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Mountain Man Doctor

(Standalone Novella)

by S. E. Riley

Copyright © 2024 S.E. Riley; All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Epilogue

{b

TRIGGER WARNING{/b}

This book contains mentions of alcohol addiction, relapse, and recovery.

{1

Prologue: Addie

Ten years away from home had never felt so awful.

When I was seventeen, I moved away from Blopton Town and never looked back. Back then, life in a small town had seemed overrated. I was young and wanted to live in a city where nobody knew my name or my parents. I wanted to build a life far away from the sleepy little mountain town.

Now that I was back, I had no clue why I had left.

As I ran, I inhaled the scent of the forest and felt the tension leave my body. The carnage that had become my life started to fade away with each new twist in the trail I took.

My footsteps were steady, and my heart was racing as I came to a stop in front of one of the giant redwoods. The trees towered over me, their leaves littering the ground as fall ravaged the forest.

The trail split into two just ahead of me. To the right was a path I had run a thousand times as a teenager. To the left was a newer path that hadn’t been filled with woodchips yet.

I stretched out my legs for a second before I took off towards the new path, eager to explore the new section of the forest. More leaves coated the ground, hiding the path from sight. I kept running in a relatively straight line, dodging rocks and jumping over roots.

Lately, running was the only thing that cleared my mind.

Suddenly, the ground was falling out beneath my feet. I screamed as I fell. A root caught my crop top, ripping it as I plummeted to the bottom of the hole. My ankle twisted as I landed, jerking hard and sending me to my knees.

Tears blurred my vision as I looked around.

Why the hell is there a trap in the middle of a fucking running path? I thought as I tried to stand.

The pain that shot through my ankle was unbearable. I screamed and fell back down, clutching my ankle. Even in the relative darkness of the hole, I could see that my ankle was swollen.

“Help!” I shouted, wishing that I had brought my phone.

The phone was sitting on the dining table in my parents’ house, waiting for me to come back. I hadn’t wanted anything in the tiny pocket of my shorts while I ran, but apparently, that had been a mistake.

“Help!”

Without being able to put any weight on my ankle, I couldn’t climb out of the hole. I scowled and glared up at the leaves falling on me. There was nothing I could do now but shout and hope that somebody would run through this trail like I did.

I shouted until my voice was hoarse before I heard the crunching of leaves near the hole. When I shouted again, the crunching grew louder until it stopped, and a man was looking down at me.

“Please help,” I said. “My ankle’s hurt, and I can’t get out of here.”

His lips twitched slightly at my predicament. “Can you move to one side? I’m going to jump down and lift you out.”

I scrambled to press myself as close to one side of the hole as possible. The man landed beside me and grinned. That smile knocked the air from my lungs as I stared at him, his eyes the color of sea glass as he regarded me warmly.

“Hey,” he said, crouching down to scoop me up.

He was careful not to hit my ankle as he lifted me higher, placing me on the edge of the hole. I scrambled backward using my hands and good ankle while he lifted himself out of the hole.

“Thank you,” I said, staring up at him and trying to ignore how his hands on my body filled my stomach with butterflies.

“I can take you down to the clinic and fix up your ankle,” he said. He crouched down and held out his hand. “Dr. Zane Morrin.”

“Addie Manning.”

“You’re okay with me carrying you, right? It’s going to be the fastest way to get you to my truck.”

“If it means I can have pain meds sooner, go for it.”

He laughed and picked me up again, avoiding my ankle. I didn’t know what to do with my arms while he carried me, so I settled for looping one around his shoulders and trying to keep myself upright as he walked over the bumpy trail.

The drive from the trailhead to the clinic was short and slightly awkward. Zane made small talk about nothing in particular while I gritted my teeth against the pain. He had given me some pain medication when he got to his truck and wrapped my ankle, but it still wasn’t enough to kill the dull ache.

When he carried me into the clinic, I could feel the eyes on us. The man sitting behind the desk smirked as he answered a phone call. My cheeks were burning as he carried me into one of the exam rooms and shut the door behind us.

