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wire. But the infection in his leg had worsened, and his journey had become a nightmare. He had finally arrived in Sedalia, and that was where the nightmare had ended.
        But… what was that noise?
        A soft snoring snapped his head toward the bed beside him, and Reed was startled to see a woman in a wrinkled black dress sleeping there. She turned in her sleep, facing him, and memory stirred.
        Her name was Chastity Lawrence. She had wanted to talk.
        He didn't.
        She had said he needed help.
        He didn't want any.
        She had said she wouldn't bother him.
        She did anyway.
        Reed stared harder, uncertain. Was she really lying beside him?
        The woman's eyelids fluttered as if in response to his silent query. Her eyes opened and she met his gaze with a start. Gasping, she sprang to a seated position so quickly that the bed rocked with the force of her movement. He grabbed his leg as the motion started his wound throbbing anew. He groaned aloud as she jumped to her feet and reached for her glasses on the nightstand. They were affixed firmly in place when he managed to say at last, ''What are you doing here?"
      "What am I doing here?" Those annoyingly familiar, brownish-green eyes studied him intently through the hideous spectacles. "Do you remember who I am?"
        He glared. "How could I forget?"
        "Who am I?"
        "Don't you know?"
        "I asked a civil question."
        He chose not to reply.
        It occurred to Reed through his pain that Chastity Lawrence's gaze had turned deadly.
        Oh, he really was an odious man…
        Breathing deeply, Chastity struggled for the control fast eluding her. It was almost beyond comprehension that this rude, insolent individual was the same man who had whispered so lovingly to herto his Jennya few hours ago. It was even more difficult to remember that he was a man of the cloth!
        Reed pushed his coverlet impatiently to his waist, revealing the broad, naked expanse of his shoulders and chest, and Chastity's discomfort increased. She reminded herself that he was ill, in considerable pain, and not fully responsible for his behavior. She attempted to assess him clinically. She saw that his hair, formerly dark with perspiration, was a soft, sun streaked blond against his furrowed brow. His gaze, formerly disoriented and bright with fever, was clearer, and the skin of his cheeks, where visible above his ragged beard, appeared less flushed. He   jerked back as she attempted to touch her palm to his forehead.
        Chastity's lips twitched with annoyance. "I was merely trying to see if your temperature was normal."
        "I'm fine."
        "No, you aren't." Chastity forced a level tone. "Your leg is infected. Dr. Carr was worried that he might be forced to remove it."
        The clear blue of his eyes frosted. "That would've been a mistake."
        The sound of the door opening behind her prevented Chastity's reply. She turned toward Dr. Carr as he entered. Suddenly realizing that his misconception about their relationship was about to be humiliatingly revealed, she took an unsteady step back.
        "Are you all right?" Immediately at her side, Dr. Carr assessed Chastity's lack of color and the shadows beneath her eyes. He patted her arm. "It's nothing a little rest wouldn't cure, is it, dear?"
        Dr. Carr turned to face his patient without waiting for her reply. He smiled. "Well, well… lucid at last." He extended his hand. "My name is Dr. Carr. Most people call me Doc. If you don't mind, I'll continue to call you by your given name, Reed. You're not wearing your collar, and I'm more comfortable with things that way." Shaking Reed's hand firmly, he then touched his palm to Reed's forehead. "Your fever's down, too. So, let's take a look at that leg."
        Throwing back the coverlet, exposing Reed's   semi- nakedness without warning, Dr. Carr began removing the