Beloved Counterfeit by Kathleen Y'Barbo Read Free Book Online Page A

gestured toward the clinic. “I figure you’re heading in that direction anyway, so allow me this, please.”
    His tone carried a desperation Micah not only recognized but had felt more than once. Still, he’d already had one companion on a walk he’d intended to be one of solitary prayer. He thought to explain that Hezekiah Carter would likely be much more helpful than himself at anything.
    But the doctor appeared to have his mind set on talking to Micah and not waiting for the better man to assist him.
    “All right,” Micah said, “but I’m in a hurry, so you might have a bit of trouble keeping up.”
    “I’ll risk it.” With a nod, they set off across the street. The doctor waited until they’d cleared the corner before he looked ready to speak. “I’ve a problem. Of the female variety.”
    Despite his irritation, Micah grinned. “Might the problem be named Viola Dumont?”
    “It is.” Doc paused. “Rather, she is. No,” he corrected. “I must admit I’m the real problem.”
    “Why tell me?” Micah said. “Go tell Miss Dumont.”
    “I tried.” He tugged at his collar. “I thought maybe you could help me with that.”
    “Talk to her for you? Oh no.” Micah stopped short then shook his head and took off walking again. “Look,” he said when Doc Hill caught up to him, “I’m not a man who gets himself involved in this kind of foolishness.”
    “It’s not foolishness, Micah.”
    He slid the doctor a sideways look. “When there’s a woman involved, it’s almost always foolishness.”
    “She wants me to marry her.”
    Micah had to laugh. “Is this news to you? Anyone with decent eyesight would know that. What none of us can understand—likely her as well—is what’s taking you so long. Seems to me a man with the opportunity to land a fine catch like Miss Dumont ought to go ahead and do it.”
    A pair of ladies from the choir emerged from the mercantile to greet them, and the doctor tipped his hat, as did Micah. “I can’t,” Daniel said when the women were out of earshot. “I’d only be a disappointment to her.”
    “Is that all?” Micah shrugged. “I reckon if a man’s not being a disappointment in some way to a woman, then he’s likely about to be. It’s the nature of the arrangement, I’m afraid, though women don’t seem to mind it so much.”
    “Be serious, Micah.” The doc paused and seemed to be considering his next statement carefully. “The truth is, I did intend to marry her. I knew it from the minute I saw her. Then when Andre Gayarre walked into my clinic with a gun in his hand, everything changed.”
    “I see.”
    This conversation had gone far past comfortable and was reaching the point of needing to be over. The growl in Micah’s gut reminded him that every minute he tarried was a minute he was not eating Ruby O’Shea’s fine cooking.
    Dr. Hill seemed to be waiting for more. Irritation and impatience converged to remove any intention on Micah’s part to offer up understanding or even humor. Doc needed to handle his business like a man: in private and without consulting anyone or taking a poll to figure out what to do.
    “That was two years ago, Doc. You can’t use past history as an excuse.” Micah paused. “You wanted my advice, so I’m giving it to you. Marry the woman and be done with it, or leave her be.”
    “That’s it?”
    Micah nodded. “Yes, that’s it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some eating and some praying to do, and I am long overdue on both.”
    The doctor reached out to stop Micah. “Thank you,” he said with what seemed to be great relief in his voice. “I knew that’s what should happen, but I resisted it.” He paused. “For all the obvious reasons.”
    Micah studied him for a moment but found nothing to understand in the man’s sudden change of attitude. “Yes, well, glad to be of service,” he said as he resumed his walk. “Give her my best if you think of it.”
    “Micah?”
    Biting back a sharp retort,