EVEN THOUGH QUINN fell asleep, Victoria stayed, as promised, until Christopher returned with the doctor. She left the room to let them tend to him and made her way back into the hallway. Hannah stood with an incredibly beautiful blonde, who she recognized as Emma from all the photos in their dorm room. A tall blond man, who looked eerily like Orlando Bloom, stood with an arm firmly around Emma’s waist. Hannah introduced her to Emma and her husband, Clayton, and Victoria felt immediately welcome.

“Are you ready?” Hannah asked.

Victoria nodded. “Definitely.”

Hannah led Victoria back into the guest room and Victoria could smell the orange-scented water the moment she walked inside. “Yum.”

“I’ll let you have your bath and come back in a bit to help you dress.”

“Help me dress?” Then it registered and she said, “Oh, right.”

Hannah chuckled. “Yes, exactly.”

“And if I have to... you know?”

Reaching under the bed, Hannah pulled out an ornately painted bowl.

“No!” Victoria cried. “It’s bad enough I had to pee in the woods. I cannot believe I have to pee in a bowl. That is disgusting.”

Hannah laughed. “I’m with you, sister, but it’s what we got. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Removing her clothes as quickly as she could, Victoria slid into the warm bath with a deep sigh. Bliss.

She submerged herself completely and washed every inch of dirt from her body. She’d never loved bathing more, but of course, she’d never been this filthy. She leaned her head against the back of the tub, closed her eyes, and tried not to dream of her green-eyed devil. It didn’t last long. Startled out of her daydream by Quincy’s pain-filled yell from the other room, she sat up in fright.

What are they doing to him?

Pausing for a moment, she heard no further sound, so she leaned back again.

Another yell. Jumping from the bath, she nearly slipped on the hardwood floor as she grabbed the towel from the end of the bed. Finding the robe Hannah retrieved for her earlier on the chair by the fireplace, she pulled it on quickly, tied the sash, and then wrapped her wet hair in the towel like a turban. She was still slightly wet, but when she heard him yell again, she pulled the robe tighter and ran across the hall. A short, robust, older man stood over him and appeared to be digging something into his shoulder.

“What are you doing to him?” she demanded.

The doctor turned in surprise. “Ma’am, you should not be in here.”

She held her hand out. “Stop!”

He ignored her and turned back to Quincy. “Ma’am, please leave us.”

“No! I asked you what you were doing to him. You can’t just dig your fingers into his wound. It’ll get more infected.”

“I must determine the extent of the damage.”

She fisted her hands at her sides. “Did you even wash your hands?”

“I know what I’m doing, little lady,” the doctor said patronizingly. “I have removed several bullets in my day. Why don’t you just run along, and I’ll let you know how he’s doing when I’m finished.”

The doctor dug his fingers in again and Quincy yelled in pain. Although Victoria could see he wasn’t completely lucid, he also wasn’t unconscious, which meant he could feel everything. Spurred on by another groan from Quincy, she frantically searched the room. Locating an iron fireplace poker, she picked it up and balanced it like a sword. “Get your hands off him immediately, you quack.”

The doctor raised his arms in surrender. “Now, just calm down, Miss.”

“I said, get your hands off him. Get out. You’re not going to touch him again. Get out!”

Since he probably thought she was mad anyway, Victoria crossed her eyes to drive home the doctor’s opinion and hissed as he quickly made his escape. She dropped the poker, hearing the loud clatter, rather than watching it fall, and rushed to Quinn’s side. “Shh, Gus. It’s okay. I’m here,” she whispered as she leaned over him and felt his forehead.

Quinn calmed almost immediately and fell asleep. It took a little longer for Victoria to bring her racing heart under control, and she hadn’t noticed the tears streaming down her face until the stress of the past day caught up to her—in spades. As she let herself cry, she realized she cared about this man far more than she’d ever cared about anyone before, the fear of his possible harm shaking her to her core. She laid her head gently on his chest and heard the strong beat of his heart, allowing the rhythm to soothe her. Sitting up quickly when Hannah rushed into the room, followed by Christopher, Victoria saw the surprise on her friend’s face at her appearance.

