The Vacant Chair

The Vacant Chair by Kaylea Cross Page A

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Authors: Kaylea Cross
Tags: Romance
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arousal.
    Justin couldn’t explain it, but in the short time he’d been here he’d already developed a strong attachment to her, and the attraction wasn’t merely physical. He sensed she was interested in him as well, though she remained completely professional in her dealings with him. He wasn’t sure how he knew. Something in her eyes perhaps, or in her touch.
    Or maybe it’s wishful thinking.
    As if hearing his thoughts, her voice rang out from the tent entrance. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I hope I’m not interrupting the happy reunion.” Her gaze fell on Mitch, who cocked his head and ran an appreciative eye over her. “I’d like to change your brother’s bandages so he can be more comfortable while he rests.” She handed Mitch her supplies, leaving him to juggle them awkwardly with his one good arm.
    Bringing his knee up to hide his body’s inevitable reaction to her, Justin spared a glance at his brother. “I have the cleanest wound in the entire Eastern theatre.”
    Brianna smiled in reply and set her dressing kit on the edge of the bed. He watched her face as she cut away the bandage and peeled it back without tearing the sutures. They were dark against his red, swollen skin. “I kept the stitches as close together as I could, but you’re still going to have quite a scar.”
    His brows rose. “You stitched me up?” It was damn hard to ignore the trails of heat licking over his skin wherever she touched him.
    “I did.” She reached for the bottle of carbolic acid and arched a sardonic brow. “Afraid you’ll burst open?”
    “No, not at all.”
    The hint of a dimple appeared in her right cheek as she turned her attention back to his wound. “I’m sorry I have to do this again.”
    Well, at least his erection would go away now. Justin withheld a sigh and clenched his jaw, vowing to take the pain stoically in front of his brother. He didn’t make a sound when the now-familiar burn tore through the wound, but he was sweating and breathing fast as she finished, his side on fire. He lowered his knee, any threat of an erection long dead. Damn, he hated that stuff.
    With efficient hands, Brianna re-covered the wound with moist lint, bound it tight and collected her supplies from Mitch, whose face was blanched of color. “Are you all right?” she asked him, a teasing note in her voice. “Is your arm bothering you? Perhaps I should have a surgeon look at it.”
    “No,” Mitch blurted, unconsciously shifting to hold it away from her. “No, thank you, I’m fine. Tired is all.”
    “Ah. Perhaps I’ll go find you something to eat, then.” She spared Justin a wink before leaving.
    Justin let out a slow sigh when she disappeared through the flap, though it pulled at his stitches. “She’s something, isn’t she?” He hadn’t realized she’d sewn him together with her own hands. He’d bet most nurses weren’t granted that kind of latitude from the doctors.
    Regaining some color, Mitch nodded. “Yeah. Something.”
    Soon Brianna returned with bowls of beef stew and cornmeal cakes. Justin’s mouth watered at the scent. “Is your stomach up to trying something a little more hearty than broth?” she asked him.
    “It’s willing to try.”
    Mitch stood and offered her his chair. “Will you join us, ma’am?” 
    She seemed startled by the invitation and glanced between them. “Oh. Well yes, I will join you for a moment. Thank you.” She passed them their meals and took her seat, folding her hands demurely in her lap. “Eat up before it gets cold.”
    His empty stomach growling, Justin took a small spoonful and swallowed, relieved when it stayed down. He took another, keeping an eye on his nurse. There were so many things he wanted to know about her. As usual, his nosy brother wasn’t shy about asking questions.  
    “So, Mrs. Taylor, where are you from?” Mitch asked her, balancing the bowl on one knee while he ate.
    “Lexington, Kentucky.”
    Prime horse farm country. Of course. Her

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