Of Men And Angels

For some reason, the truth hurt just a little.

Winters nodded, but it was as plain as day he’d found out what he wanted to know. Jake’s stomach tightened. He didn’t want to listen, but he heard every word that passed between them. The doctor was flirting shamelessly now, and Alex was too naive to know it. The memory of being shoved on his butt was still fresh, and he figured she wouldn’t know a man was interested unless he sent her a telegram.

Winters took a final stitch and snipped the thread with a pair of scissors. “That finishes it,” he said.

Alex stood up and gave the doctor a deliberate smile.

“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be as good as new in no time.”

“I hope so, but perhaps I should visit you in a few days.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Really, I don’t mind.”

“Thank you, but no,” she said, just a little too sweetly.

Jake stifled a smile. She was giving Winters the royal brush-off and he didn’t know it. Even Jake hadn’t seen it coming.

“I really should check your arm,” the doctor insisted. “I’m sure that knife wasn’t sterile, and an infection could set in. That cut could be as dangerous as the bite.”

Like hell it was. Jake didn’t like being called stupid. He’d done what he had to do, and he couldn’t let the slight pass. “Look, Doc—”

Alex cut him off. “Thank you for your concern, Doctor. But you weren’t there. I have no doubt that Mr. Malone did right thing.”

“Not medically.”

“Nonetheless, he saved my life, and I’m grateful.”

William’s deep voice broke the tension. “The man thought fast and took action. That took guts.”

An unfamiliar warmth filled Jake’s belly, and in spite of the effort it took to balance the baby and the bottle, he rose to his full height. He had a good six inches on the doctor, and somehow it didn’t seem the least bit ridiculous to hold a baby and glare at the same time.

Winters stared back. “It looks like someone got the better of you in a fight. Let me know if your eyes give you any trouble.”

Jake’s jaw twitched. It would be a cold day in hell before he’d ask this man for anything.

The doctor jammed his hands in the pockets of his pressed trousers and smiled at Alex. “I’ll be in touch.”

She nodded politely, but Jake saw the frayed edges of her smile. She lifted Charlie out of his arms without a word, thanked the doctor again and opened the door before anyone could do it for her.

The three of them left the office in a line, with William bringing up the rear as if he were herding sheep. When the boardwalk widened, he went to his daughter’s side, leaving Jake to follow a few paces behind them.

It gave him a perfect view of father and daughter. At first glance they looked nothing alike. In spite of being a mess, Alex’s hair had a healthy shine, while the old man’s white head made him look worn out. They both jabbered like blue jays, but her chattering never stopped, while William panted for breath now and then.