In July 2016, the MILLS & BOONÂ® AMERICAN ROMANCEÂ® series will become the MILLS & BOONÂ® WESTERN ROMANCE series. Same great stories, new name!

A COWBOYâS FAITH

Rancher Garrett Marshallâs life revolves around the Circle M, his work as a minister and his camp for at-risk kids. Until Dr. Rachel Vale comes to town. Thereâs an instant and powerful attraction between Garrett and the beautiful doctorâ¦one heâs convinced could lead to something wonderful.

Rachel canât fall for the cowboy minister, no matter how kind and ruggedly handsome he may be. His whole life is rooted in faith, and her world is guided by facts. One fact she canât denyâsheâs falling for Garrett anyway. Will Rachel keep her distance, or will she finally let her heart lead her home?

âFor what itâs worth, I think youâre pretty special, Rachel.â

He could see her defenses spring up. âYou shouldnât say that.â

âOf course I should. Itâs true.â

âWe agreed to keep things professional.â

âIâm really starting to hate that word.â He tried to rein in his frustration. âIgnoring whatâs between us wonât make it disappear.â

Her blue gaze turned fierce. âYes, it will.â

Around them, the house was still and quiet. Reaching out, he took Rachelâs hands in his. âSo youâre just going to pretend you donât feel anything when my fingers touch yours.â He linked their fingers and pressed their palms together.

âThatâs right.â But she swallowed hard.

âAnd it wouldnât make any difference if I stroked your hair.â He let go of her left hand and skimmed his fingers lightly over the smooth strands above her ear.

âNo.â Her fingers twitched in his grasp.

âSo a simple kiss wouldnât matter at all.â

She drew a deep breath. âOf course not.â

âOkay, then.â He leaned forward and set his lips against hersâ¦

Dear Reader,

While my husband served in the Navy, we lived in six different cities, and we moved to yet another location when he retired. Each move posed challengesâlearning where to shop and how to get to school, finding piano teachers and the best place for pizza. Most important, we would be seeking new friends and discovering how our family could fit into the local community. You never really feel at home until youâve established your special crowd, your âtribe.â

The Marshall brothers have lived in Bisons Creek, Wyoming, all their lives. So when Dr. Rachel Vale comes to town to set up a medical clinic, Garrett Marshall makes it his mission to help her feel comfortable in her new setting. Local opinion holds that the doctor and the minister are a perfect match, and Garrett is inclined to agree. But Rachel isnât so easily persuaded, and past experience has left her wary of romantic complications. As a medical emergency at the Circle M Ranch brings them together, Garrett must find a way to convince this cautious woman that he can be trustedâwith the safety of her patients and with her heart.

Mail from readers is always a delight. Feel free to contact me at my website, lynnettekentbooks.com, or at PO Box 204, Vass, North Carolina 28394.

Lynnette Kent

A Marriage in Wyoming
Lynnette Kent

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A child of the North Carolina mountains, LYNNETTE KENT seems destined to find herself living anywhere but the mountains. Her family moved to Florida when she was nine, inspiring her with a lifelong love of the ocean and a long day spent at the beach. After marrying a graduate of the US Naval Academy, she moved with him to Tennessee while he attended medical school and from there to Virginia, California and Washington, DC.

Now settled in southeastern North Carolina, Lynnette tries to remember that mountain flowers donât grow well in the heat of a Sandhills summer, that fall isnât an abrupt change of season but a gentle, lingering evolution, and that winter without snow can beâ¦well, endured. With her two daughters married and on their own, she practices her nurturing skills with the six horses and five dogs on her farm. When sheâs not immersed in writing a book, or reading one, she mows grass, moves hay and fights a never-ending battle with weeds.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Funny how a day could change so quickly.

One moment Garrett Marshall was enjoying a beautiful Monday morning in July. He was putting the finishing touch on the converted building that would now house the new medical clinic for the little town of Bisons Creekâa hand-carved and painted sign created by his artist brother, Dylan, announcing the medical practice of Dr. Rachel Vale. Garrett measured the sign and the space, calculating exactly where the hangers should go. Then he took his hammer and the first nail, cocked his wrist...

And slammed the face of the hammer directly onto his thumb.

âDamnation!â The hammer clanked to the floor of the porch as Garrett swore. Sucking on the injured finger, he glanced around to see if anybody had heard him. According to his congregation, ministers didnât use such words, except in their sermons about the rewards of sin. Garrett didnât want to shatter their illusions if he could help it.

Luckily, no one had been within earshot, but as he bent to pick up the hammer, a dusty green SUV pulled up to the curb in front of the clinic and stopped. The driver came around the hood of the vehicle to survey the building. âThereâs no sign,â she called. âHow will people find the place?â

âIâm working on it,â Garrett called back. âGive me two minutes.â Aware that he was being watched, he picked up the hammer heâd dropped and blew out a breath. âFocus...â

He didnât hit his thumb again, though it took a few extra taps to get the first hanger firmly seated. The second went in with a little more finesse. Then he picked up the sign and hung it on the wall. âThere you go.â

When he turned, he found the woman standing on the porch with himâand the close-up view took his breath away. Bright blue eyes and rosy lips, long hair in a shade of red he labeled russet, creamy skin and a curvy figure accentuated by a T-shirt and shorts...it all added up to perfection, as far as Garrett was concerned.

âItâs a nice sign,â she said, âbut Iâm not sure it will be visible from the street.â

She was also, he gathered, rather picky. âThere will be a bigger, freestanding sign in the yard for the Bisons Creek Medical Clinic. Itâs not quite finished.â

âThat sounds great.â Smiling, she extended a hand. âIâm Rachel Vale.â

âGarrett Marshall.â Taking off his hat, he held her right hand in his and squeezed, but then couldnât prevent a wince.

Her warm smile became a worried frown. âWhatâs wrong?â

âI hammered my thumb just before you arrived. Donât worryââ

âYour right thumb?â She brought his hand closer to her face. âAre you left-handed?â

âI am, as a matter of fact.â He was also flushing in embarrassment at this point.

Dr. Vale hadnât noticed, her attention being concentrated on his thumb. Her fingers were cool and gentle on his skin, and very clean. As she bent her head, he caught the crisp herbal scent of her shampoo. Unobtrusively, he drew in a deeper breath. Very nice.

âHas the pain diminished since it happened?â

âYes, definitely diminished. Iâm fine, really. Just feeling stupid.â Nothing like looking clumsy in front of a gorgeous professional woman. He might be a pastor, but he had his pride.

âItâll be bruised.â She released his hand. âIce would be a good idea. Iâd offer some, but I have no idea if I even have any ice.â

âIâm okay,â Garrett assured her. Her touch seemed to linger on his skin. âShall I let you inside? Or do you have the keys?â

âThe mayor sent me a set,â she said, pulling a key ring out of her back pocket. âLetâs see how this works.â With a couple of quick twists of her wrist, the door swung open. âTa-da! My own clinic.â She nodded toward the interior. âWant to share my first tour?â

For another smile, heâd hang around all day. âMy pleasure.â He followed her into the waiting room, where a pass-through window opened into the receptionistâs office. âThis building used to be a general store,â he said as she surveyed the space. âIt had been empty for years but wasnât too hard to clean up and renovate into what you needed. Mostly a matter of putting up walls and doors, dropping the ceiling and laying new vinyl over the concrete.â

âThat all sounds pretty labor-intensive to me. I like the light gray walls and charcoal floor. Very soothing.â She went through the door patients would use into the back hallway, where there were two examining rooms, a laboratory and an office. âYouâve made a big effort.â

âWeâre pretty excited to have a medical clinic. Driving to Kaycee or Casper isnât an easy option for some folks.â

The doctor nodded as she peeked behind cabinet doors, opened drawers and examined the boxes of equipment stacked on the counter. âI grew up in a small town, with no local doctor and a mother who had health issues. Getting to and from her appointments could take up most of a day. And as a doctor, Iâve experienced firsthand how beneficial it is for patients in an isolated community to have accessible health care. Problems can be handled relatively easily in the office rather than exacerbated by patientsâ reluctance to make a long drive, especially the elderly. Itâs one of the issues I specifically want to address in my career.â

Talk about commitment! Garrett thought she might be too good to be true. âIâm glad to hear that. We have our share of older folks in Bisons Creek.â He followed her down the hallway. âI understand your training is in family medicine?â

âAt the University of Washington, in Seattle. Iâve also worked in small towns in Idaho and Montana.â She stood at the door to the office. âBut never with an office this nice. Thereâs even a desk and an armchair and carpet, as if this were a real doctorâs study. Next Iâll be thinking Iâm a real doctor.â

âThatâs what weâre hoping anyway.â

âI do have certificates,â she said, grinning at him. âI can fake it pretty well.â

âI wonât tell.â He returned the grin with one of his own. Her bright blue gaze held his and there was a second when he could have sworn he felt the click of a connection between them.

