Page 47 of The Rancher's Mail-Order Husband

The doctor’s sharp voice cut through the moment like a whip. She marched out of her office, her expression stern. “Mr. Shepherd! Let him go!”

Snarling, Graham hesitated for a moment before he released Lachapelle, though his fists itched to land at least one punch.

“It’s a good thing you were here to witness this,” Lachapelle said, his voice dripping with indignation. “He attacked me—”

“Don’t think I didn’t hear what you said, Mr. Lachapelle,” the doctor interrupted. “You’d best run back to your father. How is it you’re always surprised when someone gets tired of your insults? Your father’s hired hands might tolerate your abuse, but the world is much larger than the baron’s property. You’d dowell to remember that. Now, kindly leave my front steps, both of you. You’re scaring my patients.”

Lachapelle glared at Graham with a venomous look but dusted himself off and stalked away under the doctor’s watchful eye.

Graham turned to her, his anger cooling. “I’m sorry, doctor.”

She sighed, waving a hand dismissively. “Everyone’s on edge lately. This thief has got people rattled, and the summer heat doesn’t help. Just be careful, Mr. Shepherd. There’s enough trouble in town without you making more.”

“I don’t intend to,” Graham said firmly.

She gave him a long look before nodding and heading back inside. Graham stood there for a moment, rolling his shoulders and exhaling slowly. Trouble, indeed. He’d need to find Ciarán soon—being with his husband always had a way of reminding Graham what really mattered.

???

He returned to the horses chastened and angry with himself. Angry that he’d given in to his temper and caused a scene in the middle of town, and angry that he hadn’t been quick enough to land a single punch on Lachapelle before the doctor intervened.

Graham cupped his hands and dipped them into the water trough. He splashed his face, the cool water dripping into his beard and running down his neck. Ginger and Bó sniffed at him, their ears flicking in what felt like shared disapproval of his behavior. He gave the horses a sheepish look. "All right, I know. You’re better at keeping your head than I am."

As he straightened, water still dripping from his beard, he noticed a small cluster of townspeople lingering nearby. Their wary glances and muted muttering only added to his frustration.

“Morning,” Graham said curtly.

The group dispersed quickly, though their whispers carried faintly on the breeze. He shook his head and turned back to the trough, swiping water over his face one last time before Ginger tried to dunk her head into it.

“Sir, that’s for the animals.”

Graham whirled around, his cheeks flushing at the sound of Ciarán’s teasing voice. His husband stood a few feet away, hands folded behind his back, his expression alight with amusement.

“I was just—” Graham started, fumbling for an excuse.

Ciarán laughed, his smile as warm as the summer sun. “It’s okay, Graham. I’m only teasing. It is rather warm today, isn’t it?”

The sound of Ciarán’s laughter chased away the last of Graham’s irritation. His husband looked much more at ease now, a sharp contrast to the nervous energy he’d carried earlier that morning. “Did it go well, then?” Graham asked, straightening.

Ciarán’s grin widened as he proudly held out a slip of paper. “See for yourself.”

Graham took the receipt, his eyes scanning over Mrs. Fournier’s familiar looping script:

?2 dz. eggs - $0.60

?5 lbs. farmer’s cheese - $0.75

?5 jars blackberry jam - $1.50

“Look at that!” Graham exclaimed, his grin broad. “Didn’t I tell you everything would be just fine?”

Ciarán flushed slightly under the praise. “You did.”

“Hold on, though,” Graham said, frowning playfully. “Didn’t we have six jars of jam?”

Ciarán’s cheeks deepened in color. “Oh, I gave one to Mrs. Fournier as a gift. Just a little thank-you for all she’s done for us—the mattress especially. And, well, I thought perhaps a sample might encourage future sales.”

Graham chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re a clever one, aren’t you? I’m real proud of you.”

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