from inside the parlor.
Pastor Hogle.
Her stomach lurched. What on earth did he want? Dreadful thoughts raced through her head. She hadn’t come this close to the charlatan since she’d attended church three years ago, where he delivered a vile sermon crafted to ensure she’d never return.
She trembled at the memory of sitting alone on the long pew. Not a soul had rejoiced at her recovery. As Pastor Hogle preached venom and lies, she had realized how thoroughly he despised her. And in the resounding silence of the congregation, she’d heard what they’d all wanted to say.
That she should have died, too.
Swallowing hard, she forced her feet to move. She inched down the hall past the umbrella stand and hat rack to listen. The floorboards creaked beneath her weight, and she cringed, knowing her presence had been detected. She had no other choice but to show herself. Mustering her strength, she rounded the corner, then stepped into the room.
“Good morning,” she said stiffly.
A frown of disgust crossed Pastor Hogle’s face before he pulled his eyes from the sight of her. His frosty dismissal made her feel sick. She wanted to run.
He resumed the conversation as if she didn’t exist. “As I was saying, Doctor Merrick, my nephew has informed me of the disturbing news that you intend to marry this woman.”
Maddie gasped as her eyes flew to Jace.
He stood calmly, but a vein bulged at this throat. His balled fists remained at his sides, emotions tightly locked inside the steady hands of a seasoned physician.
“And why would news of our engagement disturb you?”
“Why don’t you ask her?”
“I’m asking you.”
Jace towered a full ten inches over the stout man. Undaunted by the disadvantage, Pastor Hogle gave a stiff tug to the lapels of his pastoral coat and took a step forward. What he lacked in height, he possessed in self-importance. He drummed his fingers on the hat in his pudgy hands.
“Manners prohibit me from maligning her in your presence.”
“And yet you have no trouble doing so from your pulpit.”
Jace had obviously heard of the incident. Her face burned as she realized that he’d known all along of her public disgrace. His defense of her only shamed her more; standing up for her would hurt him as well. No one did anything in Misty Lake unless Pastor Hogle sanctioned it. Her broken engagement to Daniel was proof. The pastor was the most powerful man in this town, and crossing him would have consequences for Jace.
Pastor Hogle’s lips tightened.
“This town needs a doctor. And if you wish to have a successful practice, you need this town.” Hogle spoke with the mesmerizing vitality that had kept his congregants in his thrall for as long as she could remember. “Your association with her will only hinder that success. Misty Lake has accepted you as its physician, despite your young age and unsettled status. Had I any indication you’d attach yourself to this…woman…I’d have insisted that your request to practice here be denied.”
“Whom I marry is none of anyone’s concern. My competence as a doctor does not hinge on that choice.”
“Does it hinge on your parentage?”
Jace’s face went taut, save the twitch in his jaw.
“You’d be wise not to speak of my father.”
Maddie was baffled by the conversation’s sudden turn, but from Jace’s enraged reaction, she hoped the Pastor heeded the warning.
“And what of the Cleary boy?” Pastor Hogle asked.
Maddie’s heart pounded.
“What of him?” Jace asked, obviously confused by the second rapid-fire change in the pastor’s focus.
“I’ve spoken in length with the Clearys about what occurred here.”
“The boy was treated and is doing well. The details of his case are confidential. Doctor Reed is nine miles away, sir. If you have misgivings regarding my medical abilities, feel free to take your business to him.”
Pastor Hogle blinked. No one spoke to him as Jace did now. Maddie’s heart raced faster as
Pastor Hogle.
Her stomach lurched. What on earth did he want? Dreadful thoughts raced through her head. She hadn’t come this close to the charlatan since she’d attended church three years ago, where he delivered a vile sermon crafted to ensure she’d never return.
She trembled at the memory of sitting alone on the long pew. Not a soul had rejoiced at her recovery. As Pastor Hogle preached venom and lies, she had realized how thoroughly he despised her. And in the resounding silence of the congregation, she’d heard what they’d all wanted to say.
That she should have died, too.
Swallowing hard, she forced her feet to move. She inched down the hall past the umbrella stand and hat rack to listen. The floorboards creaked beneath her weight, and she cringed, knowing her presence had been detected. She had no other choice but to show herself. Mustering her strength, she rounded the corner, then stepped into the room.
“Good morning,” she said stiffly.
A frown of disgust crossed Pastor Hogle’s face before he pulled his eyes from the sight of her. His frosty dismissal made her feel sick. She wanted to run.
He resumed the conversation as if she didn’t exist. “As I was saying, Doctor Merrick, my nephew has informed me of the disturbing news that you intend to marry this woman.”
Maddie gasped as her eyes flew to Jace.
He stood calmly, but a vein bulged at this throat. His balled fists remained at his sides, emotions tightly locked inside the steady hands of a seasoned physician.
“And why would news of our engagement disturb you?”
“Why don’t you ask her?”
“I’m asking you.”
Jace towered a full ten inches over the stout man. Undaunted by the disadvantage, Pastor Hogle gave a stiff tug to the lapels of his pastoral coat and took a step forward. What he lacked in height, he possessed in self-importance. He drummed his fingers on the hat in his pudgy hands.
“Manners prohibit me from maligning her in your presence.”
“And yet you have no trouble doing so from your pulpit.”
Jace had obviously heard of the incident. Her face burned as she realized that he’d known all along of her public disgrace. His defense of her only shamed her more; standing up for her would hurt him as well. No one did anything in Misty Lake unless Pastor Hogle sanctioned it. Her broken engagement to Daniel was proof. The pastor was the most powerful man in this town, and crossing him would have consequences for Jace.
Pastor Hogle’s lips tightened.
“This town needs a doctor. And if you wish to have a successful practice, you need this town.” Hogle spoke with the mesmerizing vitality that had kept his congregants in his thrall for as long as she could remember. “Your association with her will only hinder that success. Misty Lake has accepted you as its physician, despite your young age and unsettled status. Had I any indication you’d attach yourself to this…woman…I’d have insisted that your request to practice here be denied.”
“Whom I marry is none of anyone’s concern. My competence as a doctor does not hinge on that choice.”
“Does it hinge on your parentage?”
Jace’s face went taut, save the twitch in his jaw.
“You’d be wise not to speak of my father.”
Maddie was baffled by the conversation’s sudden turn, but from Jace’s enraged reaction, she hoped the Pastor heeded the warning.
“And what of the Cleary boy?” Pastor Hogle asked.
Maddie’s heart pounded.
“What of him?” Jace asked, obviously confused by the second rapid-fire change in the pastor’s focus.
“I’ve spoken in length with the Clearys about what occurred here.”
“The boy was treated and is doing well. The details of his case are confidential. Doctor Reed is nine miles away, sir. If you have misgivings regarding my medical abilities, feel free to take your business to him.”
Pastor Hogle blinked. No one spoke to him as Jace did now. Maddie’s heart raced faster as
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