Love Inspired September 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: Her Montana Twins\Small-Town Billionaire\Stranded with the Rancher (47 page)

Minutes later, Dan backed the ranch truck into the pen and got out.

“Now what?” Beth asked.

He jumped onto the flatbed. “Roll the hay off.”

“I can help with that.”

“Okay. Sure.” Dan reached out a hand and Beth took it. He hauled her up on the truck in a swift movement. She stood next to him, her nose red and a grin on her face.

“Why are you smiling?” he asked.

“This is fun.”

“Do you have fun being a doctor?”

She shrugged. “It's what I do.”

“But is it fun?”

“Apples and oranges. It's like you being a pharmacist and working the rescue team. You do one and love the other.”

“Are you telling me you love working on the ranch?”

“Maybe it's a novelty, Dan, but I really do like being outside and feeling a part of things.” Looking at him from beneath her lashes, she said softly, “Maybe you're the one who's being a little analytical this time.”

Dan grinned. “Touché, Doc.”

And he was still smiling as he pulled his leather gloves from his pockets and slipped them on. He positioned his hands on the bale strings and shoved the hay off the truck. Reluctant to move, the cows lowed in protest and finally ambled out of the way when the hay hit the ground with a loud whooshing thud. Together Dan and Beth rolled two more bales into the pen.

“That's it?” she asked as she brushed the fine layer of hay dust from her clothes.

Jumping from the truck to the ground, Dan grabbed a pitchfork. “I'll spread it out and we're done.”

Minutes later he leaned on the pitchfork, catching his breath. “What are you looking at?” he asked Beth.

She turned around from where she'd been leaning against the hood of the cab and staring out at the pasture. “It's like a picture postcard.”

Dan climbed up onto the flatbed and stood next to her. She was right. The tall conifers were dark shadows stretching their fingers into the moonlit night. In front of them, the untouched blanket of snow spread for miles. The surface sparkled in the glow of the moon like thousands of scattered diamond chips.

“Perfect for snow angels, huh?”

Beth turned to face him. “Snow angels?”

“Don't tell me you never made a snow angel, either?”

“Another hole in my life's repertoire.” She sighed.

“We can patch that hole pretty quick. Let move the truck first.”

Beth's eyes brightened. “Really? Right now?”

“Sure.”

Dan held out a hand and helped her down from the flatbed, then pulled the truck out of the pen and parked it along the ranch road. He couldn't help smiling as he waded through the snow, back to where Beth waited. It seemed that he smiled an awful lot when she was around. “Pen locked up?” he asked.

She gave an enthusiastic nod.

“Okay, come on and I'll teach you the basics of the classic snow angel.” He stepped toward her and pulled up her collar.

“You're going to need to put your scarf on your head so your hair doesn't get all frozen with snow.”

She quickly covered her head with the scarf and tucked in the ends.

“Now watch very carefully. This is very complicated. But you're a doctor, so there's no reason you can't do this.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You're messing with me again, aren't you?”

Dan held up a finger. “Wait for it.” He fell backward onto the ground, the thick snow providing a soft cushion.

“What are you
doing?
”

“Just watch.” He slid his arms up and down. “Arms first. That makes the angel wings.”

Beth's shoulders shook as she silently laughed, a mittened hand covering her mouth. Her blue eyes bubbled over with mirth.

“Any questions on the technique?”

“I...I don't know where to begin. It's difficult, but I think I might be able to do that.”

“That's the spirit. Now for the legs. Ready?”

This time she giggled.
Dr. Elizabeth Rogers giggled.

Ben moved his legs awkwardly back and forth, pushing snow aside. “The key is to think jumping jacks.”

“Got it.” She shook her head. “What a time to be without my camera. We could have videotaped this and I'm sure it would have gone viral.”

“Cowboys don't go viral,” he said.

Beth laughed.

“Now the tricky part is getting up.”

“Want help?'

“No. No. Stay where you are or it will mess with the silhouette.” Dan sat up and then moved to his knees. Grunting, he hauled himself to a standing position. “Gets a little harder to get up, every year.”

He stepped out of the angel and turned to assess his creation. “Not bad.”

“It's beautiful.” Her voice was laced with awe, the words heartfelt.

“Are you ready to try?”

“Yes.”

Dan stuck out a hand, offering her the pasture as her canvas. “After you.”

Beth dropped onto the ground and moved her legs and arms at the same time. She sat up and jumped lithely to a standing position.

“That was the fastest snow angel I've ever seen.” Dan clapped his gloved hands together.

She gave an exaggerated bow before turning to look at the snow behind her. “Oh, that is absolutely perfect.”

