READERS - I'll probably need help finding the errors in this chapter. I wrote it while at work, and at my day job, I don't have Grammarly. 

THREE

Why was she feeling this way? Nicole couldn't determine whether it was because of the intense way he looked at her, or the softness of his voice, or the tender way he cradled the side of her head in his large hand. All she knew was that she didn't want to move from this spot.

Nicole couldn't take her eyes off Caleb. Even as a child growing up, her father never held her tenderly while she cried. Caleb was the first man to do this, and her mixed emotions tumbled around inside her, confusing her. Yet, the way her heart grew the longer she stared at him wasn't misleading at all.

She dropped her gaze to his mouth. Never had she passionately kissed a man, and the temptation was great. But this wasn't the time. Not with what had happened with Brenda. Or... maybe it was the perfect time. They were mourning together and sharing their feelings, so why not share a kiss?

"Nicole," he whispered in a deep voice. "You shouldn't say such things."

"I'm only speaking the truth, Caleb. I've only known you for a few hours, and already I can tell you are a wonderful man. I've never met a more caring—"

His mouth pressed against hers, silencing her words. The sudden movement had her gasping in surprise, but it only took a second before she released a moan of pleasure. His gentle lips moved against hers, creating havoc inside her. Her heartbeat raced with excitement, and she clung to his shirt, not wanting him to stop these incredible feelings rushing through her body.

Since, this was the first time a man had ever kissed her, she wasn't prepared with how to act. But, her first instinct was to move her lips with his and do the same thing he was doing, hoping it was right. When Caleb sighed heavily and wrapped his arms around her, she realized he liked the way their kiss was progressing.

He shifted her in his arms, and suddenly, he was picking her up and sitting her on his lap. Still involved with the kiss, she didn't break free. At the moment, being in his arms this way was the only way to heal.

When he deepened the kiss, she lost her breath. Heavens! Did people really kiss this way? But it didn't matter. She wanted to learn everything she could from this incredible man. She became weak in the worst way, but at the moment, she didn't care. No man had made her feel so special, so desirable, and so cared for. Since she wasn't sure how long this would last, she would cherish every second she could and make it the best.

Suddenly, a knock came on the door, and they jumped. Still dazed, Nicole didn't move, but then Caleb did enough for the both of them. He moved her off his lap and was standing before she could even blink.

Blowing out a fast breath, he pushed his fingers through his hair and walked to the door. The absence of his body's heat was evident, and she shivered. Nicole grabbed the blanket she'd somehow discarded, and wrapped it around her again.

She couldn't see who was at the door or hear what they were saying, but soon, Caleb nodded. "I'll be out in a minute."

Once he closed the door, he sighed heavily and turned back to look at her. Nicole wasn't sure if she was supposed to be embarrassed or not. Maybe she was supposed to feel shame. Yet, she felt neither. The tingles from their intimate kiss still buzzed through her.

"So," he said, moving closer to her, "about that kiss."

"Yes?"

He shook his head. "It shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have allowed it to happen. You are my employee, Nicole. What we did was wrong."

Her chest ached, realizing now the severity of what had happened. "Then I must apologize. I didn't think... I mean, I didn't know—"

"Nicole, it was my fault too, and I'm very sorry. I was caught up in the moment, and in sharing your pain. It won't happen again, I promise."

Her skull ached and she rubbed her forehead. "You won't let what happen again? The kiss or sharing my pain?"

A small smile touched his expression. "The kiss. We can share each other's pains and heartaches at anytime."

"Is that what you do with the other girls?"

He nodded. "As I'd mentioned before, we are like a family. I hope you will soon feel it, too."

The thought crossed her mind that if he thought of her like family, he wouldn't have kissed her so passionately. Perhaps she'd wait to mention that. Right now didn't seem like a good time.

* * * *

Caleb stared down at Brenda's dead body lying on the exam table in Doctor Stiles' office. Now that Caleb could see better in the light of day, it was easier to come to a conclusion. Unfortunately, the only conclusion he came to was that he still didn't know how her blood was drained from her body. There were no other marks on her, so strangulation was out, as was a gunshot. She had no bruises to make him suspect she'd been beaten to death, and no cuts on her body. The only marks on her were the two puncture wounds on her neck.

He still didn't believe in vampires.

"As you can see," Doctor Stiles said, "the marks on her neck are on a major artery."

"Yes, however, that doesn't explain who took her blood and how they did it."

"We might have to be creative while figuring out this case, Caleb. I've never seen anything like it."

Caleb had never even imagined such a way to die. "This is certainly an odd case." He lifted Brenda's fingers and checked under her nails. No nails were broken or chipped, which meant she hadn't tried to struggle.

He stepped closer to her head and bent as he lifted her eyelids, one at a time. Blood was surprisingly evident around the pupils. He tilted her head to look up into her nose. Markings of blood were there, as well. When he checked her ears, the same spots of blood were in the ear canals. Lastly, he opened her mouth. This took a little more effort since her jaw had locked. Her tongue was coated with blood. It was also swollen. He sniffed. There was a hint of mint in her mouth.

