She watched him from beneath a fringe of dark lashes. Lashes so dark they were startling when contrasted with the fall of white-blond hair spread out like a shawl across her slender shoulders.
But it was the wide, iridescent green eyes beneath the straight line of bangs that caught and held his attention, sending a deep and intense awareness shooting through him. He couldnt help but be struck by her stunning beauty.
Good morning, he said softly. My name is Donovan. Ryan Donovan. Im a doctor.
At the word doctor, she stiffened a bit, her expression less friendly. I didnt ask for a doctor, she said. And I dont need one.
He smiled. Good, because Im in the mood to just talk. Is that all right with you?
She stared at him in silence, her gaze penetrating, almost haunting in its directness. It seemed to sear him with a heat that was more piercing than twin lasers. But she didnt lift her head off her knees or make any other move to indicate she was opposed to his suggestion.
Ryan crossed the room, moving slowly, so as not to crowd or frighten her. She followed his progress with her eyes, their color radiating an unblinking brilliance in the dimness of the room. She didnt seem tense or skittish, simply wary, as if prepared for anything.
He pointed to the couch directly across from her. Do you mind if I sit down?
She shrugged. Do what you like. This isnt my house.
Ryan leaned forward to catch her words, the sound so soft and light it was like a breeze brushing past his ear. The effect startled him and he struggled to regain his composure, feeling oddly off balance.
What the hell was going on? He was never rattled when meeting a patient. He was the man always in control, always ready to handle the situation. The interns in the E.R. used to love it when he was the attending on-call and showed up to consult on a case. No matter how off-the-wall the E.R. walk-ins got, the interns knew that Ryan Donovan could handle them without breaking a sweat.
He sat down and crossed one leg over the other, taking a moment to get a feel for the situation. As he slid an arm along the back of the couch, he tried to impart an air of calm he didnt feel. But the last thing he wanted to do was spook her.
The Carsons asked me to come because they were concerned that you might be injured. Ryan waited, but when she didnt respond, he continued. They thought you might have been in an accident.
She shook her head and the perfect cut of bangs ruffled a bit with the movement of her head. They parted to reveal a small cut on her forehead, but it wasnt bleeding and didnt appear very deep.
I dont think I was in an accident.
She spoke each word clearly, but there was a slight hesitation, as if she was struggling to form the words before saying them. Perhaps the pause indicated some kind of head trauma, he thought. She seemed oblivious to the cut on her head.
May I ask your name?
Tess. The small frown was back between her brows, and she looked as though she might have searched for the name, dug it up from somewhere deep inside. My name is Tess, she said slowly.
Ryan waited a beat and then asked, No last name?
Beneath the quilt, her hands moved, tightening around her knees. Just Tess. Her shoulders braced as if anticipating his next question.
Ryan attempted to inject some lightness into the tenseness that hovered between them. I dont know too many people who go by only one name.
She lifted her eyes, her gaze slightly mocking. Cher. Batman. Garfield.
He had to laugh. Okay, youve got me there. A famous celebrity and two equally well-known cartoon characters. Are you telling me youre someone famous?
She shook her head and the hair shimmered in the soft light. Her chin settled back on top of her knees. No, Im not famous.
Can you tell me how you got into the Carsons cornfield?
I walked.
Yes, but where were you before you walked into the field?
Somewhere else.
Ryan tried another tack. I havent seen you around here before. Do you live close by?
Somewhere else.
Ryan tried another tack. I havent seen you around here before. Do you live close by?
For the first time, she smiled, a slight trembling stretch of her lips, as if she were afraid of him but wanted to come across as compliant. Cooperative. As if she hoped that if she kept things on an even keel, everything would be all right and hed leave her alone.
No. I dont live close by. Im visiting.
Who did you come to visit? Perhaps we could contact them and tell them youre here.
She shook her head. Theres no need. Betty and Bud are out in the kitchen. They know Im here.
Youre here visiting the Carsons? Try as he might, Ryan couldnt keep the confusion out of his voice.
Yes, this is their house. She sat forward, the tiny frown popping up between two delicately arched eyebrows again. You didnt know this was the Carsons house? Are you lost?
Ryan rubbed the side of his jaw. It wasnt often that patients were able to get around him so easily. No. Im not lost. I thought you might be the one who was lost or confused.
She settled back again and smiled with relief. No, Im not lost, either.
