13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"Why won't you tell me what happened?" Charlotte's voice trembled as she stared at Justin. His eye was blackened and swollen.

"I already did," he said, not meeting her eyes. "I tripped on my way home." He set a bag from the bakery down. Even in his hurt state he'd brought them breakfast. She couldn't imagine why.

Charlotte took a deep breath. She doubted what he'd told her. But she also knew he wasn't going to say anything more. When he set his mind to something, he was firm on it. The best thing to do would be to change the subject.

"Mama and I appreciate all the help you are giving to us, both the job and looking into Papa being taken advantage of. "

"I'd like to right a wrong, if I can. It's not right that you two have suffered for years. From a previous conversation with your mother, it sounded as though no one had even looked into it or tried." Justin shook his head. "I don't understand that."

"I do," Charlotte said. "People just don't do that. They never have before. We might live in a friendly town, but folks don't get into other folks' business."

He met her eyes, steel in them. Charlotte tried not to flinch at both the anger and the injury. "Have you ever noticed I'm not like others? I don't do things based on what I get in return."

Charlotte took a half step back. "I'm sorry. I didn't…" She stopped. Charlotte didn't know what she'd said that had upset him, but it was obvious he was upset.

"No, I apologize. I'm not myself today," Justin sighed. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to snap at you. My head aches and I didn't sleep well, but that's no excuse."

"There's nothing to forgive," she assured him. "But can I do anything to help your eye? It looks like it hurts."

"It does," he sighed. "But it could be worse. I can see from it, just it's tender and looks terrible. It will be better in a few days, but thank you."

He settled at his desk, and she went to hers as well. The woman who washed their laundry had returned the doctor's bandages and linens that morning, and Charlotte was folding them in the specific way that he liked before placing them into a basket.

While she worked, she let her gaze settle on him. It was clear, despite what he said, that he was out of sorts. He hadn't turned a single page in his medical journal, and he'd been looking at it for nearly ten minutes. Though it was a foolish notion, Charlotte couldn't help but wonder if somehow she had something to do with the way he was feeling.

She hoped not. He'd been so good to her and her mother. She didn't want to hurt him. Not on purpose, and not accidently.

Her gaze wandered around the room, and then through the window. The festival was so close, she could almost imagine herself there. After August had given her the box of candies, she'd decided that he was simply worried about her and the doctor forming an attachment, and that's why he'd been acting childish when they'd spoken for so long in the street. His comments about her staying home and not working weren't a threat, they were a promise, as the wife of a wealthy man.

Still, though she was sure that would happen, Charlotte couldn't help but feel a little bit of sadness at the idea of not getting to see the doctor almost every day. She rather looked forward to their conversations and working side by side with him. In the short time she'd been there, she found she enjoyed her work very much .

But would he miss her when she left? She wondered about that, and thought so, but it was so hard to tell what he was thinking sometimes, especially the last few days. It was obvious something was on his mind.

"Are you…are you ready for the festival?" Justin asked her.

Charlotte glanced up, and couldn't stop the smile on her face. "I am," she said. "I confess, I'm excited. It's going to be the first time I've gone in years."

"I imagine your dress will be stunning," he said. "Didn't you say the fabric was blue? That would suit you well."

"Yes, and Mama helped me to make it. She's a talented seamstress." Charlotte's heart felt light. That morning, she'd decided that the concerns she'd had over August were unwarranted. After all, he'd given her little gifts. That meant he wanted to court. She was simply nervous from her excitement.

Charlotte checked the schedule. No one was scheduled for another half hour. She glanced back at the doctor, who was staring off in the distance. "Are you planning to come?" she asked.

"No," he answered quietly.

Charlotte felt her heart sink. She wasn't sure why. Was it simply because she wanted him to enjoy the day? To be part of the town? Share in its happiness?

"I wish that you would," she told him .

His eyes met hers and seemed to nearly pierce her through. Her heart beat faster, and her stomach felt as though it were spinning.

His voice still quiet, he asked, "Would it make you happy if I did?"

"Yes." Charlotte swallowed hard. Her mouth suddenly felt dry, and she reached for her tea to hide her discomfort. When she set it back down, he was still staring at her.

"Very well, then. I'll go." Justin turned back to his book.

For some reason, his words flustered her. She didn't know why.

The day passed quietly. The patients who came in were all simple cases. A chest cough, a sore head, a laceration. Justin left at lunchtime to check on the Hunters' boy.

Charlotte ate her lunch and then, feeling restless, paced the office. Everything had been done. The office was tidy and neat, the store room shelves organized, the bandages folded, the notes copied. There was simply nothing to do.

A few young girls passed down the street together, stopping in front of the festival poster. Charlotte couldn't help but smile. Years before, that had been her. And now, she was going to be there and choosing the man she wanted to go for a sleigh ride with. It was hard to believe.

Charlotte opened the office door for a little fresh air. Walking past were two women about her age that she didn't know well. Sisters, they'd moved to Spring Falls only a year or two prior. They were talking, and she couldn't help but overhear.

"He says once we ride together in the sleigh, that means we'll be courting. Isn't that delightful?" one asked.

"Oh yes. I'm hoping to catch someone too," the other giggled. "But that man you were talking to, doesn't he have the oddest name? Named after a month! So funny. I've never heard that name before we moved here."

They moved past, and Charlotte smiled. They seemed so happy. But she wondered who would be named after a month! She went through them in her head. March, October, August…

August.

No, not her August.

A wave of nausea washed over her.

Surely the other girl meant someone else. After all, August had given her gifts. Had been jealous about her working for the doctor. Was wanting her to ride with him.

Charlotte sat heavily in her chair. Her head felt light. What was happening?

The doctor entered just then. He turned from hanging his hat on a peg, and then rushed over.

"Charlotte, what happened?" His cool fingers found her wrist as he checked her pulse. "Your heart is pounding. Are you unwell?"

"No, no, I'm fine," she whispered. "I just…" Her voice caught. "I just overheard something I wish I hadn't. I'm sure it wasn't true, but…" She shook her head and shivered. "I'm fine. Everything's fine."

Justin left and returned a moment later with a thick blanket. As he wrapped it around her, she realized it was his blanket. The smell of his soap was strong on it, and he pulled it close to her, kneeling next to her.

Was this what it felt like to be held by him? Her senses filled with his nearness? Him close and protective? It was all Charlotte could do to keep her composure.

"Do you want to rest? You can go upstairs a while," he offered. "Have some tea."

His eyes were filled with such concern, Charlotte could hardly breathe. It struck her then. Never. Never had August felt concerned about her. Not in any of the years that she and her mother had struggled.

The doctor had hardly been here a month, and he'd shown her more compassion and care and tried to help her and her mother—without making it seem like charity. Why?

Oh, yes, she believed him, that he wasn't like others. That he did things because they should be done, but as Charlotte found herself lost in his eyes, the touch of his hands overtop hers as she held the blanket to her, she wondered if there was something more.

And if there was…how difficult of a choice it would be for her. Especially as she'd already told him her heart belonged to August.