Read Only Hers for Free Online Page B

her, then shovedthe eight-foot-long pole and a plastic bag of bait into Shannon’s hand and pointed toward a clump of trees twenty-five yards away.
    “Fishing is the best remedy for what ails you,” Octavia said before she disappeared into the house. The banging of the screen door jarred Shannon out of her passivity.
    She had reached the steps before she realized the woman was only being kind. More than once during their conversation Shannon had drifted into her own thoughts. Perhaps fishing wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
    Finding a shady spot, Shannon had baited her hook and prepared to do something she had never done in summer camp: catch a fish. However, the fish weren’t cooperating. She picked up her book, then decided she’d rather just enjoy the countryside.
    The meadow might have been Wade’s favorite place, but the entire ranch, with its budding green grass, wide-limbed trees and scattering of rainbow-hued flowers, was just as peaceful. As long as Matt wasn’t nearby.
    Shannon winced at her unfair thought. The man was only trying to protect his heritage. In a way, she respected him for his tenacity, but not his attitude. If he’d stop being so judgmental, perhaps she could reassure him.
    The fishing line moved so only the top half of the white cork showed. The cork dipped once, twice. Instantly Shannon forgot about her reluctant partner. Excitement bubbled within her as she scrambled to pick up the fishing pole. The cork disappeared completely beneath the water’s surface. Two-handed, she jerked with all her strength. Line, cork, and fish came out of the water.
    The fish kept going.
    She sighed deeply. Even fishing as a child she had always pulled too hard. Usually the hook detached itself from the fish’s mouth before it left the water. At least this time it had held long enough for her to finally get a fish on the bank. Dropping the pole, she went in search of her catch.
    Several feet away in the grassy area, a grayish-brownbird with a black-striped chest flew into the air only to land again, walk a few feet, then fall flat on the ground making pitiful sounds. Shannon rushed toward the bird to help, but it got up dragging both wings on the ground.
    Moving cautiously, she approached slower. Yet, again the bird moved farther away, gasped, then rolled over as if in terrible agony. Shannon saw a red spot.
    “Oh, goodness. You’re bleeding.” She took another step. “Easy now. I won’t harm you.”
    Out of nowhere another bird flew over Shannon’s head screaming protest. She glanced at the bird in the air, then back at the bird on the ground. “I won’t hurt your mate, but he or she needs help.”
    “It’s a she and she’s no more hurt than I am.”
    Shannon swung around. Matt, wearing a blue plaid shirt and jeans, stood a few feet away. He looked tall, handsome, intimidating. Her throat dried. No man should affect a woman that way. “I saw blood.”
    “What you saw was her rump. She’s trying to lure you away from her nest.” He inclined his black Stetson toward the squawking bird flying above them. “The male is getting into the act, too. Killdeer can put on quite an act when it comes to protecting their nest or their young.”
    “I certainly feel like an idiot.”
    “You shouldn’t. Not many people care enough to try and help an injured bird, especially after the male gets into the act.” He gave her a long, level look. “Were you that concerned and attentive with Wade while he was your patient?”
    “I tried to be,” she said softly, hoping this could be the turning point in their relationship. “Patients in ICCU often need healing in spirit as much as in body. Wade was an exception. It didn’t matter that he was seventy-five years old with internal injuries and two broken legs from his automobile accident, he never doubted he’d walk out of the hospital and come home to the ranch.”
    The corner of Matt’s mouth lifted in a fleeting attempt at smiling. “The physical