“You’re doing great. Almost done,”hesaid.
When he finished, he screwed the cap back on the bottle and set it aside. Now came the tricky part. He needed to stitch it together, but he didn’t have any numbing agent. Would it just be better to wrap a bandage around it and drive her toBozeman?
A quick glance out of the window made the choice easy. Another storm was blowing in from the north. They’d never make it all the way to Bozeman before it hit. He could take her to the clinic in town, but they weren’t usually open on Sundays. By the time he hunted down a doctor, she could be in serious trouble. The best option was for him to sewherup.
“I’m going to have to put a few stitches in your arm,”hesaid.
“What?” Her face paled. “I don’t thinkIneed—”
“You need stitches.Trustme.”
She narrowed her gaze. “What makes you so qualified to sew me up? Shouldn’t we just gointotown?”
“It’s Sunday. No one will be around and I’m more thanqualified.”
“Really?” she asked with a hint ofsarcasm.
“I was a medic in the Marines. I sewed up plenty of men in the field with less than what we have inthiskit.”
“How do I know you’re not going to turn me into Frankenstein’smonster?”
He couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking. “I wouldn’t maim someone as beautifulasyou.”
Her eyes went wide for a second before a blank mask fell across her face. “Okay Frankenstein, let’s get thisoverwith.”
After flashing a slight smile, he picked up the stitching kit. He selected the smallest needle and surgical thread. Although he wasn’t a surgeon, his medical training had included the basics. He had no doubt that he’d be able to sew her up with minimalscarring.
“Do you have anything to dull the pain? A bottle of bourbon,maybe?”
She glared. “No. The first thing I did was dump all the booze down the drain. As long as I own this place, there won’t be any alcohol in it. Consider it a dryhouse.”
“Whoa, I didn’t know I’d hit a nerve withthatone.”
“Like you didn’t know my daddy was the town drunk,” shesnapped.
“I had my suspicions, but you never let me get close enough to you to find out more about yourfamily.”
“Can you blame me? You ruined the one place… you know what? Never mind. Just stitch me up so I can get backtowork.”
The tremble in her voice wrapped around his heart and squeezed. He didn’t have to guess that she was referring to the prom. He’d been such an ass that night. As soon as one of the other guys had mentioned her tattered old dress, he’d spearheaded the merciless teasing. He should have known better than to make fun of her. He cringed when he thought about the things he’d said to her thatnight.
“Kate, I’msorry—”
“Ancient history.” She cut him off with a wave ofherhand.
“But Iwantto—”
“Just wrap it up and I’ll drive into town.” She pulled away. “I’m sure someone will be around to help me. There has to be an emergency number on the clinic door orsomething.”
“No.” He grabbed her wrist. “I’ll do it. Just let me lick itfirst.”
“What?” She stepped back as if he’d suggested cutting off her head. Apparently she didn’t know about his unusualtalent.
“I’m ashifter…”
“I know that,” shesnapped.
“And I have a gift. My saliva will help dull the pain and it will help you healfaster.”
