Sanctuary

clutched the door handle. “Where are we going?”
    “You’re going,” he corrected, “to the doctor.”
    “The hell I am.” Surprise warred with sick alarm. “Stop this car right now and let me out.”
    He set his mouth grimly and accelerated. “You’re going to the doctor. And if I have to, I’ll cart you in. We’ll find out if Kirby’s half as good as she thinks she is.”
    “I am not sick.”
    “Then you shouldn’t be afraid to let her look you over.”
    “I’m not afraid, I’m pissed. And I have no intention of wasting Kirby’s time.”
    He swung up the little drive, squealed to a halt at Kirby’s cottage, then clamped a hand on his sister’s shoulder. His eyes were hot and dark and level. “You can walk in, or you can embarrass both of us by having me haul you in over my shoulder. Either way, you’re going, so choose.”
    They glared at each other. Jo figured her temper was every bit a match for his. In a verbal battle, she had a decent shot of taking him down. If he decided to get physical—and she remembered from their youth that it was very possible—she didn’t have a prayer. Taking the high road, she shifted pride to the forefront.
    With a toss of her head, she stepped lightly out of the car and walked up the steps to Kirby’s cottage.
    They found Kirby at the kitchen counter, slathering peanut butter on bread. “Hi.” She licked her thumb and let her greeting smile stay in place as she scanned first one coldly furious face, then the other. Strange, she thought, how suddenly strong the family resemblance. “Want some lunch?”
    “Got any time to do a physical?” Brian demanded and gave his sister a firm shove forward.
    Kirby took a small bite of the open-faced sandwich as Jo turned and hissed at her brother. “Sure. My next appointment isn’t until one-thirty.” She smiled brightly. “Which one of you wants to get naked for me today?”
    “She’s having her lunch,” Jo informed Brian grandly.
    “Peanut butter’s not lunch unless you’re six.” He gave her another shove. “Go in there and strip. We’re not leaving until she’s looked you over, head to foot.”
    “I see this is my first appointment by abduction.” Kirby eyed Brian consideringly. She’d hoped he cared enough about his sister to be tough with her, but she hadn’t been sure. “Go ahead, Jo, back in my old room. I’ll be right in.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with me.”
    “Good. That’ll make my job easier and give you an excuse to punish Brian afterward.” She skimmed a hand over her neat French twist and smiled again. “I’ll help you.”
    “Fine.” She spun around and stomped down the hall.
    “What’s all this about, Brian?” Kirby murmured when the door slammed.
    “She’s having nightmares, she’s not eating. She came back from the campground this morning white as a sheet.”
    “What was she doing at the campground?”
    “Ginny didn’t show up for work today.”
    “Ginny? That’s not like her.” Kirby frowned, then waved it away. That was a different worry. “I’m glad you brought her in. I’ve been wanting to take a look at her.”
    “I want you to find out what’s wrong with her.”
    “Brian, I’ll give her a physical, and if there’s a physical problem, I’ll find it. But I’m not a psychiatrist.”
    Frustrated, he dug his hands into his pockets. “Just find out what’s wrong with her.”
    Kirby nodded, handed him the rest of her sandwich. “There’s milk in the fridge. Help yourself.”
    When she stepped into the examining room, Jo was still fully dressed and pacing. “Look, Kirby—”
    “Jo, you trust me, don’t you?”
    “That has nothing to—”
    “Let’s just do this, get it done, then everyone will feel better.” She picked up a fresh gown. “Go into the bath across the hall, put this on, and pee in the cup.” She took out a fresh chart and a form as Jo frowned at her. “I’m going to need some medical history—last period, any physical problems, any prescriptions you’re on, any allergies, that sort of thing. You can start filling that out once you’ve donned the latest fashion there and I’m doing the urinalysis.”
    She bent over to print Jo’s name on the chart. “Better give in gracefully,” Kirby murmured. “Brian’s bigger than you.”
    Jo shrugged once, then stalked off to the bathroom.
     
     
    “BLOOD pressure’s a little high.” Kirby removed the cuff. “Nothing major, and likely due to a slight temper