Free Marked for Marriage by Jackie Merritt Page B

would inspire calm in her.
    â€œI…don’t know. Wait…I…I think I went outside this morning, and…and…”
    That explained the unlocked door, Noah thought. “And what?” he prompted.
    â€œI couldn’t…find her.”
    â€œSo she’s not in Mark’s garage or staked out in the yard someplace?”
    â€œNo…she’s not. There’s something…” Maddie let go of the sink and raised her hand to her temple. “I can’t seem to think very well, but…I…I have a foggy glimpse of memory about Mark saying something about boarding Fanny.”
    â€œThen you have nothing to worry about. I’m sure if Mark said he was going to board Fanny so you wouldn’t have to care for her while he and Darcy were away, then that’s what he did.”
    Maddie finally turned around, wincing visibly as she did it, apparently forgetting, Noah observed, that she’d gotten dressed to convince him that she was perfectly all right.
    â€œBoarded where?” she asked with a note of panic in her voice.
    â€œProbably a nearby ranch. There are several not too far from town that board horses. Maddie, you have got to lie down again. You look terrible.”
    â€œWhat every girl wants to hear from a man. But I…I do feel sort of…” Once again she started folding up, and once again Noah rushed forward and caught her before she reached the floor.
    â€œYou little fool,” he muttered, picking her up and carrying her from the kitchen. Ignoring the sofa this time, he brought her to a bedroom and laid her on the bed. Rushing around, he got smelling salts from his medical bag and a wet washcloth from the nearest bathroom. Returning, he laid the cloth on her forehead and was just about to wave the vial of ammonium carbonate under her nose when he got a better idea.
    Very cautiously he raised the hem of her blouse, saw the bruising on her right side, then did the same with her skirt and scrutinized the continuing bruising all down her hip and thigh. She had darned good reason to wince every time she moved, he thought with loads of sympathy, and then decided that he’d better check for infection while he had the chance. He saw nothing in that regard and he quickly straightened her clothing and then held the vial under her nose.
    She came to with a gasp and a cough, and then slapped at his hand. Once she got her breath she demanded to know why she was on her bed and then stated emphatically, “You are not getting me out of my clothes for an examination!”
    â€œThat’s fine with me.” Noah sat on the edge of the bed right next to her and spoke plainly. “Here’s my diagnosis. You ingested at least one too many pain pills today. Do you remember how many you took since waking up this morning?”
    She frowned and looked perplexed. “Uh, no.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought. Okay, you will not have accessto your medication from this moment on. I brought with me what I feel is a better antibiotic for your injuries, and I will administer that along with your pain pills.”
    â€œYou most certainly will not! You’re not moving in here, you know.”
    â€œYou’re dead wrong about that, and don’t waste your energy arguing. When did you last eat?” He saw the stricken look on her face. “Don’t strain your brain. I can see clearly that you’re not remembering much of anything. That’s all right, that mushy sensation in your head will pretty much wear off by tonight. In the meantime I’m going to fix you something to eat. From the look of the kitchen trash can that greeted me when I first walked in today, I’d hazard a guess that soup is a favorite of yours, so that’s what I’ll fix for now. You stay here. I’ll bring in your comforter, and when the soup’s hot I’ll bring that in, as well. Rest and try not to worry.” Noah rose and started