Speaking of marriage, when are you going to get around to popping the question to Ms. Lettie? You’ve been courting over a year now. I’d say it’s about time.”

“I’ve been busy.” Kate knew that was the truth. Doc Williams had devoted himself to their town since his arrival fifteen years before. But now that the man had entered his forties, everyone was ready to see him nicely settled.

“She could help you with that. She is an expert in natural remedies and would be a good nurse.”

He frowned at her, though his eyes continued to twinkle. “I doubt even Lettie could find a natural remedy for busyness.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“You meant to distract me, but it won’t work.” He ignored her exasperated protest, to continue, “My marital status is not what matters at the moment. What matters is that however you became this man’s wife, you are exactly that—his wife. Regardless of what happens in the future, he needs you right now.”

Kate bit her lip as she gazed back at the doctor, then with a sigh she relented. “What do you want me to do?”

Doc smiled. “Just call to him, talk to him, anything for him to hear the sound of your voice.”

Kate looked at Nathan a moment then moved to the side of the bed. “Nathan.”

He didn’t respond.

“Nathan.” Her heart jumped. Did his eyelid twitch just the littlest bit? She glanced at the doctor who nodded encouragingly. She frowned thoughtfully. If the doctor thinks there is a chance he might regain consciousness, then shouldn’t I give it a real try?

Wishing she knew his middle name, she commanded in a stern voice, “Nathan Rutledge, open your eyes this minute!”

She narrowed her eyes. Did he blink or had she?

Determined, she sank to her knees beside his bed. An idea hit her and she reached for Nathan’s hand, feeling the rough calluses on his hard palm. She glanced at Doc Williams. He was watching her intently if not with some amusement. Glancing back to Nathan, she called in a helpless voice, “Nathan, save me. Oh, save me, Nathan.”

His eyelashes drifted upward then closed again.

She looked at the doctor triumphantly. He smiled in return. Kate looked toward the closed door before lending an air of desperation to her voice. “Nathan, please help me. Help me, Nathan.”

Caught in the throes of her theatrics, she threw her head back dramatically before dropping it on the bed beside his pillow. She let out a puff of air. There. She’d given it all she had and the man still wouldn’t come out of his state. No one could say she hadn’t tried. Now maybe she could leave.

Kate leaned back onto her heels to look at Doc Williams. “Doc, I really don’t think this is going to work. Have you tried the smelling salts they used on me? I—”

She paused realizing the large hand in hers was squeezing back. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned to meet Nathan’s gaze. Eyes more golden than brown stared back at her as his dark brows lowered into a frown. His voice was strong and clear as he responded to her cries for help. “You said you didn’t want me, so why are you in my bedroom?”

She gasped, pulling her hands from his grasp.

He wasn’t finished. “And what do you need saving from this time? Honestly, I can’t seem to turn around without having to get you out of trouble.”

“Never mind,” she said as her gaze darted to the doctor whose lip twitched with suppressed laughter.

“Where am I?” he asked as he tried to sit up.

Doc stepped forward. “No sudden movements. That’s good. Lie back down. Now, tell me. Does your head hurt?”

Nathan grunted. “Yeah, it hurts.”

Kate slowly edged toward the door.

“How would you rate the pain?”

“Bad enough.”

“That’s to be expected since you were—” the doctor faltered as though trying to find the right words “—hit in the head by a horse about twenty minutes ago.”

Nathan looked at the doctor in surprise. “I’ve been out for twenty minutes?”

More than ready to leave, Kate used their distraction to sneak quietly out the door.

Nathan’s head pounded like the ground after a stampede. Actually, he felt as if he’d been the ground during a stampede, which wasn’t too far from the truth. He’d never felt as much panic as when he’d seen that horse barreling toward Kate. Thankfully, that panic had turned into action so he’d been able to keep Kate from getting injured.

Where did Kate go? he wondered, glancing toward the door. It sure had been nice to wake up finding his hand in hers with her wide blue eyes watching him in astonishment. He frowned. Why was it that he always ended up snapping at the woman?

His mother would be ashamed. Snapping at a person was never allowed no matter how irritable, tired or in pain someone was. Heaven forbid if that snapping was directed at the more delicate one of Adam’s ribs.

He wished the doctor would stop asking annoying questions and let him go. He’d only been awake a few minutes and he already had cabin fever.

The distinguished-looking doctor broke into his thought. “I’d like to observe you for a few days before I let you go.”

Nathan grimaced. “Do you have to?”

The doctor frowned thoughtfully. “Well, you certainly can’t be alone—someone will need to keep an eye on your condition. But I suppose I could tell Kate what signs to look for regarding the concussion.”

Nathan waited as hope began to rise within him. Surely Kate wouldn’t mind letting him stay in the barn a few days. The barn would be a much better place to rest than this tiny room in the doctor’s house where he’d be poked and prodded and bored. The farm would have something for him to do. He might have to sneak around to do it but there would be something, anyway.

Doc nodded at some unsaid thought. “I just might let you go with Kate. I’ll write down some instructions for caring for the wounds you have on your back and head. Make sure you show them to Kate. You’ll need her help to change the dressing.”

He frowned. “What type of wound did you say I have on my back?”