Page 44 of Scarlett

Scarlett studied him for a long moment. “I’m willing to bet you have me beat. How you handled everything... it’s admirable.”

“Thank you.” He looked down for a moment. “Hated losing that boy. I can’t imagine how his parents feel. All because of a stupid drunk man.”

They continued on until reaching the restaurant. Although Scarlett would have sworn she wasn’t hungry, the minute the smell of food hit, she began salivating.

The food was devoured quickly, both she and Emmett too hungry to talk between bites. Several people stopped by to slap him on the shoulder and others to offer their sympathies about the boy. Seemed news of the death traveled quickly.

The owner of the restaurant, Sharon Ellis, refused payment thanking them both for what they’d done. “I can’t imagine this town without you Doctor Jones. You and your brother have always put the people first. We are thankful for you.”

Emmett accepted her comments in silence, only nodding in acquiescence.

When they finished their meal, Emmett took Scarlett by the elbow and guided her out the door. They walked for a few minutes in silence.

Then he stopped walking and took her by the arms turning Scarlett to face him. “Thank you. You were great today. I appreciated you being there. It was good to see that you jumped right in to help.”

Uncomfortable at his words, Scarlett looked from him past his shoulder and then back. “You don’t have to thank me. It was the right thing to do.”

He kissed her then and the action in itself was shocking. The warmth of his mouth over hers made her knees weaken and she grasped the front of his shirt to keep from wobbling.

When Emmett straightened, he met her gaze. “Please don’t leave me.”

In that moment, Scarlett knew she could never leave. Her heart melted a bit over the last few days until she was certain it would be hard to keep from caring for her husband more and more.

“I didn’t plan to leave Emmett. Not anymore. I wrote the letter to Lady Price on a day when I was distraught and felt defeated.”

The corners of his lips lifted just a bit. “I’m glad to hear it. I care...more than care for you Scarlett. I have been an idiot to you, but it’s because the idea of falling in love again...” A blush colored his cheeks. “Well, I wasn’t prepared for it.”

Someone whistled loudly, it was followed by a chuckle as Evan neared on horseback. “I see I may not be needed any longer.”

Emmett scowled at his brother. “Yeah, you’re needed. My wife and I need to rest up so you can spend the night looking after the patient.”

“See you at the clinic.” Evan galloped toward the clinic as Emmett took Scarlett’s hand and placed it into the crook of his arm. “My brothers are annoying.”

Scarlett chuckled. “I love them.”

He slid a sideways glance at her. “Hope that one day you’ll feel that way about me.”

“We’ll see.” Scarlett nudged him with her shoulder and he laughed.

That night, Scarlett sat in bed braiding her hair. Emmett entered with a parcel. “I bought you something.”

“It’s not my birthday again is it?” Scarlett teased.

He handed her the parcel and remained waiting for her to open it. So that was how he expressed himself. Scarlett realized. Emmett preferred to give and provide to show he cared. He was never going to be the type of man that would tell her how he felt about her. Instead, he would gift her with items to show his affection.

“I can’t wait to see what this is,” Scarlett said with a wide smile. Eagerly, she tore open the paper to find a set of embroidered handkerchiefs. Each one edged with soft lace. “Oh my goodness.” She looked to Emmett. “They are beautiful.”

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to the side of her face. “Do you really like them?”

Their eyes locked for a long moment and Scarlett nodded. “I do. I love them.”

When Emmett slipped into the bed next to her, Scarlett automatically snuggled against him loving the feel of his warm body. He pulled her into his arms and sighed.

Looking up at him, Scarlett smiled. “Interesting that we’ve always been so close when in bed.”

“Um hmm,” he replied with a lazy kiss to her temple. “That’s because I fell for you the moment I saw you.”

Instantly awake, Scarlett sat up and stared down at him. “What? Then why did you act like a...a bear?”