“Go sailing with me.”
“I know nothing about it and therefore would make a poor companion. I’m certain, however, that there must be any number of young ladies who would cherish such an outing.”
For a moment he said nothing. Kenzie wondered if he was offended. If he was, then perhaps it was for the best.
“I’m certain you’ll enjoy it. There’s nothing quite like it.”
She decided it would be safer to change the subject. “I’ve been thinking that I might want to attend nursing school after things get back to normal. I enjoy helping people.”
“I think you enjoy helping me even more.”
She sighed. “You are probably your greatest fan, Dr. Fisher, but I am honestly intrigued more by the intricacies of medicine. Hmm, maybe I should become a doctor instead of a nurse.”
“You’d make an excellent doctor. We could team up and open an office together. How easy that would be for a husband and wife. We could get a large house and turn part of it into examination rooms.”
Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. Kenzie shook her head to regain control of herself. “Why did you become a doctor?”
He shrugged. “I wanted to help the sick. From my youth, it was all I wanted to do.”
“I’m sure your parents are proud.”
“Mother and Father wanted only the best for their children, as most parents do. However, I think my father thought I might follow in his footsteps and become a preacher. We used to sit up late sometimes and talk about the Bible. He taught me Latin and Greek, which served me well in my medical training. We would discuss the Bible and the meaning of words. Words are very important, I came to learn. Sometimes things get misinterpreted.”
“Your father’s preaching is easy to understand. I was never enthusiastic about church before coming here. It seemed more of a gathering place for complaining and gossiping.”
Micah nodded. “Every church has a bit of that, because the congregation is made up of fallible human beings. We all have our bad sides.”
“Even you, Dr. Fisher?” She looked at him. “Surely not. I thought you were practically perfect—that is, I thoughtyouthink you are practically perfect.”
He laughed. “No, I think you had it right the first time. You think I’m practically perfect, and I am ... for you. But that’s because you love me.”
“You’re impossible. I’ve never made such a declaration.” She picked up her pace, hoping to leave him behind, but he only lengthened his strides.
I don’t love him.Kenzie bit her lower lip.He’s very nice—sometimes—and a good doctor. No, he’s an excellent doctor. I admire his abilities. Nothing more.
She repeated these things over and over in her head. They were nearly back to the warehouse, and she needed to take her thoughts captive. If she didn’t, it wouldn’t bode well for her. Camri and Judith were merciless in demanding to know all the details of her time with Micah. They were constantly reminding her of how much he cared for her, and if Kenzie gave them the slightest reason to believe she returned his feelings, she would never hear the end of it.
She was about to bid Micah good-bye when she spied Cousin George sitting at one of the tables outside the warehouse by himself.
“I wonder what’s going on,” she murmured.
“What?” Micah asked.
“My cousin. I thought he was going to be tied up with business today.” She made her way to the table. “Cousin George is something wrong? Are you ill?”
He looked up at her and seemed almost lost. “I am perplexed.”
Kenzie sat down opposite him. “About what?”
“Well, you know that I had meetings today regarding the business?”
“Yes. You were going to speak with the insurance people and the bank.”
George nodded. “But there was something more. Something I didn’t mention because I wasn’t even sure I would go.”
She wasn’t sure if she should press him for more. “I see.”
“No,” George said, shaking his head, “I don’t think you do. I was invited to come for a meeting at Ghirardelli.”