“Do you have anyone who can come and get you?” he asked.

“Yeah. I can call my mom if you have a phone I can borrow.”

“We’ll get you one,” he said as he took off the wrapping. “Now, let’s take a look at that ankle.”

He made quick work of the exam, his fingers skating over my skin and sending shivers down my spine. I kept ignoring the butterflies in my stomach as he worked, trying to remind myself that he was just doing his job.

Once my ankle was wrapped, and I was given a pair of crutches, he escorted me out of the office with strict instructions to stay off my ankle. When my mom’s car came speeding around the corner, I grinned.

“That’s her. Thank you for all your help.”

“Addie, what happened?” my mom asked as soon as she put the car in park and walked around to the passenger side. “Is it anything serious, Zane?”

Zane? Did they know each other?

“Nothing lots of rest won’t fix…” he said as he helped me into the car.

“Zane, you’re needed…” the man who had been behind the desk called out from the door before disappearing back inside.

“Oh, thank God,” Mom said as she buckled my seat.

“Gosh, Mom, it’s just a sprain…I’ll be fine.” Mom kissed my forehead before closing the door and rounding the car to the driver’s side.

“Keep off the ankle, Addie,” he said as he opened the door to the clinic, ready to head back inside. “And call the office later to make a follow-up appointment. I need to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself and not doing any more damage.”

When the door closed behind him, I finally let out the breath I had been holding. Trying to forget the feeling of his hands on my body would be impossible.

{1

Chapter 1: Zane

I ran a hand through my hair as I finished filling out the notes on my patient’s chart. There was no shortage of elderly people coming in, searching for some sort of new medication they could try for a problem they had made up. Though the visits were always long, they kept my day moving. I couldn’t fault any of them for looking for something to do.

Hell, I was lonely, too. I wanted someone to talk to, and the never-ending line of elderly people provided me with companionship in some form, even if it was in a completely professional capacity.

There was a knock at the door before my office administrator, Van, stuck his head in the door with a grin. I waved him in and set my notes to the side.

“What’s going on?” I asked as his grin grew wider.

“So,” Van said, dropping into one of the leather chairs on the other side of my desk. “I noticed that you haven’t made a follow-up appointment with Addie Manning yet. Aren’t you worried about how her ankle is healing?”

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in the chair. Van was young, and hiring him had been more because of his mother’s begging than his actual qualifications-though he had gone to school to be a medical office administrator. However, he kept me on my toes and kept me entertained. He was one of the few people in town who treated me like a normal person instead of someone to talk about.

Still, I didn’t like that he was asking about Addie. It meant that he had seen the way I stared at her for a few seconds too long as she left the clinic after every visit.

“And since when do you keep tabs on who’s been in the office recently and who hasn’t?” I asked. “I’ve seen her a few times in the last three weeks to check on her ankle, but they’ve been brief appointments. You would know that if you kept on top of the filing.”

Van waved a hand and smirked. “That’s a job for another day. Why don’t we talk about how irritated you are that she rushes in here and rushes out without giving you the time of day? I’ve heard it’s hard on an aging man’s ego.”

“I’m only thirty-seven,” I said, gritting my teeth as I sat up and started working on my notes again. Thirty-seven wasn’t old, but it wasn’t young anymore, either. He didn’t need to remind me about my age.

With everything that I had been through in my life, thirty-seven felt ancient some days.

“You ignored what I said about Addie, though. That’s interesting. If you want, I can go find her file and get her address so you can make a house call.”

“That’s a massive violation of patient privacy,” I said, looking up from my paperwork and fixing him with a stern look. “Please tell me that you aren’t doing that.”

“Are you kidding me? Mom would have my head.” Van shuddered. “She’s making you all kinds of fruit preserves for Christmas.”

“She really doesn’t have to do that,” I said, wondering what I would do with fruit preserves. I lived alone, and there was no need to have multiple jars.

“You don’t understand. She really does have to. You splinted the cat’s leg and gave her baby boy a job. She talks about you all the time.”

