Doc's Deputy by Lisa Oliver

Deputy Joe of the Arrowtown Sheriff's department has tried to hold his head up high his entire life, even though it's never been easy. Carrying the Quincy name has been a curse he's worked hard to put behind him, but when his two uncles get thrown out of Arrowtown because of their nefarious dealings, Joe found the courage to turn to the one man he thought would stand by his side. Being told he was "too young, too dumb and too well-hung" were not the words he expected to hear when his true mate rejected him to his face. As the man in question was the town doctor, it's not surprising that when Joe gets hurt, turning up at the man's surgery was the last thing on his to-do list.

Doctor Nathan Farriday (known locally as "Doc") has lived a long life, and not always on his own. A long time Arrowtown local, Doc has watched Joe grow into a kind, decent, hardworking man - too good for him in other words. If asked, Doc could spout a long list of reasons why...