She slipped her hand into his. “You’re right. For now, I don’t have a choice.”
He led her from the kitchen toward the open front door, where Shawn was leaning against the wall, swaying slightly. Despite taking big gulps of the fresh mountain air, his eyes were unfocused and his words slurred. “You have a plan?”
“You heard?” Kelos asked.
“My brain might still be a little foggy, but my ears are working perfectly.” He glanced at Amber. “If you need to stay…”
“No, Kelos is right, we’d only put you in danger.” She scanned the street outside. “And there would be a lot of questions.”
“A lot of questions,” Shawn conceded.
“Shawn here already attracts a lot of attention,” Kelos said as he squeezed past Shawn.
“A good-looking doctor must be in need of a wife.” Amber leaned forward and kissed Shawn on the cheek. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll come by as soon as I can.” He caught hold of Amber’s arm. “Do I need to check anyone over?”
“No, no one’s hurt. But Elliot… He has asthma and we only have one inhaler.” Her mouth formed a tight smile. “I’m sorry to ask.”
“No, I can get you what you need. But I’d like to examine him first.” Shawn was more himself as he talked about medicine. It was his gift.
“Sure.” Amber inched her body away from the doctor’s. “We should go. Margie will be worried.”
“I’ll drive my truck and you follow.” Kelos walked down the driveway to his truck, still holding onto Amber’s hand. Only when they had to part on the sidewalk did he reluctantly let her go. “Drive safely.”
She nodded, looking tired and he longed to scoop her up in his arms and carry her away to his house. But she had her family to care for and he respected that. His own needs would have to wait. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Shawn. Sorry for the midnight visit.”
“Anytime, Amber.” The doctor’s expression clouded as he walked to the end of his driveway and watched his friend walk away.
“Are you okay?” Kelos asked as he yanked his truck door open.
Shawn nodded and placed his hand on the body of the truck for support. “I haven’t seen Amber for three or four years. And she turns up on my doorstep in the dead of night with her sister-in-law and her kids. Which part of all right do you think I’m not?” Shawn dragged a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I feel bad that I’m in no fit state to help.”
Kelos shrugged. “Don’t be. You’re allowed to have time off. You lead a hectic stressful life and you could not have known Amber would need your help tonight. As you said, you two haven’t seen each other for years.”
“If you need me, call me.” Shawn looked up and down the street. “Make sure you’re not followed.”
“I will.” His brows knitted together as he heard the sound of a door slam. It was only Amber getting into her car, but his nerves were on edge, alert for every sound that might mean danger for his mate. “Do you have any idea what this is all about?”
“You mean what trouble Amber is in?” Shawn shook his head. “Amber isn’t the kind of person to get into trouble.” He grinned, his affection for his friend obvious. “She’s a bit of a hippy chick. We lost contact when she went off around the world with nothing more than a backpack.”
“While you came here to raise your child.” Kelos placed his hand on Shawn’s shoulder. “And Jane is your priority.”
Shawn nodded and cast a glance toward Amber’s car. “But Amber is my friend and she would help me if our roles were reversed.”
“I’m here for her, too.” Kelos glanced wistfully in his rearview mirror as he started his engine. “I’ll keep in touch.”
“Do that. And take care, Kelos. You might have lived for a long time but that doesn’t make you invincible.”
“I know. I have a strong sense of self-preservation.” He did not admit that his need to preserve the life of his mate superseded his own self-preservation. “Go to bed, Shawn.”
Shawn raised his hand and waved as Kelos started his engine and drove off. The doctor backed up toward his house and watched Amber pull out from the curb and her car follow the truck. He remained on the sidewalk until the two vehicles disappeared from view.
Does he know more than he’s saying? Kelos’s dragon asked.
I don’t think so. He’s worried, that’s all. As am I. His jaw tensed. There were so many questions he wanted to ask his mate. But he could not bombard her with words when they reached his house. His first job would be to get the children settled in bed and then make sure Amber and Margie were all right. He suspected they all needed a good night’s sleep before he would get any of the answers he needed.
We have waited this long for our mate. We have plenty of patience, his dragon said.
Do we? Kelos asked as he drove down the steep road that was the only way in and out of Cougar Ridge. As his headlights illuminated the way, he kept checking in his rearview mirror to make sure his mate was still following.
Part of him was worried he’d gotten himself drunk at The Happy Bear Club and this was all an alcohol-induced dream. However, if he had dreamed up his mate, he was certain he would not have conjured a mate who was in trouble.
You wouldn’t have dreamed up a damsel in distress? his dragon asked. A woman who needed rescuing?
I’m not sure Amber does need rescuing, Kelos told his dragon. I think she can look after herself just fine.
Then why go to Shawn? His dragon puffed smoke out of his nostrils. Should we be jealous?
Of Shawn? Kelos contemplated his dragon’s words for a long moment. No, they were friends, no more.
Are
