Page 99 of Colorado Bride
ChapterSeventeen
They arrived in Golden in good time and went straight to Doc Martin’s office.
“Come in.Come in.Emily, have a seat on the table, please.”
She clamored up on the table and waited for the doctor to ready his instruments.He had a pair of scissors and a pair of tweezers, just like Ben had for the previous wound.
The doctor came over to the table.
“Please remove your shirtwaist.”
Emily took off the garment and held it in her lap.
Ben stood with his arms crossed leaning against the door.
The doctor snipped and pulled out each of the ten stitches.
“There you are.All better.You did very well keeping it clean.The wound looks great.”
“Thanks.Ben kept it clean and dry for me.”
“Good job, son.I’m sorry that the injury will leave such a bad scar.”
“Don’t be, Doc.I’ve never been a vain woman other than about my weight and Ben got me over that right quick.”
Ben nodded but didn’t say anything while Emily put back on her blouse.
When she got off the table he spoke up.
“Is she healed now doctor?Is she well?”
The doctor looked up at Ben and cocked an eyebrow.
Emily saw the question in Ben’s eyes.
“Yes, she is completely healed.What is the problem?”
“She has been avoiding…me.I thought the reason was that she was not healed and was uncomfortable.Now I think there is something else behind it.”
“That is something you and Emily must work out for yourselves.I can only say that physically, she is healed.”He looked at Emily.“Is there something I should know, my dear?”
Emily looked down at the floor and shook her head.
“There is nothing.”
“Em?”
She looked up at Ben, tears in her eyes.
“I can’t talk about this in front of Doc.”
“Okay, we’ll wait until we’re on the way home, but we will talk.Do you understand me?No avoiding the issue any longer.”
She nodded but didn’t trust her voice not to crack and herself to burst into tears if she said anymore.
Emily walked out of the office, leaving Ben to talk to Doc alone.Once she was away from his presence, she felt better and called over her shoulder, “I’m walking up to the general store.See you there.”
She didn’t know if he heard her or not.