I groaned and ran a hand down my face. I knew that even after five years in Blopton, I was still a gossip topic among the townspeople. Lately, it had more to do with my relationship status than anything else. It seemed like most of the mothers thought that the only doctor in a small town would be the perfect husband for their daughter.

They didn’t know the skeletons that liked to live in my closet. Otherwise, they might have thought differently.

Not a week went by without a well-meaning woman offering me her daughter’s number or giving me her own. As soon as I got home, all those numbers went in the garbage. I wasn’t interested in settling down with anybody.

They wouldn’t understand me.

I was uninterested in finding a relationship, at least until I saw Addie. Something about her drew me in and held me captive. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted her to be the first person I let into my life in a long time.

It scared the hell out of me.

“Honestly,” Van said, shaking his head. “If I have to hear one more story about you, I’m going to go insane.”

The phone started ringing before Van could tell me exactly what his mother had been saying about me lately. I glanced at him, but he made no move to go answer the phone.

With a sigh, I picked up the receiver. “Hello, Morrin Medical. Dr. Morrin speaking.”

“Hi, Zane,” Fleur Manning said, her soft French accent lilting. “Would you mind going to Addie’s apartment? She just called me and said that she fell in the shower and her ankle hurts too much to get up. I’ve tried to lift her, but with the way my back’s been hurting lately, I can’t.”

As much as I wanted to say no, Fleur was my neighbor. She and her husband, Alex, had welcomed me with open arms when I moved to town and caught me up on everything I might need to know while living in Blopton. They invited me over for weekly dinners, and it wasn’t uncommon for Fleur to show up on my doorstep with leftovers from their dinner.

“I’ll be over as soon as I can, Fleur. Where does Addie live?”

“Those apartments on Main Street. Number five. I’ll meet you at the door and let you in.”

In the background, I could hear Addie ask her mother who she was talking to. Fleur said something in French before ending the call. I sighed and got up, grabbing a bag filled with supplies.

“And where might you be going in such a hurry?” Van asked, a smirk already forming. “You look like you’re off on an important mission. A house call, maybe?”

“Get back to work, and don’t worry about what I’m doing,” I said before leaving the office.

As much as Van liked to tease me, I knew he wouldn’t say anything to anyone about where I was going or what I was doing. He might have only been twenty-six, but he had enough sense to know that some things in this town didn’t need repeating.

I loaded my bag into the backseat of the truck and got in. My clinic sat just outside of town by the forest. It was the perfect location for someone who loved the woods but didn’t want the townspeople dropping in to chat on their way by. I had work to get on with and couldn’t spend much time chatting.

Packing my bags and moving to Blopton five years ago had been an impulsive decision at best. It was exactly the kind of decision that I had been told to avoid making. But I didn’t regret making that move, especially when I didn’t have that many options to begin with. Getting this clinic had been a welcome surprise. The location was the main reason why I purchased it. I didn’t think I would get back into practicing medicine after taking an extended break. I thought I was done with that, but then I saw the little clinic for sale nearly three years ago, and everything fell into place.

Heading into town always left an uneasy feeling. It felt like people were watching me and waiting for me to make a mistake. Living on the outskirts of town and avoiding the drama was easier.

As I drove, I drummed my fingers on the wheel and tried not to think about what I was headed to do. There was a good chance that Addie was still going to be naked when I was there. I had seen plenty of naked patients in my career but being attracted to the patient was entirely new for me.

I won’t be acting like a horny teenage boy, no matter how long it’s been since I’ve been with someone, I thought as I turned off the dirt road that led to the clinic and onto the only paved road that led to town from the clinic.

I was going to get to Addie’s, and I was going to be professional. I would pretend that I wasn’t attracted to her, and everything would be alright. It would only take a few minutes to get her out of the tub, check her ankle, and leave again.

Neither of us would be more uncomfortable than we had to be.

At least, I hoped that we wouldn’t be.

{1

Chapter 2: Addie

“I can’t believe you called the doctor,” I said as I glared at my mom from where I was sitting in the tub. “That isn’t necessary. I would have been able to get myself out of here eventually.”

