Donovan's Daughter (The Californians, Book 4) by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online

own selfishness or the deeds of
her grandson."
    Marcail felt something grow cold inside of her. It
chilled her to think that one person had this much power.
    "You could just up and quit; others have. You certainly
have grounds, but we're very pleased with your work
and hope you'll stay."
    For just an instant Marcail's heart grabbed at the word
"quit." How easy it would be to run home to Father, but
then Marcail remembered how badly she wanted to
prove to herself that she could do this.
    She also realized the word "quit" was not a part of her
vocabulary. She shook her head ever so slightly.
    "I take it that means you're not quitting. Well, I'm glad
to hear it. I'll start making surprise visits to the schoolhouse every few days. I think if more than one person is
watching, Sydney will be less likely to act up."
    Marcail nodded almost numbly. She could see that
nothing more was going to be offered to her. As Mr.
Flynn saw her to the door and she began the walk home,
her mind worked over the options before her. Quitting
was out, but she could go to Mrs. Duckworth. However,
Mr. Flynn's initial response to her predicament had
shown her that such a move would cause trouble for the
entire town.

    Marcail was tempted to write her brother-in-law, Rigg,
or her father and pour out her entire story, knowing
instinctively they would show up in Willits within hours
or days of hearing from her. But all her life she'd been
protected, and she so wanted to stand on her own this
time.
    Marcail's mind played over every second of the previous afternoon, and she realized that in throwing that
rock, Sydney had succeeded in shocking even himself.
With that in mind, Marcail decided that she would confront Sydney on Monday so he would know where he
stood, and then pray there would be no more outbursts.
    "Hello, Miss Donovan."
    Marcail was startled out of her musings by the sound
of Dr. Montgomery's voice. She'd been so intent on her
walking and planning that she had not heard his approach.
    "Hello, Dr. Montgomery." Marcail's hand had gone to
her throat in surprise. She tried to smile pleasantly, but
as usual he made her nervous, and she was a bit embarrassed over how preoccupied she'd been. She watched as
he swung from his mount to stand before her.
    "How are you feeling?"
    "I'm fine, thank you," Marcail replied, actually mustering up a smile.
    Alex nodded and continued to watch her. He had
wanted a closer look at her than his mounted position
would allow, and now he was able to see that her color
was much better than the day before. In fact, she was
rather flushed. On the other hand, her discomfort in his
presence hadn't changed in the least; she was obviously
afraid of him. He wondered absently if it was just him,
all doctors, or men in general.
    Marcail was standing as far from him as propriety
would allow, and for some reason Alex was torn between turning on his best bedside manner or laughing. The
latter won out, and Marcail watched as his eyes lit with
some inner amusement.

    Alex witnessed the raising of her chin and knew that
the voice she used to address him was one she used with
her students.
    "Was there something you needed to see me about,
doctor? If not, my schedule is quite full, and I'd like to be
on my way."
    Alex caught a light of vulnerability in her eyes, slight,
but nevertheless evident to him. All humor fled.
    "I'm glad to see you're doing well, Miss Donovan.
Please don't let me keep you."
    Marcail nodded to him by way of answer and turned
even before he mounted his horse. She felt his eyes on
her back for some steps, but before long her mind was
back on Sydney and she didn't give Willits' handsome
young doctor another thought.

     

    "I'm so sorry, Miss Donovan. I'll never do it again,"
Sydney told Marcail with heartbreaking sincerity, his
bottom lip quivering pitifully, his face nearly ashen.
Marcail had been correct-he had shocked even himself.
    "I'm glad to hear that, Sydney,"