Then she looked away and gestured at a cluster of boxes on the floor. âIâm glad my professional books arrived. I didnât have room for everything in the car. Iâll have to buy some bookcases to put them on.â

âHaving carried them in here, I can say youâd better get heavy-duty shelves. Each of those boxes weighs a ton.â

âAnd they cost a fortune to mail. I hope I donât have to ship them again for a long, long time.â

âI like the sound of that. Youâre welcome for as long as you want to stay.â

âThanks.â She crossed the hall to the lab area. The equipment sheâd ordered was already in place. âFunctional and efficientâjust what I asked for. And thereâs a room set aside for the X-ray machine, right? Iâm hoping that will be my first big purchase.â

âRight here.â Garrett opened the door to show her the windowless space. âWe built it to the dimensions you gave us.â

Eyes shining, she spread her arms wide. âEverything I could ask for. Youâve done a terrific job.â

He held up a hand in protest. âI canât take too much credit. The whole town worked together on raising funds to restore the building.â

âBut you must be the town carpenter, right?â

âUm, no. Kimble Construction did most of the real work. Iâm the minister at Bisons Creek Church. My brother built the sign and I said Iâd hang it.â

âOh.â Her glow of excitement seemed to dim. âWell...thank you for all your help.â She walked away, toward the front of the clinic. âIâll let you get on with your day. Iâm sure you have things to do.â

Following, Garrett felt dismissed. âWe do have a friend in common, though. Caroline Donnelly, who recommended you for the job, is my brother Fordâs fiancÃ©e.â

In the waiting room, she faced him again. âYouâre one of the Marshall brothers. Now I see.â She thawed slightly. âCaroline has talked a lot about all of you in her emails this summer. I understand you have a camp on your ranch for some of her at-risk kids.â

âWe do. And I should be getting back to them right now. I just wanted to be sure you had a sign to welcome you to town.â

âI appreciate the effort. Really.â But her pretty face was empty of expression. The contagious enthusiasm of a few minutes before had vanished. She held the door open and actually waved him out. âHave a good one.â

âYou, too.â Garrett found himself on the porch, the door firmly shut behind him. Staring at the panel, he couldnât figure out what the heck had happened, why Rachel Valeâs attitude had changed so fastâfrom friendly and outgoing to almost hostile. He didnât remember anything heâd said or done that accounted for the difference.

In fact, heâd been anticipating getting to know her better, maybe building up to the suggestion of a cup of coffee at the diner, or even some lunch. Heâd been reflecting what a welcome addition to the Bisons Creek social scene she would be...

Funny how the tone of the day could change so fast.

After replacing his hammer and the package of nails in his toolbox, Garrett climbed behind the wheel of his truck, intending to head toward the Circle M Ranch, where he and his brothers lived and worked. But just as he put his hand on the key to start the engine, he heard a door slam. He glanced at the clinic to find Rachel Vale hurrying down the walk. She opened the back of her SUV and pulled out a large duffel bag, then came up to his truck.

She opened the rear passenger door. âI just got a call from Caroline. Thereâs some kind of emergency at your place.â After slinging the duffel into the backseat, she climbed in the front. âWe need to get out there right away.â

âWelcome to Bisons Creek,â Garrett said, pulling out into street. âI canât tell you how glad I am that youâre here.â

* * *

âDID CAROLINE SAY what happened?â Garrett Marshall asked.

âOnly that one of the kids was very sick,â Rachel told him. âI didnât get any other details.â

After a short, mostly silent drive out of town, they turned in underneath the iron arch of the Circle M Ranch. Though her mind was preoccupied with the situation waiting for her, Rachel could appreciate the landscape of rolling, grassy plains and the big blue sky stretching overhead.

âA beautiful setting,â she said. âYou must be proud of your property.â

âNot so much proud as grateful.â He smiled as he glanced over. âWe feel pretty lucky to be able to take care of this parcel of land.â

Even though heâd said he was a minister, he certainly looked the part of the traditional rancherâclose-fitting jeans, a dark blue work shirt and the quintessential white Western hat. With medium brown hair in a conservative cut and those sharp blue eyes, he made a very attractive cowboy, for those who found the type appealing.

Telling herself she wasnât one of them, Rachel turned her gaze back to the view outside. âHas your family lived on the Circle M for generations?â

âNo, as a matter of fact. My brothers and I lost both our parents before I was twelve. My oldest brother, Wyatt, was hired on here by Henry MacPherson, the man who owned the Circle M at that time. Eventually Henry had us all move out from town to live with him. When he died, he left the ranch to us. The Marshall brothers are relatively new to the ranching business, all told.â

She saw buildings in the distanceâa timber-sided house and a big red barn on the hill above it. âMr. MacPherson must have thought very highly of you.â

âWell, Wyatt is a responsible and dedicated workerâHenry knew heâd do his best for the place. The rest of us help out as much as we can, given our other responsibilities. Especially this summer, because Wyatt got bucked off a horse and broke a couple of bones in his back, so heâs out of commission for the time being.â

âThatâs too bad. I hope heâs taking good care of himself.â

They approached the sprawling, single-story house, where a group of teenagers had gathered on the porch, most of them staring at their phones. Garrett stopped the truck in front of the steps. Before heâd even shifted into park, Rachel swung out of her seat, pulled the duffel from the rear seat, then crossed to the door and knocked.

Dark-haired Caroline Donnelly opened the screen door. âOh, Rachel, Iâm so glad youâre here. And so glad I could call you.â Behind her was a blond man who looked enough like Garrett that he had to be one of his brothers. Handsome evidently ran in the Marshall family.

Rachel gave her friend a one-armed hug. âMe, too. Whatâs going on?â

Across the room, a young girl lay bonelessly on the sofa.

âWe were doing rodeo practice on the bucking barrel. Lena said she wanted to ride and walked over...but then she just sort of staggered and fell down. We carried her in and called an ambulance. And you.â

âSmart thinking.â Rachel knelt by the sofa. One deep breath of the fruity aroma surrounding the patient gave her all the information she needed. âDid she say anything?â From the front pocket of the duffel, she pulled out a glucometer to test Lenaâs blood glucose level.

âShe was acting kinda crazy this morning.â A tanned, black-haired boy sat in a recliner nearby. âI said she shouldnât ride, but she wouldnât listen.â His dark eyes were wide with fear. âIs she okay?â

Caroline came over and put a hand on his shoulder. âWeâve got help now, Justino. Dr. Vale will know what to do.â

âDid she eat breakfast?â Rachel asked. The blood-sugar result was high. And her blood pressure was low.

Justino shook his head. âSheâs been sick for a couple of days. Throwing up and stuff.â

âWhy didnât she say something?â Garrett asked. âWhy didnât you?â

Rachel cut in. âSheâs quite slender. Has she always been thin?â

âYeah. But she said her jeans are getting loose, even though sheâs been hungry a lot.â

âAnd thirsty?â Rachel asked.

âOh, yeah. She drinks all the time.â

Lena fluttered her eyelashes and moved her head slightly.

âThere you are,â Rachel said. âHi, Lena, Iâm Dr. Vale. How are you?â

âSo thirsty,â Lena whispered without opening her eyes. âSo tired.â

Turning again to her bag, Rachel began pulling out materialsâan IV bag of saline and tubing, a syringe and a bottle of insulin. âRaise her legs,â she ordered over her shoulder. âAbove her heart.â

While the others bustled around to help her, she handed the IV bag to Justino. âHold this up high.â After inserting the needle into Lenaâs arm, Rachel attached the tubing and adjusted the flow. Then she drew up ten units of insulin and injected it into the IV. âYouâll start to feel better soon,â she told the girl. Lena didnât answer.

âThatâs all I can do,â she said, getting to her feet. âSheâs got to get to the hospital. How long ago did you call the ambulance?â

âThey should be here any minute,â Caroline said. âWhatâs wrong? Why did she collapse?â

âSheâs dehydrated and her blood glucose is very high. With fluids and insulin, though, sheâll start to improve.â

âThank God,â Garrett said. âAnd thank you.â He glanced around the room. âThese are my brothers, by the way. Fordâs the blond in the green shirt and Wyattâs the one wearing the back brace.â

Nods were exchanged and hands shaken, but Rachel quickly returned her attention to Lena, noting that her breathing had slowed and her blood pressure had come up slightly. Positive signs.

Finally, she heard the siren theyâd been waiting for. âThe ambulance is here, Lena. Youâll be in the hospital in just a few more minutes.â

The vehicle stopped in the drive outside, lights flashing. Two emergency medical technicians came across the porch.

Rachel met them at the door. âIâm Dr. Vale, and this is Lena Smith.â She stood out of the way as one of the EMTs knelt by the couch, stethoscope in hand. âSheâs in ketoacidosis. I started fluids and gave her ten units of insulin.â

The EMT nodded. âGot it.â The two men proceeded with their standard routine and, in only a few moments, had taken Lena out on a stretcher and put her into the ambulance.

