The Outlaws: Jess (7 page)

She touched his beloved face. This man was
incredibly dear. "You've been looking peaked lately. Is anything
wrong? Maybe you should have Jess take a look at you."

"Maybe," Zach said, refusing to meet her
gaze. Abruptly he changed the subject. "Jess ain't like Arlo."

Meg slanted him an curious glance. "How do
you know? I don't trust any man who's secretive about his past.
Jess is hiding something."

"So are you, Meggie-girl. You and Jess alike
in that respect. I've been studying him since he arrived, and I
believe he's a good man. He certainly is a conscientious
doctor."

Meg's suspicion was aroused. What was Zach
brewing in the back of his fertile brain? "What are you
implying?"

Zach sent her an innocent stare. "Nothing,
honey. Just keep an open mind where Jess Gentry is concerned."

"Then you must keep an open mind about my
profession. I have no intention of giving up bounty hunting. It
provides us with a good living. Not all jobs are as dangerous as
the one involving the Calder brothers. I just happened to stumble
upon them and couldn't resist the chance to capture all three
brothers at once."

"You could have died, Meggie."

"But I didn't. Go to bed, Zach. You look
exhausted." She yawned hugely. "Jess gave me laudanum. I'll be
asleep soon."

"I'll just sit here until you fall
asleep."

Zach sat back, hands laced together, watching
Meg drift off. She could have been the daughter he lost many, many
years ago, he mused. She had come into his life months before he'd
taken that blasted bullet, and had since become a vital part of his
life.

Zach's mind shifted backward in time, to the
day he'd found Meg on the prairie; a bruised and battered woman
hardly more than a child. No one would recognize her today as that
pitiful wreck he'd brought home and nursed back to health.

He'd taught Meg to become the independent
woman she is today. For years he'd been preparing her, perhaps
needlessly, to defend herself against Arlo, should he turn up again
and attempt to interfere in her life. She could shoot straight,
wield a knife when she had to, and track outlaws. She'd soaked up
everything he'd taught her and became so proficient at what she did
he'd grown complacent over the years, ignoring the danger she faced
whenever she set off on her own.

But no more, by God. The poor state of his
own health and Jess's providential appearance into their lives had
set him to thinking about Meggie's future. Smiling, he picked up
Meg's limp hand and threaded his fingers with hers. He had plans
afoot, plans he intended to set into motion very soon. He knew his
Meggie. She wasn't as immune to the handsome doc as she pretended
to be.

Furthermore, he had peeked inside the room
while Jess was alone with Meg. What he saw didn't surprise him
none. He'd seen Jess kissing Meggie, and she wasn't complaining.
He'd watched for a moment, then returned to the kitchen to plot and
plan. He fell asleep with a smile on his face and his fingers still
clasping Meg's.

Jess awakened during the darkest part of
night and decided to look in on Meg. He pulled on his trousers and
padded barefoot from the attic to Meg's room. Flickering lamplight
created a warm, intimate atmosphere inside the room. Meg appeared
to be sleeping soundly. So was Zach. His head was lowered upon his
chest and his hand was entwined with Meg's. Jess stared at the
lovers with an anger he shouldn't have felt.

Why should it bother him that Meg and Zach
were lovers? Meg was nothing to him but a patient. There was no
place for jealousy in their relationship. He chided himself anew
for kissing her; it had been uncalled for. But truth to tell, he
couldn't have stopped himself had he wanted to. Those sweet, lush
lips just begged to be kissed. For some damn reason he wanted to
show Meg that kissing a tired old man was far different and much
less enjoyable than kissing a young vigorous one.

Suddenly Zach lifted his head and looked
toward the door, where Jess stood poised in the shadows. Zach
disengaged his hand from Meg's and walked over to Jess. The older
man placed his finger against his lips and walked into the hallway,
motioning for Jess to follow.

"Everything is fine," Zach said, indicating
Meg with a nod of his head. "She's sleeping soundly."

The dim light made Zach's pallor appear more
pronounced. "You should go to bed yourself. Not Meg's bed," Jess
stressed. "She needs undisturbed rest."

