Dreams of Gold Read Free Page A

the scent of lemons. The fresh and tangy fragrance fit what he knew about the woman. Within moments, he reached the doctor’s office and stooped to open the door. Miss Morrissey slipped lower in his arms and he shifted his hold. The soft mound of her bottom was firm and ripe for a man’s touch, and he willed himself not to tighten his hand. Afraid she’d rouse and discover this compromised position, he slid his hand to the backs of her legs.
    Through the open doorway, the doctor called out, “I’ll be there in a moment.”
    “Doc, Sheriff Riley here.” He lowered her to a chair and clamped a hand on her shoulder to keep her from sliding off. “Toss me a bottle of smelling salts. I can take care of Miss Morrissey.”
    The curtain parted, and the doctor poked out his head, glancing between Quinn and the woman. “She’s just fainted?”
    “Yeah, one minute she was walking and talking, the next she was out cold leaning against me.” He stretched to grab the bottle the doctor placed on the desk. “How’s Pete? Can I talk to him?”
    Doc’s gaze passed quickly over the woman’s face. “He’s lost a fair amount of blood. I’ve given him a draught of laudanum, so he’ll be sleepy. But he can talk.”
    “How about the other one, the female passenger?”
    “I revived her once. She took one look at Pete’s injury, screamed to high heavens, and fainted again. I figured she’ll sleep a bit and wake up on her own.” He cast a sheepish look at the curtain and shook his head. “No use bringing her around just to deal with hysterics again.”
    “Couldn’t agree more.” Turning to face the chair, Quinn pulled the stopper from the jar and waved it under Miss Morrissey’s nose.
    A gloved hand swatted at the bottle, but her eyes remained closed.
    Damn, he had other problems to attend. He lifted the jar closer to her nose. This time, her whole body jerked and a foot kicked, catching him high on the inside of his thigh. Unprepared for the sharp jolt, he staggered backwards. “Ow! Watch your foot, lady.”
    She shook her head and crossed her arms in front of her face. “Take away that vile jar. I am awake.”
    Quinn capped the jar and set it on the desk. He leaned over, massaging the tender spot dangerously close to his groin, and peered into her face. “Let me see your eyes.”
    She lowered her hands and opened her eyes wide. “I am quite all right.” Her gaze dropped to where his hand rubbed his leg. “Oh, did I do that?”
    “Next time I’ll stand to the side when administering smelling salts.” He straightened, arms at his side. “Guess everyone’s reaction is different.”
    As pinkish color rose in her cheeks, she dipped her chin. “Sheriff Riley, I am sorry. I hope there will be no, um, permanent injury.”
    “Thanks to your short legs, no harm done.” The woman was candid—another quality he admired. A grin touched his lips. “I’d hate to think what would have happened if you were three inches taller.” Before he took the conversation in an even more improper turn, he excused himself and stepped behind the curtain. With a quick glance, he scanned the room.
    A blonde woman dressed in a faded brown dress that had seen more prosperous days sprawled on the padded examination table.
    Pete rested on a cot against the opposite wall, his wiry shoulder bandaged, and a sheet pulled up under his arms. His face was pale beneath his tanned skin, and his eyes were closed.
    “Pete?” Quinn waited, and then nudged the man’s good arm. “Pete, wake up. I need information.”
    The man roused, but his eyelids drooped at half mast. “Hey, Quinn.”
    “What can you tell me about the men?”
    “Three men…well armed.” He swallowed hard. “Plugged the coach…a couple shots then team stopped.” His mouth drew into a tight line. “Told passengers to cooperate.” He shook his head and fought to lift his eyelids. “A woman screamed. Like a fool, I stood... caught this here bullet.”
    Nothing new in that