Authors: Kate Kingsbury
3 Service for Two (21 page)
“Yes, madam. Weddings usually are.”
Something in his voice caught her attention, and she looked up quickly to see him smiling down at her. For a moment her breath caught, and she started to answer him, when another voice interrupted her.
“Mrs. Sinclair. Cecily, if I may be so bold?”
She turned to face Dr. Prestwick, who stood in front of her, his smile brightening his attractive features.
“Dr. Prestwick,” she murmured.
“I am so looking forward to this evening,” he said, his eyes frankly admiring her, and she felt ridiculously pleased she had chosen to wear her sky-blue gown and hat. “You will not forget the dance you promised me?”
She could almost feel Baxter straightening his back. “I will not forget, Doctor.”
“It would please me if you would call me Kevin.” He gave her a short bow. “Until this evening, then.” He nodded at Baxter, touched his hat with his fingers, and then moved away.
Cecily glanced up at Baxter. “Such a pleasant man.”
“I shall be most happy, madam, when the new doctor arrives in Badgers End. It is unsettling, to say the least, to have such an impermanent arrangement.”
His voice carried, and Cecily frowned a warning at him, worried that the doctor would hear.
It would seem that her fears were well-founded, for a short time later the doctor approached them again. “I thought you might like to know,” he said, loud enough for Baxter to overhear, “I have been offered the permanent replacement for Dr. McDuff. I am pleased to say that I have decided to accept.” With a flourish he doffed his hat and moved away.
Cecily looked at Baxter’s stricken face and smiled. “Come, Baxter,” she said, taking his arm. “Let us return to the hotel and have a cigar.”
For once he surprised her. “Madam, I think that is an excellent idea.” For the first time since she’d known him, he folded his hand over hers and marched her purposefully toward the trap. And she rather liked it.
Kate Kingsbury is the national bestselling author of over sixty books, and lives in Oregon with her husband and a rat terrier who thinks she’s a Great Dane.