“Well, it was either the doctor or your father since you don’t have any male friends in town, and I couldn’t lift you. I thought that I picked the best option given the situation,” Mom said with a slight shrug and a sly smile before murmuring something in French and walking away.

It was then that I wished I had learned more French when I was younger so I could keep up with her whispering under her breath. She had wanted us to speak English at home so she could improve, but it meant that French was barely spoken.

“I don’t know why you’re so opposed to the doctor,” Mom said as she walked back into the bathroom with my black silk robe. “Here.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking the robe and struggling my way into it. The back of the robe got slightly wet from the tiny pool of water I was still sitting in. “As for the doctor, I’d rather crawl my way out of the tub.”

“Don’t be dramatic,” she said as she sat on the closed toilet seat lid. “He’s a nice man. Your dad and I like him very much. He shovels our driveway in the winter and comes over for Saturday dinner every week. You’ve been back in town for five weeks and still haven’t come for a Saturday dinner with us.”

“Well, to be fair, I haven’t been able to drive myself anywhere in close to a month, which means that even if I wanted to come for dinner, I can’t right now.”

She sighed. “I don’t know why you don’t want to come to the dinners. It’s a nice tradition. It’s the one point of the week when we can sit down together and spend some time talking about our week.”

I had been avoiding the dinners because I didn’t want to listen to my father rage about my gambling-addicted ex-husband. He still thought that I had made a mistake in not demanding any spousal support, but I didn’t want any of my ex’s money. Even if he did have any, I didn’t think that I would see any of it.

Saturday dinners would just be another chance for my dad to remind me that my life had self-combusted around me, and I wasn’t fighting back.

He still couldn’t understand that I didn’t want to fight. I just wanted to start my life over without the reminder of everything that had gone wrong.

“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, knowing that I wouldn’t give much more thought to it until my ankle was healed.

A knock on the door ended our conversation for the time being as Mom stood to go answer it. Mom would likely bring up me not going over for dinner over and over again until I finally broke down and went to a Saturday dinner. It would probably be better to do it sooner rather than later. That way, she would back off and give me some time to myself.

There were a thousand other things that I needed to do, including finding a job. I had been a kindergarten teacher for the last six years, but when my divorce was finalized three months ago, I left the job I loved and started packing my bags.

With the school year starting this month, I didn’t have much hope of finding a job at the local elementary school, but I had applied to the local school board and was waiting to see what came back.

Right now, getting out of the damn bathtub and finding a job was more important than a Saturday dinner.

“Be careful when you go in,” Mom said, her voice traveling down the hallway. “Addie’s in a bit of a foul mood.”

“I wonder why,” I said, tying the belt of my robe a little bit tighter. “Maybe it’s because you’re inviting strange men over to come to see me naked. Hell, why don’t we call the fire department in here, too, while we’re at it?”

“I see what you mean about the foul mood,” Zane said as he stopped at the door and looked down at me with a smile. “Sorry about this.”

“It’s fine,” I said, looking away from him as my cheeks flamed. “I don’t think I’m getting out of here any other way.”

Zane moved quickly, crossing the bathroom and lifting me out of the tub. He carried me to the living room and set me on the couch.

“How’s the ankle feeling?” he asked as he grabbed a bag from beside the door and brought it over. He got down on one knee in front of me and gingerly took my ankle, placing my foot on his knee.

“Like it would be easier to just cut it off at this point,” I said, wiggling my toes.

He laughed, his fingers on my skin sending shivers up my body. I considered asking my mother to leave so the doctor and I could get a little closer.

Damn it. You’re a grown woman. Get it together.

I was twenty-seven. Being this worked up over an attractive man holding my ankle was ridiculous. It didn’t matter that he was looking at me with those pretty green eyes while his dark hair fell in waves across his forehead. He was the kind of handsome that would send girls running straight for him.

“You’re going to be at dinner this Saturday, right?” Mom asked as she perched herself on the edge of my coffee table. “We’re having steaks on the grill.”

