Read Online A Marriage In Wyoming (The Marshall Brothers 3) by Lynnette Kent - Free Book Online Page A

her—the russet hair pulled to the side and then into a ponytail, the smooth cream of her cheeks and the shining blue of her eyes. Khaki shorts showed off the toned length of her legs and a sleeveless yellow shirt revealed her slender arms. His mouth went dry even as he fought to school his face into a casual—damn the word—mask.
    When she turned toward him, he didn’t offer his hand for her to shake. “Hey, Rachel. What brings you out this way?”
    “I called her,” Caroline said. “I wondered if maybe Lena would appreciate having Rachel around for her solo flight, so to speak.”
    “You’re one smart woman. Lena was actually hoping Rachel would be here.” He met the doctor’s gaze, keeping his own cool. “Thanks for making a house call.”
    “I’m glad to help.” She nodded toward the welcome banner. “This appears to be a party.”
    “A surprise party,” he agreed. “Lena was pretty thrilled.”
    “That’s great for her confidence. She must have been a little nervous returning to her friends.”
    “Try a lot nervous. But so far, all is well.”
    “We planned to have lunch down at the creek,” Caroline said. “Can you stay, Rachel? We’d love to have you.”
    “Sure,” she said, after a moment’s hesitation. “Sounds like fun.”
    Garrett didn’t believe he imagined the wariness that flashed through the doctor’s blue eyes. If Rachel were as immune to him as she claimed, why would she be reluctant to stay?
    Susannah Bradley, who had recently taken over as housekeeper and cook, brought two picnic baskets into the living room. “Who’s toting lunch today?”
    Her son, Nate, volunteered, as he usually did, but the other boys didn’t offer to help. “I can carry a basket,” Lena said. “It’s not heavy.”
    Garrett opened his mouth to protest, but then had second thoughts. He snagged Rachel’s attention. “She has to test her blood sugar and take an injection before doing anything else, especially eating.”
    Rachel nodded. “That’s right.”
    “But she’s not showing any sign that she remembers. Do I remind her, in front of her friends? Do I let her get all the way to the creek and have to leave again to take care of her medical needs? How am I supposed to handle this?”
    The kids were preparing to exit the house and start the walk down to the creek running through the Circle M land. Lena had left her backpack sitting on the floor by the couch and picked up one of the picnic baskets. Justino stood beside her, offering to help her carry the load.
    “This is the kind of dilemma you’ll be coming up against. I think you have to remind her,” Rachel said, finally. “Either she’s pretending it doesn’t matter or she actually forgot. And Justino isn’t helping. But she can’t ignore what must be done.”
    “Right.” Taking a deep breath, Garrett crossed to the door just as Lena and Justino started to leave. “Hold up, Lena.”
    She stared up at him, and the light went out of her face. “Oh, yeah.”
    “Yeah. You’ve got something to do.”
    “Couldn’t I do it after lunch? I’m hungry.”
    “I’m glad you’re hungry. But you know that’s not how it works.”
    She sighed. “Justino, you take the basket. I’ll be there in a while.”
    “Sure.” His cheeks flushed, and he gave Garrett a guilty glance. “Sorry.”
    Rachel joined them. “Would you like me to go with you?” she asked Lena. “I can double-check your dose.”
    “Maybe,” Lena said. “Just this first time. To be sure.”
    “Lead the way,” Rachel said, following the girl through the door. On the threshold, though, she looked back into the house and gave Garrett a thumbs-up sign, plus a smile and a wink.
    Ford had come to stand beside him. “That was tricky.”
    Garrett shook his head. “This parenting stuff is not for sissies.”
    “You and the doctor make a great team.”
    “She’s another smart lady.”
    “Don’t sell yourself short, brother. You’re the one who called Lena to