âI want to come with her,â Justino said, following. âPlease donât make her go alone.â

The second EMT shook his head. âNot allowed. Sorry, son.â

The boy staggered, as if heâd been shoved.

Garrett put a hand on his thin shoulder. âYou can come with me, Justino. Iâll follow the ambulance. Ford, could you call Lenaâs dad to let him know whatâs going on? Dr. Vale, I assume you want to come along, as well?â He ushered Rachel toward his truck.

âTo begin with anyway. If Lena is part of this community, then I will be overseeing her care to some extent.â He opened the back door for her to stow the duffel on the bench, then held the front door so she could get in.

Once in the driverâs seat, he fastened his own belt and started the engine. âSo today isnât a onetime emergency?â

âIâm afraid not.â Rachel blew out a deep breath. âFrom all indications, this is a life-changing event.â

âWhat do you mean?â

âLena will be under a doctorâs care for the rest of her life. She has juvenile-onset diabetes.â

* * *

THE TRUCK TOOK a sudden leap forward, then slowed as Garrett relaxed his foot. âSheâll be taking insulin shots?â He glanced at Justino in the rearview mirror. The teen was staring out the side window, lost in his own thoughts.

Rachel nodded. âUnless researchers find a cure. Theyâre always working on it.â

The prospect daunted him. âThatâs a real challenge for a young girl.â

âThe adults around her will have to help her cope. Are her parents going to be cooperative?â

âHer mother died last year. Since then, her dad has expected Lena to take care of her younger brothers and the house, as well as doing her schoolwork. Sheâs at the ranch because sheâs been picked up for shoplifting several times in Buffalo and Kaycee and even Casper. She was cutting school with some of the older girls who can drive, and theyâd spend the day out of town, getting into trouble. Caroline chose her for the camp, hoping it would turn her around so she could focus more on long-term goals.â

âWell, now she has the long-term goal of staying healthy to worry about.â

âIâll pray for her to develop the strength she needs.â

âIâm sure that will help.â There was no mistaking the sarcasm in her voice.

He sent her a puzzled look. âWhy do you say it like that?â

She blew out a breath. âSorry. I didnât mean to insult you.â

âIâm not insulted. But I want to understand your reaction. You donât believe prayer can change events?â

âIt might change the person who prays, because I believe in the power of the mind to affect behavior. But otherwise...no. Your prayer wonât call down some unseen power to help Lena deal with her diabetes.â

âYou donât believe in God?â

She didnât answer for a minute. âI grew up going to church,â she said finally. âI canât dismiss the possibility of a universal power. But as I observe life on this planet, I donât detect much evidence of any kind of divine intervention. Good or bad, what happens, happens.â

There was silence as he drove the truck onto the highway exit ramp. âIâd be interested in talking more with you about that,â Garrett said, once theyâd merged into traffic. âMeanwhile, weâll have to work with Lena for the rest of the summer and get her started on the road to managing her condition.â

The doctor shook her head. âA summer ranch camp is probably not the best place for her to do that.â

Her opposition surprised him, but now wasnât the time for a debate. âWeâll figure that out once sheâs better.â

At the hospital, they pulled into the ER parking lot and went to the registration desk. Garrett showed the paperwork that granted him treatment permission, and they were allowed to join Lena in her cubicle. Justino went to the side of the bed and took hold of the girlâs free hand.

âThatâs what you need,â Rachel said, nodding at the bag of fluid hanging near Lenaâs head. âYouâll feel better soon.â

Lena rolled her head on the pillow. âI want to go back. To the ranch.â

Garrett faced her from the end of the bed. âWeâll take you as soon as the doctors say itâs okay,â he said.

âLying around being sick at camp is no fun.â

People wearing scrubs came and went, asking the girl questions and drawing blood for tests. A nurse brought some food and urged Lena to eat a little. Finally, a man wearing a white coat over his scrubs entered the cubicle, a medical chart held in one hand.

He nodded at Garrett but then shifted his attention to Rachel. âDr. Vale? Iâm Brad Stevens, from the medicine service. I understand youâre the new doc down in Bisons Creek.â

She gave him one of those bright smiles. âI just pulled in to town today.â

âAnd ended up at work. Thatâs the way it goes, doesnât it? Good call on the diagnosis.â Then he moved forward to stand beside the bed. âHi, Lena. Iâm Dr. Stevens. Weâve run some tests and I have some news.â

Lena opened her eyes to focus on his face. âWhatâs wrong?â

âYouâve havenât been well for a few days, have you?â Lena shook her head. âWell, thatâs because your blood glucose is very high.â

âI donât understand.â

âYour cells use the glucose, or sugar, in the food you eat to produce energy and to function normally. Thereâs a chemical in your body called insulin, made by the pancreas, which helps release glucose into the cells so it can be used. But sometimes thereâs not enough insulin. The glucose doesnât get into the cells and instead stays in your blood. Your cells are starved and you become sick.â

âHow do I get better?â

âWeâre giving you insulin, and that will make a big difference.â

âThen I can leave?â

âNot right away. We want to watch you for a couple of days, ensure your system returns to a more normal state. And we have to talk about the changes youâll need to make to manage your health. You see, Lena, your condition is known as diabetes. And youâll have it for the rest of your life.â

Tears welled up in Lenaâs big brown eyes and spilled over to run down her cheeks. âMy mother had diabetes. She died.â

Rachel stepped up beside Dr. Stevens to put a hand on the blanket over Lenaâs knee. âBut that doesnât have to happen, sweetie.â Her tone was gentle but reassuring. âYouâre going to learn how to control your condition so you can be happy and healthy and live a long, wonderful life.â

âCan other people catch this diabetes from me?â Lena looked at Justino.

âDonât worry, itâs not that kind of disease.â Dr. Stevens closed the chart. âFirst, weâre going to get you feeling better, then weâll explain how you can keep yourself that way. Iâll talk with you again in a little while.â He left the cubicle.

A moment later, a nurse parted the curtains. âLenaâs father is here.â

Garrett led the way to the waiting room, where a Hispanic man in work clothes came toward them. âLena is sick?â he said. âWhatâs wrong?â

âThis is Dr. Vale,â Garrett told him. âSheâs the new doctor in Bisons Creek and she can explainââ

âNo, you are responsible for Lena,â Mr. Smith interrupted. âYou explain.â

âLetâs sit down.â Garrett led the way to three chairs. âLena has diabetes,â he said when they were seated. âLike your wife.â

Mr. Smithâs expression didnât change. âShe is going to die?â

âNo,â Rachel said. âShe can get treatment that will keep her alive for a long time. But she will have to take care of herself.â

He didnât respond to her. âHow did this happen?â he demanded, glaring at Garrett. âYou are supposed to keep her safe.â

âThis is not something anyone could predict or prevent.â Garrett braced his elbows on his knees and gripped his hands together. âBut we can work with Lena as she learns to handle her condition.â

Mr. Smith nodded. âYou will see that she knows what to do.â

âYes, but you should also understandââ

The other man stood up. âNo. You are responsible. I signed papers. You will make sure she gets well and can do what is necessary when she comes home. That is what must happen.â

Without allowing Garrett to utter another word, Lenaâs dad stalked out of the waiting room toward the parking lot.

âHe didnât go in to visit her,â Rachel said in a hollow voice.

âNo.â Garrett wiped a hand over his face. âAnd he treated you with disrespect. Iâm sorry about that.â

She shrugged. âHe doesnât seem to value women very highly.â

âI guess not. Itâs no wonder Lena was getting into trouble. She was crying out for attention.â

âA kid needs her parents at a time like this,â Rachel said fiercely. âWhoâs going to look after this abandoned teenaged girl?â

Garrett swallowed hard. âYou heard her father. He made me responsible.â

But the doctor shook her head. âBeing a teenager with diabetes is toughâphysically, mentally and emotionally. Lena has to have a stable support system to help her understand the healthy life she should try to live. You canât possibly accomplish that on a ranch in the middle of a summer camp!â

Chapter Two

Spine straight, shoulders square, Garrett met her gaze with narrowed eyes. âI think youâre jumping to conclusions. With your helpââ

âEven with my help,â Rachel said before he could finish, âit would be quite a challenge, especially when you have so many kids to deal with. These first few weeks are going to be confusing for Lena, but also very important. Sheâll have to absorb a lot of information very quickly.â

âIâm sure there are resources available. We do get the internet out here in the wild, wild West.â His grin invited her to smile with him.

