Orchard Valley Brides Read Online Free PDF

no choice but to wait until the happy couple returns from their honeymoon.”
    â€œThat’s an excellent idea.” Norah clasped her hands behind her back; she hadn’t been completely honest with Rowdy. “Valerie didn’t know about your accident until after the wedding,” she told him, not quite meeting his eyes.
    Rowdy said nothing for several minutes. “I didn’t think she knew,” he murmured, giving the impression that had she been aware of his injuries, she’d never have gone through with the wedding.
    â€œIt wouldn’t have made any difference,” Norah told him, unable to hide her irritation. “Anyway, she had enough on her mind without having to worry about you. So we decided not to tell her until later.”
    â€œYou kept it from her?” he stormed.
    â€œThat’s right, we did,” she replied calmly.
    He was furious; in fact, Norah had never seen a tantrum to equal his. But she ignored his outburst and went about setting up his lunch tray. She removed the domed cover from the meal, then folded the napkin and laid it across his chest.
    When he paused to breathe, Norah asked, “Do youwant your lunch now, or would you prefer to wait until you’ve calmed down?”
    Rowdy’s mouth snapped shut.
    â€œIs Dr. Silverman aware you’ve had a computer brought in for business use?” She pointed at the laptop beside him on the bed. “Furthermore, is he aware that you’re attempting to work out of this room?”
    â€œNo. Are you going to tell him?” he asked, eyeing her skeptically.
    â€œI might.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I’m getting out of this hick town as soon as I can arrange it.”
    â€œI’m sure the staff will do everything possible to speed the process. You’ve made quite a name for yourself in the past few days, Mr. Cassidy.”
    Before Rowdy could respond, Karen appeared in the doorway, looking frazzled. She glanced at Norah, obviously relieved that her friend was close at hand.
    â€œIt’s time for your injection, Mr. Cassidy,” she said.
    â€œI don’t want it.”
    â€œI’m sure Mr. Cassidy doesn’t mean that, Karen,” Norah said cheerfully. “He’ll be more than happy to take his shot—isn’t that right?”
    Rowdy glared at her. “Wrong, Ms. Bloomfield.”
    â€œFine, then. I’ll hold him for you, Karen, I only hope I don’t bump against his leg, since that would be terribly painful. Of course, if he passes out from the agony, it’ll make giving him the injection that much simpler.”
    â€œIf I take the shot I won’t be able to work,” Rowdy growled.
    â€œMight I remind you that you’re in the hospital to rest, not to conduct your business affairs?”
    Norah took one step toward him, staring at his right leg.
    â€œAll right, all right,” he grumbled, “but I want you to know I’m doing it under protest. You don’t play fair—either one of you.”
    Karen threw Norah a triumphant look. Rowdy turned his head while she administered the pain medication. In only minutes the drug began to take effect.
    Rowdy’s eyes drifted shut.
    â€œThanks, Norah,” Karen whispered.
    â€œWhat’s going on here?” Norah asked. She’d never known Karen or any of the others to allow a patient to run roughshod over them.
    â€œI wish I knew.” Karen sighed. “The only one he’s civil to is you. The whole floor’s been a madhouse since he arrived. I’ve never known anyone who can order people around the way he does. Even Dr. Silverman seems intimidated.”
    â€œHarry?” Norah could hardly believe it.
    â€œI’ve never looked forward more to a patient’s release. The crazy part is that no one’s supposed to know he’s here. Especially the press. His friend—the CHIPS attorney—read us the riot act about talking to