“Victoria?” Hannah said slowly. “What’s going on?”

“That disgusting man had his filthy hands inside his wounds and Quincy was in a great deal of pain,” Victoria seethed.

“He’s a doctor, ma’am,” Christopher said.

Victoria turned on him. “How could you allow some fat butcher to come and tend to your brother? Do you hate him?”

Christopher shrugged in confusion. “He’s the best in the city.”

“Best in the city, my ass! He is a hack, a quack, and any other ack you want to insert. He’s no doctor.”

Christopher looked helplessly at Hannah who smiled gently and said, “Knight, we need Stephen.”

Victoria shook her head. “Who’s Stephen, Hannah? I will not subject him to a murderer.”

“Tori. Calm down.” Hannah used her hated nickname, which brought Victoria up short.

Hannah raised an eyebrow. “I need you to focus on the situation at hand, lovey. Not the doctor.” Hannah waved her husband out of the room. Closing the door behind Christopher, she turned back to Victoria. “Victoria, you’re battling right now. I understand that you’re upset, but Christopher is going to fix this, okay? Stephen Paxton is a close friend who, coincidentally, was also sent back from the future. He’s an excellent doctor and surgeon, and happens to be in Harrisburg right now, which is a quick train ride away.”

Victoria crossed her arms with a glare. “Meaning?”

Hannah pulled her arms apart. “Meaning we can have him here by dinner tomorrow.”

Victoria wiped the tears from her face. “I don’t want him in any more pain, Hannah.”

“Stephen will take care of him, I promise. Okay?”

Victoria stared at her friend before nodding her head in acquiescence.

“I’ll be right back. I’ll make sure Chris is on top of the message to Stephen.” Hannah kissed her cheek quickly and then left the room.

Once Hannah left, Victoria made her way to Quincy, once again laying her head on his chest. She thought she felt him stroke her hair, but when she looked up, he appeared to be asleep, so she assumed it was her imagination. She sat in one of the chairs and laid her hand gently on Quincy’s arm. As she stroked it tenderly, she took his hand with her other, and squeezed.

Hearing the click of the doorknob, she turned to see Hannah poke her head inside. “Victoria, come get some clothes on and we’ll go downstairs for something to eat. Gwen’s here with her husband and a couple of friends.”

“His sister?”

Hannah stepped inside and nodded. “Yes. Come and meet her.”

“No.” Victoria glanced back at Quincy. “I’m not leaving him.”

“Victoria.” Hannah sighed. “You need to eat, and you can’t sit in this room all night with just a robe on.”

“I can’t leave him.”

Hannah laid a hand on her shoulder. “How about a compromise? Come across the hall and get some clothes on and I’ll bring you up a tray.”

Victoria didn’t answer right away, distracted by the feeling of his strong arm under her hand. She finally nodded and stood to follow Hannah across the hall. “Hannah, who’s this Stephen person?”

“Remember me telling you how Emma’s sister was told that the house they bought in Portland was haunted?”

Closing the bedroom door, Victoria turned to Hannah. “Yes, didn’t some med student disappear?”

“Yes, yes, he did,” Hannah said slowly.

Victoria turned with a gasp. “Holy shit.”

Hannah pulled a few things from the bureau and laid them on the bed. “Yep, Stephen was the med student. He was a kid genius and he’s a phenomenal doctor. He delivered Sophie’s baby and thinks he can come up with a few immunizations as well.”

“That would be handy.”

“Yes. Plus, he was also part of this pretty intense research team and remembers how to make penicillin, which might help if any of us get sick. He thinks he might be able to recreate aspirin as well. He doesn’t share his vast knowledge with everyone, because we are all trying to keep somewhat of a low profile, but it certainly makes me feel better to have him close,” Hannah said as she laid her hands protectively on her belly.

After Victoria pulled on pantaloons and a chemise, Hannah helped her tighten her corset and asked. “How is it you know how to do this?”

