Page 35 of Scarlett

“It was quite a nasty fall. I had harsh words for the man who knocked her down in his hurry to get away from a fight at the saloon. He shoved her into the street and she got the wind knocked out of her. I almost arrested him.”

Scarlett had not told him the entire story. Emmett fought to keep his expression schooled so Blake wouldn’t know. The sheriff continued unabated.

“It was one of the ranch hands from over at Shallow Creek. Idiot. I felt bad for Scarlett, especially it being her birthday and all.”

“Oh?”

“Yes she was leaving the seamstress shop when she fell. They had a small tea and cake for her. Just a few women.” Blake chuckled. “I stopped by hoping to get a slice. It was good.”

Not sure he liked the idea of Blake knowing Scarlett so much better and he did. Emmett considered the day of the festival and the long conversation between them. They seemed confortable around each other, able to converse easily.

Blake blew out a breath. “I went to see the Wilson’s about the shooting. They were not apologetic. Nasty bunch.”

As the sheriff continued recounting the conversation with the Wilsons, Emmett couldn’t concentrate.

The more he thought about it, the stronger the urge to go home and do something for Scarlett. She didn’t have anyone other than him and he barely knew anything about her.

As the sheriff walked away, Evan turned to him. It was evident by the firm press of his lips and clenched jaw, his brother was not happy.

“What are you doing brother? Have you even spoken to your wife? Spent time with her? You had no idea it was her birthday did you?”

As Evan was prone to do when angry, he huffed and paced. “It baffles me why you even got married and frankly right now...right now I don’t like you very much.”

He went to the horse. “I came to bring her gifts my wife and the others sent for her. I suggest you decide what you want because at this rate I won’t be surprised if she returns east.”

“It’s not any of your business Evan. You need to stay out of this.”

Evan did not back away. Instead his brother rushed forward and stood nose to nose with him. “And if I don’t? You acted like a star struck boy with Jacquelyn, constantly taking her to social events, buying her trinkets and jewelry. Never once did you spare any expense or neglect spending time with her. Now you have a good woman and you act as if she’s merely a possession.”

It was impossible to keep up the façade of being angry with Evan. Truth was, he hated himself at the moment. The way he’d taken his past relationship and brought it into his marriage had not been fair to Scarlett.

“I’ll speak with Scarlett and ensure she is...”

“She’s not going to complain. Aurora has a hard time getting her to share anything about how things are going between you both. My wife has been worried about Scarlett. That’s why I’m here. To assure your wife has not fallen ill from not eating. Or have you even noticed she barely eats?”

It was like a punch to the gut. Emmett almost doubled over. Not only was he Scarlett’s husband, but also a doctor. What did it say about him that he’d neglected his own wife’s health?

Evan stalked off to the house and Emmett stood watching, guilt assailing him with so much force, he could barely breathe.

Scarlett was not Jacquelyn, nor was she the demanding woman he’d been seeing in Billings. Scarlett was his wife who never asked anything of him, nor did she complain and demand he treat her a certain way. And yet up until that day, he’d been unyielding and unkind.

Later that afternoon, Evan left without saying anything to him. Emmett had yet to go home, not wanting to argue with Evan in front of Scarlett. Gladys entered and looked around the empty space.

“Came to fetch my yarn. Left it here.” She lifted the bag and gave him a curious look. “Is something wrong Dr. Jones? I just saw Evan leaving. It’s always nice to see him.”

Emmett looked to her. “Why do you call my brother by his first name and not me?”

As was her way, Gladys didn’t dance around a question. She was as direct as they came. “You’re more aloof and have never asked me to call you by your first name.”

Emmett nodded. “Did you know it was Scarlett’s birthday yesterday?”

“Yes. She fell on her birthday, poor thing. Not sure if she told you.”

“What do you mean by that?” Was everyone aware of the chasm between him and his wife?

“You never talk about her. Unlike Aurora who helped Evan run the clinic, I’ve only seen her step foot in here once, so I assumed you asked her not too. It seems to me, she’s not fully part of your life.” Gladys blew out a breath. “Feels good to say it. Been wanting to.”

Without waiting for him to say anything, she grabbed her bag and left. When she walked outside, Gladys gave a firm nod as if approving of her last words.