Whitefeather's Woman by Deborah Hale

loneliness and the crippling burden of his guilt. For all their superficial differences, they were very much alike at heart.
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    â€œThat was a delicious supper, Mrs. Kincaid.” The doctor pushed back his chair. “I appreciate the invitation. I get so busy with my new practice I sometimes don’t remember to eat regularly.”
    â€œYou’ll need to put a little more meat on your bones to keep you warm through a Montana winter,” replied Ruth.
    John didn’t need a road sign to see where she was headed.
    â€œA doctor spends all his time looking after other folks. He needs a good wife to look after him.”
    But not the woman lying upstairs in her darkened room. John’s cheek still tingled from the sensation of pressing against Jane’s hair.
    Dr. Gray exchanged glances with Caleb and John as he chuckled. “I’m not sure my profession leaves me enough time to do justice to a marriage, Mrs. Kincaid.”
    For the first time that evening, John looked on the doctor with approval.
    Ruth waved away Dr. Gray’s protest. “Oh, you’ll change your tune once you meet the right woman, isn’t that so, Caleb?”
    â€œCan’t argue with that, my dear.” Caleb Kincaid reached over the table and laid a hand on his wife’s. “Running a ranch keeps a fellow on the hop, too, Doc. But having a family is what makes everything else in a man’s life worth doing.”
    Ruth’s dark eyes glowed as she smiled at her husband. It wasn’t only a sense of obligation to Jane that made his sister take up matchmaking, John realized. She also wanted to help others find the special happiness she and Caleb had discovered.
    â€œI wish you’d got the chance to know Miss Harris a little better.” Ruth shot John a sharp glance, as if Jane’s fainting spell had been all his fault. “She’s the one who cooked this dinner you enjoyed so much.”
    John knew perfectly well that Ruth had done at least half the work, but he kept his mouth shut for fear he’d never eat in this house again.
    â€œGive her my compliments.” The doctor rose. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should be getting back to town.”
    Winslow Gray reminded John of a stag sniffing the wind for predators, bunching the muscles of his hindquarters to flee at the first shot.
    â€œWhy don’t you give them to her yourself the next time you see her?” Ruth followed their guest to the front entrance, beckoning for Caleb and John to come along. “I’m planning a housewarming for Caleb’s brother and his family as soon as their new place is finished. Jane would be glad to have a handsome gentleman like you to squire her to the party, I’m sure.”
    John caught a glimpse of himself in the looking glass by the coat tree. He hardly recognized the man scowling back at him.
    The doctor didn’t say a word as he put on his coat, then picked up his hat and satchel. He shook hands with Caleb and with John.
    And finally with Ruth. “Can I tell Jane to expect your invitation?” she pressed.
    John winced at his sister’s lack of subtlety. Why didn’t she just lead Jane down the main street of Whitehornin a bridal gown with a sign on her back saying Groom Wanted?
    Dr. Gray shook his head. “I don’t think so, Mrs. Kincaid.”
    A whole evening’s tension ebbed out of John’s body.
    â€œGive the girl a chance, Doctor,” Ruth pleaded. “It’s plain as can be you need a wife and Jane needs a husband.”
    â€œThat girl doesn’t need a husband, ma’am.” The doctor jammed on his hat. “She needs a good stiff bromide. Good night, folks.”
    â€œWell, how do you like that?” grumbled Ruth as the sound of the doctors footsteps faded. “He doesn’t have much manners for a city boy, does he?”
    â€œDon’t you reckon you might have a come on a little strong, honey?”