“Seriously?” Victoria groaned.

“Yes, seriously.”

“It’s in the genes. My coming out dress was a full replica of one of Scarlett O’Hara’s gowns from Gone with the Wind—”

“The one she made from the curtains?” Hannah asked with a frown.

Victoria shook her head. “No, the one she wore to the party. I was a bridesmaid in both my cousins’ weddings and of course, they went traditional. I think my mother would have me dress like this every day if she’d had her druthers. You should have seen some of the things I had to wear as a child.” Once she was fully dressed, Victoria slid her wet hair behind her ears. “I’m going back to Quincy’s room, now. Thank you for the temporary distraction.”

Hannah smiled. “My pleasure.”

“Actually. First, I think I should get a few things out of my bag,” Victoria said. “Do you have some clean rags I might be able to use as bandages?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll bring some up when I bring the tray.”

Grabbing two Advil and the rubbing alcohol, Victoria made her way across the hall while Hannah went down to get strips of cloth for her. She walked into the room and saw Quinn glance her way.

“Hi, Gus.” She quickly moved to his side. “How are you feeling?”

He sighed. “Like I was shot.”

“That bad, huh?” She smiled in sympathy as she looked down at him. “I have some of those painkillers for you, and Hannah is getting more bandages so that I can clean your wound.”

Shifting slightly, he groaned. “It throbs.”

“I’ll bet. That so-called doctor did a number on you.” She felt his forehead and swore. “Do you think you can sit up to take the pills?” He nodded, but seeing his discomfort, she put her arm around his shoulders for support. She heard his quick intake of breath as she accidentally grazed his wound. “Sorry, Gus.”

Moving pillows behind him, she removed her arm from behind his shoulders and poured a glass of water before handing him the pills. He took them and handed her back the glass just as Hannah walked in with a tray of food and some clean bandages.

“Thanks,” Victoria said before Hannah quietly left the room.

“Who was that?” Quincy whispered.

Victoria turned back to Quincy, who was resting against the headboard and watching her intently. “That was Hannah.”

His eyes widened. “Hannah? Your friend who disappeared?”

“Yes. She’s Christopher’s wife.” Victoria began to sort through the supplies Hannah had just brought in.

“My brother, Christopher?” Victoria nodded distractedly.

“Yes. Kind of a strange turn of events, don’t you think?”

Quincy’s eyebrows came together in a frown. “This is all entirely vexing.”

“I agree. But can we please talk about this when you’re better?” She bit her lip. “I want to concentrate on your shoulder.”

Quincy smiled. “Worried about me, little rebel?”

Sitting on the side of the bed, Victoria started to unbutton his shirt, her eyes flashing in mischief. “Don’t let it go to your head.” Leaning forward to gently slip the shirt off his shoulder, she frowned when she saw the mess left behind. “Butcher!”

Standing, she stalked to the bureau to gather her supplies, muttering choice words for the doctor under her breath.

“Victoria?”

“Hm?” Her back was to him as she counted the strips of cloth.

“Little rebel?”

“What?” Turning in frustration, she was immediately contrite when she saw that his wound was oozing. “Oh, shit!” Grabbing the alcohol, she rushed back to him. “This is going to sting.”

He glanced up at her.

“Ready?” He nodded, and she poured the alcohol over the wound. “Sorry,” she said at his quiet groan.

He squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m fine.”

She put the ointment on a square of cloth and wrapped it with a bandage. “Are the pills kicking in yet?”

“Not yet,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Could you please lie to me?” She stood and started to clean up. “Just once?”

Quincy sighed. “Little rebel, come here.”

“No.”

“Victoria, please.” He held his hand out to her. Making her way back to the bed with a huff, she sat down next to him and slipped her hand into his. He smiled. “You’re taking extraordinarily good care of me. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll feel better when this Stephen person gets that bullet out.” She leaned over and felt his forehead. “I don’t like that you’re so warm.” He kissed her palm, sending a shiver up her spine. She tugged at her hand. “Don’t get fresh.”