Zach sent him a puzzled look. Jess assumed he
was deliberately pretending to misunderstand. "Surely there's
another bedroom in this house where you can sleep." He couldn't be
more plainer than that.

"Of course."

"Then use it. You look drained. Perhaps I
should examine you tomorrow. Have you seen a doctor recently?"

"That ain't necessary. I know what's
happening. Excuse me, I'm going back to Meggie. I don't want to
leave her alone."

"Go to bed. I'll sit with Meg."

Jess got the impression that Zach was pleased
with the offer.

"I think I'll take you up on that, Doc. I am
a mite weary."

Jess watched him limp away, a sudden jolt of
compassion diminishing the jealousy the man's presence in Meg's
life provoked. Jess approached Meg's bed and lowered himself into
the chair. Meg's small, delicate hand was splayed outward over the
covers. It appeared fragile and somehow needy. Without conscious
thought, Jess reached out and gently enfolded her fingers inside
his.

Jess dozed off, her warm hand held snugly in
his. A short time later Meg's thrashing around in bed awakened him.
He swore softly, fearing she would reopen the wound, which had just
begun to heal. He was on the verge of awakening her when her eyes
opened wide and she reached for him.

"Don't let him find me," she sobbed,
obviously still under the influence of laudanum.

Jess had no idea who Meg was talking about
but decided the best course of action was to humor her. "Don't
worry, no one will hurt you as long as I'm here."

Her wild thrashing continued. Unable to make
her understand that she might hurt herself, Jess reacted
instinctively. He lay down beside her and gently placed his arms
around her. She quieted immediately, snuggling against his bare
torso. Jess kissed the top of her head and felt her relax. When he
was certain she had drifted off again, he closed his eyes and let
sleep claim him.

The lamp had sputtered out and daylight
streamed through the window when Jess awakened. Meg was still
sleeping soundly within the circle of his arms. Carefully he
unwound himself from her soft, warm body and rolled off the bed so
as not to disturb her. He glanced down at her one last time before
quietly departing.

Jess walked into the kitchen, surprised to
find Zach busy at the stove. He gave Jess a knowing grin.

"How's Meggie?"

"She was a bit restless last night. She's
still sleeping; I overslept myself."

"You can wash up at the pump outside. There's
a mirror hanging on the back porch if you want to shave. I'll have
breakfast dished up by the time you're finished."

"I'll fetch my shaving gear and shirt from
the attic. The shirt can use a good washing."

Zach eyed Jess's bare chest. "You can borrow
one of my shirts, if you want. Don't bother washing your own. Just
bring it and anything else that needs laundering down and I'll do
them later. Put everything in the basket on the back porch."

"You don't have to wash my clothes,
Zach."

"It's the least I can do for the man who
saved my Meggie's life. I can't pay you in cash so you'll just have
to accept my services, such as they are. Go wash up. Do you like
flapjacks?"

Jess eyed him curiously. "If I didn't know
better I'd think you were trying to butter me up."

"Maybe I am," Zach said with a chuckle.

Zach returned to the kitchen a short time
later; water dripped from his hair and he was cleanly shaven. He
spied a plaid shirt hanging over the back of a chair and he pulled
it on. Zach set with a plate piled high with flapjacks on the
table.

"Sit down and dig in, Doc," Zach invited,
pouring him a cup of steaming coffee.

Jess didn't need a second invitation. He was
starved despite having eaten a substantial supper the night
before.

"How about some bacon and eggs to go along
with those flapjacks?"

"Sounds good," Jess mumbled over a mouthful
of food.

Zach dished up Jess's bacon and eggs and sat
down to join him. "You say Meggie was a mite restless last
night?"

"Yeah, she was, but she calmed down after
I..." He flushed and lowered his gaze. Then he stuffed his mouth
with eggs and mumbled something unintelligible.

Zach slid back his chair. "Reckon I'll take
her up some water and towels so she can wash up and clean her
teeth. Sit here and finish your breakfast."

Zach rose, stumbled over the chair leg,
clutched at his chest, and turned deathly pale. Jess was beside him
instantly, easing him into a chair.

"Are you all right?"

