Her answer burned down to his soul. He felt as if she’d hit him with the side of a car. “I see.”
“No, you don’t. You didn’t answer the question.”
It took him a second to remember, then he took her hand in his and kissed her palm.
“I’m sorry. I thought I had.” He looked at her. “I will miss you, Montana. For the first time in my life, I’ll regret leaving someone behind.”
She squeezed his fingers, then pulled her hand free.
“Okay, then. We’re going to play fetch. With nine-week-old puppies, it’s kind of an imperfect version, but it’s lots of fun.”
She walked over to the entertainment center in the corner and took four small balls off the top shelf. When she pushed them, they made a sharp, squeaking sound. All four puppies slid to a halt and turned to face her. Their ears were raised, their tails wagging in anticipation.
“Ready?” she asked, grinning.
The puppies were already running down the hall.
She threw all four balls at once. Barks exploded as the small dogs scrambled for a ball. Montana laughed and raced after them. Simon watched her and the puppies and knew that regret didn’t come close to what he would feel when it was time to leave.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“ONE MORE,” SIMON SAID, then pulled out the last stitch. He examined the boy’s face under the strong light, then nodded. “You’re good.”
Kent moved closer and studied his son’s cheek. “I can’t believe how fast he’s healing.”
“The advantage of being a healthy kid,” Simon said. He put his hand on Reese’s shoulder. “Change the bandage the same way you have been. Give it another week, then you’re done. I’m leaving you in charge.”
The boy grinned at him. “Sweet.” He turned to his dad. “Did you hear that?”
“I sure did.”
Reese scrambled off the table. “Can I go see Kalinda? I told her I was coming in today to get my stitches out, and she said I should go see her.”
While the girl’s fever was down, she wasn’t a hundred percent. Not by a long shot. Still, the company might help.
“You’ll have to wear a gown and mask,” Simon told him. “She can’t risk getting sick.”
“Sure! Will you come get me when you’re ready to leave?” Reese asked his father.
Kent nodded. “I’ll stop in and see one of the guys I know who works in the office. Then I’ll come get you.”
Reese ran off.
“He’s a good kid,” Simon said.
“Yes, he is. I got lucky with him.” They walked out of the examining room together. “How are you liking your time here in town?”
“Tell me you’re not part of the conspiracy,” Simon said.
“The one to get you to stay?” Kent shook his head. “I was just making conversation. But, given what I know about this town, I’m not surprised you’re getting a little pressure.”
“I’m flattered by the attention.”
They paused in the hallway. It was nearly lunch-time and the area was quiet.
“I have a question,” Kent said. “Feel free to tell me to mind my own business.”
Simon braced himself. Kent was Montana’s older brother. Of course he would be worried about family. “Ask away.”
“Why do you keep your scars? When Reese was hurt, I did some research online. Doctors have figured out a lot of ways to treat scars. I would guess you know about all of them.”
It wasn’t the question Simon had been expecting, nor did most people have the courage to ask it, although he knew they wondered.
“I keep them for my patients. I want them to know it’s okay to look different. I want them to believe they can still be happy, even if they have scars or some other kind of disfigurement.”
He also kept them as a reminder, but he wasn’t going to tell Kent that.
“That makes sense,” the other man told him. “I hope the question wasn’t too personal.”
“Hard to hide these.”
“Thanks again for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
Kent walked toward the elevator. Simon took the stairs up a couple of floors and came out by the burn ward. He walked to Kalinda’s room and stopped when he heard the sound of laughter. From where he was standing he could see Reese walking like a zombie, his arms raised, his legs stiff. Both kids were giggling.
She wasn’t getting better fast enough. He knew that and didn’t know how to change things. The fever bothered him. It drained her and made it harder for her to heal. It meant her body was still adjusting, that there was still danger.
Uncertainty was part of the job, but he’d never accepted it. He always searched for answers, solutions that made sense. But sometimes they weren’t there. By now Kalinda should be progressing better. She should be safe and it didn’t sit well with him that she wasn’t.
“I THOUGHT DOCTORS TOOK OFF work to golf,” Montana said, sitting across from Simon in Margaritaville, one of the restaurants in town.
When he’d phoned her to ask if she wanted to have lunch, she’d suggested this place.
“You’re more interesting than golf,” he told her.
She laughed. “Is that even a compliment?”
“It is if you like golf.”