Trouble in Hell (Hell Night 1)

“That’s got to be tough; being the only doctor around.”

“Not really. I enjoy it.”

“What do pregnant women do here when they go into labor and they don’t have time to make it to the hospital?”

“They ca

ll me. I’ve delivered most of the babies around here. Even ones who had plenty of time to make it to the nearest hospital.”

“But what happens if something goes wrong?”

Throwing my napkin on my plate, I sit back and throw my arm on the back of the chair beside me.

“We’re equipped for most scenarios, and for ones we aren’t, we have someone nearby who owns a helo who can air-vac to the nearest hospital.”

A smirk tugs up my lips at her impressed expression.

“And you don’t mind being so secluded out here?”

I shake my head. “No. It’s what I prefer, along with everyone else here. We’re in our own little world.”

She licks her lips, leaving behind a sheen. Unconsciously, my eyes follow the movement. It’s not until she speaks again that I break my gaze away.

“The other day, you said you don’t get many people out this way. From the looks I’ve been getting, I take it y’all don’t like it when someone new comes to town.”

“No.” Her head jerks back at my blunt reply. “This is our small part of Texas. We do things differently here, and we don’t like strangers coming around that could mess things up.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Different how?”

“Since you’re a stranger, it wouldn’t be smart of me to tell you, would it?”

Her brows form a deep v, and she opens her mouth to say something, but her vibrating phone stops her. I drop my eyes to the device and see a text notification from someone named Lynn. I look up from the phone to see Remi looking down at it, her bottom lip back between her teeth.

Expecting her to look at the message, I’m mildly surprised when she shuts her phone off instead.

“You can take care of that,” I let her know in case she ignored it because she’s worried it would be rude.

“It’s nothing important.”

She’s lying. I not only know this because the message was tagged urgent, but also from the anxious look on her face. It makes me wonder what she’s avoiding. Having someone new in Malus who has secrets is never a good thing.

Looking at the watch on my wrist, I realize I’ve been away from the office too long. My next appointment is due in ten minutes.

“I’ve gotta head back.” I stand and grab my plate. “Make sure to give your brother that call.”

“I will.”

With a nod, I carry my plate to the bar and set it down. Doris would have gotten it for me, but I’m up already, and if I can make her day easier, why wouldn’t I?

At the door, I cast one more glance at Remi and find her eyes on me as well. Some unknown feeling settles in my belly as we hold each other’s stare. Something I refuse to name. Something I know she feels too.

Forcing the unwanted feeling away, I push through the door into the bright sunlight. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I bring up JW’s number.

“Sheriff Ward,” he answers on the third ring.

“I need a favor.”

“What?”