Whirlwind Reunion by Debra Cowan Page B

right?”
    â€œIt can be good, yes. In your case, I’m not sure. Because there are times when you can feel yet still aren’t able to make your leg move, I think you have a mass pressing on a nerve in your lower spine.”
    â€œMass? Like a tumor?” he asked gruffly, apprehension on his craggy features. “Is it gonna kill me?”
    Cora reached over and took his hand.
    Annalise understood his concern. Matt and Russ’s mother had died from a tumor in her stomach when Russ was ten and Matt was nine. “I don’t believe it’s a cancerous tumor. You don’t exhibit other symptoms.”
    â€œSo what do I do? Can you get it out of there?”
    â€œI can do surgery, but there are risks.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œYour right leg might be paralyzed for good. Both sides of your body might be. There’s also a chance it could kill you. Any operation is risky, especially one this tricky.” She shook her head. “And you should know that I’ve only assisted in this surgery, never performed it on my own.”
    â€œI trust you.”
    â€œI appreciate that, but you really need to think hard about having this operation. If you want, I can wire a doctor in Abilene and ask that he come to the ranch to give you another opinion.”
    â€œYou and Dr. Butler have already given your opinions. I think two doctors hovering around me is plenty.” He winked to take the sting out of his words.
    â€œAre you advising against the surgery, Annalise?” Cora asked.
    â€œNo. I just want J.T. to think about it. Both of you. And discuss it with Matt and Russ.”
    The older man frowned. “But you won’t, will ya? If they find out, I think I should be the one to tell them.”
    â€œOf course. I don’t discuss my patients with anyone. You decide who you tell and who you don’t, but I do think it’s a good idea.”
    â€œSo what do you suggest for now?”
    â€œGive your recovery a little more time.” At the impatient look on his face, one that reminded her too much of his youngest son, she said, “I know you’re ready to walk again, but you can’t rush it. You might damage a nerve permanently. If your pain becomes worse and longer lasting, you need to tell me.”
    â€œDr. Butler never found this lump,” he said quietly.
    â€œHe’s been back east for a few months now with his wife’s family, hasn’t he?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIt may not have been there when he last examined you. Or it may have grown from a non-detectable size.”
    He nodded and Cora reached over to pat his arm. Annalise had been surprised to find that her friend and J.T. were courting, but they had a lot in common.
    â€œAny more questions?” Annalise asked.
    â€œNot right now,” J.T. answered.
    Cora rose and opened the clinic’s front door as the man rolled his wheelchair closer to Annalise and squeezed her hand.
    â€œI’m glad you’re home, girl,” he said gruffly.
    â€œMe, too.” And she was, except for having to see his son. She picked up her bag and walked out with them, closing the door behind her.
    At the other woman’s questioning look, Annaliseexplained, “I have to check on another patient. Should I fetch Russ to help you into the wagon, J.T.?”
    Russ had lifted his father from the wagon to his chair when he had arrived at Annalise’s. There had been no sign of Matt, which was good because she didn’t want to be within ten yards of him.
    â€œBoth boys are planning to come over. The rustlers’ trail has gone cold so Matt’s going to ride out to the ranch with us. He’s healed up enough now to come home.”
    â€œAh.” She gave a polite smile, which promptly faded when she saw her former fiancé standing on the steps of Haskell’s General Store, talking to Jake and Bram Ross.
    She focused her attention on the dark-haired Ross brothers,