Read The Doctor's Choice for Free Online Page B

meat in the freezer and staples in the pantry, but you’ll need dog and cat food.”
    She nodded. “You seem to know a lot about running Aunt Silky’s household.” She gave him a cool blue stare.
    “She was my friend.” He met her gaze steadily. “I kept Silky’s accounts open so you should be able to get what you want at any store in town.”
    “I’d feel funny charging to her accounts.” She pressed her lips together in a firm line. “I wouldn’t know what to say.”
    “ They’re your accounts now. Come with me,” he said. “Let me take you in to meet some of the local merchants.”
    She hesitated. She was standing dangerously close to a yawning abyss. “I better check and see if the men need anything.”
    Breckenridge T. Ryan gave her a long look and a warm smile. “Okay. I’ll wait in the truck.”
    She trudged back out to the stable and Frank told her the bunkhouse was running low on coffee and sugar.
    The windows of Breck’s truck were trying to fog up and his defroster was running when she climbed inside.
    “You’ll notice I didn’t try to offend you by opening your door,” he said.
    Cami took a deep breath and grinned at him. “Okay, I’m sorry.”
    “What was that?” He leaned closer.
    “I said I’m sorry I was rude.” She gave him a mock glare. “And I’m waiting for your apology for inferring that I needed my fiancé to tell me what to do. That was a cheap shot.”
    “It was,” he said. “Please accept my most abject apologies.” He grinned as he shifted gears and propelled the large vehicle forward.
    The heated air inside the vehicle made her feel stifled. She loosened the jacket and removed the warm gloves.
    He adjusted the heater and glanced at her. “Two weeks, huh?”
    “Fourteen days.”
    “And what do you hope to accomplish during the next fourteen days?”
    She took a deep breath. “I plan to determine whether or not foul play was involved with my aunt’s death.”
    Breck turned to give her a sharp glance. “What do you suspect?”
    “ It’s just a feeling,” she said. “Nothing specific and everything in general.”
    “Because?”
    Cami wasn’t sure she could explain her misgivings. “Because Aunt Silky was an excellent horsewoman and she loved Red. I don’t think she ever met a horse who could throw her. Unless she suffered a fatal heart attack or hemorrhagic stroke I’ll never believe she fell off a horse. I want to see the autopsy results.”
    “ I’ll make sure you get to see them.”
    She was aware that Breck kept glancing at her as they traveled toward town, but she refused to be drawn into the dark vortex of his eyes, keeping her gaze studiously affixed to the scenery they passed along the way.
    The trees were crystallized with a coat of ice. Fence posts accented the roadway, contrasting darkly against the fields of snow. The road had been sanded and remained clear for driving.
    “I saw Red today,” she said. “He’s beautiful.”
    “That he is,” Breck said. “Don’t try to ride him, though.”
    “I hadn’t planned to. I haven’t ridden in a while.”
    “If you want to ride, I’ll take you. I’ll saddle Gypsy for you. She’s very gentle.”
    She shot him a sharp glance and bit her tongue. Why did she always want to slap him down? “That would be very nice.” She swallowed the lump in the back of her throat. He thinks I can’t even saddle my own horse .
    “Tomorrow . The weather is supposed to be clear.”
    “Clear and cold,” she said.
    Breck slowed as they passed the city limits sign. Someone in a passing vehicle waved at them and he raised his hand. He parked the truck in front of Pruitt’s Western Wear.
    “Stay,” he said as she reached for the door handle. The dark eyes held hers for a moment before he broke into a grin. “Good girl.”
    She gasped and swung at him, but he dodged. He came around and opened her door, holding out his hand.
    “Oh, my goodness .” Her voice dripped sweetness. “I don’t think little