“Nice job. Turn around and I'll dust you off.”

“I've got it.” She stomped her feet and shook her head. “That was so much fun.”

“Do you want to do it again?” he asked.

Her lips parted and she let out a little gasp of surprise. “Can we?”

“Well, yeah.”

Beth nodded, excitement thrumming in her eyes. Her face was rosy from the cold and her teeth chattered, but she kept right on smiling, like a kid.

Over and over again they fell backward, down on the wet snow to create an angel, and then got up and made another one. Beth's laughter rang out as she tore across the pasture.

Finally she stood, bent over, panting and laughing. “That was the best.”

“You're obviously way younger than me. I think I made only half as many as you, didn't I?”

“Not telling.”

“Ready to go in?” he asked.

“Yes. I'm wet and c-c-cold.” She looked behind her once more at the field of angels. “But this was so worth it.” Dan grinned at her expression.

They began walking toward the truck. Beth stumbled and Dan slipped an arm around her waist to catch her.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice breathless.

“You've got hay in your hair.”

“Do I?”

Dan reached over and pulled the stick out. Her gaze met his and they both stopped, their movements slowing down.

He leaned toward her.

She leaned toward him.

“This isn't a good idea,” he murmured.

“Probably not,” she whispered, her warm breath making little condensation clouds before caressing his face.

And then he kissed her. His hand reached up to gently cup the back of her head, and his cold mouth met her cool lips. It was a slow, leisurely kiss, yet his heart pounded with the rightness of the woman in his arms.

Finally, Dan released her, and by then both their lips were warm.

Beth sighed and her lashes fluttered open. “Dan, I...”

Though he liked the sound of his name on her lips, he stilled her words with a finger on her mouth. “No analyzing tonight.”

She returned a shy nod.

“Tomorrow, maybe. But I'm too tired tonight. Okay?”

“Okay,” she murmured.

“Let's get some rest and forget about everything, especially cows, for a couple of hours at least.”

She smiled.

Yeah, if only for a couple of hours, he wanted—no, he needed—to pretend that this moment, this time with Beth, was something he could keep.

Chapter Eight

B
eth sat at the window of the guest bedroom looking out at the clear night sky while she slowly ran a comb through wet strands of hair. She could see the barn in the distance and the dark outline of the cows in the feeding pen. If there was a slice more of bright moonlight she'd be able to see the pasture and the dozens of snow angels she and Dan had created merely an hour or so ago.

She was exhausted, yet despite how physically tired she was, she still couldn't sleep. Her mind refused to slow down. Thoughts crowded in. Yes, she had a lot on her mind.

Why did that always seem to be her mantra?
A lot on her mind?

Probably because she had spent her entire life trying to stay one step ahead of everyone. Because she was a fraud, an imposter who was terrified that if people really got to know her, they would reject her.

Except the Rogerses didn't,
the voice of reason whispered.

Ben's parents were lovely people, but they had to like her, didn't they? She'd been thrust upon them by social services. They didn't have a choice. She was their niece, so they were forced to accept the abandoned girl. That was how the rationalization had always started. Except this time it was different.

The Gallaghers had welcomed her into their home like, well, like family. Beth was at a loss to understand how the relationship that had developed with this family was forged so easily and in such a short time, but she couldn't deny how attached she felt to Elsie and Amy.

Then there was Dan.

Beth slowly touched her lips with her fingers.
That kiss.
She hadn't been kissed in a long time and never by anyone who mattered.

Dan Gallagher mattered.

She didn't know why, but he did. He made her feel normal. Like she didn't have to try. Didn't have to have her fences in place. She could be herself and that was more than good enough.

Somehow Dan had slipped beneath her wall of defense to get closer than anyone ever had. What was she going to do? Because eventually Dan would realize that she wasn't the kind of woman he was looking for. The kind of woman to be his wife, or Amy's mother.

The only thing she could do effortlessly was be a doctor. Medicine was her life, her default.

Beth released a sigh. Mostly she couldn't sleep because she had lied to Dan. That weighed heavily on her heart. Technically, it wasn't a lie. It was an omission. Because she
had
approached her mother. Beth had met her mom for coffee, like two old friends.

Lidia. Lidia Smith or Jones.
Whatever.
Lidia had said Beth was a mistake, one in a long line of mistakes. But that was the past, the woman who had once been her mother announced, right before she'd begged Beth not to tell her husband.

No tender reunion and certainly no apology for leaving Beth behind like an unwanted pet. She'd barely been able to make eye contact, and clearly wanted to be rid of Beth as soon as possible.

So Beth had walked away, shame burning her cheeks. Her heart pierced yet again.

