him.'
'The truth!' Perry ordered. 'Do you care for me?'
'You're a demanding wench,' Hunter snapped, and his anger allowed him the willpower to look at her.
'You swore you'd speak the truth.' Perry moved her fist to her waist.
The movement revealed the beautiful mound of her breast where her blouse gaped open. He saw the gold medallion he'd given her, nestling in her cleavage.
He reached for the chain. Perry squealed, hitting his hand away. 'Answer my question, Hunter Kirkland.'
He knew he was no different from his father or grandfather, in that he'd fallen hard for one woman, but he'd be damned if he was going to let her badger him into admitting it. He rose to his knees and with a sudden jerk pulled her beside him. 'I'll answer your question!'
His mouth was fully on her lips as his hand twisted into her hair and held her still. His free arm pulled her against him. Her struggles only excited him as they pressed against each other. After a moment she clung to him, and he allowed his hands to roam freely up and down her body. Her wrinkled clothes did little to hamper his progress. When he'd kissed her until he felt her body melt completely against his, he raised his mouth and stared down into her face. 'You are my heaven,' he whispered against her cheek. 'There are no games, no questions between us.'
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. They were so lost in each other that the knock on the front door seemed a million miles away. Moments later the downstairs door opened and slammed closed, drawing them both from their dream.
Jumping from the bed, she started buttoning her blouse as she heard her name shouted from the hall.
'Andrew,' she whispered. 'It's my brother, Andrew.'
She was halfway across the room when Andrew burst through the door. 'Perry!' he shouted with joy, then froze at the scene before him. Hunter was shirtless on the bed, and it was obvious that Perry had just left his side.
She started toward Andrew, then stopped when she saw his shocked face. For a moment she couldn't understand his strange expression. Never had Andrew failed to open his arms wide to his little sister. Now he just stood watching her, as if he had never seen her before.
Moving a step closer, Perry whispered her brother's name once more.
Andrew turned to her, his face filled with anger. 'I couldn't believe my ears when I heard from Dr. Moore that you were alive. Now I can't believe my eyes. Look at the disgrace you bring to our name. What kind of trash are you to let this Yankee bed you?'
Too shocked to speak, Perry glanced from Hunter to her brother.
Andrew would have tread more lightly if he'd seen the anger in the Yankee's face, but he had time and words for no one but his little sister.
Deadly calm, Hunter moved off the bed.
The redheaded doctor grabbed his sister's arm as she tried to move past him. He pulled her toward the door. 'You're coming home with me!' His fingers dug into her arm as he shook with anger. 'I'll not have any sister of mine playing whore to a Yankee.'
'No!' Perry screamed. 'No, Andrew!'
He couldn't see Hunter's approach, but Perry did. With lightning-quick force Hunter slammed his fist into Andrew's jaw. Andrew let go of her and whirled around, colliding with the wall. He heard Perry's scream as his eyes rolled back and his legs slid out from under him. Shaking his head from side to side, he tried to clear his brain. As his vision cleared, Andrew found himself staring at a sword pointed directly at his heart.
Perry stood frozen, watching as Andrew forced his sight past the weapon to the man beyond. Fiery gray eyes bore into him with such hatred, Andrew grew white with fear.
Hunter's voice was low yet crystal clear. 'You are alive, sir, because you are Perry's brother. Do not challenge your luck, for I will not consider the kinship again.'
Amazement showed on Andrew's face as his tiny sister moved fearlessly beside this blond madman and gently laid her hand on his arm.
'Hunter,' Perry whispered lovingly.
Hunter didn't move his gaze from Andrew or lower his sword. 'No one, sir, takes Perry from my side.' His eyes burned in anger. 'Anyone who touches her against her will shall not live another day on this earth. Do I make myself clear?' Hunter's voice was deadly earnest.
Andrew was obviously too frightened to speak. He nodded slowly and breathed a sigh of relief as Hunter lowered the sword.
Perry moved to help Andrew up as Hunter returned the sword to its place on the wall. 'Andrew, I'm no longer a child. No man orders or owns me.' Perry hoped Hunter would heed her words also.
Andrew straightened his clothes, trying to gain back a few ounces of his self-respect. 'If you stand beside such a wild man, perhaps you need no protective big brother. I will not tempt fate again by accusing you of anything.' A newfound respect echoed in his words as he addressed his sister. 'Even in shock and anger I never meant to hurt you, Perry.'
'I know you didn't, my gentle Andrew.' She smiled, her thoughts full of Hunter's words. Though he had spoken in anger at Andrew, he told of how deeply he loved her. He might not have said the words of love, but she knew he felt them.
She moved beneath his protective arm, sliding her hand lovingly around his back and resting her fingers at his waist. She bore no shame for being with Hunter, and she wanted Andrew to understand this. 'I would've wished the two of you to meet under less violent circumstances,' she said, trying to ease the tension. 'Hunter, my brother saved your life once. Do you think you could give him another chance?'
Hunter's eyebrow raised. 'You were the Confederate doctor in camp?' His anger was vanishing with Perry's touch. Though Andrew paid no notice, she was slowly moving her fingers up and down Hunter's side as they talked. He found himself hard-pressed to think of anything but her fingers sliding along his skin.
'Yes, I treated you at Perry's request.' Andrew straightened, pulling his shoulders back.
Hunter's anger diminished. He saw a defeated man standing before him, only tiny threads of pride holding him together. 'I can't hate a man for loving his sister, even if you were harsh in your attack. Perry speaks of you with admiration.' Hunter slowly extended his hand to Andrew. 'I thank you, Dr. McLain. When I reached Philadelphia, the doctor said if it hadn't been for your excellent care, I'd have lost my arm, if not my life.'
Perry smiled up at Hunter. She knew he was giving Andrew back a fraction of the pride the war had torn away.
'Dr. Moore tells me we could use a doctor with your skill. Will you consider staying at Three Oaks?' Hunter asked.
Gaining control of his voice, Andrew answered, 'I like it here. Maybe it would be better to start somewhere new, now that the war is over.'' He coughed and attempted to make the question show only casual interest. 'Do you plan on staying on here?'
Hunter laughed at his question and winked at Perry. They smiled, both knowing Andrew would be hoping for a negative answer. 'I would like to, but my work is in Philadelphia and Washington. I plan to visit here often, however. I'm very concerned with the politics of this area. The election of the next governor in a few days may prove very interesting.'
Perry watched as Andrew became more relaxed when the subject turned to one of his favorites, politics. 'It will be a close race between Worth and Holden. Many of the men I've talked to are not even going to bother to vote. They say with either man as governor, North Carolina is in for a hard time.'
'President Johnson has a special interest in this election, what with Raleigh being his birthplace and all,' Hunter said, all too aware of Perry's stirring as she pulled from beside him and moved toward the door.
She smiled first at Andrew, then at Hunter. 'Do you think you gentlemen could continue your discussion downstairs? I'd like to freshen up, then I'll cook you both breakfast.'
Hunter bowed. 'Yes, angel.' Then, turning to Andrew, he added, 'I'll show you to the kitchen, and maybe between the two of us, we can find the coffee.' He bent casually to pick up his boots as he stuffed his shirt into his pants with his free hand.
The men moved down the hall as Perry crossed to her room. She removed her wrinkled blouse and skirt, deep in thought. She began absentmindedly combing her hair as she tried to remember everything Hunter had said that
