Stranded with the Rancher

Dan cocked his head and shot her a glance. “If you don’t mind my asking, why would you want to be a temp doc instead of having your own practice?”

“I like traveling. New cities. New adventures.”

“Ah, you’re one of those.” His gaze again left the road for a moment and met her cool blue eyes.

“Excuse me?” Annoyance laced her voice as she pushed strands of toffee-brown hair away from her face and stared at him.

“I just mean you’re a wanderer.”

“A wanderer?” She paused briefly, considering his words. “You’re implying I’m lost?”

Dan held back a chuckle, recalling the Tolkien quote, “Not all who wander are lost.” Another glance at Dr. Elizabeth Rogers told him she wouldn’t be amused by the reference.

“No, ma’am,” he finally returned.

As if reading his mind, she exhaled sharply, obviously more than a little defensive. “You know, there’s nothing wrong with—”

Her voice trailed off when the vehicle suddenly lurched forward.

From habit Dan reached out an arm to protect his passenger.

When the truck jerked to the left he gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands, struggling to maintain control.

Something didn’t feel right with the steering. Too much play. He’d noticed the same thing earlier in the week, but had dismissed it as his imagination. Now he chastised himself for not taking the truck in to be checked.

“You okay?” he asked as the vehicle slowed.

She nodded. “That was scary.”

“Yeah. Sorry, patch of ice.”

“The temperatures are dropping already?”

“There’s a sheet of ice on the roads from that snow-rain mix that was coming down first,” Dan said.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I’ve put you at risk.”

“Naw. I told you I’d be out on the roads anyway, to get home.” Dan turned up the defroster, hoping to clear the clouded window. “But it might be a good idea to call ahead to the Gunbarrel Hotel and let them know you’re coming.”

Beth pulled off her gloves and dug a cell phone out of her tote. “No reception.”

“Once we get to the other side of that hill you should get something.”

“What hill?” She narrowed her eyes as she peered through the windshield. “All I can see are pine trees and those tall poles.”

“Snow poles. But trust me, we’re almost past the hill. I’ve pretty much got this road memorized. I spend a lot of time back and forth, making deliveries.”

“Deliveries?” Beth asked as she put the phone away.

“I’m a pharmacist.”

“A pharmacist who makes deliveries?”

“Why not?” Dan smiled, amused at her reaction. “Fact is, sometimes it’s the only way I can get things to my patients.”

She glanced out the back window toward the flatbed. “And you’re on a snowmobile rescue team?”

He nodded. “Yeah. So I know this area inside and out.”

“What do you do as a volunteer?”

“Whatever Dr. Rogers tells me to do.” He grinned.

“Ben is your boss?”

“Dr. Sara and Dr. Ben are. Ben manages the unit and Sara is his backup. There are six of us and each member has their own area of expertise. I’m an AIFLP.”

Beth stared blankly at him.

“Advanced interfacility life support paramedic.”

“You’re a critical care paramedic?” she asked.

“The state of Colorado doesn’t have critical care paramedics...yet. Approval is tied up in government red tape.”

“I’m still impressed. That’s quite a specialty out in the field.”

Dan shrugged. “I guess so, but I’m basically in it for the perks.”

“Perks?”

“Occasionally they let me ride in the helicopter.”

A smile parted her lips and her blue eyes sparkled, transforming her reserved expression. Dan was caught off guard when dimples appeared. Apparently Dr. Rogers’s good humor had been restored.

He made a mental note not to annoy her again. They were in for a long day and he didn’t need to be at odds with his passenger in the confining space of the truck cab. Besides, he liked it when she smiled. Elizabeth Rogers was easy on the eyes.

“Have we passed your place?” she asked.

“No, at the snail’s pace we’re going, it’ll be a bit. I’m off the beaten path to the east. Small ranch at the base of the mountains.”

“You’re a rancher, as well?” she asked.

“Not me. My brother. He runs about two hundred head of cattle.”

They rounded a bend in the road and Dan nodded toward the phone in her lap. “Why don’t you check for signal strength again?”

Beth picked up her phone. “Yes. Got it.”