But she didnât cooperate. âLena will need appointments with a team of doctors and nurses whoâll supervise her treatment on a regular basis. Thatâs a significant time commitment.â

He shrugged. âThereâs no other option. Without a family, who else will take care of her?â

âThatâs for us to figure out.â Rachel got to her feet. âFor the moment, letâs see how sheâs doing.â

In the emergency room cubicle, Lena looked betterâher eyes had brightened and a rosy color tinted her cheeks. âWhereâs my dad?â

Garrett cleared his throat. âWe talked, but he couldnât stay.â

âHe doesnât handle it when other people are sick.â The girl shook her head. âHe wouldnât pay attention to my mother, either. And he wasnât at the hospital when she passed.â

âWell, Iâm here,â the minister said after a stunned pause. âDr. Vale is here. And youâre getting better. Thatâs good enough for me.â

Later in the afternoon, Lena was moved to a bed in the acute care ward of the hospital. Dr. Stevens reappeared when she had settled in. âSorry about all the tests,â he said. âWe have to acquire as much information as possible so we can plan your treatment.â He brought forward a woman with short white-blond hair whoâd accompanied him into the room. âThis is Kim Kaiser. Sheâs a nurse who specializes in diabetes education. Sheâll help you understand how to deal with diabetes.â

âYou should sit in on this,â Rachel told Garrett. âIf youâre responsible for her, you have to understand her medications.â

He made a wry face. âIâm suddenly wishing Iâd paid more attention in biology class.â

Kimâs visit lasted about an hour. She explained the cause of diabetes, much as Dr. Stevens had done, but then proceeded to discuss the treatment, which would involve Lena taking enough insulin through the day to balance her blood sugar. Fortunately, sheâd brought printed materials along, and Rachel loaned Garrett a pen so he could make notes on the pages.

âThe doctors are still working out what kind of insulin youâll need,â Kim told Lena. âSo Iâll be back tomorrow and we can go over that. But are there any questions you want to ask now?â

Lena nodded. âIs that all I have to do, take pills?â She glanced at Justino. âThat doesnât seem so hard.â

âIâm sorry to say that insulin canât be made into pills,â Kim said. âItâs a liquid that has to be injected under your skin. With a needle.â

âShots?â Lenaâs dark eyes went round with horror. âI have to take shots?â

Justino looked equally distressed. âShe hates needles.â

Kim took the protests in stride. âThen maybe you will want to use an insulin pump, which is similar to the IV you have right now. With a pump, the needle goes in once and stays for several days.â

âFor how long? How long do I have to do this?â

âFor the rest of your life, Lena.â A gentle voice, but a harsh piece of news.

The girl shook her head. âI canât. No way.â

With a glance at Rachel, Garrett took a deep breath and stepped over to the bed. âTry not to get upset, Lena.â He grabbed the end rail with both hands. âWeâll figure out how to make it all work for you. Maybe the pump is what you need. Or...or maybe youâll have to get used to taking shots. But not right this minute. Right this minute all you have to do is relax.â

She glared at him through the tears running down her cheeks. âIt isnât fair!â

He shook his head. âNo, itâs not. You shouldnât have to deal with diabetes. Nobody should.â He shrugged. âBut itâs happened. And in the long run you will be happiest and be able to enjoy your life if you learn to take care of yourself.â

Lena had broken into sobs. Justino put his arms around her but looked at Garrett. âI think she wants to be by herself.â

âWeâll step out for a few minutes.â He picked up his hat, held the door for Kim and Rachel, and then followed them into the hall. âI guess you have to expect an emotional reaction. Itâs a pretty serious diagnosis.â

âYes, it is.â Kim gave him a calm smile. âAs her fatherââ

He cleared his throat. âIâm not her dad. Iâm acting in his place.â

âOh.â Her brows drew together as she turned to Rachel. âAre you her mother?â

âNo, Iâm the physician in Bisons Creek, where Lena lives.â

âI just assumed...â The nurse took a breath. âWell, if you are Lenaâs guardians, youâll have to help her overcome her resistance. Her very life depends on it.â

As Kim left them, Garrett rubbed the nape of his neck. âAcceptance is a hard enough lesson for an adult to learn, much less a teenager. This kind of situation poses a real test of faith.â

âFaith isnât the solution here.â Rachel took a deep breath, trying to curb her impatience at his approach to the problem. âWe have to convince her that medical science canât be ignored. Itâs a fact that she has diabetes, a fact that she has to take insulin or suffer serious consequences. Faith wonât change those facts. Thereâs no other reasonable choice.â

His brows drew together in a worried frown. âEasier said than done.â

âIt is a daunting prospect.â His obvious concern softened her mood, and she put her hand on his upper arm. âBut youâll take it a day at a time. An hour at a time.â

The frown cleared and then he smiled at her. âThatâs all we ever have to manage, in fact. This moment. Thanks for reminding me.â

For a moment, she returned his smile, surrendering to the attraction sheâd been resisting all day.

Then she remembered his vocation and disconnected her gaze from his. âWe should check on Lena. I hope sheâs calmed down by now.â

In fact, the girl had fallen asleep, curled on her side toward Justino, who sat next to the bed, holding her hand. When Rachel and Garrett entered, he eased his fingers free and came across the room to face them.

âTell me the truth,â he said, his young face set in grim lines. âWill Lena die from this diabetes?â

When Garrett glanced at her, Rachel tilted her head to indicate that he should field the question.

âThe effects of untreated diabetes can be life threatening,â he told the boy. âWhat we have to do is convince Lena to take the medicine that will prevent those effects. It wonât be easyâat first anyway. But with care she can live to be a grandmother. Or a great-grandmother!â

Justino sighed. âShe has always hated getting shots at the doctor. But somehow she will manage. Sheâs strong. And Iâll help her.â

Garrett gripped his shoulder. âI know you will. Weâll all be on Lenaâs side, supporting her as she gets used to a new routine. And we have Dr. Vale here in town as an added bonus. Sheâll be great backup.â

Justino gave Rachel one of his rare smiles. âMaybe you will be more than backup,â he told her. âMaybe you will be the mother Lena doesnât have.â

* * *

AFTER CALLING THE ranch to give everyone a report on Lenaâs condition, Garrett sat down beside Rachel in the waiting room. He leaned over and spoke in a low voice. âYou look terrified.â

She stared straight ahead. âI have no idea what youâre talking about.â

âWhen Justino said you could be the mother Lena lost. You went pale.â

âI was startled, thatâs all. Teenagers are usually more suspicious of adults.â

âI think these two are grabbing at whatever resources they can reach. Youâre going to be one of them.â

Her expression relaxed slightly. âIâm glad to be Lenaâs doctor. But I canât step in as her mother. Thereâs a reason doctors donât treat their own familyâitâs called objectivity.â

âDo you want kids some day?â

Now she frowned at him. âI donât know. Do you?â

He nodded. âDefinitely. Kids are fun.â Then he reconsidered. âBut also scary. I guess I have to get past that somehow, to be useful to Lena.â

âThatâs the point of remaining objective,â Rachel said. âWhen youâre taking care of somebody, you focus on the facts and what can be done, not the emotions involved. Itâs called equanimityâstaying calm in the midst of a high-pressure situation. As one of my teachers suggested, âFirst, take your own pulse.ââ

âSo thatâs how you doctors manage. Must take lots of practice.â

âInternship and residency are all about equanimity. The more cases you see, the better your control.â

Garrett cocked his head. âAnd you like being in control.â

âAre we still talking about medicine?â

He grinned. âThatâs up to you.â

âWell, then, I admit Iâm pretty much a control freak, professionally and personally. Life runs smoother that way.â

âYouâve never encountered circumstances you couldnât control?â

âOf course I have,â she said, her tone sharp. Then she drew a deep breath. âEverybody does,â she said more calmly.

âThatâs good. For a minute there, I thought you were perfect.â When she laughed, he nodded. âThere you go. I knew youâd have a great laugh.â

Her lips parted in surprise, and her cheeks flushed. He wondered if he might get a flirtatious comeback.

But in the next moment, she stood up abruptly. âIâm going to stretch my legs. Iâll be back in a few minutes.â

Before Garrett could say another word, sheâd hurried out the door.

* * *

BETWEEN A TRIP to the restroom and a walk around the entire hospital, Rachel managed to waste half an hour she might have otherwise spent sitting with Garrett Marshall. Flirting with Garrett Marshall.

Not that flirting was a skill sheâd had much practice withâmedical school and training hadnât left a lot of time for romance.

But Garrett wasnât someone she wanted to think of in a romantic context anyway. She wasnât going to fall for the cowboy type, no matter how ruggedly handsome he might be. Of course, Garrett was more than a cowboy. He was also a minister.

And that was the real issue between them, one that couldnât be resolved with any amount of flirting or getting better acquainted. As a pastor, Garrett Marshall counted on the effectiveness of prayer and the possibility of miracles. He led a churchâa congregation of people who shared his convictions.

But during her motherâs illness, Rachel had witnessed the damage such groups and their beliefs could do. In the wrong hands, religion became a tool for deception and greed. If it werenât for her unquestioning faith in a corrupt con man, Sarah Vale might still be alive. While Rachel didnât question the right of others to their devotion, she certainly didnât intend to join them.

