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what the family went through. He wasn’t a good doctor just because of the training but because he was compassionate and could understand them, what they needed. But he’d never been in a situation like this before.
    He was going to make sure little Abbi made a perfect recovery, and then he was going to work on getting Ella to trust him. To trust the residents of Clearwater. She could choose to live in the mountains, but both her and Abbi needed socialization.
    I’m going to make you trust me, Ella Carmichael. No matter what.
    He wondered about his motives, his emotions. Something about Ella tugged at his heart, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. He’d find out what it was—soon. In the meantime, Abbi needed him.
    * * *
    Almost an hour after the radio crackled to life, the sound of tires crunching up the roadway brought James to his feet. He crossed the living room and had his hand on the door before the truck stopped. He wanted to get Michael on his way as quickly as he could to ease Ella’s worries.
    “I’ll be back in a minute,” he called over his shoulder as he opened the door.
    The cool night air made him wish he’d grabbed his jacket before stepping outside. There had to be a fifteen degree difference between Clearwater and these mountains. Even in October with the fall leaves scattering the ground he could feel the chill of winter in the air, threatening to wrap its tentacles around the sleepy little town and hold on tight until long after the New Year.
    “How’s your first call into the wild going?” Michael smirked as he stepped from his truck.
    “A different experience all together but I’m rolling with the punches. How’s my sister and the twins?”
    “The girls are asleep and Jessi is going over Halloween decorations with our housekeeper, Cathy. She wants it to be perfect for the Halloween party. You’ll be there, won’t you?”
    James nodded and came to stand next to the truck, a thought stirring in the back of his mind. “I might bring someone if that’s okay.”
    “Anyone I know?” Michael leaned against the door, grinning. “Jes will be so happy you’re seeing someone.”
    “Not actually seeing someone. I’d like to bring Ella and Abbi—”
    Michael’s eyes widened. “You what? You’re barking up the wrong tree. She’s a recluse and she’s never coming off this mountain.”
    “She’s scared.”
    “So, now she’s your charity case?” Michael crossed his arms over his chest and watched him.
    “No, nothing like that.” James glanced back to the house, hoping Ella hadn’t heard what Michael said. He didn’t want her to get the wrong idea, just when he’d started to make some progress. “I don’t think she wants to be locked up here, away from everyone, but she’s scared. She’s a sweet woman who deserves a chance at life. She was frightened when she took off and came up here, now she feels like she doesn’t have a choice. I can show her the residents don’t blame her.”
    “She hasn’t trusted anyone in years. If you hurt her in any way, it’s going to make it harder for her to trust anyone else.” Michael glanced toward the house. “If you screw this up you might be the reason she stays locked up in this cabin for years to come. Are you really willing to risk that?”
    “I’m not going to hurt her.” He’d go out of his way to make sure she wasn’t hurt by anyone. All he wanted to do was protect her. To see her happy and living a normal life. “I understand it’s a gamble but it’s the only way. For years Ryan tried to get her to come back into town without making any progress, but just in a few hours I’ve been able to get her to see reason. To see what being a recluse is doing to her daughter. Abbi needs children her own age to play with, interactions with other adults. It isn’t about living in a cabin in the woods. She could still do that, I just want her to see she needs more than this.”
    “You better know what you’re doing.”
    “I think I