The Lawman Claims His Bride. Renee Ryan

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СКАЧАТЬ His smile disappeared. “Where else does it hurt?”

      “Sometimes…it hurts to breathe.” She drew in a sharp breath and winced. “In my ribs.”

      Nodding, Dr. Shane probed the area gently. She pulled back and hissed when his fingers landed on an especially tender spot.

      At the sound of her gasp, Logan pushed away from the wall and rushed forward. “Megan.”

      Dr. Shane glared him back a step. Then another. Impatience flared out of both men, but Logan finally relented.

      Muttering under his breath, the doctor turned back to Megan. “Do you hurt anywhere else?”

      “My ankle.”

      He lifted her foot and Megan stifled a gasp. The swelling told its own story. Sometime during the evening she’d acquired a minor sprain.

      Still holding her foot, Dr. Shane reached for his bag. Digging inside with his free hand, he pulled out a roll of linen bandages and began wrapping her ankle with deft fingers.

      “Do you remember falling?” he asked, eyes focused on his work.

      Megan forced her mind to concentrate. To focus. Surely a fall that had resulted in a sprained ankle would be somewhere in her memory. “I remember…” She searched her mind. And searched. And searched. “Nothing.”

      The doctor must have heard the panic in her voice, because his eyes softened. “Don’t worry.” He tied off the bandage with a firm knot. “Your memory will return with time.”

      If only she could believe him. If only she could remember what had happened in Mattie’s boudoir. If only she could say that she knew, without a doubt, she hadn’t killed Cole and that she knew who did. The man who killed him was…

      He was…

      She glanced at Logan. Then just as quickly folded her hands in her lap and looked away. Her gaze caught sight of the blood on her dress and she choked back a sob. “I have to change my clothes.” She couldn’t hide the desperation in her voice.

      “Of course.” Dr. Shane touched her clasped hands and squeezed. “Bella is gathering everything you’ll need. She’ll soon be here to help you.”

      “Bella?” Logan hissed. “Who’s Bella?”

      “Pastor Beau’s sister and my lovely wife.” Dr. Shane rose and turned to face Logan.

      “Your wife?” Logan stared at him for a long, tense moment. “You got married?”

      “Two years ago.”

      Blinking hard, Logan ran a hand down his face. “You’re married,” he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief. “And I never knew.”

      “Our first child is due any day now.”

      “A child, too.” Something flashed in Logan’s eyes, something sad and regretful, but he didn’t comment again.

      He paced.

      Even in the confines of the small jail cell he moved with unmistakable authority. There was no hesitation in him, no pause. Every step he took said Logan Mitchell knew who he was and what he wanted out of life. Handsome, kind, capable, he could have his pick of women.

      And he’d chosen Megan.

      But five long years have passed. The thought settled over her like a heavy weight. In that time she’d changed. She’d gone from a child who helped around the orphanage to a woman in sole charge of the nursery. She’d grown in her love for the Lord, as well. Best of all, she’d discovered her artistic talent and had used it to turn the bedroom walls of Charity House into joyful expressions of God’s unconditional love for His children.

      In Logan’s absence, she’d learned so much about herself. Surely he’d discovered things about himself, as well.

      Was he still the man she remembered?

      It was disloyal to think otherwise.

      As if sensing her change in mood, Logan stopped pacing and turned to face her. “Megan, everything’s going to be all right. I promise.”

      How could he be so confident? How could either of these men stand here and give her such promises? She’d lost a part of her life last night and everything hinged on her remembering those forgotten hours.

      “What if I never remember?” she whispered to no one in particular.

      “You will,” Logan said. “You just need time to heal.”

      Time. There was that awful word again. Time had kept her and Logan apart. Time threatened them now.

      She swallowed back a sob, chagrined at her inability to contain her emotions.

      Logan moved closer and searched her face as though he could pull the missing memories forth by his will alone.

      If only he could.

      She knew she was letting him down. Yet some other instinct, something buried inside her lost memories, hinted that the blackness in her mind was about protecting Logan.

      How could that be?

      “Megan,” Dr. Shane interrupted her thoughts. “Focus on getting well. Once your body heals, your mind will follow.”

      Logan took her hands in his. “And until then I’m going to make sure you’re safe.”

      Those were the same words Sheriff Scott had uttered to her last night. Fighting a sense of defeat, Megan lowered her head and sighed. “You’re going to leave me in here until you find the real killer.”

      It made the most sense, even if she couldn’t bear the thought of another night in this cold, drafty, depressing jail cell.

      “No.” Logan shook his head fiercely. “I’m not going to leave you locked up like a common criminal. I went to Mattie’s this morning. I have proof of your innocence.”

      “You…you do?”

      “Yes.” But he didn’t expand, which made her wonder if he really had proof or if he was still basing his assumption on what he thought he knew about her.

      Before she could press him for more information, for anything to give her a sense of the truth hidden deep within her mind, he steered the conversation in a different direction. “As soon as I make the arrangements I’m going to take you home.”

      Home? No. No. They couldn’t take that risk. “I can’t go to Charity House,” she said in a panicked voice. “We can’t put the children in danger.”

      “That’s not what I meant. I’m taking you to my home, where I grew up.”

      His words took a moment to settle over her. “You want to take me to your family’s ranch?” Pure joy spread through her. Logan came from a large, happy family with a mother. And a father. And lots of siblings.

      “It’s the best solution,” СКАЧАТЬ