Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(15)

“I didn’t say you had a thing with him.”

I shoved a few fries in my mouth, feeling irritated. When I swallowed, I said, “Maybe you could defend me a little when people start gossiping about me and him.”

His mouth drooped. “I didn’t know if it was true until just now when I asked you.”

I shoved my plate away and threw down enough cash to cover my meal. I was angrier than I needed to be. Maybe because a part of me wished the rumors were true. I wouldn’t really mind a tumble in the sheets with Maxwell. Nothing too serious—just to release a little sexual tension of course. I slid off my stool. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Boss.” He pulled his dark brows together. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

I sighed. “Don’t gossip about me.”

“I won’t.”

I gave a sharp nod and left the restaurant. Thanks to Sam, now all I could do was think about Maxwell. I wasn’t sure why I’d let the fact that people were gossiping about me bug me so much. That wasn’t really like me. I knew perfectly well there were many busybodies in Rainy Dale, and it hadn’t ever bothered me before.

I passed Mrs. Numi, the main Realtor in town, talking loudly on her cell. She leaned on the fender of her Mercedes, looking annoyed. “I can’t sell you something that isn’t for sale,” she grumbled, pausing as the other person on the line spoke. “I never promised. That’s a lie. I told you I would look into it for you.”

I hovered near the window of the pet store to watch the puppies playing in their pen. There was one black lab pup that caught my eye. I’d noticed him before whenever I stopped to see the puppies. Today he sat alone in the corner, watching his siblings play tug-of-war with a chew toy. I wondered why he never seemed to join in. I tapped on the glass trying to get a reaction from the puppy, but he just stared at me.

“They wouldn’t be swayed. I tried.” Mrs. Numi’s frustrated tone caught my attention again. “The home has been in their family for three generations or something. They wouldn’t budge.” She exhaled impatiently. “I’m sorry. I did everything I could. They were unpersuaded.”

More silence.

“Now, don’t you take that tone with me. I did my best.” She hung up. I turned and met her irked gaze. “Some clients give me heartburn,” she snapped.

I moved toward her. “Don’t let it get to you. You can’t please everyone.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

“Is this a local client?” I asked nonchalantly. I was curious who she’d been talking to that had her so perturbed. It wasn’t really any of my business, but I was naturally nosy.

She studied me in silence for a moment, and then she said, “Yes.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “Between you and me, I doubt he even has the money to buy a car let alone a house.”

I laughed. “Your client doesn’t have many houses to choose from. Aren’t there only two on the market right now?”

“This house wasn’t on the market. My client wanted me to see if the owners were willing to sell anyway.” She sighed. “But as it turns out, they weren’t.”

“I see.”

She scowled. “What in the world he needs that house for I can’t imagine. Perhaps it’s simply because his land borders it.” She rolled her eyes. “But it’s not like he’s a farmer or a rancher. Who needs that much land?”

“Perhaps he likes a lot of privacy.” It was odd to be having a conversation about someone when I didn’t even know who they were.

She huffed. “Well, he certainly doesn’t mind sticking his nose in other people’s business.” She shook her head. “He’s one of the worst gossips in town.” Her phone rang and she glanced at it. “Oh, I need to take this.”

I nodded and moved away down the street, heading toward my house. I seemed to be unusually distracted by other people’s business today. Was I becoming one of those lonely people who butted into other people’s lives simply because they didn’t have one of their own?

My gaze unwillingly went to the white house down the road where Maxwell lived. It had been a long time since I’d felt that flush of interest toward a man. But our new doctor did seem to entice me. Perhaps it was because my fortieth birthday was just around the corner. My father had died at the age of fifty. If I only had a decade left to live, did it matter that I was alone?

When I got home, I wrapped the earrings I’d purchased for Maria. Then I set them on the kitchen counter with a card where she’d be sure to see them when she came to clean on Monday.

I sat out on my back patio and stared at the blue sky, listening to the wind rustling through the leaves above my head. I had a nice life, but it was kind of a shame that I had no one to share it with. I’d toyed with the idea of getting a bird just so there would be some other living creature in my home. My thoughts went to the little puppy I’d observed earlier. He’d been smaller than the other puppies. Was he sick? Was that why he didn’t join in with the other playful dogs? I closed my eyes and then opened them again as an idea struck me.

I stood and left my house striding determinedly toward the pet store. I peeked in the window, and the black puppy I’d noticed earlier was still there, only now he was sleeping. I entered the store, and a young girl approached.