By the time she returned to the waiting room, Lena had awakened. She was calm, though Rachel saw the fear of an uncertain future in her eyes. When her dinner arrived, she ate a few bites, which was a good sign. After a night on insulin, she would probably wake in the morning ready to finish her entire breakfast and more. Rachel said as much to Garrett on their way back to Bisons Creek.

âIâm glad to hear her appetite will improve,â Garrett said. âSheâs always been slender, but I didnât realize until today that she was losing weight. I should have noticed.â

âYou wouldnât necessarily recognize the signs,â Rachel assured him. âUnless something brought it to your attention.â

âI hate leaving Lena in the hospital alone,â Justino said from the backseat. âShe looked so scared.â

Garrett blew out a breath. âI know. But sheâs got the television for a diversion. Sheâll probably fall asleep pretty fast.â

âCan we go see her early in the morning?â

âWeâll leave after breakfast.â

Though Rachel didnât have her bearings yet about locations in and around Bisons Creek, she was surprised when Garrett turned onto the Circle M Ranch drive before taking her to the clinic. He stopped the truck at the house to let Justino out.

âMiss Caroline will have saved you some dinner,â he told the boy. âTry to take it easy tonight and not worry too much. Lenaâs being well cared for and sheâs getting better.â

âI hope so.â

âHe doesnât sound convinced.â Garrett drove back toward the ranch entrance. âI guess I canât blame him.â

âHe would have stayed with her all night if you had let him,â Rachel said. âTheyâre very close for such a young couple.â She paused for a moment. âDid you want to talk to me about something? You could have dropped me off first.â

He shrugged one shoulder. âIt occurred to me that neither of us has had lunch or dinner. I thought maybe youâd be interested in getting something to eat.â

âOh.â The suggestion should have been simple enough, except for the combination of excitement and reluctance ambushing her brain. Garrett Marshall was way too appealing for her to spend a lot of time with. The last thing she wanted to do was get closer to him.

âIs that a yes or a no?â

Still, she was hungry. âUm, okay. Sure. Food sounds like a good idea.â

âGreat. Weâve got a diner here in townâthe only restaurant, actuallyâwhere the cooking is really excellent. You might as well get familiar with it on your first day here.â

âIt is still my first day, isnât it?â She sighed. âI havenât even unpacked the car. Or gone to my apartment. Thatâs the way medicine is sometimes.â

âWe appreciate your being here for what was clearly an emergency.â He pulled the truck into a parking space beside a building with the sign Kateâs Diner. Then he looked over in the dim light and grinned. âThe least I can do is buy you dinner on your first night in town.â

Alarms went off in Rachelâs headâhe made it sound way too much like a date. But she could hardly retreat at this point. Maybe she could talk him into splitting the check.

Garrett opened the door for her, a courtesy that upped her discomfort level. Then he pulled out a chair at the table and invited her to sit. Short of staging a fight, there wasnât much she could do other than take the seat he offered.

She met his gaze directly as he sat down across the table. âThis isnât a date.â

His eyebrows rose. âNot technically. No.â

That response didnât reassure her. âNot even remotely.â

He folded his arms on the table. âWould it be such a bad idea?â

âWe arenât a couple. Arenât going to be a couple.â

âThatâs a pretty sweeping prediction. We only met this morning. Do you dislike me so much already?â

She had to tell the truth. âNo, of course not. But the two of us are incompatible.â

âI disagree. I think weâve had a good day together.â

A pretty, brown-haired woman came to their table. âHey, Garrett. Long time no see.â

âHi, Terri. Yeah, weâve been pretty busy out on the ranch with the kids plus the regular chores. Let me introduce you to the newest citizen in townâthis is Dr. Rachel Vale. Sheâll be operating the Bisons Creek Medical Clinic.â

Terriâs face brightened. âI heard we were getting a doctor. Welcome! It will be so great to be able to visit a clinic in town when one of the kids has an ear infection instead of driving half an hour just to get a prescription.â

Rachel smiled. âIâm glad to be here. I look forward to helping you out when you need medical advice.â

âIâll be sure to call. But for right now, what can I get you two to drink?â

âWater,â she and Garrett both said at the same time.

âGot it.â Terri scribbled on her notepad. âWe still have some of the special available, which is meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy and Kateâs slow-cooked green beans. Iâll be back in a minute to take your orders.â

âSo,â Garrett said when the server had left, âyou were going to tell me why weâre incompatible.â

âWe have different worldviews.â Rachel clasped her hands on the table. âAs a minister, you operate on the assumption that faith will make things right. But as a doctor, I use science and facts to deal with the world.â

Terri reappeared with a glass of water for each of them. âAnd what will you have to eat?â

Once they both ordered the meat loaf, Rachel resumed her explanation. âPeople with such opposite perspectives canât find common ground for a relationship.â

Laughter sparked in his blue eyes. âAre you hoping to persuade me or yourself?â

She glared at him. âYouâre awfully sure Iâm attracted to you, arenât you?â

âI wasnât, till you started trying to convince me we canât go on a simple date.â

âThereâs nothing simple about dating.â

âSo youâve had some bad experiences?â

âHasnât everybody had a bad date?â

âSure. A few years ago, I went out with a woman who brought her grandmother along with us to dinner.â

Rachel had to laugh. âYouâre kidding, right?â

âAt first, I figured her grandmother just wanted to check me out. But when Nana showed up for the second go-round, I decided Iâd had enough of the two-for-one program.â

âIâm not surprised.â

âEspecially since Nana monopolized every conversation with details of her surgical adventures.â

âOh, no.â

âCan you top that?â

âI donât think so. Most of my bad dates were with guys who thought buying dinner entitled them to play doctor afterward.â

âRude.â He waited while Terri set their plates down and left again. âI promise to keep my hands to myself.â After a moment, he winked. âTonight.â

Rachel frowned at him. âYouâre a problem.â

They ate in silence for a few minutes, giving the delicious food the appreciation it deserved. âAt least now I know where to come for a decent meal,â she said when her hunger had been eased. âI donât have to depend on peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches.â

âYouâre not a cook?â

âI can make a salad, boil pasta or bake a potato in the microwave. Being a doctor hasnât offered much opportunity to develop complex cooking skills.â

âSo what do you do on your days off?â

âThere havenât been many of those. But I usually go for a run if Iâve got an hour of daylight. And I like to read.â

Garrett grinned at her. âSee, we do have something in common. I like to read, too. What do you read?â

âNot religious texts.â

âWe were talking about free time. And youâre determined to pigeonhole me, arenât you?â

She pushed her empty plate away. âIâm a doctor. That role defines my whole life. Youâre a minister. Wouldnât you say the same?â

âBut youâre also a runner and a reader. And probably a few other things Iâve yet to discover. Iâm a minister, yes, but I also work on a ranch. I rode bucking broncs in the rodeo. I volunteer with at-risk kids. Iâm a brother and soon to be a brother-in-law to a friend of yours. Do you have family?â

Rachel swallowed hard. âNo.â

He studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowed. âYou lost somebody recently.â

She shook her head. âNot so recent. My mom died two years ago.â

âIâm sorry.â His voice was gentle. âYou still miss her.â

Just like that, tears stung her eyes. For something to do, Rachel picked up her glass and took a long swallow of water. Blinking hard, she said, âSorry. I must be tired.â

âNo problem. Losing a parent is tough. If you ever want to talk about it, Iâll be glad to listen.â

âThatâs okay.â She sent him a forced smile. âIâm fine.â

âDessert?â Terri asked, appearing suddenly beside them. âWeâve got fresh lemon meringue pie.â

The idea of so much sugar after a day spent dealing with diabetes didnât appeal to Rachel. âJust some coffee, please.â

âMe, too,â Garrett said. âThen Iâll help you get your car unloaded.â

âNo, please,â Rachel started. âI can manageââ

âBut it will go faster with two people working at it.â He winked again. âYou canât get rid of me. You might as well give in.â

âThen you can let me take care of dinner.â When Terri put the check on the table, Rachel managed to get her fingers on it first. âSo there.â

He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. âI recognize when resistance is futile. But I will get even.â

Darkness had fallen before they arrived at the clinic. Rachel stared through the truck window at the building sheâd visited only briefly this morning. âSeems like days ago I arrived.â She blew out a deep breath and turned to Garrett. âYou should go home.â

âSoon. You donât even know where your apartment is, do you?â

âSure I do. Evans Street.â

âHow do you get there from here?â

âCaroline sent me a map...â

âJust get in your vehicle and let me lead the way. You can worry about maps tomorrow.â

Suddenly too tired to protest, Rachel did as she was instructed. In five minutes, they pulled up at the curb in front of an older two-story house with a wraparound porch.

