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week.”
    “Sheriff, as your doctor, I certainly wouldn’t approve of you testing your wound that soon.”
    He smiled. “I heal quickly.”
    Caroline saw his comment as a challenge to her authority and glared at him. She wiped her mouth with her napkin and stood up. “I need to be going, Mother. Harry, I’m glad I met you. Sheriff, I’ll see you for your checkup today.” With a nod, she was gone.
    B.J. sat there, surprise on her face.
    “Sorry to drive your daughter away, Mrs. Randall.” Mike spoke sincerely, but his lips were curved in a rueful smile.
    “Make it B.J., Mike. There are too many Mrs. Randalls in Rawhide. And I’m sure you didn’t drive Caroline away. She’s just determined to do her job well.”
    “I’m sure she will.”
    When the waitress brought the bill, Mike took it, insisting on paying for Harry’s and B.J.’s breakfasts. Then he headed to the clinic, ready to get closer to Caroline Randall again.
     
    C AROLINE ENTERED an examination room and extended a hand to greet an old high school friend. “Tracey, I’m so glad to see you. How are you?”
    “Fine, Caroline. We’re glad you’re back in town. Jon was overrun with patients.”
    “He must’ve been because we’re both working hard.” Then Caroline bent down to greet the two children accompanying her friend. “Hello. Who is Beth and who is Jenny?”
    The girls, eight and five, shyly identified themselves. Caroline noticed the younger one, Jenny, was flushed, and she rang for a nurse. “Let’s check the temps,” she suggested, still smiling. Then she turned to Tracey. “What symptoms have they been showing?”
    “Colds, I thought, but they keep hanging on. It’s right before Christmas vacation, so I’ve sent them to school. But we’re supposed to go to Denver for Christmas with my parents, and I don’t want to give anything to Mom and Dad.”
    “You haven’t had any of the symptoms?”
    She didn’t know if Tracey’s look of sheer exhaustion was from an illness or from being run ragged taking care of two young kids.
    Her friend dropped her gaze. “Well, I’ve gotten tired lately, but it’s because I’m trying to get ready for Christmas, I think.”
    “Why don’t we give you a little checkup, too? Take both girls into the bathroom and all three of you give us a sample.”
    After ten minutes, Caroline diagnosed the girls with infected throats and fever. She prescribed antibiotics for both of them, bed rest and a lot of fluids. Then she turned to her friend. “Tracey, you’re run-down. Maybe you should take some iron pills.”
    Before she could reply, the nurse came in and handed Caroline a note. After glancing at it, Caroline asked the nurse to take the girls to pick out the color of lollipop they wanted for being so good.
    As soon as the little girls left, she asked her friend to sit down. “I have some news for you, Tracey.”
    “The girls? It’s worse than you thought?” she asked anxiously.
    “No. It’s about you. And I hope it’s good news. You’re pregnant.”
    Tracey paled and Caroline reached for her, afraid she might pass out.
    “No!” Tracey cried.
    Caroline backed her into a chair before she answered, “I gather it’s not good news?”
    “No! I mean—I’ve made plans. Next fall, when both girls are in school all day, I was going to get a job, try to get rid of some of the debt. Maybe…maybe get a divorce.”
    Caroline gave herself a moment before she responded. “Why? Tracey, what’s wrong?”
    Her friend looked away. “M-my husband gets violent when he’s been drinking.”
    “He hits you?”
    Tracey nodded.
    “I don’t see any bruises.”
    “I’ve been locking the three of us in the girls’ room. He’s given up trying to get in, and sleeps it off. In the morning he’s sorry.” She looked at Caroline. “But it’s usually only on Friday nights.”
    Caroline kept any censure from her voice. “Have you tried to get him help?”
    Tracey shook her head. “It would embarrass