Ben snorted. “Well, this isn’t the doctor’s office. And I don’t see Charlie.”
LeBeau narrowed his eyes. “Are you questioning the lady’s word? Or does she need to show you the cast? It’s not Cora’s fault the arm was swollen and they had to spend a couple of days in town.”
“A couple of days?” Ben’s voice rose.
“I figured the least I could do was ensure they were properly fed.” LeBeau snickered. “Somebody had to.”
“They had plenty of food.” Ben gritted his teeth. “I was driving cattle to market…” He flinched. The cattle. He had failed.
“Ben left us plenty of everything.” Cora stood and pivoted to Ben, lowering her voice. “I agreed to share a meal with Dr. LeBeau as friends. He has been my family’s doctor for years. Charlie’s at Miller’s buying something. Probably something for you.” She glanced around at the staring patrons. “We can finish discussing this at the ranch.”
LeBeau drummed his fingers on the table. “The lady doesn't owe you any explanation, McKenzie. And if you were a gentleman, you wouldn’t cause a scene in public.”
Ben glared at him. “You don't know the first thing about being a gentleman, you weasel.”
“Ben.” Cora reached out as if she might touch his coat sleeve. “We need to go.”
“Excellent idea.” LeBeau stood. “Obviously, the man lost all of his manners while he was off chasing windmills.”
“Arthur.” Cora gaped at her supposed friend. Couldn’t he be done throwing oil on the fire? “You’re the one without manners now.”
“It’s fine.” Ben’s voice steeled. He jerked his arm away from her would-be touch. “LeBeau, I’ll see you on the street.” He dug a fifty-cent piece out of his pocket and plunked it down on the table. “I’m paying for Cora’s meal.”
Arthur puffed out his chest and headed for the door, a few steps behind Ben. Chairs scraped the floor around them. Everyone in the restaurant was coming.
If only she could get these two men alone in a room and talk this out. Not all together, one at a time. Even better, just her and Ben. Arthur was acting obnoxiously. She needed to convince Ben to head home with her and Charlie, where she could explain everything and find out what he was doing back here a month early. Something must have gone wrong.
Arthur filled the exit. Lifting her skirts, she nudged past. Sweat plastered her chemise and camisole to her upper back and chest. She almost tripped over the café placard.
In the street, Ben pivoted, tossed his dust-covered hat aside and removed his gun belt. The look he’d given Wolf Heart the night of the attack paled in comparison to the glare that hardened his features now, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched.
Arthur sauntered up beside her.
She jutted a hand to her hip. “You should apologize.”
His mustache twitched. “It’s that manure-shoveling Yankee who needs to apologize. To you.”
“I don’t need an apology.”
Voices rang out. “There’s going to be a fight.” Men crossed the street. Even ladies quickened their pace. A buggy drew to a halt.
She blew out a breath so hard that it lifted the hair wisps from her forehead. “Ben.” She turned toward the street. “Please, don’t do this. We need to talk.”
“Stay out of it, Cora.” He yanked off his dirt-streaked sack coat.
Arthur stepped beyond the shelter of the crowd. “You’ll have to excuse him. A man in need of his medicine can’t always control his temper.”
“Arthur.” She grabbed him by the arm and spun him toward her. “You’re despicable.”
Ben closed the distance.
Arthur shook free. “Cora, I’m not going to allow you to throw yourself away on a man with a wounded soul. A man like your fa?—”
Smack. Ben’s fist collided with the doctor’s face.
Cora jumped back. So did the crowd. Arthur was really going to saylike her father? Here in front of everyone?
Arthur reeled, regained his footing, and swung at Ben.