Garrett came to her window. âThis is it. Youâve got Caroline for an upstairs neighbor, though sheâs not here much this summer. Luckily, the first-floor tenant moved out just at the right moment to give you a home.â

âIt seems to be a nice place.â She pulled the key sheâd been sent out of her purse. âSo far, so good.â

The interior was cozy, filled with secondhand furniture that appeared comfortable, if a little dated and dusty. The kitchen was bigger than Rachel would need, the bathroom smaller than she would have preferred. âThis will work for me,â she said as she and Garrett approached her car. âCompared to the places I lived during med school, itâs a palace.â

He pulled a couple of suitcases out of the back of the SUV. âWe make sacrifices when we really want something, donât we?â

She didnât answer because it disturbed her that he understood what sheâd been through without having to be told. He was altogether too easy to talk to, too perceptive and too easygoing. It would be better if he got angry or at least annoyed when she resisted him. Instead, he just smiled.

In a few short minutes, all the belongings sheâd labored to fit into her vehicle were set in convenient places around her new apartment. Garrett put the last box of books on the coffee table and straightened. âDo you have more stuff coming?â

âNo, this is it. I got rid of a lot of things before I left Seattle. I wanted to start new here.â

âAn admirable plan.â He put his hands in his pockets. âI should leave and let you settle in. Thanks again for helping out with Lena todayâit made a big difference to have a doctor available to deal with this crisis. Youâre going to be a real benefit to this community.â

âIâm glad I could help.â She followed him as he walked to the door. âThank you for helping carry all this inside. It would have taken me a lot longer. And Iâm pretty tired.â

âMy pleasure.â He faced her at the door. âJustino and I will be heading to the hospital in the morning. Can I pick you up?â

âIâm meeting with my new nurse early tomorrow,â she said, determined to set some limits. âBut Iâll check on Lena as soon as possible. Iâm sure the doctors on staff have her condition under control. Iâve applied for privileges at the hospital, but Iâm not currently Lenaâs doctor. Andââ she gave him a pointed look ââIâm not her family.â

âOf course. Itâs just been such a relief to have someone around who really understands whatâs happening.â His serious blue gaze captured hers. âYour support meant a lot to me today.â

The hall light was dim, and they stared at each other in the shadows. The moment seemed more intimate than it should, more important.

âGood night, Rachel Vale,â he said finally, his voice low.

âGood night, Garrett Marshall.â She wanted to break the connection between them but couldnât quite seem to do it.

Then he bent forward and kissed her on the cheek. The press of his lips burned like a brand. âSleep well.â His boot heels thudded on the porch floor as he walked quickly away.

Rachel didnât watch him drive off. That would be foolish and romantic, neither of which she intended to be. She was practical and logical, she told herself as she went into the bedroom, rational and pragmatic.

Rummaging through her overnight bag for pajamas and a toothbrush, she assured herself that there wasnât a mark on her cheek from that kiss, and proved it when she went into the bathroom and turned on the light over the sink.

But she could still feel his lips on her cheek when she put her head on the pillow and tried to fall asleep.

Chapter Three

Garrett found himself whistling while he drove home. He recognized the tune as a love song by one of his favorite artists and grinned.

Not that he had fallen in love. Not yet. But all day long, even through the worry and distress over Lena, he had been aware of an effervescence in the air, a sense of excitement and anticipation he could only relate to Rachel Vale. Even when she gave him those cute frowns of hers, he wanted to smile. He appreciated her caring approach to Lenaâs very real fears and her calm expertise in the face of a crisis. Her direct refusal to consider their dinner a date appealed to his sense of fairness. At least he knew where he stood with her.

He had to agree that their relationship would be complicated. His faith was the foundation of his life, and Rachelâs skepticism presented a serious obstacle. Garrett suspected the reason for her resistance had something to do with her motherâs death. He hoped she would confide in him about that reason and let him help her deal with her grief.

He would have to earn her trust to make that happen, a task he looked forward to with pleasure. Setting up in a new town, Rachel would no doubt feel isolated, maybe even lonely. Bringing her into the community, into his circle of friends and family, would be his primary goal.

As he turned onto the county road that would take him to the ranch, Garrett blinked hard at the sudden vision in his mindâs eyeâRachel and him as a couple, serving Christmas day dinner to the guests at the shelter in Casper, alongside a couple of red-haired kids. Their kids.

The image stopped his heart for a second. That kind of familyâmom, dad and kidsâhad disappeared from his life when he was twelve years old. His memories from before that time were few, but he could recall an afternoon at the county fair. He had ridden the roller coaster with his dad and Wyatt and Ford while his mother held baby Dylan. Heâd eaten cotton candy, visited the animal barns and the craft exhibits, ending the day with a ride on the Ferris wheel. Without a doubt, the day had been one of the best of his life.

Something about Rachel Vale had dredged up that sense of joy. Maybe it was her gentleness with Lena, or a certain sweetness in her smile. Beautiful, intelligent, dependable and devoted to her patientsânow that he considered the matter, the lovely lady doctor struck him as the perfect woman with whom to build the kind of family heâd been missing for more than twenty years.

Garrett shook his head. âSlow down, man,â he said aloud, driving under the sign for the ranch. âYou donât even have the horse and the cart in the same county, let alone one in front of the other.â

First, Rachel would have to relax her guard, accept him as a person she could rely on. Not to mention resolving the small matter of her resistance to the fundamentals of his job description.

Then...if she shared this powerful attraction heâd experienced all day...then they could investigate this falling-in-love business. Together.

When he parked the truck near the ranch house, he realized that tonight had been designated a homemade ice cream event. All the teenagersâexcept for Lenaâwere gathered on the front porch with bowls in their hands. Caroline and Ford sat in rocking chairs with their own servings.

Caroline got to her feet as he came up the steps. âPerfect timing. Let me get you some ice cream.â

He put up hand. âNo thanks. Not tonight.â After a day spent worrying about Lenaâs blood-sugar levels, the thought of a sweet dessert didnât hold much appeal.

She stared at him with a worried frown, since he always enjoyed their ice-cream concoctions. âAre you okay?â

âSure. Howâs everybody here?â He noticed Justino sitting on the corner of the porch, focused on his phone. âDid he get dinner?â

âHe didnât really want anything, but I convinced him to finish half a burger and some salad. And he did eat his dessert.â She sighed. âHeâs been texting constantly since he got here. I didnât have the heart to cut him off. Lena must be so scared.â

âThe nurses are taking care of her. She ate some dinner and was feeling much better when we left.â

Ford stepped up and put a hand on his shoulder. âIâm guessing you had a pretty hard day.â

âI just stood around. Lenaâs the one with the illness.â Garrett opened the screen door and led the way into the living room, for a less exposed conversation. âDid you reassure the rest of the kids?â

âWe explained that she was getting better but didnât define the exact problem.â Ford gave a slight shrug. âWe werenât really sure how to deal with that.â

Garrett shook his head. âMe, neither. Teenagers hate being different. And Lenaâs pretty image conscious. Iâll have to talk with her about what she wants everybody to know. Though, really, I donât believe we can keep it quiet. We all live pretty close together here.â

âThe whole situation is going to be complicated,â Ford said. âJust making ice cream will challenge Lenaâs new lifestyle. But the others will be disappointed if we donât continue the events.â He paused for a moment. âIâm wondering if the best thing wouldnât be for Lena to be at home as she learns to adaptâfewer distractions and temptations in an environment she can control.â

âNot at all.â He hadnât discussed his conversation with Mr. Smith over the telephone, but he described it to Ford and Caroline now. âHe basically abandoned Lena to my care. So, ready or not, Iâm her support system. We are her support system. Weâll have to figure out how to help her adjust.â

âMr. Garrett?â Becky Rush and Lizzie Hanson, the other two girls in the camp, stood at the front door. âCan we come in?â

âSure. How are you tonight? Did you have a good afternoon?â

Becky, a redhead with freckles, nodded. âWe went for a long trail ride to part of the ranch we hadnât seen before.â

âWe came to a pond,â Lizzie added. âDeep Pond, is that right?â She looked at Caroline, who smiled. âThere was a whole herd of deer grazing in the grass. They stared at us for a long time and then bolted into the trees. They were beautiful.â

âThey had fawns with them,â Becky said. âPretty big ones, but they still had white spots.â

âWe wanted to ask about Lena.â Lizzie played with the ends of her blond hair, not meeting Garrettâs gaze. âWhen can she come back?â

âItâll be a couple of days,â he said. âShe has to learn how to take some medicine when she leaves the hospital, so theyâll be helping her with that new routine. But soon enough weâll have her here again.â

Becky swallowed hard. âIt was scary when she fell. I was afraid she hurt herself.â

âWe all were,â Caroline said. âBut this was a problem that had been getting worse for her over a period of days or weeks, not something that suddenly happened.â

âAnd nobody else will get sick?â Lizzie asked, cheeks flushing bright red under her makeup.

âNobody else can get sick,â Garrett assured her. âDonât worry.â

âI want her to get well.â

âWe all do.â

Having asked their main question, the girls returned to the porch.

