Flame Series #18: Physician Heal Thy Self

Chapter 7

Changes

Phoebe sat, quietly watching her husband pace the floor. It had been a long time since she had seen him so excited. Dinner at the LadyK had been lovely, but that wasn't what had put Darcy into such a euphoric state.

"Phoebe, it was fantastic! It was almost as if Adams had given me carte blanche to his medicine cabinet." Long arms reached out wide, as if the whole world had opened up to him.

"That noisy little girl came running in, insisting that he go with her to look at something." She could feel the chill creep down her spine, as the gold sparks flew from those hazel eyes. He rushed over to his wife, placing his hands on the arms of her chair. Darcy leaned in close enough to kiss her, but his excitement lay elsewhere. "He left me alone in there. I figure headache powder is the most common mixture he gives out, so that's what I should tamper with."

As he pulled back, another exciting thought crossed his mind. "That stupid little boy told me all about the special present you helped him get for Adams. Everything is going even better than I planned!" Darcy paused, looking at his wife. "Phoebe, you didn't let me down. Thank you."

"Cooper was very happy that I got them for him." Phoebe thought of the little boy and how excited he was to surprise his grandfather. How would the boy feel when he realized it was his gift that brought all the pain into the family? When had she changed so much that she no longer had any sympathy in her heart for a child?

Before she had time to ponder this thought, Darcy surprised her by pulling her to her feet. He began to dance around the room, with her in his arms. "You were fantastic tonight. When you suggested I spend an afternoon at the clinic with him-" The dancing stopped and he stared into his wife's eyes. "You were wonderful, Phoebe."

Phoebe had covered up for the troubled doctor, time after time and he had always been grateful; but he had never looked at her like this. Was that love she saw in his eyes? Maybe this would be the final act of vengeance, to release him from the hate.

===()()()===

This was the first time he had snuggled close to her after making love. After his, mistakes, when he was afraid, he would hide in her arms, crying—weeping pitifully, that they didn't understand him, that he had a special calling. Money could be a powerful bargaining tool and Phoebe was fortunate to have enough to make his 'mistakes' go away.

It was ironic, that the funds used to save Darcy, came from the very man he had liberated. That was the term he used, when he felt it necessary to release someone from a painful existence. The crux of the problem was the fact that Darcy was the one to decide who fell into that category.

When Phoebe's father became ill, it only seemed natural that his son-in-law would care for him. Maybe Myron didn't like Darcy, but the young man had graduated first in his class. No one questioned the trained physician's diagnosis, nor were they surprised when the patient quickly succumbed to the illness. It was the first step into hell for Phoebe Kildredge Cannon.

She had stumbled onto her father's medical records. Although she had no medical training per se, Phoebe was a very bright young woman and what she read just didn't make sense. Curiosity led her to do a little research that would inevitably reveal more than she wanted to know.

Myron Kildredge was not terminally ill. As a matter of fact, a few simple doses of the right medication would have put him back on his feet in no time. Of course, a few doses of the wrong drug would—and did—end his life.

Phoebe brushed her fingers through the thick, yellow mane of her sleeping husband. He truly was a beautiful man. When he was resting so peacefully, his smooth features and fair complexion created the perfect illusion of innocence.

Phoebe thought back to that night when her father died. A choice had to be made: Phoebe loved her father and he had been devoted to her; but the love she had for Darcy was all consuming. The thought of losing him would have been like ripping out her beating heart. When the time came, with tears in her eyes, Phoebe turned from her father's bedside and quietly left the room.

Tonight, for the first time, Darcy had come to her wanting to make love and not just doing his husbandly duty. Deep down inside, she knew the exhilaration was not some miracle awakening of his libido. It was the excitement of the clandestine actions that were underway regarding the man he had carried such hate for all of his adult life.

Images and sensations of their lovemaking rushed through her mind and body. Phoebe closed her eyes, as she leaned her head back against the headboard. It didn't include the soft sighs, or intimate laughter, she had heard that night at the inn, but it was a start.

It was their start and she would protect it, no matter what it took.

TheDillonsTheDillonsTheDillons

"Tell me you love me!"

"No."

"Tell me!" His intense gaze backed up his demanding tone.

Defiance sizzled in her sapphire eyes. "Work for it!"

"Don't make me resort to tickling, 'cause you know I will!" Matt pinned the slender redhead to the mattress. "Say it!"

Kitty erupted in a series of giggles, as his long, brawny fingers tickled along her ribs. She gasped for air, but he was showing no mercy. "Sto…you're gon…gonna…wake…kids…Matt…stop!"

"I can see this calls for the big guns." With one hand holding her in place, he reached down, pulling a foot out from under the sheet. He knew this was her most vulnerable spot. She emitted a sound that registered somewhere between a squeal and a plea, begging him to stop. "Say it!" He let his fingers skip lightly across the bottom of her foot.

"I love you! Okay? Okay. I LOVE YOU!" Kitty fell back, breathless, when he released her foot. She had barely managed a full breath before he swooped down, seizing it in a kiss. Nature took over, as his body spread gently over hers, like two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together. The game was ending on a very sweet and familiar note. She stretched her silky thighs alongside his long, muscular legs. "Oh, cowboy," she moaned softly, as she eagerly offered her body. "I do love you."

Blue eyes locked together and laughter was replaced by a pair of soft, sensual cries as he entered her body. It was the graceful blending of two lovers, in a seductive rhythm that would explode in an uncontrollable flame. Soon they were consumed, with a heat that seared the breath from their lungs, as it ushered them to the inevitable climax. They clung to each other, their hearts pounding in unison. Euphoria settled over the pair, gently returning them to the real world.

Matt's kiss was slow and sweet as he left her body. He rolled over, pulling her into his embrace. "I love you, Kitty."

"I know."

He chuckled in a low, husky tone, as he pulled back to look at her face. "You are in a mood tonight, aren't you?"

With eyes that sparkled with laughter, she donned the grin of a Cheshire cat. "I'm always in a good mood when my family is home."

"Ahhh, so you're telling me it's not my sexual prowess that's putting that grin on your face." Matt feigned a look of disappointment, but could only maintain it for a second. He pulled her close, kissing her temple. "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me."

Kitty brushed the tips of her fingers along the strong line of his jaw. "Of course, I love you."

"I know." This time he was the one with the smug reply. "What did you think of the Cannons?"

Kitty wiggled into a more comfortable position. "She seemed kind of…shy. Darcy is…hmmm…"

"Arrogant?" Matt offered. Kitty nodded, sharing his opinion. "I think it's more than that. Something's not quite right with him."

"There you go, putting on the marshal's hat again. You are so suspicious!" Kitty brushed the tips of her fingers lightly across his muscular chest. "What did he say—or do—that makes you feel that way?"

Matt stretched his free arm up, tucking it under his head. "He has a look in his eyes. Not cold, but distant. The way he watched Doc was… I can't explain it."

"He's a young doctor impressed with an experienced one. What is so suspicious about that? If he's distant to anything, it's his wife. I don't think he touched her all evening." She squirmed around to be able to see her husband's face. "Did Calleigh tell you about Cooper, noticing that the Cannons, don't act like we do?" Her question ended with a laugh.

"Well, every man isn't lucky enough to marry a nymphomaniac." He hurried to grab her hands before she could retaliate. "An adorable nymphomaniac." This comment had to end with a kiss.

"What are you going to do?"

"About what?"

"About your suspicions. I know you're not just going to ignore it." Kitty's comment wasn't judgmental she just knew her husband. She also knew to trust his instincts. With a last good night kiss, she settled into his arms. "I know you'll do what's right."

TBC