"Just let me catch my breath. I get these
spells now and again. I'll be all right in a minute."

"I'll get my bag."

"Not now, Doc, I'm better already. It always
passes."

"How often do you have these
spells
?"

"Now and again," Zach hedged.

"What happened?"

Both men turned toward the doorway at the
sound of Meg's voice. Jess spit out a curse when he saw Meg leaning
against the doorjamb, cradling her right arm, her long white
nightgown clinging to her supple curves. He surged forward and
slipped a supporting arm around her waist.

"What in God's name are you doing out of bed?
Don't you ever follow orders?"

"Now you see what I've been up against all
these years," Zach muttered.

"It goes against my nature to lie in bed all
day," Meg said in a trembling voice that convinced Jess she was
pushing her strength to the limits.

Without giving her a chance to protest, he
swept her from her feet and carried her back to bed. "Lie still.
You're not ready to test your strength yet. I'll fetch water and
towels and bathe you myself, if need be."

"I can manage," Meg protested. "How long are
you going to keep me tied to this bed?"

His gaze traveled the length of her and back.
He missed nothing, not her paleness nor the purple shadows beneath
her eyes. "Until you're ready to leave it."

"What did I interrupt in the kitchen?" Meg
asked. "There's something wrong with Zach, isn't there? I've
suspected it for some time but he'd never admit anything to
me."

"I won't know until I examine him, but he
keeps putting me off. I suggest you concentrate on getting well
before worrying about Zach. Are you hungry?"

"Not really."

"You're going to eat. I'll fetch soap and
water, then your food. If you don't eat enough to satisfy me, I'll
feed you myself."

"Despot," Meg muttered. "I'm not a
child."

"Then prove it. Someone has to set rules
around here. Obviously you have Zach wound around your little
finger. While I'm here, you'll do as I say regarding your health.
Is that clear?"

Meg's eyes blazed defiance. "You're my
doctor, Jess Gentry, not God."

"That's right. I'm your doctor, you'll do as
I say."

Tyrant, Meg thought sourly as Jess stalked
from the room. Why didn't he understand she couldn't wallow in bed
like a slacker? There was no money left; she needed to work. Winter
was coming and they had to lay in supplies for those bleak months.
Sometimes weeks passed before weather permitted her to use her
skill as a bounty hunter. She never knew when a storm would blow in
so she rarely ventured far from home during the winter months.

Meg's greatest fear was Zach's declining
health. She was astute enough to know he was ill, though he tried
to hide it from her. What if he needed expensive medicine to keep
him alive? The money just wasn't there for an emergency. She had to
make the most of what was left of the summer and fall to earn
enough money to see them through the winter.

Meg was still ruminating on Zach's fragile
state of health when Jess returned with a basin of water, soap, and
towels.

Jess set the basin down on the nightstand.
"Do you need help?"

"No, thank you." She flushed and looked away.
"There's a chamber pot under the bed. Would you please pull it out
for me?"

Jess brought out the chamber pot. "Are you
sure you..."

"Very sure," Meg said through clenched teeth.
"Just leave. I can manage just fine on my own."

Jess gave her a crooked smile and held up his hands.
"I know when I'm not needed. I'll return later with your
breakfast."

Meg waited until Jess closed the door before
sliding out of bed, using the chamber pot, and pushing it back out
of sight when she was finished. So far so good, she thought as she
plunged a cloth into the basin of water and plied it with soap.
Just being able to do these personal things for herself excited
her. She was weak, true, but not helpless. She washed quickly, then
cleaned her teeth, anxious to finish before Jess returned.

Jess.

She must have been dreaming last night when
she felt him in bed beside her, holding her, chasing away her
fears. Even in her dreams his arms had been comforting. She didn't
remember her dreams often, but when she did, they were always the
same. She knew Arlo couldn't hurt her anymore, but some part of her
inner self still feared him and what he could do to her. Imagining
Jess's presence beside her had been enough to chase away the dark
fears plaguing her.

Meg frowned. She didn't like the way she'd
become dependent on Jess in the short time she'd known him. She
supposed it wasn't unusual, however, for patients to feel that way
about their doctors.