“Fwesh?” he slurred.

Without warning, he didn’t seem all together with her. “Gus? Quincy? Come on, wake up.”

Quincy’s eyes fluttered and then closed. In an effort to make him comfortable, she pulled the pillows out from behind his back and guided him down onto the mattress. Hearing his even breathing within seconds, she knew he was out cold and probably would be for a while.

Victoria decided to see what Hannah brought for her and sighed with surprised pleasure at the smell wafting from the bowl. A chunky stew, complete with potatoes and carrots, her favorite, beckoned her rumbling stomach as she lifted the fork and dug in.

Yum, Irish comfort food. Hannah’s doing, obviously.

A thick slice of fresh bread, still warm from the oven sat next to the bowl, and she dipped it into the stew and sank her teeth deep into the soft dough.

She ate quickly, not realizing how hungry she was until she took her first bite, and then settled herself in the chair next to Quincy’s bed.

* * *

Downstairs, Quincy’s sister, Gwen, and her closest friend, Charity Short, were in an uncharacteristically heated conversation. Highly rare for the lifelong friends.

“Why is Millicent Atwood here, Char?” Gwen asked.

“I don’t know why.” Charity flailed her hands in frustration. “She invited herself, and I couldn’t find a legitimate reason why she shouldn’t come.”

Gwen crossed her arms with a scowl. “She’s manipulative and all together untrustworthy. Much like her brother. How’s that for a reason?”

Charity sighed. “I know. But Mama seems to think she’s lovely and doesn’t understand why I don’t.”

“That’s because your mother’s closest friend is Millie’s mother.” Gwen let out an unladylike snort. “She’s somewhat biased.”

Charity nodded. “I did try to point that out, Gwen. It did not go well.”

Gwen rolled her eyes. “Did Millie say why she wanted to come?”

“She seems to think that if she can’t have Quincy, then she might find someone in Harrisburg. She used my engagement to Richard as proof.” Charity stared at her ring and then focused back on Gwen. “Of course, now that Quincy is home, she’s convinced she can nurse him back to health and make him fall in love with her. I think she’d be willing to do anything to make that happen.”

“She’s in for a rude awakening,” Gwen said. “Quincy can’t stand her. He thinks her vapid.”

Charity giggled. “Well, he’s right.”

“You’re on an evil streak today.”

Charity shrugged. “I’m simply honest. You’re also my example, friend. Let’s not forget that.”

Gwen glanced in Millicent’s direction. “She’ll raise his ideas if she stays.”

“Do you think he’ll actually be angry, or just irritated?”

“Both.”

The girls laughed, but were interrupted by Millicent, sidling up to them. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, Millie,” Gwen said.

“How is it, Gwendolyn, that your brother is upstairs with a bullet in his shoulder, but you’re spending your evening laughing? Shouldn’t you be a bit more reverent?”

Charity grabbed Gwen’s hand, mostly to keep her from hitting Millicent, but also to remind her to stay calm. Gwen forced a smile. “You’re absolutely right, Millicent. How crass of me to forget.”

“You should remember, Millie, that Gwen is also healing from a gunshot wound,” Charity pointed out.

Gwen had been kidnapped and shot by a stray bullet when her husband, Andrew, had come to rescue her. Her injuries had been frightening, but the doctor had been able to remove the bullet and she was now healing. Not as quickly as she’d like, but definitely stronger each day.

“I did forget about that,” Millicent admitted. “Must be why you’re hobbling like an old woman.”

Charity squeezed Gwen’s hand again and pulled her back. Gwen took a deep breath and turned back to Millicent. “I’ll go and check on Quincy now.”

Millicent stepped forward. “I’ll come with you.”

Gwen held her hand up. “Millicent, I’m sorry, but only family is allowed to visit with him.”

From the sound of Millicent’s hiss, Gwen knew she’d invoked just the response she wanted. Gwen winked at Charity and made her way upstairs.