Ryan decided that he needed to get a bit more direct. Otherwise they were going to talk in circles all morning. You said you were visiting the Carsons. But the Carsons dont seem to know you. Why would you visit people you dont know?
Tess smiled serenely. New friends are important. Bud and Betty are my new friends.
Ryan tried to keep his exasperation from showing. Where specifically were you before you came to Half Moon, he asked.
I told you, I was somewhere else.
Ryan swallowed hard. This was going nowhere. Maybe his ex-bosss assessment of his clinical skills were right. Perhaps he had lost his touch. I noticed you have a small cut on your forehead. Did that happen last night?
Tess stared at him, her emerald-green eyes seeming to cut right through him. Yes. I tripped and fell in the dark. Its nothing. A small scratch.
Id like to examine it, if youll let me.
She sighed, a tiny puff of air passing between lush, slightly parted lips. Ryan waited. The corner clock clicked off the minutes as she considered his offer.
Finally she nodded, her gaze still wary. I guess it would be all right.
Ryan stood up and moved over next to her. Tess tilted her head back, giving him access to her forehead. He brushed aside her silky bangs, his fingers sliding over her soft skin. Air hissed between her teeth as he touched the edges of the cut.
Im sorry. I didnt mean to hurt you.
It-its all right. Stings a bit, but you have a very gentle touch.
Ryan leaned across her. Im going to turn on the light so I can see it better.
She slid an arm out from beneath the blanket and touched him, her fingers resting lightly on his forearm. A shiver shot up his arm and Ryan paused, glancing down into the clear green of her eyes.
Please, the light hurts my eyes, she said.
Ryan laid his hand over hers. Its important that I check your pupils, Tess. The fall might have given you a concussion.
She nodded her understanding and slipped her hand from beneath his. Ryan tried to ignore the twinge of regret when she pulled away.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a penlight. A quick check of both pupils told him that in spite of the light hurting, her pupil reaction was fine.
Perhaps a mild concussion. It didnt exactly explain her extreme mental confusion, unless shed been in an accident and couldnt remember the details.
He crouched down in front of her. Do you know what todays date is?
Of course.
He waited.
She tilted her head to the side. Im sorry. Have you forgotten the date?
Ryan bit back a grin. No, Tess. Im checking to see if you remember. You might have a head injury. Im checking your memory.
The frown popped up between her brows again. But I just told you that I know the date. Dont you believe me?
Ryan paused. He didnt want to anger her or shut her down so that she refused to cooperate. He tried a lighter approach. Any chance youd humor me and just tell me the date?
July tenth.
Good. Now, can you tell me the capital of Rhode Island?
A slight twinkle of humor entered those exquisite eyes. Youre not going to start asking math questions next, are you? Because Im really lousy at math.
Whatever had happened to her, Tess had managed to maintain her sense of humor. He held up a hand in mock Scouts honor. I promise, no math questions.
From across the room, Betty interrupted. Isnt that enough questions, Doc?
Ryan glanced over one shoulder. Its okay, Betty. Im not hurting her.
I know that. But youre scaring her. I can tell. Betty walked into the room, her dark eyes watching the young girl with motherly compassion. The poor child must be exhausted. This is no way to treat a person whos been through what shes been through.
But thats what Im trying to determine-what shes been through. Ryan didnt bother to hide the hint of irritation. Unlike most interviews he conducted, he definitely wasnt in control of this one. But then it wasnt every day that he had to conduct an initial assessment in the living room of one of his neighbors houses.
Providence, Tess said softly.
They both turned to look at her. Providence is the capital of Rhode Island. And I feel fine-just a little hungry.
The hard-nosed farm wife shot a triumphant look in Ryans direction. Of course you are, dear. Im going to make you a nice stack of buttermilk pancakes. She glared at Ryan. And if youre done asking silly questions, youre welcome to have some, too.
Tess stood, the huge quilt draped around her like a tent. As she walked toward the archway leading to the kitchen, the quilt caught on the end of the couch, slid off her shoulders and fell to the floor. Seemingly unaware of her naked condition, Tess continued on toward the kitchen, her bare feet padding softly on the hardwood floor.
Ryan blinked and swallowed hard. Lord, give me strength, he muttered. A true goddess walked among them. A goddess with legs that went on forever and a body so magnificently flawless that his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.
He tried not to stare, but he had a perfect view of her firm buttocks as she walked away. Muscle dimpled one firm cheek as she moved, and Ryan forced himself to breathe.