“I’ll be there,” Zane said, shooting her a smile that I swear made my mother swoon. “Do you want me to bring anything?”

Mom looked at me with a smirk. I wanted to lunge off the couch and clamp a hand over her mouth before she could say anything. With my ankle still being inspected, there was nothing I could do to stop her, and she knew it.

“Actually, would you mind bringing Addie? With her ankle the way it is right now, she can’t drive, but her dad and I would really like to have her over for dinner.”

I scowled at her before looking down at Zane and subtly shaking my head. I could see the hesitation on his face as he weighed his options. When I shook my head again, he grinned and nodded.

“Sure, Fleur. I’ll bring her to dinner.”

“Excellent,” Mom said as she got up and grabbed her purse. “I’ve got to get going now, but let me know how your ankle is.”

She left as if she hadn’t just manipulated me into going to the weekly dinner. I stared at the door for a few seconds after she left, trying not to focus on the absence of Zane’s touch as he lowered my foot and stood up.

“Your ankle is looking good. You’ve slightly twisted it again, but after another week or so, you should be good to start running again.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, looking down at the ankle. “I don’t want to rush into it too soon.”

He gave me a flat look, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “If anybody’s going to know, it’s going to be me.”

“Fair enough,” I said, standing up and trying to put weight on my ankle.

As I stumbled, he reached out and caught me, helping me balance again. He took a step back, his hands still holding mine as I stood up.

“See?” he said, grinning as I stepped forward. “It’s going to hurt again from your fall, but in a week, you should be walking without a problem.”

“I hope so. I miss running.”

“Well, if you want somebody to run or walk with, I’m always looking for some company. You’d have somebody around to help you if you didn’t feel comfortable alone with your ankle still weak.”

My cheeks flushed a bright red. I hadn’t anticipated his offer, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. It was a kind offer, but I didn’t know how to spend time with him without telling him how attractive he was. I was sure that it was something he had heard often enough. He didn’t need me telling him as well.

And then there was the fact that I didn’t want a man in my life yet. My divorce had only been finalized a few months ago after being with my ex-husband, Sam, for five years, married for three years. It didn’t seem right to start dating yet.

Dating. All he offered was a running partner. He didn’t ask you on a date. Stop getting ahead of yourself.

“Thanks,” I said, limping away from him and to the kitchen. “I appreciate it, but I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”

I’m not ready to deal with this crush I have on you.

“Take your time. Just remember that you need to keep your ankle moving.”

“I will,” I said, turning away from him to pour myself a glass of water. I knew that I was being rude, but I didn’t want to encourage him to stay any longer.

“Well, I’ve got to get back to the office. I’ve got another appointment in half an hour so I should be there on time if I leave now. You’re going to be okay by yourself?”

“Yes,” I said, limping back over to him and walking with him to the door. “I’ll be fine. And about Saturday, you really don’t have to come pick me up for dinner.”

“Do you think you’ll be comfortable driving in three days?” he asked, those bright green eyes giving me a stare I couldn’t read.

“No,” I said. “Probably not.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at five on Saturday.”

He left, closing the door behind him, and I was left wondering what I had just agreed to. I didn’t want to go to a Saturday dinner or spend more time with him, but somehow, I had agreed to both.

I took my glass of water back to the couch and sat down, sipping it and wondering what excuse I could use to get out of an awkward family gathering now.

{1

Chapter 3: Zane

I looked at myself in the mirror, wondering why I was bothering to wear a nice shirt and my cleanest pair of jeans when Addie wasn’t planning on being at dinner. She had called me earlier in the day and told me that she wasn’t feeling well and was going to call her parents and cancel.

All morning, I had been looking forward to seeing her. I thought that it would be a chance to get to know her without her running away from me like she always did.

Her parents had talked about her over the last five years, but I hadn’t thought that I would ever meet the woman behind the stories. They said she hated small town life and would never return. When I found Addie in that hole, I realized that the woman my neighbors had been telling stories about was far more interesting than they made her seem.