The doctor, Gwen-something-or-other, who had finally breezed into the examination room a moment ago, now slapped up some X rays and perused them. “I mean, if you’ve made a new gentleman friend,” she remarked to Cassie, “why not just come out and say so. No need to make up this fanciful story about falling out of trees.”
The doctor was definitely getting on Andrew’s nerves. Among other things, she had already given him a very painful painkilling shot in his hand. And, along with the fact that she treated him as if he was seven years old, she had stout blond hair that looked too big for the rest of her.
“He is not my gentleman friend,” Cassie protested. “Please, would you just tell me how much damage I’ve inflicted on him?” Cassie, unlike the doctor, had hair that was just right—vivid red, cascading haphazardly down her back. She also had hazel eyes, and the merest hint of freckles across her cheekbones. She was, in sum, beautiful. Too bad that Andrew couldn’t truly appreciate her at this moment. Too bad they weren’t alone in the tree house, before the…accident.
He cleared his throat. “Ladies—”
“Not broken. Just dislocated,” said the doc, giving Andrew an annoyingly cheerful grin. “We can be thankful for that, at least. Now, I am going to have to pop that joint back into place. Not squeamish, are you?”
He gave her a sour look.
“Tell you what,” she went on imperturbably, rummaging through a supply drawer. “Cassie’ll hold your arm steady—she’s not squeamish.”
Cassie gave Andrew an uncertain look, then glanced toward the door. “I’d better go see how Zak’s doing—”
“Your son’s fine,” said Dr. Gwen. “You know how he likes that new game on Lucy’s computer. No, you stay here and help me with your gentleman friend. Right, right, you’re going to tell me he’s not your gentleman friend. But, honey, after Jeff…you really shouldn’t let a good one get away.”
Cassie had flushed a bright pink. “Gwen,” she said in a warning tone.
The doctor came over next to Andrew with gauze, surgical tape and a splint. She gave him a conspiratorial nod. “Surely you’ve heard all about Jeff by now?”
Andrew stared at the lamentable condition of his finger. “Actually, I haven’t,” he said.
Now Cassie treated him to a warning glance.
“Jeff’s Cassie’s ex,” said Dr. Gwen as she positioned his arm. “Cassie, hold on to him right there…anyway, wouldn’t you know she ended up marrying Jeff even after her dad told her the guy was a flat-out loser. Of course, maybe that’s why she married him. I mean, what better rebellion can you have? Elope with a man your father despises…”
“Gwen!” Cassie exclaimed, a brighter pink than ever.
“Anyway,” Dr. Gwen went on relentlessly as she examined Andrew’s finger, “in case you’re wondering—I am a very reliable source of information when it comes to Cassie. I grew up in Paradise Corners, went to high school with Jolie…that’s Cassie’s older sister. Jolie pretty much kept to herself back in those days. It was the longest time before I found out we both had the same dream—becoming doctors. Well, here I am, and Jolie’s practicing medicine back in our hometown. Of course, Jolie’s married now, and I’m still single. Now, Andrew, dear, I’m afraid this is going to hurt like hell…and Cassie, get ready to hold as tight as you can. One…two…there! That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“You forgot to count to three,” Andrew said between clenched teeth. But he had to admit the lady was good. His finger was back where it was supposed to be, and Dr. Gwen was taping it to a small metal splint. Meanwhile, Cassie kept her viselike hold on his arm. He gazed at her, but she seemed to be making a determined effort not to look back.
“Of course, you’ve heard of Cassie’s family yourself,” Dr. Gwen went on. “The mighty Maxwells, and all.”
“Can’t say I have,” Andrew said. Now Cassie was glaring at him again.
“Goodness,” said Dr. Gwen as she wielded her surgical tape. “I thought everyone in Montana had heard of the Maxwells. They practically wrote the book on ranching. And Cassie’s dad…well, he’s practically written the book on being a patriarch. More than a little overwhelming, if you want to know the truth. I used to be scared to death of him when I was a kid, and I’d see him striding down Main Street like he owned it. The look he could give you… No wonder Cassie and Jolie and even Thea—the youngest—ended up rebelling against him… There! All set. I’ll put you on an anti-inflammatory and some pain meds. Don’t move that finger, and make sure you come back day after tomorrow so I can have a look. Now, Cassie, don’t scowl at me like that. I didn’t tell him anything he wasn’t going to find out eventually.” Dr. Gwen gave both of them a cocky grin, and vanished out the door.
“She kind of grows on you,” Andrew remarked, observing his bandaged hand.
Cassie muttered something under her breath and dropped his arm as if she’d just realized she was holding it. “Oh, look,” she burst out. “I’m sorry, I really am.”
“Relax. That’s about the twentieth time you’ve apologized. It was an accident. Could’ve happened to anyone.”
“It was very…nice of you, trying to break my fall the way you did.”
“Don’t mention it.” Andrew liked the way she blushed, and she seemed to do it quite a bit.
She picked up her purse and fiddled with the strap. “When I was apologizing just now, it was about Gwen, too. This was just the first place I thought to bring you. She’s a wonderful doctor, but she does talk a lot—”
“So now I know you’re divorced, and you have a rebellious streak when it comes to your father,” he said mildly. “Hardly capital offenses.”
“I used to have a rebellious streak. Not anymore.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I’m explaining. What do you say we get out of here?”
It seemed an excellent idea to him. A few minutes later they were out on the sidewalk, beneath a brilliant blue sky. Dr. Gwen’s office was in downtown Billings proper. The building was a converted Victorian on an old-fashioned street, tree-lined, with other old houses that had been turned into offices or duplexes. Cassie’s son, seven-year-old Zak, walked ahead of them, his head bowed as if he was deep in thought. Cassie gazed at him worriedly.
“He’s an okay kid,” Andrew said.
“Yes, he is. He’s wonderful. But he’s…quiet.”
“A lot of kids are quiet,” Andrew said.
“He didn’t used to be this way,” Cassie muttered. “It’s only been since…since the divorce.”
The infamous divorce. He gathered that it was still a big part of her life. “How long ago?” he asked.
“Over a year. So, Andrew,” she said determinedly, “have you ever been married?” She couldn’t have made it more clear that she wanted to change the subject.
“No. Hannah always told me I was missing out.”
“All depends on who you’re married to,” Cassie said grimly. And then, as if concerned she’d directed the conversation to herself again, she gave him another glance. “How’s the finger?”
“I’ll live.”
“I really am sorry—”
“There you go again,” he said. “Apologizing.”
She gave an exasperated shake of the head. “You have to admit the whole thing’s been highly unfortunate.”