Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

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With the cherry pie safely on my passenger seat, I headed to the doctor’s clinic. Poppy had provided me with an address and directions. I found his place easily enough, although when I pulled into the parking lot, it appeared like a lovely house adorned in white with turquoise shutters. There was a front porch with flowerpots, but the flowers were all dead and no one had pulled the carcasses, tossing them into the trash.

Still, I had a feeling it was going to be quaint inside.

I wasn’t disappointed, the small but accommodating reception area adorned with lots of magazines and pictures of the mountains surrounding the town. There was a single patient inside, the younger woman flipping through an issue of Women’s Day .

“Can I help you?” an older lady asked from behind the reception desk.

“Hi, I’m Bella Winters. I don’t have an appointment, but Doc Welby said I could stop by and see his clinic. I’ll wait.”

Her eyes opened wide. “You are very much welcome and the doc indicated maybe you’d stop by. He’s finishing up with a patient, but I’ll tell him you’re here.”

“Thank you.” I suddenly felt suffocated, almost leaving as she walked away. No. I refused to walk out now. I was taking control of my life, but I had to do this for me, not just because of how I felt about Jagger.

I couldn’t sit down while waiting. I was far too nervous. My pulse was racing, my hands clammy. There hadn’t been a single surgery I’d performed where I’d felt this nervous. Why now? Because the decision I ultimately made would be the most life-changing event I’d ever gone through by far. My gut told me that.

Was it a positive decision?

I was leaning a certain way at this point.

At least ten minutes passed until I heard two voices. Doctor Welby walked out from the back alongside an older lady. She was laughing and my keen eyes told me she was flirting with him. That brought a smile to my face. He was a good-looking older man with a full head of hair and other than slight paunch in the front, lean and mean.

He’d make a good catch for anyone.

He showed the lady to the door, his smile remaining as she walked out. “Mrs. Jensen. I’ll be right with you.”

The other woman sitting in the chair offered him a huge smile. “Doc Welby, you’re worth waiting for and remember, I’m no longer flirting.”

This time I bit my tongue to keep from laughing. This was definite flirting. Poor guy. I wasn’t certain whether to feel sorry or happy for him that he was so popular with the ladies.

He shifted his attention in my direction and it seemed as if relief flooded his gray eyes. “Bella. It’s so good to see you. Please come back to my office and we’ll chat.”

I followed behind him, noticing out of the corner of my eye the receptionist was watching me intently. My decision would alter her future as well. She had every right to be nosy.

Doc Welby’s office was tiny, every wall surface covered, his desk a complete mess, and I noticed there wasn’t a computer in the room. Still, I had a feeling the man was completely organized. He’d have to be if he knew all the patients’ first names without looking at charts.

“Have a seat, my dear,” he told me, pointing toward the single one in front of his desk. The chairs were likely from the seventies, the desk more ancient than that, but his furniture suited him.

“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Nonsense. For a pretty lady like you, I’ll make all the time in the world.”

“I don’t think you have any issues with the ladies.”

I’ll be damned if he didn’t blush. “They’re just gold diggers.”

He was adorable and this time I did laugh. “Maybe so.”

He plopped his folded hands on the surface of his desk. “So, what do you think of my little place?”

“Very… quaint.”

His laugh was heartfelt. “I know there needs to be some updates, but I do have a new computer system installed, not that I’ve been forced to learn to use it, but it’s state of the art. I have almost three thousand patients, most of which come to me on a regular basis. I get to make my own hours, enjoying a longer lunch. And I have terrific views. What more do you need in a profession?” His eyes were twinkling.

“Well, since you put it that way.”

I adored the sound of his laughter. He pulled out a file and I sensed he’d been certain I’d take whatever the deal was. Or maybe I was his only potential buyer. Either way, he opened the file and started going over all the figures. For an old-timey doctor, he certainly had everything in order. His excellent financials were all there, as well as a layout of the building including the original plans and what he’d done to renovate the building. He had receipts from recently purchased medical equipment and full documentation on the computer system he’d purchased.

He was dead serious about selling.

The terms were more than fair. In fact, I’d be an idiot if I didn’t seriously consider purchasing his practice.

The only issue was that my money had been tied up by Joel. The bastard would stop at nothing to keep me from having a new life. Yes, I could ask Esme for a down payment, but I really didn’t want to possibly burn my friendship. “I think you’ve done an amazing job building a practice. I just don’t know if I can swing it. My past is haunting me. I might not have any money until it’s no longer tied up in the courts.”

Maybe it was small town life or the fact the doctor had been witness to others having difficulty, but he placed his hand on my arm. I tensed from the light touch.

“I’m certain we can work something out.”

“I don’t take charity.”

“Trust me, I won’t give it to you. One of my daughters was just like you, hungering for more in the big world, including romance. She didn’t think she could find it in Danger Falls. When she moved to San Francisco, I supported her decision, but I knew she’d never find happiness. Sadly, I was right. Sometimes you find happiness where you least expect or want it.”

