Rachel's Cowboy Read Online Free Page B

to come from warmth and sunshine to Dallas in March. A cold front had moved through this week, bringing rain, sleet and wind.
    Before he went to the hotel, he wanted to stop by Vivian’s house and let her know he was here. As he pulled up to the curb, he saw a taxi, but no one appeared to be in it. Then he saw two people who’d apparently exited it.
    Rachel, as white as a sheet, must have just fainted. The taxi driver, a small man, was holding her, but seemed to be on the verge of dropping her. J.D. threw his truck into Park and darted up the sidewalk to help.
    He took Rachel in his arms and told the driver to ring the bell. When Betty answered the door, she realized at once that Vivian was needed. She opened the door wide for J.D. to carry Rachel in.
    “Take her to the morning room. I’ll get Miz Vivian.”
    J.D. did as she asked. As he carried Rachel, he realized she was running a high fever. What the hell had they done to her in the Bahamas?
    Vivian came down the stairs at a faster rate than she should have. She headed for Rachel as soon as she entered the room. J.D. stopped her. “Vivian, I don’t know what’s wrong, but I do know she’s running a high fever. I think she needs to go to a hospital.”
    “Oh my, yes. I’ll get my purse.”
    “I don’t think you should go, Viv. It could harm the baby. I’ll take her. Just tell me who to ask for.”
    Clearly frustrated, Vivian reluctantly gave J.D. her doctor’s name. “I’ll call him and ask him to meet you there.”
    “Good. Do you have a blanket we can wrap her in? It’s not exactly warm out there.”
    “Oh, yes. Betty?” Vivian called. The housekeeper was hovering just outside the door. “Bring a blanket for Rachel.”
    J.D. wrapped her in the coverlet Betty brought and lifted her into his arms again. “Hell, she hardly weighs anything! A strong wind would carry her away.”
    “I know. She’s so fragile,” Vivian said tearfully. “You’ll call as soon as you learn something?”
    “Sure, Vivian. I’ll call.”
    He returned to his truck, carrying Rachel. He laid her across the bench seat and got in after her. Then he put her head on his thigh and made the short drive to the hospital.
     
    T HREE HOURS LATER , Rebecca had finished her classes, skipped her job at Jeff’s office and was at the hospital looking for her sister. She was directed to the second floor, where she found Rachel’s room and hurried in, only to find J.D. Stanley sitting in a chair by her bed.
    “J.D.? How is she?”
    “She has pneumonia. It appears the weather there was unusually cold and wearing a swimsuit was risky.”
    “Has she come to?”
    “A couple of times. She’s not really clear about where she is or why.” He shook his head and muttered, “She thinks she’s invincible.”
    “But she’ll get better?” Rebecca’s voice was tight with worry.
    He nodded. “Vivian’s doctor, Dr. Clayburn, says it will be a long recovery. She’s way too thin and weak.”
    “We’ll take care of her,” Rebecca said staunchly.
    “What about you and Vivian?”
    “What do you mean? We will want to take care of her.”
    J.D. hated to tell her what the doctor had said. “I don’t think the doc wants Vivian or you to be around her. The babies might be affected. In addition to pneumonia, Rachel may have a viral infection.” Rebecca wasn’t as far along in her pregnancy as Vivian, but was still susceptible.
    Rebecca paled. “Oh, no! I hadn’t thought of that. What are we going to do?”
    “I’ve got an idea, but I doubt that you’ll like it,” he said slowly, as if still considering it himself. “I’ll talk to Will about it.”
    As if she felt the tension in the room, Rachel stirred.
    “Rachel?” Rebecca asked softly.
    “Becca? I’m so tired.” She closed her eyes again.
    “I know, sis. Just rest.”
    Before Rebecca finished speaking, Rachel was asleep again.
    “They’re giving her a strong antibiotic in the drip, and he added a sedative to conserve her