Page 95 of A Rugged Beauty
Her gaze idly skimmed her purchases—and then bypassed them and landed on Doc.
He saw the flash of recognition. And the immediate turn of her head in the opposite direction.
She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’ll put the travelers in your company in more danger.
He’d said the words to Owen, not knowing she was near enough to hear. It was only after he’d seen her stricken expression that he realized his voice had carried.
Now he needed to do the right thing. His feet carried him to stand next to her pile of things on the counter. "I'd like to apologize."
Before the wagon train had split, he'd worked in close quarters with her.I'm sorry, he'd heard a man groan when Maddie cleaned away his shirt covered with vomit. A woman had sobbed the words when Maddie, with an arm around her, guided her into the woods to urgently relieve herself.
In both instances, Maddie had been compassionate and kind, her patient bedside manner and smile unwavering. He understood why the travelers in Hollis's company respected and leaned on her so much.
But at his own apology, he did not receive one of her smiles. She kept her face averted completely. "That isn't necessary," she mumbled.
"Yes, it is. I'm sorry for what I said." He caught sight of her reflection in the wavy mirror behind the counter.
Her lips pinched with displeasure. "You may be sorry for saying the words aloud, but we both know that you meant them."
Her cool tone covered a show of temper. He was certain of it. He'd heard the same in Marie’s voice on the rare occasions they'd quarreled.
But she was right, though not for the reasons she probably thought.
She was a fine nurse, just not a doctor with a doctor's knowledge.
She was also a distraction that he desperately didn't need.
He was opening his mouth to speak when she turned the full force of her hazel eyes on him. "The prairie is a big place. There’s plenty of room in Hollis's company for both of us. I see no reason why we need to speak again."
He should be grateful for the words and their implications. She'd stay away from him if he stayed away from her. But her dismissive manner—and perhaps the idea of never speaking to her again—sparked his own temper.
The proprietor approached her from this side of the counter, catching Maddie’s attention. "Is there anyone who can help me cart these purchases to my wagon?" Her warm smile was engaging.
"I'd be happy to, miss." The young soldier doffed his hat with an eager smile and an attentive manner.
"Is all this for your family, then?" the soldier asked.
"Yes." Maddie had turned her warm smile on him and Doc saw how the young man's shoulders straightened. The twinkle that lit in his eye.
"Your husband didn't come along to help you?"
"I don't have a husband," Maddie said sweetly.
She hadn't looked at Doc once since she'd spoken to the soldier.
The young man’s face brightened.
Something ugly twisted low inside Doc’s belly.
"I'll need just a moment to complete my purchase," she said.
But the proprietor had been distracted by a more mature soldier, pulled to the other side of the room where they spoke in low voices.
"I don't believe those shoes will fit your sister," Doc said. Maddie had two adult sisters and those were obviously a pair of children's shoes.
"Who is all of this really for?" he pushed when she ignored him.
"My children," she said coolly. "I've taken charge of Alex, Paul, and Jenny.”
