Page 27 of Brian and Cora (The Bachelors of Three Bend Lake #2)

Then she returned to aid Brian in getting out of bed and to the wing chair—one of the few tasks he’d allowed her to help him with.

The sound of an approaching surrey broke the morning quiet. Sassy Girl yelped and ran to the door, continuing to bark.

Brian called her over to him, and, astonishingly, the dog obeyed. He leaned sideways to curl his hand over her shoulder.

Cora moved to the window to see Dr. Angus at the reins of a surrey, with Constance beside him and Elsie and Hank in the back.

"Brace yourself," she warned Brian. "The invasion has arrived."

He groaned but sat up, straightening the lapels of his exotic robe and running a hand through his disheveled hair, trying to smooth it back.

After a knock, Dr. Angus entered first, carrying a pair of wooden crutches that he maneuvered through the door. Even if Cora hadn't known he was Dr. Cameron's brother, the resemblance was unmistakable—the same red hair and penetrating blue eyes, though Dr. Angus was younger and leaner.

Constance, in a fashionable green outfit and matching hat, followed, carrying a picnic basket.

Elsie came behind her, holding a large jar of what looked like tea. She shifted the jar, tucking it against her side with one hand and hugging Cora with the other arm. “How have you been managing?”

“Managing is the word,” Brian grumbled.

Cora sent Brian a pointed glance. “Perhaps not managing a certain stubborn patient as well as I should.” She gave Dr. Angus an apologetic look. “He only agreed to take the laudanum for two days. So today, he’s only had willow bark tea.”

"Ah, aye.” Dr. Angus’s blue eyes twinkled. “Y’er the lass who managed to get this stubborn fool to take his medicine." His Scottish brogue was thicker than his brother's. "Well done."

The unexpected praise warmed her.

"Two days' worth," Brian reiterated defensively. "And I'm done now."

"Two more than I expected," the doctor replied cheerfully. He set the crutches against the wall and moved to examine Brian's leg. "Let's see how ye’re healing."

Brian pointed an impervious finger at the women and then the back door.

Cora would have liked to stay and observe, for Brian had refused to let her examine his injury. But since Dr. Cameron had told her unless the wound seeped, or the bandages became dirty or wet, that she could wait to change them until Dr. Angus checked him over.

Feeling grateful for female company, she led the women to the back porch, pointing out the haunt blue ceiling, same as on the front, and the new rocking chairs.

“Four of these.” Constance patted the top of one rocker. “I noticed two on the front porch. So thoughtful of Mr. Bellaire to provide enough for company.”

When Dr. Angus called them inside, Constance and Elsie bustled about the room, exclaiming over the improvements to the cabin, which they’d heard about but not seen, and fussing over Sassy Girl, who lapped up the attention.

"These are beautiful curtains," Elsie said, fingering the brown velvet. "They'll be so warm this winter."

"Don't remind him," Hank said with a grin. "Brian's still coming to terms with them."

Brian rolled his eyes, and they all laughed.

After Dr. Angus pronounced himself satisfied with Brian's progress, he demonstrated the proper use of the crutches.

"The key is to let your arms take the weight, not your armpits," he instructed.

"Like this.” He handed the crutches to Cora to hold while he helped Brian to his feet to practice, and the others moved back the furniture to create a longer corridor.

Elsie scooped up Sassy Girl and sat on one of the wooden chairs with the dog on her lap, holding the puppy tightly.

Brian positioned the crutches under his arms and stood carefully, his face tight with concentration. His first attempts were awkward, his movements jerky, uncertain, and, from the tight cast of his countenance, painful. But gradually, he found a rhythm, moving slowly across the cabin floor.

"Look at you," Constance said warmly. "You'll be racing Sassy Girl around the lake in no time."

"More like hobbling after her while she runs circles around me," Brian muttered.

But in spite of his depreciative words, Cora could see the satisfaction in his eyes at being mobile again.

"Careful," Hank called out as Brian nearly clipped the table leg. "Those aren't wings, you know."

"Could've fooled me," Elsie giggled. "Brian looks like he's trying to take flight."

Even Brian's lips twitched. "Better than hopping around on one leg like a wounded crow."

"Crows are very intelligent birds," Cora said with mock innocence, directing a playful dart at Brian. "Though perhaps not known for their grace."

"See?" Brian turned to the others, gesturing with one crutch and, in the process, nearly losing his balance. "She never stops."

But there was no real heat in his complaint, and the others laughed.

After Brian had demonstrated reasonable proficiency, he lowered himself back into his chair with obvious relief and swiped a hand across his brow. "There.” He leaned back. “I can manage on my own now. My nursemaid can return to town."

Taken aback by the abrupt change in topic, Cora couldn’t help an unprofessional feeling of hurt and disappointment that he wanted to send her away. She chided herself for the unprofessional reaction. I’m supposed to be pleased when a patient heals enough to not need my services.

"Absolutely not," Dr. Angus said firmly. "Ye need care for at least another two weeks. That leg is healing well. But one wrong move could set ye back weeks."

"Hank and Torin can look after me," Brian argued, though with less vehemence than Cora expected.

Hank shifted uncomfortably and avoided Brian’s eyes. "About that... I'm planning to spend the next few days in town. Maybe longer." He glanced at Elsie with such naked longing that Cora's heart squeezed. "I've been away too long already."

"You were helping catch outlaws," Brian pointed out.

"And then helping you," Elsie added softly. "I've been understanding, truly I have, Brian. But last week was so scary. Now..." She reached for Hank's hand. "Now, I'd like my beau back for a while. Please."

Brian opened his mouth, clearly ready to argue.

But, apparently yielding to the entreaty in Elsie’s eyes, he shut it again.

His gaze moved from Hank and Elsie's joined hands to Dr. Angus's firm expression to Constance's sympathetic smile, finally landing on Cora, who did her best to remain impassive.

She held her breath, not sure what she was hoping for—to remain or to leave.

"Ten days," he said finally. “You can stay for ten days. But not a minute longer.”

Everyone turned to stare at him in astonishment.

"What?" He scowled at their shocked expressions. "I'm not completely unreasonable. I’m compromising at ten days. But if you all would prefer—” he said in an irascible tone “—I’ll narrow that timeline to one week."

"Ten days is all I need," Cora said, trying not to show her relief. Although, she couldn’t help wondering if she’d just told a lie. Something told her that ten days might not be nearly enough—though for what, she didn't dare examine too closely.