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She’d thought he might be less grumpy now that he’d found Caley. Both he and his brother, Archer, were involved with Caley, which had kind of surprised Charlie. Doc didn’t seem the sharing type. But it seemed to work well for the three of them. She guessed Archer’s smooth calm evened out Doc’s gruffness.
But, unfortunately, he only seemed to soften when Caley was around. At least from what Charlie had seen. Then again, if he could get the room cleared of Kent and Linc she’d be grateful. She wasn’t really in the mood to be stared at.
“Out. I have work to do and I can’t do it with all of you in the way.” Doc stepped into the room and made shooing motions with his hands.
Kent sighed and glared at him. “You do know you work for me, right?”
Kent owned Jensen Security International. His headquarters were situated on Sanctuary Ranch. While Kent ran JSI, Clint ran the ranch. Technically, Doc was employed by Kent although he looked after everyone on the ranch.
“I’m vaguely aware of it,” Doc replied as he set his bag on an armchair in the corner of the room. “What of it?”
“You’re not supposed to shoo me.”
“I don’t remember that being in my employment agreement. I’m supposed to do what is in my patient’s best interests. And right now, what Charlie really wants is for me to shoo you, isn’t that right, sweetie?”
Sweetie? That was new. He’d never called her that before. In fact, mostly he didn’t address her, preferring to bark orders at Clint, which she’d always thought was rather brave of him.
Perhaps having Caley around was making him soften up.
Kent reached down and squeezed her hand. “Feel better soon, Charlie. Let me know if you need anything.” That last part was directed at Clint who nodded in reply.
?
?Hope you’re okay, sweetheart,” Linc told her, giving her a smile. She hoped he found someone special soon. She just knew he would make a great Daddy.
“Right, now that they’re all gone, someone tell me what happened.” Doc reached for her hand, resting two fingers on her pulse.
“I was outside for a walk and Linc called out to me. I must have turned too quickly or something. Because the next thing I knew, I woke up here.”
“Right. Did you feel sick? Have a headache? Have you noticed any dizziness before this?”
“Umm.” How much to tell him? She didn’t want him to think she was actually ill. She didn’t have time for that.
“Charlotte,” Clint said warningly. He was standing at the end of the bed, his arms crossed over his wide chest, a scowl on his face. He’d changed back into jeans and a plaid shirt. She’d wanted to peek in on him in his suit earlier. Which is how she’d come to be outside their bedroom door, accidentally eavesdropping on his conversation with Kent, when she’d heard him talking about eloping.
Guilt swamped her. He didn’t want any of this wedding. She’d pushed him into it.
“Tell Doc the truth,” Clint warned.
She licked her lips and glanced over at Doc. “Umm, well, I guess I felt a bit dizzy earlier today.”
“All right, anything else? Headache? Sore throat?”
She shook her head then winced. “I’ve got a bit of a headache right now.”
Doc nodded. “Think you can sit up okay? I want to check your throat and have a listen to your chest.”
“Yes, I can.” She put her hands down to push herself up. Suddenly, Clint was there. He moved pillows around so she was half-reclining. She gave him a small smile.
“Thank you.”
Clint’s face softened before he moved away so Doc could examine her. He looked down her throat, felt her glands. Then he peered in her ears, before checking her breathing with his stethoscope.
“Right, Clint, can you help her lie on her side and pull down her pants. I’ll take her temperature.”
She groaned. See? Here came the butt stuff.
“Did you just say here comes the butt stuff?” Doc asked, raising an eyebrow.
