Christmas Getaway Read Online Free PDF

you’re going to be cooperative.”
    â€œYou’ve got that right. And don’t worry about me being down a few quarts. It’s not as bad as it looks. I’ve survived much worse.”
    â€œListen, James Fitzpatrick, I happen to be the doctor here, and I know just how bad your wound is. You’re right, it’s not life-threatening. Unless you decide to keep driving in this lousy weather and pass out behind the wheel.” She flicked on the turn signal and started toward the exit.
    â€œWhere are we going?”
    â€œTo find some place to spend the night. The weather is lousy, I can barely see, and if I go off the road, people are going to be asking questions. There’s a lot of blood in this car. We’ll find a motel, I’ll change your bandages and we’ll get some sleep.”
    â€œHoney…”
    â€œEllie,” she corrected him. “Or Dr. Pollard if you want to be formal. I’m not leaving you until I’m sure you’re okay, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
    â€œWanna bet?” He reached down, ignoring the searing pain in his side, and when he sat up he had his gun in his hand. “You’re going to pull over right now and let me out.”
    She glanced at the weapon, then turned her attention back to the snowy roads. “Or you’re going to shoot me? I don’t think so. That’s a hell of a way to treat your doctor.”
    â€œI don’t need a doctor…” He could feel the wetness at his side again—he must have pulled at the wound to start it bleeding again.
    â€œYou don’t have a choice. Now put that stupid little gun down and behave yourself.”
    â€œI’ll have you know this is a Glock.”
    â€œI don’t care what it is, you aren’t going to shoot me. Now put it down and behave yourself.”
    â€œYou’ve got a hell of a bedside manner, Doc,” he said.
    â€œWhen I have to deal with recalcitrant adults, yes.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œRecalcitrant. It means balky, uncooperative…”
    â€œI know what the hell recalcitrant means, lady. I went to college. What did you mean by adults?”
    â€œI’m a pediatrician. Fortunately I don’t usually have to deal with gunshot wounds.”
    â€œGreat,” he said. “I have an amateur taking care of me.”
    â€œTop of my class, Fitzpatrick. You’re in safe hands.”
    â€œPeople call me Fitz.”
    â€œI imagine they do. Do they realize it’s shorthand for bastard?”
    She was a cocky creature. And to think he’d been glad she wasn’t the weeping, trembling type. He could have gone for some hysterics about now. “Tell that to half of Ireland,” he grumbled.
    â€œIllegitimate children weren’t called by their parents’ name, they were called the Fitz-somethings. Illegitimate son of Patrick. A bastard.”
    â€œIn more ways than one, babe,” he snarled, leaning backcarefully. “Believe it.” His side was on fire, and he’d been an idiot to try anything.
    She glanced over at him. “Okay, Fitz, here’s the way it’s going to be. We’re stopping for the night because the roads are too bad and I can’t drive any longer. You’ll get a good night’s sleep to recover from your wound and you’ll have several doses of the antibiotic in your system. If I think you’re in good enough shape, then I’ll go out and rent a car for you to finish your drive up into Maine, and I’ll go home and deal with the mess I’ve made of my life.”
    He considered it. She was right. He was weak and exhausted and the driving looked like utter hell—each snowflake was divebombing the windshield and he could barely see the oncoming traffic. He’d be in better shape tomorrow, and if she kept her word, he’d have a legal car to make it the rest of the way up to Hidden Harbor. He’d