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Not that it mattered. With two kids, a new business, and all the trouble he’d had dealing with Barb’s death four years ago, the last thing he needed was another woman in his life.
Low-risk and alone was the best course from here on out.
“I met her. She seemed nice enough. Charlie tells me she’s a doctor.”And I’d better remember it, too, because I’m not in her league.
She might as well be from another planet, with those degrees on her wall and that kind of money in the bank.
Ed eyed him with suspicion. “Youlikedher?”
Had he said that aloud? Surprised, Matt set down his coffee cup. “She was friendly to the kids.”
“Don’t matter. She’s one of Robert Maxwell’s daughters,” Ed said with finality.
“So?”
“You didn’t read those newspapers I sent?”
Matt shrugged. “The real-estate ads, mostly.”
“No one dares cross him. They say he’s run more than one business into bankruptcy just out of revenge.”
Matt suppressed a smile. “Maybe in the Old West. But not now—”
“Believe it. He’s had most of the officials around here in his pocket for decades,” Ed retorted. “I heard he tried fixing his daughters up with wealthy ranchers and real influential people over the years, but his girls refused to cooperate—more power to’em. So just save us a lot of grief and stay clear of Dr. Maxwell. Our business doesn’t need any trouble.”
“I’m not looking for any.” Still, the idea of some pompous old rancher with a royalty complex rankled. “It’s hard to believe Jolie comes from a family like that, though.”
Nina appeared at the kitchen door, her arms folded and eyes glittering with anger. “The Maxwells are the law unto themselves. If Boss Maxwell dropped dead tomorrow, there aren’t many who would shed a tear. And that son of his—” Her voice broke.
“Nina,” Ed said quietly. “Everything will be okay.”
“Will it?” Her voice rose. “Ask my nephew Danny. Ask his parents.” She shook her head slightly and shifted her gaze to Matt, as if she suddenly remembered he was there. “I...I’m sorry.”
She whirled and disappeared through the door. Seconds later, they heard her footsteps dash up the stairs.
“I don’t understand.”
Ed scowled. “That Maxwell woman comes from money—bigmoney—and a father who’d rather steal your last dime in a business deal than say hello. Her brother recently proved that a guy can get away with anything short of murder if his dad is Robert Maxwell. Steer clear of her—she’s nothing but trouble.”
JOLIE HAD HOPEDto open the clinic by the first of April. Stubborn plumbing and a leak in the roof delayed the big event until the following Monday.
The big event was a bit anticlimactic, she acknowledged, surveying the empty waiting room from the doorway.
But once people arrived, surely they ought to be reasonably impressed, especially considering how dreary the building had been before.
New paint—eggshell white inside, a soft yellow outside—had made an incredible difference. A fresh coat of wax brightened the aging vinyl flooring, and bright prints of children and rural scenes graced the walls.
The budget granted by the town council had been limited, and Jolie couldn’t afford any major aesthetic changes. Not when this might be a less-than-successful venture.
But if the practice grew, and someday she bought the building...
Stepping into the waiting room, she tested the dampness of the soil of a lush pink azalea sent by the mayor of Garrett Bluff, then swept back a lacy curtain with her hand and looked out at the street.I wish you could have seen this, Mom. You always said I would make my dreams come true.
With a sigh, she retraced her footsteps and sat in the swivel chair at the front desk.
An ivy plant in a wicker basket sat on top of the file cabinet. Its card readBest wishes from all of us at Walking Stones Ranch.
Jolie knew life was hectic out there right now—two men short and everyone else dealing with the usual round-the-clock chores of checking herds, dealing with obstetrical emergencies, doctoring sick calves, hauling feed, breeding mares.