“Was your daughter a doctor?”

His features softened, his eyes reflecting his adoration of his daughter. “Just like her old man. I was so proud.”

“Is she thriving?” I was hopeful with his answer, but I could instantly tell the subject was a sad one.

“No, Bella. She fell in love with a man who wasn’t good for her.”

“I’m sorry.”

He sat back, looking out the window in his office instead of at me. “She was a bright shining star snuffed out by a man who didn’t love her.”

“What happened?”

His words hit me harder than I’d anticipated.

“He killed her.”

The sun was no longer bright in the sky as twilight approached, the darkening atmosphere matching my sinking mood. I’d spent more time with Doctor Welby than I’d thought, enjoying watching him with a patient after looking around the place.

The filing system was antiquated, but with some time spent by hiring a college kid, the computer system could be up and running in no time. It had everything a growing clinical practice could want, including patient appointment reminders.

As I headed to my SUV, I found myself dipping my head when people passed. They continued waving or saying hello, but I felt more like a stranger than I had before.

Or maybe I was just more cognizant of my surroundings, constantly tugging the lapel of the jacket closer to my neck. So few people understood how a person’s life could change so quickly, going from hope for the future to broken glass shattered by violence and anger.

I felt that more today than I had before. Maybe I’d finally come down from a hopeful high in my attempt to navigate through the muck that my life had become. The doctor’s anguish weighed as heavily on my mind as Jagger’s former life and experiences. I was no longer certain I was the strong woman I’d built myself up to be.

Making tough choices was more difficult than I’d believed. So much so I was numb inside. However, decisions were vital if I wanted to regain control of my life.

“Ms. Winters.”

The voice was one I didn’t recognize and I immediately bristled. As I turned around, I was somewhat shocked to see a man in uniform. A sheriff’s uniform to be exact. “Yes? Is there something I can do for you?”

The man was older, maybe in his late sixties, his law enforcement uniform somewhat ill fitting. While he wore a smile, his eyes reflected the intent for malice. I knew the look well. I could write a paper on staring down a person with malevolent eyes. He scanned the street before walking closer. “I thought I’d offer you a piece of advice.”

A fresh breath of anger washed through me. My instincts were still working pretty well. He had no intention of offering me solid recommendations.

He was prepared to offer a warning.

At least I hadn’t lost all my feisty personality. I folded my arms and purposely closed the distance between us. “Well, sure, Sheriff. I do so love locals who don’t know shit about me trying to guide my existence in this beautiful little town. Go for it.”

I could tell he was surprised my tone was biting. So what? I was finished with being told what to do.

He took his time, acting as if what he was about to tell me was gospel. “My advice is to get out of town when you can.”

Admittedly, I hadn’t planned on laughing, but since I’d never met him, I wondered why he felt compelled to assert whatever authority he had. “I’m curious, Sheriff. Why?”

“You seem like a nice girl, Bella, although it’s obvious you’re hiding a dubious past. Everyone knows that.”

“There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t harbor some dark secrets. I have a feeling you have more than one.”

The man didn’t like my answer, his entire face darkening more than his eyes had before. “I know you’re shacking up with Jagger Fox. You should learn to choose your companions more wisely. The man is bad news.”

“And why is that?”

“Because he’s killed people. Lots of innocent people.”

“Haven’t you, Sheriff?” As before, he was put off by my question.

His anger exploded and even though he was fighting to keep from making a scene, he threw his index finger in front of my face. “If you don’t want your entire life destroyed, I suggest you heed my advice. You have a little girl to consider.”

I’d been challenged so many times by arrogant pricks who thought they were holier than thou that my reaction was second nature and done without thinking. I was in his face, only a few centimeters away. The man was repulsive, his strong aftershave disgusting. While parts of my body were shaking, I refused to allow him to know he’d bothered me to any degree.

“I suggest you back off, Sheriff. I’m not the wayward waif you might believe I am. I can take care of myself and the people I care about, including Jagger Fox. And especially my daughter. No one will ever try and hurt them, or I will retaliate. And no, that’s not a threat. That’s a promise.”

He took a deep breath, but it took him a few seconds to do so. “Be very careful, Ms. Winters. I have family in Baltimore. But you should really be careful of Jagger. The man is a true monster.”

The last threat stole my breath. He grinned since he obviously noticed the sudden fear creeping into my system. With that, he backed away, tipping his ugly cowboy-style hat.

“Have a good day now, Ms. Winters. Just remember what I said.”

Oh, I would. Only nothing was going to stop me any longer from getting what I wanted.

At least the asshole helped me make my decision. As he walked away, I took another deep breath of the air in the small town. I deserved happiness. I was more determined than ever that no one was going to derail my world.

Not for another second.