Had he felt it, too? The sparks that flew when they touched? Or was she just crazy and imagining things in the midst of patient care?
Cindy finished off her water.
Reaching to take the bottle, Taylor gave a thumbs-up. “Want another?”
Although her color and disposition had greatly improved, the girl still looked weak. “Will it help me get back to normal quicker?”
“You may not feel yourself for a few days but, yes, hydrating well is vital,” Jack answered, then listened to Cindy’s chest again. When he removed his stethoscope from his ears, he grinned. “Heart rate is down to eighty-eight.”
“Is that good?” Lori asked. To give the girl credit, she’d stayed by her friend’s side, encouraging her to drink more water and holding her hand during the times Cindy got overly emotional.
Taylor chatted with Cindy for a few minutes, then left her to rest on the cot with Lori watching over her so she could help with other patients now that Cindy was stable.
“Great job there,” Jack praised when she joined him at a triage table, where he was attending to a new patient.
“Thanks. I’ll take this one from here so you can check on the other patients,” she offered, knowing the tent was hopping with patients who probably needed his attention.
Their gazes met. Taylor’s belly flip-flopped.
Jack rose from where he sat. “Thanks.”
The new patient looked worn out, hot and couldn’t give any specific symptoms, just that she felt exhausted. Taylor took her information, checked her vitals—all of which were normal—then put her on a cot and went to get her water.
When she got back, the girl was sound asleep.
“Well, okay, then,” she said, picking up the clipboard with the girl’s information and making a note.
“We’ll have some who do that.” Jack walked up beside her to watch the girl sleep. “They’ll come to medical just to take a break from the hyper-stimulation and to cool down.”
“It’s a whole different world from anything I’ve ever known,” Taylor admitted.
“Just wait until we watch the shows tonight. Last night will seem tame.”
She shot a curious look his way. He planned on them going to watch the shows together again?
“The costumes, the people, the vibe in the air.” His excitement came through, creating its own vibe. “Tonight people will have found their bearings and will be more relaxed. There will be more booze, drugs, sex, more everything.”
More. Her cheeks heated. “Oh.”
“No worries. Most are here to have a good time. We’re here to make sure they do it without any lasting problems.”
His grin was so infectious Taylor’s breath caught.
Apparently, it didn’t matter that Jack was a doctor and she’d sworn the profession and men off forever.
Now that her body had remembered it was young, healthy, full of hormones, it refused to be ignored.
Not only refused to be ignored but demanded attention. Jack’s attention.
Why not? an inner voice asked. It wasn’t as if anything that happened this week would go beyond the music festival.
Maybe she could—should—forget an outside world existed and just go with the flow. Wasn’t that what she was trying to do? Step outside her comfort zone?
Jack Morgan was way outside her comfort zone and would be one humdinger of a life experience.
BATHING HAD NEVER felt so good.
Taylor had had to wait in line over half an hour to get into the shower, but the wait had been worth it. To have washed the dust from her hair and put on clean clothes felt amazing.
When she went back to the medical camping ground, Jack, Duffy, Robert and a few others were playing guitars in front of Jack’s tent. Duffy was singing a country song about wild women and drinking too much.
Taylor grabbed her chair and joined the group. Listening to their song, she brushed out her hair, then braided it into a French braid, twisting a band around the end. When she’d finished, her gaze collided with Jack’s.
He’d been watching her. With more than casual interest.
Then again, there was nothing casual about the sparks that had flown between them all day.
He winked and, heart kerthunking, she winked back.
Something she’d never done. Her ex hadn’t been the kind of man one winked at. Neil hadn’t been playful or fun. Ever.
Jack was playful and fun.
At some point he’d gotten a shower, too. He looked refreshed in his navy shorts and T-shirt while he plucked the strings of a rather beat-up, well-loved-appearing guitar, keeping perfect tune with the others.
Having no musical talent, Taylor was impressed.
She was even more impressed when Duffy’s song ended and they started playing another. This time Jack did the vocals. His voice was a raspy baritone that reached inside and tugged at her very being.
The man had a beautiful, unique timbre.
A beautiful, unique everything.
She wanted to close her eyes and just listen to his voice, but her eyes refused to be denied the privilege of feasting on the image of him strumming along on his guitar while he sang.
When the song ended, Taylor clapped and gave a self-conscious whistle. Another first. This stepping outside one’s comfort zone thing wasn’t so bad.
Actually, it was kind of fun.
“I think you have a groupie,” Duffy teased.
“Never had a groupie before,” Jack mused, his smile aimed at Taylor. “But we are at a music festival, so I’m game.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever been a groupie,” Taylor admitted, knowing her cheeks were pink but that a silly smile was on her face. “Maybe I’ll settle for being an avid fan, rather than a full-fledged groupie.”
“Far less fun. Stick with the groupie,” Robert suggested, gathering a few laughs.
“Avid fan is more my speed,” Taylor admitted, feeling a little self-conscious that all the men’s attention was now on her rather than their music. “Don’t stop playing on my account. I was enjoying listening.”
“You play?” Duffy asked, offering her his guitar.
