Keeping Katie (A Mother's Heart #1) by Patricia Keelyn

look?” she asked again, willing him to trust her.
    He hesitated for a moment longer before nodding.
    She reached down and gently removed the makeshift bandage. As she did, the boy steadied the animal. “What’s your name?” she asked, surveying the damage done to the animal’s leg.
    “Tommy.”
    “Nice name.” She laid the bandage aside, wondering if she knew enough to help this creature. Her nursing career hadn’t done much to prepare her for doctoring a deer. “It looks like he got his leg caught in something.”
    “A trap.”
    She raised her gaze to the boy’s. “A trap?”
    “Wasn’t meant for the deer.”
    “I see.” But she didn’t. She didn’t know anything about traps, or deer for that matter. Looking back at the animal, she said, “It looks like his leg is broken.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    She looked at the boy again. He probably knew more about doctoring animals than she did. “You can call me Maureen.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Smiling, she turned back to the animal. The boy certainly wasn’t short on manners. “You did a good job cleaning it, Tommy, but I think we better set that leg.” She glanced around the stall for something she could use. Before she could ask, the boy took off. When he returned, he brought several flat pieces of wood for her to choose from.
    “Great,” she said. “These will do fine. Now, I believe we should go ahead and clean his leg again while it’s uncovered. What do you think?”
    Tommy scurried away again and returned in a few minutes carrying a stack of clean rags, hot water, and an over-the-counter antibiotic.
    “Thanks,” she said.
    Tommy knelt down beside her and once again steadied the animal. She did what she could, trying to think of the deer as a person, cleaning the wound and applying the antiseptic. Then, using the wood and strips of rags, she set the leg. The boy had good instincts—holding the animal steady and soothing it as needed.
    “You like animals, Tommy.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “You’re very good with them.”
    She finished tying the last rag to secure the makeshift splint and leaned back on her heels to survey her work. “There, that’s about all I can do.” She glanced at Tommy, who still held the animal’s head, stroking it with gentle fingers. “I think he’s going to be all right. Just keep the wound clean and covered.”
    Tommy nodded his response.
    The sound of Alan’s voice surprised her, and she threw a quick glance toward the barn entrance. “I’ve got to go,” she said.
    She started to stand, but the boy stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Don’t tell no one, please.”
    Maureen looked down into his pleading eyes, and something melted inside her. She hated to think what could make this boy so afraid. And why would it matter if she told someone he sheltered an injured animal? Whatever the reason, she knew she wouldn’t betray him. “Of course not,” she said. “It’s our secret.”
    Rising, she turned and hurried out of the barn, nearly colliding with Alan as she reached the door. “Where have you been?” he asked, obviously irritated.
    Shrugging, she turned toward the Jeep. “Oh, I was just exploring.”
    “Exploring?” Alan reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her retreat.
    “Yes,” she answered. She met his gaze, then turned her eyes purposely toward the hand that held her. “Exploring.”
    He released her suddenly, and she met his gaze again, unconsciously rubbing at the spot where his hand had been. Then she turned away and headed across the yard.
    She got into the Jeep and closed the door before realizing Alan hadn’t followed. Instead, he’d stopped a few feet away and stood motionless, his back to her, facing the house. Straining to see around him, she let out an involuntary gasp as a bear of a man stepped out of the house—a rifle dangling from one hand.

 
    CHAPTER SIX

     
    A t Maureen’s surprised gasp, Alan stiffened. He had to get her out of here. Under normal circumstances,