She felt a rush of something she didn’t want to feel. This man clearly loved animals as much as she did.
They waited for tense moments until the horse seemed to quiet. Nell looked at Abram. “It’s oll recht,” she said. She watched as he and Nate released their hold on the horse.
“You might want to leave,” James said. “This won’t be pleasant to watch.”
The two men left, leaving Nell alone with James. He met her gaze. “All set?”
“Ja,” she breathed, ready to do whatever he needed.
“Come around to this side. Bring my bag. I’ll tell you what I need.”
Nell watched while James worked on Buddy. He sutured the mare’s wounds, noting how gentle he was with the animal, soothing her with a soft voice.
After twenty minutes, James seemed satisfied that he’d done all he could for the horse.
“Nell, would you please see if you can find a container of antibiotic? I’d like Abram to give her a dose twice a day. He can sprinkle it on her food.”
Nell understood when she found the bottle and saw that the antibiotic was actually granules instead of pills.
Soon they were driving away from Abram’s farm, heading back toward the clinic. Nell caught James’s wince more than once as he drove, but she kept silent. She couldn’t offer to drive him since she didn’t know how and wouldn’t be allowed anyway because of the rules in the Ordnung.
James pulled into the parking lot and drove around to the back as usual. She saw him grimace as he climbed out, but she didn’t say anything as she followed him inside the building. James went into his office while she went right to work restocking his medical bag with the supplies he’d used at Abram’s. When she was done, she entered his office and confronted him.
“You hurt your leg,” she said. She swallowed hard. “May I see?”
He gazed at her a long moment, and she felt her face heat, but he finally nodded. Fortunately, the legs of his black slacks were loose. James gingerly pulled up his pants leg.
Nell gasped. His shin was swollen and severely bruised. She eyed the black-and-blue area with concern. “You should see a doctor,” she suggested softly.
“I’ll be fine,” he said sharply. She didn’t take offense for she knew he was hurting.
“I’ll get some ice,” she said and went into the kitchen.
When she returned, his head was tilted against the chair back, his eyes closed.
“James,” she whispered. His eyes flashed open. She held up the ice pack. “For your leg.”
“Thank you.” He shifted, straightening. His pants had fallen back to cover his injured leg. He tugged up the fabric again, and Nell bent to place the pack on his bruised skin.
“It looks sore,” she said with sympathy as she knelt to hold it in place.
James gave her a crooked smile. “A bit.”
She shook her head, trying not to be uncomfortable looking up at him from near his feet. “You should go to the emergency room—or a clinic.” She rose, and her gaze traveled around the room.
“What are you looking for?” James asked.
“Something to prop your leg up on so you can ice it properly.”
“No need.” He dropped his pant leg and rose. “It’s time to head out. I can ice it at home.”
Nell saw him wince as he moved, but she held her tongue. “I’ll check the reception area and make sure it’s locked up.”
“Okay.” He waited while she hurried out to the front room to lock up and retrieve her purse from under the desk. She took one last look around, then returned to where James waited near the back door.
“Thanks for your help today.”
Nell shrugged. “That’s what you pay me for.”
A tiny smile formed on his lips. “I guess I do.”
They headed outside together. James pulled the door shut behind them and made sure it was secure.
Nell saw that he held the ice pack and was glad. She became conscious of him beside her as she waited for him to turn. “I will see you on Wednesday?” she asked.
He hesitated. “Yes.”
“Is anything wrong?” she asked, sensing a shift in his mood.
James opened and closed his mouth, as if to answer but thought better of it. “It’s late.”
Nell experienced a burning in her stomach. “Ja. I should head home.” She turned away. Something was definitely bothering the man.
“See you in the morning, Nell.”
She paused but didn’t look back. She was afraid of what she’d see. “Ja, I’ll see you then.”
Then she hurried toward her buggy, feeling edgy and suddenly eager to be away and at home.
* * *
James watched Nell leave, then followed her buggy in his car until their paths split. He continued straight until he reached a small shopping center with a bakery, a candy shop and a small gift shop. He drove around to the back of the building, got out of his car and went in a back entrance that led to his apartment above the bakery.
As he started painfully up the stairs, he caught the scent of rich chocolate. Usually, he’d head into the bakery to buy whatever it was that Mattie Mast was making downstairs. But with his throbbing shin, the only thing he wanted to do right now was put ice on the injury.
The trek up the staircase was slow, and he stopped several times. He breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it to the top.
His one-bedroom apartment was dark as he entered. He threw his keys onto the kitchen table and went to open a few windows to let in the day’s breeze. The delicious scent of baking was stronger upstairs than down.
He refilled his ice bag, then, ignoring his rumbling stomach, he plopped down onto the sofa in his small living room, turned on the TV and shifted to put his feet onto the couch. He carefully set the ice pack that Nell had made on his swollen leg. He gazed at the television, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
It was Tuesday. There was still the rest of the week to get through. Would the pain in his leg let up enough for him to leave his apartment in the morning?
Nell will be there. He would make sure he got to work. She was helping him out, and he needed to be there.
Stretched out on his sofa, he stared at the ceiling with the sound of the television a dull buzz in his ears.
The ice felt good against his swollen leg. James closed his eyes, and the day played out in his mind. Nell’s calming influence as she worked by his side. Their trip to the Amish farm, treating the mare. Nell’s assistance with Abram Peachy and his son Nate. Her calming way with their mare Buddy. His growing friendship with Nell.
He saw Nell clearly in his mind—her soft brown hair, bright brown eyes and warm smile. She’d worn a green dress with black apron today, with a white kapp, dark stockings and black shoes. He smiled. He wondered how she’d look at home when she was at ease, barefoot and laughing as she chased children about the yard, with sparkling eyes and her mouth curved upward in amusement.
James wondered how it would feel to spend time with her outside of the office.
His eyes flickered open as shock made him sit up. He was more than a little attracted to Nell Stoltzfus!
James shook his head. He had no right to think about Nell in that way. He scowled. She was a member of an Amish community, a community like the one he’d left of his own free will to choose a different path in