Author's Note: Thank you for all of your reviews, follows, and favorites already. It means a lot to me! There were a few questions/comments regarding Lauren being engaged. This story is Doccubus, that's all I will say. ;-) Keep reading. I hope you enjoy the next chapter! Thanks for reading! Please keep the reviews coming.
Bo was puzzled. Wide away and pacing the wooden planks over the muddy, streets, she could not shake the doctor from her mind. Ever since laying eyes on Lauren, she could think of nothing else. How could this happen? No one else had ever had a pull on her like this-and to add insult to injury, she was engaged.
"Bo." A voice called.
Bo spun around to see Sheriff Dyson hanging out of his office.
"What are you doing out here? You are going to put a hole in the walkway." Dyson snarled.
"I couldn't sleep." Bo replied.
Bo and Dyson were on good terms as long as Bo kept him in the loop. They both protected the innocent and upheld justice, only Bo did so on her own terms.
Bo followed Dyson as he walked into his office. The jail was small with two holding cells, a small desk and chairs. Dyson was organized and kept a clean operation.
Bo took a seat opposite Dyson. "Bo you need to be careful. There is talk that Jake's brothers, Dillon and Cody are coming after you."
"They are always slobbering drunk." Bo argued, dismissing Dyson's warning.
"They are cowards and drunks but Bo you shot their oldest brother. They will seek justice." Dyson reiterated.
"What about justice for the innocent woman Jake was forcing himself on?" Bo asked disgusted.
"Bo you know I agree with you. I wish you would join us. I could make you deputy or you could go to Colorado Springs. They need another hand there. You need protection."
"You know I am never going to accept any of the others. I will live the life that I chose." Bo fervently stated.
"At least go to the reservation. You know Running Bear will protect you."
"If it gets bad I will. I don't want to put Kenzi or the girls in danger." Bo looked solemn.
"They should still be a good two days out. They were to return to town to meet Jake on Tuesday."
Bo looked down at her feet. She hated to seek sanctuary at the reservation but she knew that Jake's brothers would not go near it. Kenzi and the girls needed to be kept safe. Word would get around she was in the reservation. Leaving the brothers no choice but to wait it out.
"Fine, I will go to the reservation tomorrow night." Bo assured Dyson.
"Good. You should go get some sleep you look like shit."
"You need a shave Dyson. You look like a mangy dog." Bo shouted, walking back towards Kenzi's.
X
Maggie was anxiously standing over Kenzi's shoulder peering into a giant bowl.
"Would you go sit down!" Kenzi commanded glaring over her shoulder at Maggie.
Kenzi was making muffins to take to Lauren as a thank you for helping out with Tamsin. She wanted the doctor to know how much she appreciated her service.
"Please can I take them?" Maggie begged.
"No ma'am and I don't need you drooling into the batter. Go sit down."
Kenzi knew Lauren was not interested in Maggie based on her reaction to Maggie's not so subtle attempt to woo her. Kenzi wanted to make sure Lauren felt comfortable at her place. They had their fair share of injuries and illness. It was sometimes impossible to leave the place and the fact Lauren was willing to come over so quickly made her a godsend.
X
Lauren was arranging supplies in the back when she heard the front door open.
"Hello."
Lauren's first thought was Bo. Her heart raced at the chance to see her again.
What is wrong with me? She thought. It must be the emotional journey that's causing me to think such crazy thoughts.
"Doc?" Kenzi called out.
Lauren popped around the corner. Her hair was piled on top of her head. A dirty apron clung tightly to her thin frame as her eyes large gleamed with surprise as she noticed Kenzi holding a large basket.
"Whoa. You look great doc." Kenzi teased.
"Thanks." Lauren said pulling cobwebs from her hair.
"Just arranging the back room, it's a mess."
"Right now you are a hot mess." Kenzi smirked.
"What?" Lauren looked confused.
"Nothing. It just came to me." Kenzi replied.
