Chapter 2

For the next few weeks, I took care of Ryan hand and foot, terrified he'd die on my watch, and I'd lose my payday.

My mom had taught me medicine growing up, but she only let me treat animals, never people.

So by the time she passed, I'd never actually treated a human patient.

I carried the carefully brewed herbal tonic to the bedside where Ryan lay with his eyes closed.

I put on my sweetest voice. "Mr. Sterling. Time for your medicine."

Ryan actually trusted me at first.

If I'd wanted him dead during those days he was out cold, I'd have done it then. No reason to wait.

He drank the medicine without a word, letting out a cold snort now and then.

I figured he was calling me shortsighted and money-grubbing inside his head.

After a few days, the snorting stopped. Because he'd passed out.

I rushed into town to find Nolan Hale, the local physician, and dragged him back home.

Nolan and I had known each other for ages.

Nolan methodically checked Ryan's pulse, then called my name with patience. "Yvette, he's got an old condition, but the most dangerous part is behind him now."

I patted my chest, feeling a wave of relief. "Thank God. I thought I'd ended up killing him."

Truth was, ever since I'd dragged Ryan home, Nolan had been handling all the diagnosis and prescriptions.

Nolan looked at Ryan with a complicated expression, then called out to me with exaggerated patience. "Yvette. He's got a pre-existing condition, but the worst has passed."

I blinked, totally lost. "Which two? Oh, come on, just save him first. Don't let him die on me.

"Please, Nolan. You're a miracle worker. You are the best doctor."

Nolan was totally buying it.

Without a word, he helped me prep the herbs, brew the decoction, and handed me the bowl, his expression cold, running me through the dosage and timing.

Finally, he said, "Yvette. Three's the limit. They're all rich and powerful. Stop collecting them."

"Okay." I nodded earnestly, shooting him a thankful grin.

I'd always known exactly what I wanted.

They were from a different world entirely. I wasn't about to mix that up.

Before long, Ryan woke up.

He stared at the leaky ceiling and spoke in a flat voice, "Yvette, you put something toxic in my medicine, didn't you?"

I rushed to explain. "No. That was a misunderstanding." I'd accidentally messed up the dosage on one ingredient.

I gave him my most sincere promise. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again, I swear."

Ryan's face darkened. Clearly, he didn't buy it.

He wouldn't touch the medicine I brought him.

Watching Ryan clamp his mouth shut like he'd rather die, I had no choice but to fetch Nolan again.

I said, "Dr. Hale is the most renowned physician in these parts. His skills are legendary. He could raise the dead and braise ribs.

"Come on, if you don't trust me, you can at least trust him, can't you?"

Nolan looked at me with helpless exasperation, then broke into that familiar smile and ruffled my hair. "Mixing up your words on purpose again?"

I'd spoken too fast and blanked on the actual phrase. Before I could correct myself, Ryan erupted in a violent coughing fit.

Nolan didn't seem worried at all. He watched Ryan calmly, then turned to me. "This young man has a weak constitution and an underlying condition. He'll need careful, long-term treatment."

I nodded quickly, asked him to write a new prescription, and pressed the fee into his hands. Then I walked him all the way to the gate.

After seeing Nolan off, I went back to the room.

Ryan was sprawled out on the bed, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You two sure make a great team. Almost like you're awfully close."

I thought he was questioning Nolan's sincerity, so I explained, "Nolan's always been really kind to me. He's helped me out more times than I can count. We've known each other for years. He's the person I trust the most."

Ryan let out a couple of cold laughs, his tone full of sarcasm. "Honestly, I think he's a quack. All this time, and I'm still not getting any better."

Seeing his sour expression, I didn't have the heart to tell him his own body was the problem. "Want me to take over your treatment?"

Ryan's eyes went wide. He seemed to actually consider it for a moment. Then he snapped back two words. "Absolutely not."