Chapter 5

He passed the hardware and grocery stores, both separate buildings. Next came the row of businesses. A strip mall, though that wasn’t what they’d been called several decades ago when they’d been built. More like an old time Main Street that he’d seen in Wild West movies, with businesses adjoining one another and a long, wooden walkway in front. An overhang protected people from the bright sun or the falling rain during their shopping spree in the sector. Small stores made up the line. Clothing and garment repair, glassware, a boot place, and a vet who, from what Donovan understood, split his time between Forgotten and his main office in Cheyenne. A tiny tea room took up the end spot. They had sandwiches, too. Pretty tasty in his opinion.

He stepped off the end of the walkway, turned a corner, and was at his destination. After quickly scanning the writing on the door, which simply read, ‘Doctor,’ he walked in.

“Can I help you?”

He smiled at the dark-haired middle-aged lady that greeted him. Her strong voice and the way she looked at him told him a few things. Namely, she reminded him of a third-grade teacher. Polite. Proper. And with enough fortitude to set the worst misbehaving child into his place. He wouldn’t put it past her to be hiding a paddle in one of the desk drawers. “You must be Emmy. Mary from the post office sent me over.”

She eyed him for a long moment, then shook her head. “Rolling in poison ivy is detrimental to your health.”

He willed himself to play nice. “I figured that out.” He stepped closer to the desk. “Any way Dr. Wood can work me in? I’m really in a bad way.”

“Yeah, I can see that. Have a seat. I’m sure we can squeeze you in, considering the situation.”

“Thank you.” He accepted the clipboard and pen that she handed him, took a seat at the back of the empty room, and started filling out the paperwork. By the time he’d finished, she led him to an exam room.

“Have a seat on the exam table. Dr. Wood will see you shortly.” She quickly left, shutting the door firmly behind her.

The four white walls, sporting educational posters snared his attention for a couple of minutes. With no window to peer out, he quickly found himself bored and antsy. His little toe began to itch so bad, he kicked his shoes and socks off. That marginally helped. The irritation spread straight up his lower extremities and set off another furious itch between his legs.

Without a thought, he hopped off the table, unfastened his pants, and let them drop. His boxers followed. He sighed as the cool air brushed over the raw skin. His left little toe throbbed with the need to scratch. Unable to help himself, he bent over and rubbed.

The door opened with a click.

Donovan’s heart skipped a beat as he realized someone had entered to his bare, naked ass pointing in their direction like a fat bullseye. He peered over his shoulder, then gulped.

See, you didn’t have to tromp all over the woods to find him. You just needed to walk in here.His inner beast nearly crowed with amused sarcasm.

Shut up.Donovan snarled at his beast, stood, and offered up an embarrassed grin to the man who’d haunted his thoughts since the day before. “Hi, again.”

Dr. Wood appraised him with a keen, knowing eye. “You don’t take direction well.” He closed the door behind him and set the clipboard and paperwork on a nearby counter.

Donovan tugged his pants back up, ignoring the protest from his chafed skin, and turned to face the man. “I’ll admit I didn’t really know what poison ivy looked like. I do now.” Being up close, he noticed the man’s height, a couple of inches taller than himself, putting him easily over six foot. His hair was neatly combed, making Donovan miss the wild look fresh out of the water. Clothes covered that exquisite body. However, Dr. Wood’s scent was unmistakable and delicious. Donovan found himself wanting to lean in and get a good whiff. Only manners and the doctor’s off-putting demeanor stopped him.

“Good to know.” Dr. Wood went to a cabinet and pulled out a syringe, complete with attached needle encased in a sterile plastic cover. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Where would I go?Donovan peeked closer at the needle, then cringed. It appeared huge. He shuddered at the thought of what was to come.

The squeaking of the door announced Dr. Wood’s return. He shut it firmly, produced a small glass jar of clear liquid, then proceeded to open the syringe, stick the needle into the bottle, and draw up the medication.