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“Good night, love.” He gently tapped her nose. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Then he picked up his glass and strolled from the room, leaving her fighting the impulse to run after him. She wanted to pull him close and give him all the comfort her body could offer.
Clearly, though, and despite his harrowing tale, Braden was a very self-sufficient man who exerted iron control over his feelings.
He said he loved her, but he obviously didn’t need her.
At least not yet.
CHAPTER24
Braden was finishing up his notes when he heard a murmur of voices from the front room of the clinic. Another patient would mean a drink with Samantha before dinner would have to wait.
Sadly, his absence might not even bother her, given her mixed feelings about their marriage. There’d been some hopeful signs last night, butthinkingone might be in love with one’s husband was far frombeingin love.
He, however, was now decisively in love with his wife, and that had made their wedding night a bout of mental and physical torture. Sitting only feet away from her cozy-looking bed had only amplified the torment. He’d spent most of last night battling visions of torrid pleasures, and of the fun they could have in that bed.
Their fireside discussion had taken a very serious turn that didn’t lend itself to even a gentle wooing. He’d done his best to open his heart to her, but it seemed clear that until they made more progress on finding Roger’s killers, Samantha would struggle to move forward into their new life.
Braden took off his spectacles and rubbed his eyes. These last few weeks had been a whirlwind that had spun his life one hundred and eighty degrees on its axis. He’d not been expecting marriage, and certainly not like this.
Even with all its challenges, he didn’t regret anything. At the end of it, he had a chance to win the heart of the fairest lady in Scotland. And that was worth fighting his way through any number of thugs, murderers, and evil grandfathers that stood in his way.
Mrs. Culp tapped on his door. “Ye have a visitor, sir.”
He frowned. “Not a patient?”
Logan loomed up behind her. “No, it’s your big brother, come to drag you away from work. It’s going on six, Braden.”
Mrs. Culp nodded. “A very good point ye make, sir. Dr. Kendrick has been working all day with nary a break.”
“I was just about to pack up before this annoying person appeared,” Braden sardonically replied. “And I did take a break for lunch.”
“A pasty and a cup of tea while sittin’ at yer desk writin’ a lecture,” Mrs. Culp replied. “That is no break.”
Logan made a disgusted noise. “What in God’s name am I going to do with you, man?”
“You could start by getting to the point of this visit, so I can go home,” he sardonically replied.
Logan flicked a warning glance at Braden’s assistant.
So, trouble.
“Mrs. Culp, that’s it for today,” Braden said. “If you would lock up on your way out, please.”
“Aye, sir.” She nodded to Logan. “A pleasure to see you, sir.”
“Likewise, Mrs. Culp. Have a good evening.”
They waited until the front door closed and locked behind her.
Logan grabbed a stool from the corner. “I hope you pay that woman a good salary. She obviously keeps you in line.”
“You mean she nags me, just like the rest of you.”
“Och, we just make wee suggestions.”
Braden opened his eyes at him. “Is that what you call it?”