She closed her eyes now and swallowed the memory of that painful afternoon. Putting the comb away, she reached for her computer tablet on the oak bureau, intending to review her five-year plan. There was always comfort in reviewing that file. The graph. The bullet points. She could find peace in each detailed step and substep. She was almost there.

New York was within her grasp. Job security in a prestigious practice. Locked into a nice benefit package. A rent-controlled condo after six weeks. A place to finally call home and put down roots.

But instead of the tablet, her hand found the Bible. She tugged the leather-bound book to the bed and looked at it with doubt. What could this book possibly offer that her five-year plan couldn't?

A scarlet cord marked a page where someone had last been reading. Beth carefully turned back the pages until the book lay open.

The date scribbled in the margin was six years ago.

When Elsie's husband had died. The same time Dan had come back to Paradise with his baby girl.

Beth whispered the underlined verse aloud. “John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.'”

Though Beth was very still, her heart raced.

God. Her heavenly Father.

It was as though He was calling her name. Calling her to Him.

This time Beth didn't hesitate to answer and welcome the Lord into her heart.

* * *

The knock at her bedroom door had Beth scrambling with the covers and nearly falling out of bed. The Bible was still open on the quilt next to her.

“Coming.” She stumbled into her jeans and threw the same sweater she'd been wearing for two days over her sleep shirt before pulling open the door.

It was Elsie. Dan's mother sported a bright red sweatshirt that said Don't Make Me Use My Mom Voice.

“Did I oversleep?” Beth ran a hand through her hair. She'd fallen asleep with a wet head. No doubt her hair was now bent, spindled and folded every which way.

“No. No. It's only 6:00 a.m.,” Elsie said.

“Is everything okay?”

“I'm not feeling quite right, dear, and I wondered if, well, I thought that maybe you could check me out. I don't want to worry Dan. He has enough going on.”

Beth really looked at Elsie Gallagher. Her color was ashen and anxiety pulled at the corner of lips. “Come on in, Mrs. Gallagher.”

“Oh, please, not Mrs. Gallagher. I feel like we know each other too well for that. I'm Elsie to my friends. And you are definitely a friend.”

Beth smiled, realizing that she felt exactly the same way.

“Why don't you sit, Elsie?”

“Don't you love this chair?” Elsie asked as she lowered herself to the peach Parsons chair. “I covered it myself, you know.”

“It is lovely,” Beth agreed.

Elsie's gaze moved to the bed. “You've been reading the Bible? It's an extra one. You can take it with you if you'd like.”

“I...um, yes. Thank you. So, Elsie, can you describe your symptoms?”

“I believe it began last night. I felt off. Remember? I had a touch of heartburn.”

Beth nodded, fighting a growing niggle of concern.

“I was lying down, trying to sleep, and I don't know.... There was a bit of pressure and burning in my chest and my heart was thumping much too fast. I almost felt... Well, like it was a little hard to breathe, as well. So I got up and sat in my chair for a while, praying, but I couldn't sleep. I was almost afraid to close my eyes.” She met Beth's gaze. “This sounds silly, doesn't it?”

“No, Elsie, it isn't silly at all. It's very important that you are in touch with what you're feeling. If you think of anything else I want you to tell me.”

Elsie gave a small nod. Her eyes were narrow with worry and the usual carefree laughter was nowhere to be found this morning. Instead she clasped and unclasped her hands in her lap.

“Are you in pain?”

“No. Not now, but last night I hurt. Though I wouldn't call it pain exactly. Maybe an ache.”

“How's your breathing? Are you experiencing any light-headedness or shortness of breath right now?” Beth asked.

“Maybe a tiny bit, but goodness, I did run down the stairs.” Elsie shrugged. “I almost feel like a fraud for bothering you.”

“You were very wise to wake me up.”

“You don't think it's anything serious, do you?” She pinned Beth with her gaze.

Practiced at avoiding a direct answer and keeping her patients calm, Beth answered slowly, “I'm a doctor and Dan is a skilled paramedic. You're in good hands.”

“Yes. Yes. You're right. I hadn't thought of it that way.”

“Do you mind if I take your pulse and listen to your heart?”

“You have a stethoscope with you?”

“I travel a lot, so I always carry mine in my purse.” She pulled out her trusty black Littmann.

“That's handy.”

Beth smiled at Elsie. “It is today.” She took her pulse and listened to her heart.
Strong and regular.
“Can you lean forward and take a deep breath and hold? Now release your breath.”
No rubs noted. Lungs clear to auscultation
.

“Everything okay?”

“So far. Do you have any allergies, Elsie?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Are you on any medications?”

“Something for cholesterol. It's in the cupboard over the sink.”

