At Wolf Ranch
Bell coaxed.
    “I found her on the side of the road about twenty-five miles outside of town. I don’t know how long she’d been out there, but she might have frostbite on her toes, though they look considerably better now that I’ve gotten her warm,” Gabe answered. “Her hip is banged up. Her foot was all caught up in her bag strap and her ankle hurts. Though the cold made her tired and less than coherent at first, she’s got all her brain cells firing again as far as I can tell.”
    Dr. Bell reached out and covered Ella’s hand with hers, smiling softly. The simple gesture calmed and reassured Ella that Dr. Bell would take care of her. “How did you end up on the road alone in this weather?”
    “You said he left you there. Who?” Gabe asked.
    “Some guy named Travis. Bev at the diner asked him to give me a ride, because he was going that way, I guess. Next thing I know he wants—let’s see, how did he put it—‘a little somethin’, somethin’’ for his trouble.”
    “You told him to go fuck himself, and he got handsy with you,” Gabe guessed, a menacing look in his eyes, pulling his lips into a tight line.
    “I kicked him in the nuts and he dumped me on my ass on the side of the road. Literally. He still has my suitcase, which I need back.”
    “Son of a bitch. We’ll get it back, or I’ll take it out of his hide.”
    The way he said it, the flex in his forearms when he clenched his hands into fists sent a wave of heat and awareness through her.
    “Sorry, Doctor,” Gabe said.
    The doctor gave him a smile that he returned, and Ella felt a twinge of jealousy for no reason. She didn’t know this man. Of course, he’d saved her life, kept her warm, and got her to a doctor. She hated to admit she needed one. Everything hurt, but nothing so much as her heart and soul, missing her sister, feeling lost and alone.
    She looked up and caught Gabe studying her. She immediately turned her gaze to the doctor, who gave them both a look.
    “Let’s start with the easy stuff. What’s your name?”
    Ella swallowed hard. Moment of truth. Up until now, she hadn’t corrected Gabe’s assumption. Mostly because she’d been kind of out of it. Plus, she let it go because it reminded her of all the times she and Lela traded places and tricked people. This was probably the last time it would work. She hated to stop the charade and live in the reality that Lela was dead.
    She took too long to answer, so Gabe did it for her. “She’s Lela Wolf.”
    Her gaze met Gabe’s. She opened her mouth to correct him, but the pain of losing Lela choked off her words. She tried to hold it together and not think that no one would ever mistake her for Lela again now that she was dead.
    “Thanks, but I wanted her to answer this time.”
    “I didn’t hit my head or anything. After being so cold, I’m tired, but my head is clear. Really, I’m fine, except for my hip and ankle.”
    “All right.” Dr. Bell turned to Gabe. “If you’ll give us a few minutes alone, I’ll check her injuries.”
    “I’m not going anywhere.” Gabe held Ella’s gaze. “I want to stay while the doc checks you out and make sure you’re okay.”
    “You don’t need to stay. Just get my things from your truck. Please.”
    “I’m staying. Don’t mind me.”
    “A little privacy would be nice,” she shot back.
    “I’ve already seen you half naked. Believe me, right now, all I’m interested in are your injuries.”
    Right now. As in later might be a different story. Maybe that was her own wishful thinking, because this man did all kinds of weird things to her insides. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to go. And, oh God, how stupid of her, she wanted him to wrap his arms around her again and tell her everything was going to be okay.
    “If you’re okay with him staying, let’s check you out,” Dr. Bell interrupted their stare down.
    Ignoring him, Ella pulled the gown away from her right side to show the doctor her side. “Travis

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