Sweetwater (Birdsong Series) Read Online Free Page A

of each day.
    Cassie worked hard, too, but it didn’t make it any easier to
keep an eye on the silver-blonde beauty. Young men were always trying to find
an excuse to get her alone. She tried to dissuade them, but in the end, she
could be found behind a closed door or under the stairwell, giggling at their
boyish antics.
    Dora was adamant. “Cassie. Enough of this nonsense! We
can’t be watchin’ out for you all the time, and these boys are up to no good.
You’re gonna find yourself in a peck of trouble, one day. Act like a lady and
see that you don’t get in a tight spot with these cowboys.”
    “Of course, Dora. I don’t know what could happen, though.”
Cassie sighed and rolled her big eyes. She really was as innocent as she
seemed, and that was one of the many things the young men found so attractive.
“I’ll be more careful. I promise.” She crossed her heart.
    Blake Donovan was beat. There were never enough hours in
the day to see to all his patients. He’d been out visiting the newly arrived
workers and their families. The complaints and injuries ran the gamut . . .
fevers, cuts, scrapes, and a few women in various stages of pregnancy. Now,
all he wanted was a soft, clean bed. He was even too exhausted to enjoy one of
Dora’s delicious dinners. As he stumbled into his room, he heard something
that sounded like a scuffle coming from behind the utility door. Laying his
ear against the panel, he could barely make out the sound of a frightened
woman.
    Instantly, he pulled the door open, and a tiny blonde fell
out onto the floor with a dirty cowpoke falling directly on top of her.
    “What the hell ya’ doin’?” the scruffy stranger demanded to
know. “Shut the damn door and get outta’ here,” he yelled. “I’m havin’ me
some fun with this little bit.”
    That was the last thing he’d remember, as a fist of iron
smashed into his surprised face. Again and again, it pummeled him. Too soon,
he was past seeing or knowing what was happening to him, and still the fists
flew into his face and midsection. His attacker was oblivious to the big and
powerful hands trying to pull him off the unconscious man. Finally, totally
exhausted, Dr. Blake Donovan staggered back and surveyed the damage he’d done.
    Emily had her arms around his shoulders, cooing something
into his ear. He didn’t understand what she was saying; he could only stare at
the bloody pulp before him, which had once been a face. She gently turned him
away from the ghastly sight and quietly led him down the hallway to her room.
    Cassie was hysterical, with bruises of her own and a dress
that had been ripped down the front, exposing her soft flesh. Dora was leading
her away. That left Patty to make some semblance of order.
    Whiskey stood with his massive fists clenched tightly,
gazing down at the inert cowboy. “I’ll keep an eye on him,” he growled. “You
go get what you need to fix him up.”
    Almost immediately, Patty returned with some clean towels
and water, from her own room, and proceeded to cleanse the man’s badly beaten
face. He had sustained serious wounds. She had seen beatings before, but
nothing quite like this. Apparently, Dr. Donovan had some secrets of his own,
and she would demand an explanation before she encouraged his courting of Emily.
    Blake took a deep, soul-cleansing breath and forced himself
to focus on the most amazing blue eyes, he had ever seen. Fringed with long
black lashes, curling up at the corners, they were intelligent, compassionate,
and wholly wonderful eyes.
    “There you are. I was beginning to worry you had left us,
Doc,” Emily said softly. “That was quite a scene, back there. Where did you
learn to fight like that?”
    “Huh? I fought?” He was confused. “I never fight.”
    “Ha! Tell that to the man lying in the hall. Seriously.
You don’t remember any of it?”
    Blake shook his head. “I’m sorry, Emmie. I’ll go and see
if I can do anything to help.” He tried to sit up, but