Saving Dr. Ryan by Karen Templeton

“Thanks, but I really need to get back. Got a mare about to foal, so I need to stick close to home.”
    Maddie looked at Dr. Logan, still expecting him to protest or say something, but he seemed to be too busy glowering.
    â€œAnother time,” she said, getting up to take Amy back from Cal and put her back in the infant seat.
    â€œYou bet,” Cal said, backing toward the door. He waved at the kids and winked at her, which she was sure Dr. Logan not only caught, but was the primary reason for his scowl deepening.
    Then Dr. Logan looked at her, his brow knotted in what she could only surmise was confusion, mumbled something about being right back, and disappeared after his brother, leaving Maddie to wonder if the moon was full or what.

Chapter 5
    â€œO kay, Ry—you mind telling me what’s got your drawers in such a knot?”
    Ryan grabbed hold of his little brother’s arm and yanked him down the driveway and away from the house, far enough to be out of earshot. “You, that’s what.”
    Cal jerked his arm out of Ryan’s grasp, then rammed his hands on his hips. “Meanin’ what? All I did was bring over a damn cake—”
    â€œYou were flirting, numbskull. With a vulnerable woman who just lost her husband. Not to mention just gave birth. What is it with you, that you can’t be around a woman for more’n five minutes without making a play for her?”
    Cal stared him down for a moment, then stalked away toward his truck. “I’m not even gonna dignify that comment with a reply.”
    Ryan followed. “You were moving in on her faster’n lava from a volcano, for God’s sake!”
    â€œI was being friendly, you idiot!” Cal yanked open his truck door, but Ryan was right there, grabbing his brother’s arm again.
    â€œWhat you were doing is not what I call friendly.”
    â€œWell, then, that’s where you and me have a difference of opinion, big brother. And let go, for the love of Pete. I’m not goin’ anywhere. Although now I remember why I’m not inclined to seek out your company.”
    A pang of regret sliced through Ryan as he let go of Cal’s arm, but not strongly enough to sidetrack him from the issue at hand. “I know your reputation, Cal. Hell, everybody east of Tulsa knows your reputation. Just figured I’d head you off at the pass, is all.”
    Anger flashed in his brother’s eyes. “I don’t mean anything by it, and you know that.”
    â€œDo I?”
    â€œWell, you should, dammit. It’s just my way. Which you would know if you’d tried a little harder to get to know me, instead of listening to every shred of gossip that manages to meander through town. I’m not goin’ to apologize for liking women, for seeing if I can make them smile for me. Especially one as cute and sweet as that one is, who I gather has been through a lot this past little while. I can’t help but want to make her feel a little nicer about herself. That she’s worth being noticed. No law against it, last time I checked. But damned if I’m gonna stand here and listen to you going on about my reputation. I’ve never in my life taken advantage of a woman, or gone out with one who I didn’t respect as much as I did our own mother.” Cal’s voice caught slightly on that last little bit, but he quickly recovered. “Liking women doesn’t make me a womanizer, Ry.”
    Ryan let out a huff of air of his own, then stuffed his hands in his back pockets. After a moment, he said, “How could you possibly know how sweet Maddie is? You didn’t talk but five minutes, if that.”
    â€œShoot, Ry…” In the dim glow given off by the back porch light, Cal’s green eyes had gone the color of a murky pond. “Every time I turned around today, somebody or other was telling me about the poor widow and her darlin’ little kids who showed up