Beth nodded. She pulled out her tablet computer from her purse and made notes. “Any medical conditions, besides the cholesterol? A history of heart problems? Diabetes, or anything else you might be seeing your doctor for?”

“No. Except that he keeps nagging me to lose a few pounds.” Elsie tugged down her sweatshirt. “I think a few extra pounds help to keep a mature woman looking younger. Plumps out those wrinkles. What does he know?”

Beth nodded in agreement as she entered information on the tablet. “Do you have any baby aspirin in the house?”

“Yes. That's over the sink, as well. I keep all the medicine there, out of the reach of children, of course.”

“Very good. I'll be right back, but please, don't get up. Sit back and relax. All right?”

“All right, dear. If you say so.”

Beth grabbed Elsie's cholesterol med and the baby aspirin, along with a glass of water. “Only one,” she told Elsie, when she returned. “Now, I'm going to need to wake up Dan.”

“Is that really necessary? You know he's probably only slept a couple of hours, if that. And if we tell him I'm not feeling well then he'll call Joe, and Joe will call his sisters, and that will start the avalanche of phone calls. They'll insist they have to come down here.”

“You're loved,” Beth observed.

“Yes. Yes. That's true,” Elsie said.

“It's imperative that we get you to the hospital in Paradise to be properly checked.
Soon.
” Beth patted her hand.

Elsie released a sigh of resignation. “All right, dear. I suppose you do know what's best.”

“Which room is Dan's?”

“Upstairs, last door at the end of the hall.”

While Beth worked diligently to keep Elsie calm, she herself was beginning to feel the stress, because her gut said Elsie had had a heart attack.

If it was a heart attack, the aspirin would help, and if not, it wouldn't hurt. The bottom line was that Elsie needed to get to the hospital fast.

Dan had said the snow was tapering off. They had Joe's big pickup, and Dan had a defibrillator and basic medical supplies, so they would be able to monitor Elsie's ECG on the way to the hospital.

What else was there to do? Beth flashed back to the Bible in her room.

Pray.

That single word
filled her spirit and she stopped in the middle of the stairwell and sat down, her hands folded, the only way she'd ever known to pray.

“Dear Lord,” she whispered. “I have to call on You again. Please give me the wisdom to help this family the way You know is best, and guide me as I treat Elsie. Amen.”

Beth took a deep breath and stood, feeling at peace before she raced up the staircase and pounded on Dan's door.

When the door flew open, she nearly toppled over.

“Whoa.”

Dan was already up and dressed. He steadied her with a hand on her arm.

“You're up,” she said.

“Yeah. What happened to your hair?” he asked with a chuckle.

She patted down her hair again. “Uh, look... I, uh...”

He frowned. “Everything okay?”

“Your mother isn't well.”

“What happened?” Dan's face paled and he gripped the doorknob, prepared to move.

Beth put a hand on his arm. “Stop,” she said.

“What do you mean, stop?” Pain flashed across his face. “Is she okay?”

“She's stable. In my room. And if you want her to stay calm then
you
need to stay calm. I gave her a baby aspirin. Right now her heart rate is regular and she's a little short of breath. I'd say she's either had an ischemic attack or some pretty severe angina.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Can you please get the portable oxygen and the defibrillator, and I'll hook her up. Then I'd like to start an IV, so we have an open line in case we need one. I'll stay with her until you get the supplies.”

“Do you want me to start the IV? I'm guessing it's been a while since you did that in the field.”

“It's your mother. I think I should start one. And it hasn't been that long.”

“Okay, but I'm here if you need me.”

“Thanks. Go ahead and contact the Paradise Hospital. Let them know we're coming and ask them to be prepared for a cardiac incident. I'd feel better if Ben was there, as well.”

Dan nodded. “We can take Joe's truck. I'll call the sheriff. If we get stuck in the snow, I want someone from the sheriff's department watching for us, and they've got a truck with a snowplow.”

“Do you think we can make it into Paradise?”

“We'll find out.” He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder, his gray eyes cloudy with emotion. “Thank you,” he whispered. “It's not a coincidence that you were stranded with us, Beth. Thank you for stepping up when the family...” he cleared his throat “...when I needed you.”

“You're welcome,” she breathed.

Dan followed her downstairs to the guest room, where he knelt in front of his mother. “Mom, how're you feeling?”

“Not my best,” Elsie admitted.

“You know that between God, me and Beth, we have you covered.” He looked at Beth. “Right?”

“Yes. We're the A-team, Elsie.”

She smiled. “I like your team.”

“I'm going to get my defibrillator and then we can see what your heart is doing,” he said as he stood up.