Must-Have Husband

he could take a look at Mac’s ankle, and the girls would be returned to the safety of society. Well, about as much of it as one could find in these parts anyway. He held back the huge wooden door to the lodge, allowing Connie and Linda to enter ahead of him.
    “You’re limping,” Connie said, her pretty mouth creased with worry lines.

    “We need to get him seen,” Linda added, barreling ahead. She beelined for the reception desk, where Hank awaited her with an expectant expression.
    “Can I help you?” he asked, recognizing her as one of the two ladies staying in Room 214.
    She shot him a concerned look. “Is there a doctor in the house?”
    Hank cast a curious glance at his gimpy friend. “I’m certified in first aid.”
    She leaned forward with a confidential whisper. “I mean a head doctor . You know, a psychiatrist? Psychologist. Whatever.”
    Hank blinked, wondering just what had gone on between Mac and these two. “You just happen to be in luck,” he returned in low tones. “I’m in therapy.”
    “Oh!” she said, not understanding. “What kind?”
    “What kind do you need?”
    She lowered her voice even further. “That man over there…”
    “Mac?”
    She nodded, meeting his gaze. “He tried to hang himself.”
    Hank knew Mac had been feeling down, but didn’t think things had gotten that bad. “Seriously?”
    “I think you’d better have a look at his ankle,” the taller girl said, assisting Mac by the elbow as they ambled forward.
    “Yes,” Hank agreed, meeting Mac’s eyes. “It seems we need to tal—” He stopped himself, putting on his best doctor voice. “What I mean is… Indeed, a full examination is in order.” He grabbed a clipboard and a pair of glasses from the check-in desk. “If you ladies will excuse us.”

    Hank shut the door to his office behind them as Mac stumbled against him. “Good God,” he quipped with surprise. “You can still stand, can’t you?”
    Mac hobbled over and took a seat in a nearby chair. “I’m fine.”
    “How’s the recall?”
    “Excellent, why?”
    Hank walked over and thumped him on the chest. “Because, buddy boy. I’m going to want every lurid detail. Starting from how you twisted that ankle to what you were doing in the woods with two hot—” He stared at Mac’s wrists, then met his eyes. Whoa, buddy. He had no clue Mac was into that stuff. “Are those rope burns?”
    “I have no idea how those got there. Maybe when I fell out of that tree, my wrists caught on something.”
    “Likely story.”
    “What?”
    “Keep your little secrets for all I care. Sometimes you think you know a man…”
    “Listen, Hank. There was nothing kinky going on, if that’s what you’re getting at. I was just up in a tree with my rope when—”
    Hank gasped with surprise. “Were you up there trying to kill yourself?”
    “What? No!”
    “Then what gave those girls the idea you were?”
    Mac’s eyes panned toward the office door. “I have no idea.”
    “Well, they’re both really concerned about you.” He slowly stroked his chin. “You sure hit pay dirt with this one.”
    “What on earth are you talking about?”
    “That pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Get it? The yellow brick road!”
    “Huh?”
    Hank blinked. “Wait a minute. Are you saying you don’t know who those girls are?”
    “Not a clue.”
    “Do the names Constance Marie and Linda Elizabeth ring any bells?”
    Mac shook his head, and Hank folded his arms in front of him.
    “How about Wendell Estates Wines?”
    Mac swallowed hard. “Those girls are heiresses?”
    “Big money, my friend. Super big bucks. And just look at you!” He slapped Mac’s arm. “Already making inroads.”
    “It’s not anything like that. You’ve got it all wrong.”
    “Have I? Last time I saw you, you were pretty down on your luck. Penniless, actually. Then, clear out of the sky, the great gods deliver. Not one goddess, but two!”
    “One of them’s married.”
    “Perfect. That means one of them’s not.”
    “You’re not much of a doctor.” He shifted with a grimace, extending his leg. “You haven’t even taken a look at this.”
    “Right you are.” Hank slipped on his glasses and tucked up Mac’s pants leg. He paused, lifting his eyes to Mac’s. “I’m not saying you have to marry her. Just be all friendly like. Maybe her family will take pity on you. Invest in your new store.”
    “Nobody takes pity on me.” He stiffened at the offense. “I do plenty