Second Hope Cowboy Read Online Free

mumbled.
    “Doc Vinney’s. He’ll take a look at your head and make sure you don’t need to go to the hospital.” Tucker’s chest vibrated, tickling her ear. She rubbed her forehead as he laid her down on a cold twin bed. A chill raced across her flesh. The paper covering the bed crumbled loudly when she tried sitting up. Tucker touched her shoulder. “Rest easy.”
    With his gentle request, she laid back onto the hard surface. “But-but, Doc Vinney is a veterinarian.” She wrinkled her nose.
    Tucker shrugged. “A wound is a wound. And if you don’t have internal bleeding or damage to a major organ, he can patch you up just fine.”
    Hope had her doubts, but didn’t feel like arguing.
    A short, balding man with black plastic frames and a wide-eyed expression stepped into the room. “What do we have here, Tucker?”
    “She wrecked in a ditch and hit her head.” Tucker’s hands were shoved deep into his pockets, a wild look on his face—looked a lot like worry and fear.
    But why would Tucker Bailey care if she was hurt?
    Earlier he’d looked at her like she’d grown horns and red skin, and he couldn’t wait until she was out of his sight.
    “I’m going to take a look at your head, Miss.” Doc Vinney was already digging his fingers through her hair. “There’s a bump but it won’t require stitches. You have a spot on your shoulder, looks like it was cut. I’ll need to take a closer gander.”
    As the doctor tugged at the material of her shirt, her gaze met Tucker’s and his jaw jerked. He backed up. “I’ll wait outside. Yell if you need me.” And he was gone like a flash.
    ****
     
    Tucker sat on a cold plastic chair, staring at a poster hanging on the wall. “A rabid dog is a dangerous dog. Prevention is the cure,” he read aloud. The words started to blur. “A horny man is a dangerous man. Sex is the cure.”
    He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. His mind played tricks on him.
    Truth was, holding Hope and feeling her soft curves tucked against his chest and stomach had made his cock shoot up and his jeans feel like a lead blanket.
    Embarrassment flooded him. Hope was hurt and he still responded like a kid in a candy store. His mother would hit him over the head and call him ‘disrespectful’.
    Laying his head back on the wall, he closed his eyes. He blamed his ill-timed woody on scrambled nerves. Seeing Hope bent over the steering wheel, not knowing the extent of her injuries had turned his insides to mush. They were just now recovering.
    Not entirely, though.
    The contents of his stomach threatened to come up.
    The door to the room opened and Doc Vinney stepped out. Tucker scrambled to his feet. “Is she okay?”
    Doc nodded, pushing his glasses back on his nose. “She is fine. I gave her a painkiller that should help with the headache and getting a good night’s rest. Just keep an eye on her.” He patted Tucker on the arm.
    “I should keep an eye on her?” Tuckers balls tightened.
    Doc removed his glasses. “She is staying with you, right?”
    “No…I mean, yes, she can. Her car isn’t going anywhere.” He tore his hand through his hair, wishing he had his hat. He’d dropped it in his truck. A cowboy was never whole unless he had it. Doc nodded and started away. “Doc, she will be okay later? She doesn’t need a nurse, does she?”
    “She’ll be okay. Just a few bumps and bruises, but nothing life threatening. She’s a lucky woman.” One corner of his mouth jerked up. “She’ll be out soon.”
    Doc left Tucker standing alone, staring at the door of the room where Hope remained.
    The cave of his chest narrowed. Things could have been worse.
    Hell, would she demand that he take her home? He doubted she’d want to stay at the cabin. It was probably best they weren’t stuck in a small area together.
    The door opened and Hope stepped out. Her hair was wild around her face. Her eyes were pale and wide, with a trace of fear and innocence. She threaded her fingers through