A Daddy Sent By Santa. Susan Carlisle

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СКАЧАТЬ you’re not,” Lauren said in a firm voice that reminded him of his mother refusing him a cookie before dinner when he’d been a child. “I’m going to see about your hands after I get through with Mr. Thompson here. We’ve got to take him to the hospital as well, so Rick is driving.”

      “I’ll call someone to come get your car. Are the keys in it?” Rick asked.

      “Yes.” Paxton just experienced another element of culture shock. He’d never have left his keys in his car in Boston, even if he’d been the first medical person on the scene of a bad accident.

      “Now get in the back seat,” Lauren ordered. “I need to have a look at your hands. You probably have the beginnings of frostbite. Are they numb?”

      He had no choice but to admit, “Yeah, they are.”

      “Let me see.” She grabbed a flashlight and shone it on his hands. “Ooh, the tips are already turning white. You should’ve been wearing gloves.”

      “I have some in my suitcase but didn’t take the time to find them.”

      “Next time you need to.” She pulled off her gloves and stuffed them in a pocket of her coat before reaching for his hands. “Bend them for me.”

      He started to argue but with the way he felt and her tone of voice he thought better of it. Doing as she instructed, he was disappointed to find his fingers wouldn’t move. She was right, he had all the signs of frostbite.

      To be ordered around by someone other than his parents was a new experience. Now that the adrenaline rush was over he was starting to register intense pain. He’d overextended his body in addition to his exposure to the increasingly frigid temperature.

      He watched as she turned his hands one way then the other. Her fingers were strong and sure, yet tender. She’d pushed back her coat hood. Snowflakes hung like stars in the night sky in her thick dark hair. Even in the shadowy light he could tell she was pretty in a natural, wholesome way.

      “You might as well do as she says because you won’t win,” the injured man leaned out to say.

      “He’s right. Get in. We need to get going. I’ll work on your hands in the car,” Lauren said.

      Paxton climbed in next to the man, welcoming the warmth inside despite the still-open door. He attempted to kick off his shoes, but pain shot up his leg. His toes hurt but with the car heat on they would recover soon.

      “Let’s go, Rick,” Lauren called to the policeman, who was doing something near the tractor. She closed the door and headed to the other side of the car.

      Somehow the sound of her soft, slow drawl and unusual tone that could only be native to the region took his mind off his pain. Who was this young woman who lived out in the middle of nowhere? And why did she? After Gabriella’s mistreatment of him, he was surprised that he’d even wonder about a woman, but curiosity about Lauren did keep his mind off his discomfort.

      Lauren got into the front passenger seat and closed the door. She swiveled in her seat and said, “Give me your hands.”

      “Again?”

      “Yeah. I need to start warming them. You are familiar with frostbite care?” she asked, a little irritated note in her voice.

      “Of course I am.”

      “Then you know I need to bring the feeling back slowly. I don’t have any more heat packs so I’ll need to hold them between mine. Body heat is the best.”

      He glanced at the man next to him to see his reaction, but he had his head back and his eyes closed. In a few minutes Paxton would rouse him to make sure he wasn’t unconscious from a concussion, but first...

      Paxton extended his hands.

      Lauren took them between her smaller ones and held them but instead of rubbing movements she blew on them. Her gaze met his, held. Her eyes were as black as the sky he’d so often lain under in Africa. Unspoiled, huge and comforting. There was look of caring he’d not seen in a woman’s eyes in a long time. Was he destined to judge every woman by Gabriella? He hoped not. Lauren blinked and the moment was gone.

      “You were good out there,” he said with true admiration.

      “Thanks.” She looked pleased with the compliment. Did she not get many of them?

      “You know, I’m used to being the one who gives the orders.” He watched a slow smile light up her face.

      “I know. I heard a few of them tonight.”

      “I think you’re pretty good at them as well.” He knew his grin was more grimace than smile.

      Rick climbed into the driver’s seat. “Everyone ready?”

      “Where’re we headed?” Paxton asked when they were riding down the road.

      “Lippscomb, Oklahoma. Closest hospital. By the way, I’m Lauren Wilson.” She nodded to the driver. “This is Rick Moore. That’s Art Thompson beside you.”

      “And I’m Dr. Paxton Samuels. Feel free to call me Paxton.”

      “You’re our new temporary doctor. Tough way to start your month,” she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

      “I won’t argue with that.” But everything about the last few weeks had been tough as well.

      She continued to blow and after a few minutes she looked at him. “I forgot to mention that I’m your nurse. So this probably won’t be our last adventure together.”

      He wasn’t sure if that sounded ominous or inviting, but it was definitely intriguing.

       CHAPTER TWO

      LAUREN BLINKED AT the bright light coming from the hospital emergency department entrance. The ride hadn’t been the worst one of her life but it had been uncomfortable. She’d spent most of it with her body twisted toward the back and her arms between the seats, holding Paxton’s hands while she blew on them.

      They were strong, capable hands. She had already learned that. His fingers were long and tapered down to well-manicured nails. They weren’t as soft as she’d expected. Something about them made her think of security. That he could take care of himself and anyone else he cared about.

      As they’d driven she’d seen him studying her, his face faintly lit by the dashboard lights. Tingles of self-awareness had flickered through her, as though she were a specimen under a microscope. She feared he was analyzing her both in appearance and intelligence, and passing judgment. Did she fall short or measure up?

      They were to the outskirts of Lippscomb before he said, “You can stop. I have feeling now.”

      “That’s good but you’re not out of the woods yet. You’ll still require medical attention to make sure there hasn’t been further damage.” She struggled to conceal her relief. Her back hurt and she had become ever more aware of him as a man the longer she’d held his hands.

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