âIâll discuss this with Lena tomorrow,â Garrett said. âAnd advise her that giving the other teens the whole truth is the best idea. I promised Justino weâd go to the hospital after breakfast.â

Ford shifted his balance, a familiar sign of irritation. âWe need you here, too. These six kids deserve attention. Then thereâs ranch work to do, and Wyattâs a long way from being ready. Dylanâs spending more of his day in the studio working on his sculpture. Caroline and I both have jobs in town that weâve been neglecting.â

âAnd I have a church to take care of.â Garrett pulled in a deep breath. âI understand that weâre all stretched to the limit. Iâll do the best I can to be in three places at once.â

âWe all will,â Caroline said, easing the tension. âDid you like Rachel? I loved how she dealt with Lena.â

âSheâs great.â He was careful not to sound too enthusiastic. âHaving her at the hospital made everything much easier. And I think Lena already understands she can depend on Dr. Vale.â

âI imagine weâll be depending on Dr. Vale quite a bit ourselves,â Ford said. âWeâll require someone to help us cope with Lenaâs condition. None of us is remotely educated.â

âIâm sure Rachel will provide great backup.â Which would, luckily, give him a chance to know her better. âI did pick up some information at the hospital this afternoon when the nurse talked to Lena about insulin. And tonight Iâm going to research diabetes more on the internet.â

Ford shook his head. âYouâre not her parent, Garrett. You canât manage this as if you were.â

âHer dad consigned her to my care. What else can I do?â

Caroline put a hand on his arm. âWeâll work it out, Garrett. All of us together will support you and Lena through this.â

He put his palm over her fingers. âThanks. Between the Marshallsâyou included, Carolineâand Rachel Vale, Lenaâs got the best family available.â

But the next morning, Garrett wasnât sure even the Marshalls and Rachel Vale would be enough. When he and Justino arrived at Lenaâs room, Kim Kaiser was there. And Lena was in tears.

âNo, no, no,â she wailed. âI canât.â

Justino rushed to the bed. âWhatâs wrong?â

She threw herself against his chest. âI canât give myself shots. It hurts!â

Kim stood calmly on the other side, with a syringe and other equipment laid out on a cloth. She glanced at Garrett. âThis isnât unusual. Itâs a pretty challenging prospect, giving yourself a shot. Butââ she moved her gaze to Lena ââit has to be done.â

âEven with the insulin pump?â

âThe pump portal has to be changed, which is similar to an injection.â As the sobs continued, Kim moved her equipment to a nearby table. âIâll give her a few minutes,â she said and left the room.

As if Rachel were there to tell him so, Garrett knew he had to respond rationally to help Lena calm down. She was a high-spirited, emotional girl. But she would have to exercise some logic in order to save her own life. Still, there was something to be said for the empathetic approach heâd learned as a minister. Maybe the two could work together...

He waited until she quieted and reclined again on her pillow, still holding tightly to Justinoâs hand. âI can understand how upsetting this is,â Garrett told her. âWhy would you deliberately stick yourself with a needle?â

Lena sniffed. âI hate shots. Since I was little.â

âHereâs the thing, though.â Heâd stayed up reading and now had a good grasp on the facts. âYour blood sugar will change during the day depending on what you eat but also on what youâre doing and other factors you canât even control. Because your body isnât monitoring that level for you, you have to do it yourself. Sometimes your blood sugar will be low, and youâll need to eat. Sometimes it will be high and youâll need insulin.â

He paused and made sure he had her attention. âThe thing is, if you want to stay wellâto feel good and do the things you enjoy, including being with Justino and your friendsâyou must take injections. Now, you can find somebody to do that for youâme, for instance. But that would mean finding me, interrupting whatever Iâm doing, pulling up your shirt or pulling down your pants so I can inject you.â

âNo!â

âOr you can take responsibility for your health. Learn to accept that this is something you have to do to take care of yourself, like brushing your teeth.â

As Lena gazed at him, tears flowed down her cheeks. âI donât want to.â

Garrett put a hand over hers. âI know. And Iâm sorry. But itâs necessary in order to keep you happy and alive.â

When Kim returned, Lena was resigned, though far from cheerful. âI guess I have to do this,â she said. âBut I hate it.â

âYouâll get used to it,â the nurse reassured her. âEventually itâll be no big deal.â She moved her equipment back to the side of the bed. âNow, hereâs what youâll do.â

Garrett drew Justino out of the room with him, to give Lena privacy. âItâs a hard thing,â the boy said. âI canât stand that she has to suffer this way.â

Another parental moment. Garrett sighed silently. âBut if you are going to help Lena manage her health, you canât feel sorry her. You have to be brave so she can be brave. Does that make sense?â

The boy heaved a deep breath. âI guess so. I can try.â

âLenaâs dad isnât much help.â Garrett decided to be honest. âSo you and I and Dr. Vale are going to be her team. Her cheerleaders. Can you do that? For Lena?â

Justino nodded decisively. âI can.â

âGood job.â The voice coming from behind him was Rachelâs.

Garrett pivoted to face her. âI didnât realize youâd arrived.â

âI didnât want to interrupt your conversation, but I couldnât help overhearing.â She smiled at Justino. âGarrett is right. You can be a big help to Lena. Iâm sure sheâll appreciate your encouragement with the changes sheâll be making in her life.â

âIâll do my best.â

âI know you will. For you,â she said to Garrett, âI brought books.â She held out a couple of volumes, one a thin paperback but the other quite a hefty load. âThe big one is more of an encyclopediaâdonât try to read it cover to cover. The smaller one is about coping with diabetic teenagers. I unpacked the boxes in my office this morning and there they were.â

âThanks.â In the midst of a serious medical situation, he could still notice how her shirt matched the blue of her eyes, how her khaki slacks showed off a small waist and rounded hips, how her russet hair caught the light. âDid you have a restful night?â

âIt was fine.â She didnât meet his eyes. âHowâs Lena this morning?â

Garrett related Lenaâs response to the prospect of injections and how heâd handled it. âShe agreed to cooperate, at least.â

âIâm afraid itâs going to take more toughness on your part and Lenaâs to succeed.â Her voice was cool, her expression distant, as if she didnât want to be talking with him.

Kim Kaiser came out of the hospital room. âIâm giving Lena a break, a chance to absorb what Iâve showed her. This afternoon we can all go over what sheâs learned. Will that work for everyone?â

âSure.â

Justino immediately went inside to be with Lena. Garrett watched the nurse make her way down the hall and then looked back at Rachel. âHaving second thoughts?â

She was watching Kim retreat down the hallway. âI beg your pardon?â

âMy guess is that you woke up this morning and decided that you let me get too close last night. So today youâre making sure to put space between us, so I wonât get the wrong idea.â

When her startled gaze came to his, he gave her a quizzical smile. âDo you really think thatâs going to work?â

* * *

RACHEL DIDNâT LIKE being so easily read. âWhy would you come to mind at all this morning?â She made herself hold his stare, but she could feel heat rising in her cheeks.

âFor the same reason you came to my mind. Simple attraction.â

She restrained herself from rushing into denial, which would only confirm his suspicion. âThatâs a pretty big assumption. We only met yesterday.â

âBut we spent most of the day togetherâseveral datesâ worth of time, in my estimation. I believe I know you pretty well already.â

âI doubt that. And Iâm sure I donât know you.â

âEvidently well enough to declare that weâre incompatible.â

âThatâs based on one obvious fact.â

âWhich to me makes it a pretty shaky conclusion. As a rational person, shouldnât you investigate further and determine whether youâre right or whether you might, in actuality, be wrong? We could be the most well-matched couple in Bisons Creek. And thatâs saying something, since we have married folks approaching their fiftieth wedding anniversary.â

Rachel shook her head. âYouâre persistent, Iâll give you that. But why put ourselves through the pain of trying out a relationship that simply canât succeed? Iâm going to be busy establishing my practice. You have your church, your ranch, the teenagers youâre working with and now Lenaâs diabetes. Neither of us has time to wedge another person into our lives, especially when that person will only make trouble.â

âMake trouble?â

âIâll get impatient with your faith-based approach to life. Youâll try to change my mind, draw me into your church, which Iâll resist. Weâll argue and then weâll break up, with a lot of torment on both sides. Iâm suggesting we avoid that distress by keeping our connection casual.â

His smile faded and he gave a long, low whistle. âYouâve got it all figured out, after one day.â Hands in the pockets of his jeans, he shrugged. âI think youâre wrong about both of us. As I see it, we could learn from each other, improve both our lives by sharing our points of view. Iâm not some wild-eyed hermit who sees visions and hears voices. Iâm just an ordinary guy who hopes to make things better for the people of his community with a little faith, hope and love. And the greatest of those is love.â He sighed. âIf casual is what you want, though, thatâs what youâll get. Ready to check in with Lena?â

âOf course.â

He let her go into the room ahead of him, his usual polite approach. But Rachel noticed a difference in the air around them, as if a light had dimmed and there were shadows where there used to be brightness. Garrett seemed to be himself when talking to Lena and Justino, telling jokes and relating stories about his adventures on the ranch. He was certainly as polite as ever when she joined in the conversation. But the coolness of his gaze when he glanced at her, his politeness as he listened when she spoke, put a chill in the air. She wished she had a sweater to warm up.