"Here I brought you some of moi's world famous apple muffins."
"Thank you. You didn't have to." Lauren said gratefully taking the basket. Peering inside she saw only one. She raised her eyebrow at Kenzi.
"It was a long walk, makes a girl hungry." Kenzi said sheepishly.
"Well thanks." Lauren was really starting to like and respected Kenzi. It was obvious she cared about her girls and took good care of them. Kenzi came off rather brash but she Lauren could tell she had a good heart.
"I am surprised Maggie didn't beg you to bring them over." Lauren said.
Kenzi looked surprised. "Oh she did. I didn't want her over here bothering you. If she gives you any trouble you let me know right away."
"Oh she's fine. She comes on strong but you have to admire her gumption." Lauren stated smiling.
"That she does." Kenzi smiled.
"Are you coming over tonight to check on Tamsin?"
"Yes. I should be over after supper."
"Great. Tamsin seems to be doing much better. Whatever you gave her seemed to help."
"That's great to hear. Tamsin is a strong woman." Lauren smiled.
Kenzi nodded. "Bo is helping me bartend tonight. Simone is singing which is always one of our busiest nights."
Lauren's knees started to buckle at the mention of Bo's name.
Kenzi noticed a flush in Lauren's cheeks. Hmm is she blushing over Bo or Tamsin? Kenzi pondered.
"Well I should be going. See ya doc." Kenzi excused herself.
"Thanks again." Lauren said watching Kenzi walk out the front door.
Bo will be there. What should I wear?
Lauren thought looking down at her clothes, not this.
What is wrong with me?
X
Bo woke hours later to a loud knock her door.
Tamsin burst in. "Wake up, BoBo."
Tamsin plopped down on the bed like a child.
"Ugh, go away." Bo moaned.
"You told Kenzi you would help her tonight. Get up!"
Bo felt better after sleeping several hours but had a headache as a result.
"You look like shit." Tamsin stated making a face.
"Thanks Tam Tam." Bo rolled her eyes, only an hour till show time.
X
Lauren stood in front of her closet for several minutes deciding what to wear. She finally settled on a red plaid silk dress and wool bustle, knowing it would be warm but she knew she looked stunning in it. She brushed her hair, letting it fall in blonde waves around her face. Not paying any attention to the reason why she was going to great lengths s to get ready, Lauren then made her way to Kenzi's.
The bar was packed for a Monday night. Simone taking the stage always drew a crowd.
Once Bo finally made her way downstairs she saw Kenzi already hard at work trying to keep up.
Bo was wearing tight black pants with a matching vest and cobalt blue shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.
"Bo! Thank God!" Kenzi shouted. "I am swimming in drunks."
"I got ya Kenz." Bo smiled.
Kenzi's was packed once Simone started to sing. She did several songs in French which really drew a crowd. Kenzi was lucky to find her. Simone was a mail order bride from Paris, France. Her husband had died within the first six months of marriage. Kenzi found her crying at a train station in Denver and took her in. Simone never slept with anyone for money; she thought any form of sex or love should be given freely. Kenzi gave her food and board for her beautiful voice.
Lauren took a deep breath and swung the doors open, walking into the sea of people. Her eyes scanned the room. She saw Bo at the bar, pouring whiskeys. Lauren stood captivated watching Bo for several seconds.
"Doc!" Tamsin shouted, making her way over the Lauren.
"Hi Tamsin, how are you feeling?" Lauren asked.
"Better. Follow me. We can go upstairs." Tamsin said.
Lauren made her way through the poker tables and sideways glances. She realized how silly it must look. She was in an affluent Victorian dress, fully covered minus a peak of cleavage walking upstairs with a prostitute.
"Hey beautiful, come over here!" someone lewdly yelled loud enough for Lauren to her.
Tamsin scowled in that direction, motioning Lauren to follow her closely.
