The Lady Who Lived Again. Thomasine Rappold
you crossed paths the other day,” Grandfather said.
Her heart pounded as her gaze flew to Jace. His blue eyes held hers for what seemed like forever but hinted nothing about what he might say next. She pursed her lips, disliking him immensely for his reserve.
“Thank you again, Miss Sutter, for directing me back to town. If it weren’t for you, I might still be lost in those woods.”
She exhaled in relief.
“How fortunate she found you.” Grandfather turned to Maddie. “I’m surprised you failed to mention your discovery during our discussions of late.” A smile trembled on his lips.
“I…uh. It must have slipped my mind,” she said, moving into the room.
“Have a seat, Doctor Merrick.” Grandfather gestured toward the sofa. “Rhetta will bring tea.”
Maddie took a seat in one of the adjacent chairs before the men followed suit.
Grandfather leaned forward on the gold-handled cane between his knees. “So tell me, Doctor Merrick, what brings a big city doctor, like yourself, to Misty Lake?”
“My desire to sleep.” Jace smiled. It was a simple little smile that lasted the briefest of moments. Yet it managed to turn her insides to mincemeat.
A less reclusive, less pathetic woman might remain unaffected by the flash of straight teeth, the perfect mouth. But not Maddie. She gave a stiff fluff to her beige skirts, loathing him all the more for his appealing smile and good humor.
“Sleep?” she asked in a desperate attempt to focus on something other than his enticing lips.
“Working night duty in the emergency ward offered little to none. I look forward to building my practice here, where my schedule will be less challenging and my eyes will close more often.”
“How’s business faring so far?” Grandfather asked.
“I’m busy with house calls, but I’ve yet to open the office officially. When I arrived last month, I was greeted by a fierce storm and awoken by a tree limb crashing through my roof.”
“Oh my,” Maddie said.
“That storm was a mean one,” Grandfather said. “Hovered over the lake for hours.”
Jace nodded. “The damage to my patient waiting room was extensive and forced me to delay opening my practice.”
“Unfortunate, indeed,” Grandfather said.
“Roof repairs are almost complete, though, and once the mess inside is put to order, I can finally unpack and set up.”
“Well, good luck to you!” Grandfather waved his cane with enthusiasm. “And I must say I’m pleased Filmore finally hung up his stethoscope. I’m only sorry I didn’t choke him with it while I had the strength.”
Maddie pinned him with a scolding glare.
“Grandfather, please.”
He waved her away. “You’ll find I’m a man who speaks my mind, Doctor Merrick. I haven’t the time nor the wind to waste on decorum, so you must forgive my bluntness, even if my granddaughter can’t.”
Maddie rolled her eyes.
“Of course,” Jace said, clearly amused.
Rhetta whisked into the room, depositing a tea tray on the table. Her shy glimpse at their guest quickly prompted another.
Maddie rolled her eyes again. This house had gone far too long without company. “Thank you, Rhetta,” she said.
With a nod of her capped head, Rhetta left them to their tea.
“So, you don’t miss the excitement of the hospital?” Maddie asked as she poured the tea.
His smile faded. “My memories sustain me. Brutality, disease, starvation. All the worst of human suffering housed under one convenient roof.” His expression was casual, but she saw the dismay in his eyes, felt his tension as she handed him the cup. “You have a very fine house, sir,” he said, glancing around. “I’ve passed it often on my house calls.”
“We have the best site on the lake.” Grandfather puffed his chest. “What started as a summer retreat eventually became home. Maddie oversees the entire estate. Account books and all.”
“Is that so?” Jace turned to her with a nod of approval. “Very impressive, Miss Sutter.” He regarded her intently, his gaze dropping to her mouth.
“Please, call me Madeline.”
Something flickered in his eyes. “Madeline.” He spoke her name as though testing the sound, and she’d never heard anything better. Straightening in her seat, she shook off the sudden heat that slivered through her.
“My granddaughter keeps things running smoothly. I rest easy in her capable hands.” He released a long sigh. “Speaking of rest. I hope you don’t mind, Doctor Merrick, but it’s time for my nap.” Grandfather endeavored to rise, and Jace stood to help him.
“It was good to meet you, sir.”
Grandfather steadied himself with the handshake Jace offered. “And very good to meet you, young man. Please stay and enjoy your tea.” He tossed a wink at Maddie, and she lowered her eyes, hoping Jace didn’t see it.
“Please don’t mind my grandfather, Doctor Merrick. It’s been a while since we’ve had company.”
Jace returned to his seat. “Call me Jace.” His gaze followed Grandfather’s excruciatingly slow departure from the room. “How long has he been ill?”
His observation didn’t surprise her. Although he was a doctor, one had only to glance at Grandfather to detect his poor health. To Jace’s credit, he’d refrained from humbling Grandfather by mentioning it in front of him.
“Going on four years now,” she said.
“Rheumatic fever?”
She nodded. “The after effects are more apparent every day.”
“Heart disease progresses at various rates, depending on the patient. There’s little that can be done to stop it.”
“Yes, I know.” She sighed. Even Maddie’s miraculous power hadn’t checked the forward march of Grandfather’s illness.
“I’d be happy to examine him if—”
“Thank you, but there’s little that can be done. You said so yourself. Besides, he’d never allow it.” She shook her head. “After being examined by a specialist in Albany, he accepted his condition, and now he refuses to be poked and prodded by more doctors.”
“His words, I suppose?”
Maddie smiled.
“If he changes his mind…”
“He won’t.” She took a sip of her tea and tried to relax. “I also owe you thanks for not mentioning the incident with the deer.”
“I see no need to worry your grandfather with your recklessness.” His brow arched as he pointed his finger in a playful threat. “So long as you don’t go repeating such a stunt.”
She shook her head, grateful for the reprieve. “No, of course not.”
“I never found the deer, by the way.”
“No?” she asked, trying to sound sufficiently surprised.
“But I did find something else.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out Amelia’s letter.
Maddie gaped in surprise. In her haste to escape him that day, she hadn’t realized she’d lost it.
“I assumed you’d want your letter returned, since it’s personal.”
She blanched, snatching the folded page from his hand.