Kim Kaiser returned in the afternoon to give Lena and Garrett an intensive session on insulinâthe different types and how to measure it, the kinds of situations that called for adjustments in dosages.

Lena soon got frustrated. âThis is worse than school! I canât understand all these numbers and names.â

Garrett was frowning at the papers heâd been given. âI have to agree. Rapid-acting, intermediate, long-term...how do we know what to use when?â

Kim obviously tried to be patient. âLena will test her blood-sugar level and then decide how much insulin to take based on what she has eaten or is planning to eat.â

âHow often do I have to do this test?â

âWhen you get up in the morning, before lunch, before dinner and at bedtime.â

âEvery day?â

âThat would be safest. Another positive step to take is a twenty-four-hour check, so youâll track how your blood sugar behaves during the night when youâre asleep.â

âThat sounds pretty difficult,â Garrett said. âSetting an alarm every couple of hours?â

âOr having someone wake her up to do the test.â

Lena slapped her hands down on the blanket. âWonderful.â

Rachel walked to the end of the bed. âThis all seems overwhelming, doesnât it?â

âOh, yes.â

âThereâs a lot you have to learn at the beginning. As with any new skillâhorses, for example. You didnât just get on and know everything about riding.â

âIt was easier than this.â

âOr how about dancing? Do you like to dance? Salsa, maybe?â

Lena glanced at her boyfriend and grinned. âWe love to dance.â

âBut you had to learn the steps slowly at first, and concentrate on where to put each foot, how to move your hips and hands and head.â

âI guess so.â

âWith your diabetes, you have to learn the steps. Testing your blood sugar is the first one. Knowing which insulin to take at the right time is next. Figuring out when and what to eat is also important. All of these moves will help you stay well.â

âBut itâs sooooo complicated.â

âSalsa dancing is complicated for me,â Garrett said. âIâm totally uncoordinated when I try.â

That made Lena laugh, as heâd surely intended. âI can teach you,â she said, âwhen we go back.â

âItâs a plan.â He nodded firmly. âBut for now, we have to concentrate on insulin.â

When Kim left the room later in the afternoon, Lena had gained a basic understanding of her routine. âI wonât be able to do anything but testing and taking shots,â she pouted. âIâll never get to have fun anymore.â

âYes, you will,â Rachel said. âBecause, as happens with dancing, youâll get faster at testing, injecting and managing your supplies.â

âThere is one more thing we need to talk about.â Garrett took a chair at the side of the bed. âCaroline and Ford reassured the other kids at the ranch that you were getting better and the doctors were taking care of you. The question is, do you want them to know you have diabetes? We could explain what that means, kind of prepare them for the fact that youâll be testing and taking injections. Itâs your decision but, in my opinion, that would be easiest.â

Lena let her head rest against the pillow, and tears seeped from underneath her closed eyelids. âItâs not enough to have to deal with this. I have to be embarrassed in front of everyone, too.â

âNobody will care, Lena.â Justino took her hand. âThey wonât think different of you.â

Rachel nodded. âEverybody has limitations. Garrett canât dance.â

âHey, I can do a nice two-step. Itâs just that salsa thing I donât get.â

âI canât sing,â Rachel continued, ignoring him. âMuch as I would enjoy it, my voice croaks like a frog. Your limitation is that you have to manage your blood sugar because your body wonât do it automatically. Thatâs all. Itâs really a simple problem, and not the worst one you could have. Youâre a strong girl who can handle this well if she puts her mind to it.â

The room was quiet for a few minutes while Lena wrestled with the new facts of her life. Rachel found herself gazing at Garrett but shifted her focus when he glanced in her direction. The less contact between them, the easier it would be to let whatever wanted to develop die.

âI guess youâd better tell them,â Lena said finally, with a sigh. âIf they donât want to be around me, at least Iâll know why.â

âGood choice.â Garrett patted her shoulder. âEverybody has been worried about you, so hearing the truth will comfort them. And I bet youâll find your friendships are the same as before. Youâre no differentâyou just have a few extra things to consider.â

Rachel considered that assessment too optimistic, but decided not to put a damper on the moment. âYouâll regain your balance,â she assured the girl. âThere are lots of professional athletes and Hollywood stars who live successfully with diabetes. You can, too.â

A nurse knocked on the door and then entered, carrying a food tray. âDinnertime,â she said. âDo try to eat as much as you can.â

Garrett got to his feet. âWeâll leave you alone for a few minutes. Then we have to head back to the Circle M, Justino. Weâve been gone all day.â

Out in the hall, he gazed at the papers in his hand. âLenaâs right. This reminds me of chemistry class, where your grade depends on doing the lab exactly according to the instructions. Only itâs not just a grade, itâs her life.â

Rachel hardened her heart against his concern. âAs I said yesterday, youâre taking on a formidable task. Are you sure Lena doesnât have family who could supervise her?â

âIâm sure. Caroline checked her records at the office. Thereâs no one listed in the paperwork.â

She shook her head. âThen, for better or worse, youâre going to have to master the information and use it. The more you understand, the less likely youâll be to make a mistake.â

He stared at her with wide eyes. âWhat kind of mistakes?â

âIf she takes too much insulin, then sheâll have to eat something to get sugar into her system. If she doesnât take enough, sheâll have to test her blood and adjust the next dose. Diabetes isnât an instantaneous problemâitâs a daily, weekly process of balance. With practice, you both should get used to the routine. How much longer does the ranch camp last?â

âAbout a month.â

âSo Lena has a month to absorb this process before sheâll have to take care of herself without help. Itâs not much time.â

âBut itâs all we get.â He blew out a deep breath. âI have a feeling weâll be bothering you a lot once Lena leaves the hospital.â

âIn that case...â She reached into her purse and brought out a few of the business cards she had ordered. âThis is the number. Take enough cards to put in various places you might call fromâthe kitchen, the place Lena sleeps, the barn, even. And keep your cell phone close by.â

âOur cell reception is sketchy out on the ranch, but we have landlines in all those places you mentioned, so I should be able to get in touch.â His mouth relaxed into a smile. âThanks for your help.â

The jump in her pulse as their eyes met was a reminder of why she should keep Garrett Marshall at a distance. She was just too susceptible to his charm. âNo problem. Thatâs what Iâm in Bisons Creek to do.â

There was a moment of silence, as he absorbed what sheâd said. âRight. Youâre the town doctor. Itâs your job.â Then he leaned through the doorway into Lenaâs room. âWeâd better hit the road, Justino. Donât want to miss dinner again. Lena, we will see you tomorrow morning. Have a good night.â

With the boy dragging reluctantly behind him, Garrett headed toward the elevator, giving Rachel a two-fingered salute off his hat brim as he passed.

Rachel realized sheâd hurt his feelings, but what else could she do? He imagined possibilities where she saw only obstacles, and encouraging him would be unkind. She was absolutely convinced they would both be better off never letting anything emotional develop between them. Garrett would understand one day. If she just held firm.

She went in and sat with Lena for a little while, encouraged to note that sheâd regained some appetite and had eaten a good portion of her dinner. Soon enough, though, texts to and from Justino were taking most of the girlâs attention, so Rachel stood up from the chair by the bed. âIâll leave for the night. But Iâll stop by tomorrow to check on how youâre getting along.â

Lena gave her a sweet smile. âThank you for being here. It helps to have you and Mr. Garrett to explain things.â

âIâm glad. Weâll do what we can to make this new life as easy as possible for you. Youâre old enough to be able to take care of yourselfâyou just have to learn how.â

Her phone buzzed again, but Lena didnât immediately read the text. âMy dad expects me to take care of my brothers when Iâm home.â

âWeâll work on your schedule so thatâs possible. And maybe we can get your dad to recognize the challenges youâre facing so heâll lighten your load.â

But Lena shook her head. âThat will never happen.â Another buzz on her phone distracted her. âNight,â she said, and shifted her focus.

âGood night.â

After leaving the hospital, Rachel stopped by the grocery store in Buffalo so she could stock the refrigerator and pantry in her new kitchen. The drive home showed her a breathtaking sunset as the clouds streaking the western sky glowed red and gold over the peaks of the Big Horn Mountains. Purple twilight shadowed the rolling plains at the base of the mountain range, adding to the rich palette of colors.

Coming back to Wyoming was a terrific choice. All the years away, sheâd missed the spectacular views in her home state.

As long as she kept her distance from Garrett Marshall.

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