"It appears," Caleb said, straightening to look at the doctor, "that Brenda Garby was poisoned. Whatever the killer used, made her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth bleed."

Doctor Stiles frowned and shook his head. "That wouldn't cause her to lose all of her blood."

"No, it wouldn't, but poison would certainly be the reason she was dead." He shrugged. "For some reason, the person who wanted her dead didn't want us to take her blood."

The older doctor snorted. "Whatever for?"

"That is a good question, but I'm not the sheriff. Hopefully, Sheriff Reed will find Brenda's killer soon so that we will get our answers, and get on with our lives." Caleb slid his arms into his suit jacket, and placed the cowboy hat on his head.

"I was told," Stiles said, "that Brenda didn't have any family."

The guilt Caleb hadn't wanted to feel crept over him again when he thought of Nicole, and especially the heated kiss they had shared. "She has a cousin – my new girl, Nicole Blake."

"Oh, was she the girl at the saloon with you last night who was sobbing hysterically?"

"Yes." Caleb took a deep breath. "The news hit her hard, especially considering Brenda was her only family, too."

"That's just sad."

Caleb nodded. "It is."

"Will Miss Blake want to have a graveside service for her cousin?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll ask her." As long as Caleb didn't ask her someplace private. They would always need to around the others. That was the safest way.

As he walked out of the doctor's office, his stomach knotted, feeling anxious about talking to Nicole again. It irritated him that he hadn't been stronger last night and resisted the lure of attraction. She was a very pretty woman, and seeing her in the skimpy saloon's girl uniform only made her more attractive. It worried him, only because he hadn't been attracted to any of his other girls. He wished he knew what made Nicole stand out. Unless it was her innocence. When she'd first walked in the saloon, he could tell she had been raised to be a real lady. Had her father's illness reduced her to work as a saloon girl?

Walking toward the saloon gave him time to take in the fresh late winter air. February would soon be here, but he suspected Montana would receive a few more snowstorms before spring arrived. That didn't bother him. He knew men would come to the saloon even if there was a blizzard outside.

"West, wait up."

The familiar voice caused Caleb to pause and glance over his shoulder. His friend, Joel Easton, hurried toward him, wearing a big grin. Caleb glanced in the direction of where Joel had came from, and standing on the porch of the schoolhouse, was a very lovely lady. Caleb grinned. It was good to see his friend was still a very happy married man, even after being married for a month.

"Easton." Caleb gave him a nod. "I'm surprised to see you've tore yourself away from your pretty little wife already."

Joel chuckled and rolled his eyes. "She's the schoolteacher. I can't stay by her side all the time."

Caleb laughed and resumed his walk toward the saloon. "Why don't you join me for a drink?"

"No. It's too early in the day for a drink."

Caleb bit back another laugh. Strange that Joel would say that now, when not more than two months ago, Joel was one of the first men in the saloon when they opened at ten o'clock. "So, what's on your mind?"

"I heard you're helping Doctor Stiles out."

"I am."

"Well," Joel removed his black felt cowboy hat and brushed the moisture off his forehead, "I wondered if you have decided to take over the practice when Stiles leaves."

"No." Caleb sighed. "I haven't decided, but I'm learning toward staying at the saloon."

"Why would you want to do that? I'd think being a doctor would bring in more money."

Caleb laughed heartily. "You need to come into the saloon more often, especially on weekends. Then you'd know the answer to that."

"Seriously, West." Joel stopped and grasped Caleb's arm, bringing him to a halt. "I remember when you used to love being a doctor."

"Yeah, well... the difference between then and now is that I won't be just attending to my brother's household and friends. I would be a doctor to everyone in Stumptown."

"Why should that bother you?"

Caleb shrugged. "I don't know. I think it's because I'm worried that some folks in town won't like me taking over. Stiles has been the doctor for many years. And me... well, I was just a criminal's doctor." He frowned. "I'm still surprised that I wasn't arrested along with Michael's other men."

"You weren't arrested because you didn't commit any crimes."

"I suspected what my brother and his friends were doing, but I didn't stop them."

"That's because Michael was your brother and you loved him."

Caleb nodded. "I suppose you're right."

"I hope you take some time and really think about being a doctor. The town needs you. Stiles is getting old and he's not as good as he used to be." Joel patted Caleb's shoulder. "We need a man like you, and if there are some judgmental people in town, they'll change their mind quickly when their neighbors tell them how wonderful you are."

Wonderful... That was what Nicole had called him before he lost all resistance and kissed her soundly. Well, he certainly wasn't going to kiss Joel. In fact, Caleb might punch him in the face for making him think of Nicole again.

"Yeah, thanks, I think." Caleb chuckled. "I'll let you know."

"All right. I'll let you get back to work now."

"You, too." Caleb turned and trekked back to the saloon with Nicole on his mind. Again. Whatever happens from here on out, they could not be alone together.