Free The Doctor's Choice by J. D. Faver Page A

I…”
    “Don’t!” She put a finger on his lips. “Please don’t.”
    Breck kissed her finger and nodded. “I’d better be going. It’s late and I’m getting way too comfortable.”
    She walked with him to the door.
    He shrugged into his jacket and turned to her, but she stepped back. “Cami, don’t be afraid of me. I’m not out to hurt you.”
    “You confuse me,” she said. “Be careful out there.”
    “Yes, Ma’am.” He stepped out onto the porch. The wind had died down and the moon lent the landscape an ethereal glow. “I’ll come tomorrow morning to take you riding.”
    “Thanks, Breck .” Her voice had gone thick and raspy. “For tonight and for everything.”
    He smiled at her and then crunched through the snow to climb in his truck. He pulled out of the circle drive and left her standing on the porch, staring after him.
    She glanced down at her left hand and wondered why there w asn’t an engagement ring there.
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    On Saturday morning, Cami leapt out of bed feeling energized and eager to explore. She pulled on her thermals and jeans and robbed Aunt Silky’s closet of a faded blue plaid flannel shirt.
    Grabbing an apple , she ran out to the stables with Shadow at her heels. She peeked around the corner and made eye contact with the biggest horse she’d ever encountered. Red swished his tail and whinnied softly. He was much larger and stockier than the elegant little Arabs she’d ridden at school.
    “Hey, Red,” she said softly , holding out her hand. “I want to be your friend.” He nuzzled her palm. She stroked his nose, admiring his white and red pattern.
    “I brought you a present.” She took a bite of the juicy red apple and held it out to him. He inspected it and took it from her. She watched him crunch it in his big teeth.
    She stepped inside his stall and swiped a curry brush down his neck. Brushing him was a pleasurable chore. “You’re such a pretty boy.”
    “Not as pretty as you.”
    Cami jerked her head up and saw Frank grinning at her. “Thanks.” She continued brushing the big horse.
    “Do you need any help?” he asked.
    “I just wanted to make friends.”
    He grinned. “I think you have a knack for making friends wherever you go.”
    “Tell that to the vet erinarian. If looks could kill, I’d be a dead woman.”
    “Jenna’s not so bad,” he said. “She just doesn’t have as many suitors as you do.”
    “I’m engaged,” she protested. “I’m not on the market.”
    “If you say so.” Frank tipped his baseball cap and headed out of the stables. “I’m taking hay to the herd in the east pasture.”
    Cami watched him saunter away. She grinned, admiring his departing backside. Frank was quite a hunk. North Texas seemed to be headquarters for great looking men. She reminded herself that her fiancé, Clayton Tremont was planning his future with her by his side.
    She glanced down at her left hand. No ring. Damn Breckenridge Ryan, anyway . She was engaged, ring or no ring. She brushed Red’s neck and worked her way down his back.
    She started as she caught sight of Breck leaning against the doorway leading from the stable.
    “What a beautiful sight,” he said.
    “And what would that be?” she asked.
    “A beautiful woman and a beautiful horse.”
    “Are you always so full of it?” She began stroking the brush down Red’s forelegs.
    “Full of what?” he asked innocently.
    “I think the Irish call it blarney,” she said. “Other people aren’t so polite.”
    “How Irish do you think the name Ryan is? But, I’m speaking the truth.”
    “In that case, thanks.” She glanced up at him, surprised by the expression on his face. He was gazing at her with a warm smile. She recalled her first impression of Breck when she’d seen him at the funeral. Maybe she’d been wrong about him.
    She opened another stall and put a bridle on a sorrel mare. He led her into the center of the stable.
    “ This is Gypsy. She’s a great