Lauren didn't care what others thought of her. She had developed very tough skin being a woman in the medical field. Caring for others was not just a job it was her passion. Lauren loved science and gaining more knowledge on diseases was something she worked hard for. She had been judged her whole life and knew how that could affect someone.
Bo watched as Lauren disappeared with Tamsin upstairs. Jealousy shot through her like a knife to her heart. She had to stop herself from following them.
Bo had heard the loud whistles and comments directed at the doctor. Coming here could ruin the doctor's reputation and Bo wanted to make sure she was safe. Bo noticed the difference in Lauren's choice of attire and couldn't help but wonder if that was for her.
Only a few patrons were left downstairs at the end of the night. Doris was sweeping the floors while Kenzi was putting the chairs on top of the tables. Bo had finished drying the last glass when she told Kenzi she was going to go for some fresh air.
"Thanks for your help, baby doll."
"No problem, Kenz." Bo said and headed into the cool crisp air.
The stars hung bright in the indigo sky over the tiny town. Walking always cleared Bo's mind. She mindlessly walked until she saw a light coming from the clinic.
Bo saw the flicker of candlelight coming from inside. What was Lauren doing up at this time?
Bo rapped on the door bringing the doctor to her feet.
Lauren saw a shadowy figure standing outside.
"Who's there?" Lauren asked cautiously.
"Lauren, it me Bo." Bo answered.
Lauren trembled hearing Bo say her name. She made her way over to open the door. Bo stood on the other side smiling like a giddy schoolgirl at Lauren.
Lauren smiled. "Hi, Bo."
"Hi. I um… I saw the light and wanted to see if everything was ok?" Bo stammered, quickly realizing she had no reason to be there.
I really want to see you in that plaid dress.
"Everything is fine. I was just reading some medical books." Lauren said trying to look anywhere but Bo's eyes.
Noticing her unease Bo asked, "What are you studying?"
"I am looking at the bone structure in the wrist. Someone came by this afternoon with a broken bone and I am looking at ways to set it." Lauren made her way back over to her desk, Bo following.
"See." Lauren pointed at one of the giant leather bound books on her desk.
Bo leaned down and looked at the charts over Lauren's shoulder.
"Which bone is it?" Bo asked huskily in the doctor's ear.
"It's...it's…um the ulna. He snapped it right in two." Lauren said, making a complete sentence. She felt like she was going to burst into flames and crumble into a million tiny pieces if Bo got any closer.
"Sounds like you know your stuff, doc." Bo breathed not moving from Lauren's side. Bo noticed the passion in the doctor's eyes when she was working.
Bo rolled up her sleeve. "Show me where mine is."
I am going to faint. What am I doing? Why is she having this effect on me? Don't faint.
Lauren gathered her thoughts and reached for Bo's hand. Lauren trembled. Her skin burned where Bo's skin grazed hers which Bo noticed amusedly.
"It's here." Lauren said running her fingers up and down the side of Bo's wrist, tracing small invisible lines where the ulna placement would be.
Bo eyes grew dark and heavy with desire. Her pulse was racing which she was certain the doctor could feel.
Oh God. She is going to kiss me. Lauren's mind matched the racing of her heart.
Lauren couldn't pull away. Her eyes fixed on Bo's dark brown eyes.
Bo looked into the doctor's amber eyes wanting nothing more than to rip off her dress and make her moan like she was certain she had never done. There was something in her heart that told her it was more than lust this time. The thought scared Bo and she pushed it back into the far corners of her mind.
Looking down at the doctor's soft full lips, Bo leaned down.
Oh God. How is this happening? Lauren thought.
Bo is going kiss me.
Lauren's lip parted as she shut her eyes.
Bo watched as the beautiful woman in front of her closed her eyes and held her breath. Bo leaned in to meet Lauren's lips.
A loud knock on the front door caused them both to jump up in surprise.
The door burst open as Bo drew her pistol aiming it at the young blonde man who walked in.
"Tom!" Lauren whispered.