Micah knew it would be impossible. How could he look disinterested when Kenzie’s life was on the line? He eased back in the chair and undid the buttons on his suit coat. Next he crossed his legs and waited. He knew his guards were hidden close by. They had strict instructions to shoot him if he did anything wrong.
He laced his fingers and prayed. There had to be a way to save Kenzie and himself. There had to be a way for them to escape Morgan. He glanced around the room. Four windows. Two ... no, three different exits.
The front door opened. A shadow fell across the polished floor, and then Arthur Morgan swept into the room with Kenzie on his arm. She was dressed beautifully in a short-jacketed walking suit of navy plaid. A large straw hat trimmed in navy and green graced her auburn hair.
They locked gazes. Micah could see the pain in her expression and wanted nothing more than to wipe away the doubt and hurt Arthur had put in her mind. Could she really believe the worst of him?
“It took some doing to convince Dr. Fisher to meet with us,” Morgan began, “but when it comes to pleasing you, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do.”
Kenzie turned to look at him, and her expression changed completely. “Thank you so much. You’re a dear.” She patted his arm, then stepped away from his side and returned her gaze to Micah. With a haughty tilt of her chin, she narrowed her eyes. “While you, on the other hand, have been nothing but a source of irritation to me.”
Micah forced back the words he wanted to say. He looked at his fingernails instead. “Life isn’t always what we wish it would be.” He glanced at Morgan and shrugged.
Kenzie stepped toward him, then stopped. She pointed a gloved finger at him. “You have wounded me deeply. You left me heartbroken and abandoned. When I think of all the flowery words you spoke—the promises you made—it’s enough to sicken me.”
Micah swallowed hard. Could she really believe him capable of giving her up for a bribe?
“Arthur told me how easily your love can be bought and sold. You should be ashamed, Micah Fisher. What a fool I was to believe anything you ever said to me. You never cared one whit about me, did you?” He opened his mouth, and she held out her hand. “No, don’t speak. I don’t want to hear your excuses or words of apology.”
Micah didn’t know what to do. He could tell her what had truly happened, but he’d probably be shot, and she might be hurt as well. He didn’t trust Morgan not to punish her just to further hurt him. As if seeing Kenzie on Morgan’s arm wasn’t bad enough.
“I always knew you were a doctor for the money and prestige,” she continued. “When I think of how you badgered your patients for pay before you’d even look their way—well, it’s shocking to say the least, and I should have known you could be easily bought.”
Micah bit his tongue lest he laugh out loud, and all his doubts slipped away. Kenzie was playing a game with him, but even more so with Morgan. Micah wasn’t sure what she was doing, but he didn’t intend to ruin her excellent performance. She was quite good at playing the part of the woman scorned.
“I can’t bear to think about how I let you wear me down with your false love.” She put her hands over her heart. “It’s a wonder Arthur would even want me back, given my undeniable ridiculousness where you were concerned. And to think I would have married you had Arthur not helped me see your flaws.”
Micah smiled. “Oh, my dear Kenzie. You know very well what’s most important to me in life. How could I possibly have passed up the opportunity to have a hospital built—a hospital named after me?” He glanced heavenward. “The Fisher Hospital. Just think of all the sick who will find refuge there. Surely you can’t fault me when you consider all that I might accomplish.”
Kenzie frowned. “I’m so glad I did not yield my heart to your pretense of passion. When I think of how you might have ruined me for Arthur ... well, I can’t speak of it.”
Morgan snorted a laugh.
Kenzie put the back of her hand to the corner of her eye. “I’m quite beyond words.”
The clock struck ten, and Kenzie shook her head and turned back to Morgan, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m so glad you allowed me this moment, Arthur. I will always remember what you did—the sacrifice you made to see me returned to you. When I think of how your family might have kept us apart—how you were willing to defy them—it truly touches me.”
Morgan chuckled. “I’m just glad I’m not on the receiving end of your temper. Dr. Fisher may have his hospital, but he also has your disdain, and I wouldn’t be in his shoes for all the world.” He extended a hand. “But now we must be on our way. We’re to be married in half an hour.”
Micah wasn’t sure how Kenzie intended the situation to play out, but he couldn’t stand by and let Morgan take her away. He jumped to his feet.
“Wait!”
Kenzie turned, and Arthur immediately stepped to her side. He put his arm possessively around her shoulder. “Surely you wouldn’t want to delay our nuptials, Dr. Fisher.” Morgan’s voice was tight with an unspoken threat.
“Everything he told you is a lie,” Micah said.
Kenzie smiled while Arthur scowled. To Micah’s surprise, Kenzie turned her face upward. Arthur couldn’t help but meet her gaze.
Kenzie’s smile faded. “I know.”
CHAPTER
23
Victoria answered the door to find a smartly dressed chauffeur. “Yes?”
