“My apology for that as well.”
She nodded acceptance.
“Are you willing to try again?”
She wondered if he’d ever opened himself up this way in the past, but realized it didn’t matter. He was doing it for her and she needed to appreciate the olive branch he’d extended. They’d never make this marriage work if she slapped it away. “I am.”
“I’ll do better.” The firm declaration offered a quiet promise that made her eyes sting. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“Then let’s go forward.”
“Agreed.”
Frantic knocks on the front door caught their attention and Colt immediately went to investigate. Regan followed.
Colt asked the young woman at the door, “Addy? Is something wrong?”
“I need you to come and see my daughter. I think she’s dying.”
“Let me get my bag. You can tell me what happened on the way.”
He ran to his study.
Regan waited with the young woman. The red-rimmed eyes in her pale soiled face showed her distress.
“I’m Regan Lee, Doc’s wife. I’m so sorry your child isn’t faring well.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Colt came hurrying back and said to Regan, “I’ll return as soon as I can.”
“Godspeed.”
Addy mounted her horse. Colt mounted his and the two rode east.
Chapter Thirteen
Spring stayed to keep Regan company, and later, after they put Anna to bed, the two women sat out on the back porch to pass the time. As dusk fell, Spring asked, “So, have you and the good doctor kissed and made up?”
The question took Regan by surprise. “You know about the argument?”
“Yes. Colt came to see me last night. He was pretty upset with himself.”
“He should’ve been, but the answer to your question is yes, to the latter, and no to the former.”
“One out of two isn’t bad.”
“I wondered where he’d gone last night.”
“I was surprised to see him quite honestly. He never seeks me out for advice.”
Regan thought back on the sincerity of his apology. They might have kissed afterwards had he not been called away. “Apparently, you advised him well.”
“I mostly listened, and I think that was all he really needed. He’s in love with you.”
Regan paused.
Spring continued in an easy tone, “Not sure he knows it yet, or is ready to admit it, but he is.”