Free Small Town Doctor by Marissa Dobson

heavy country twang, cut in. “She was as much of a victim as your brother.”
    “ Victim? ” Doris swung her body around to face the bartender, her fists balled as if she was ready to fight anyone who disagreed with her. “She brought him here.”
    She had to give Daniel credit that he didn’t back down to the woman’s rage.
    “That might be the case, but that doesn’t mean she’s responsible any more than you’re responsible for your brother’s actions. Those two men had a disagreement they decided to settle with their fists. The few who were here that night tried to break it up and two of them nearly died.”
    Ella took a deep breath. “Doris…” When the woman turned to her, hatred in her eyes, she paused, trying to find the courage to continue. “You’re right…I brought him to Clearwater. But I didn’t know he’d do anything like that. I’d have never brought him here if I thought he was capable of murder.”
    Daniel gestured to Ella. “She was unconscious on the bar floor when the fight started,” he reasoned. “You remember that, don’t you? Damn it, Doris, you were the one who applied ice to her head.”
    “The man who attacked your brother was not the man I thought I knew,” Ella said, her voice soft. “I’m sorry for what happened and—”
    “Don’t you think she feels guilty enough?” Jordan said boldly. “She’s been in hiding since that happened, letting the guilt eat at her. The first time she comes back into town, you rush at her like you’ve got something to settle with her.”
    “What do you know about it, Jordan? You were still off servicing your country when this happened. You weren’t here, either, Doctor…and you seem very willing to protect her. Do you have something to gain from it?” Doris countered.
    “You’re right,” Jordan began, “I wasn’t here, but I’ve heard enough about what happened—”
    James cut him off. “I’ve gotten to know her, and like Jordan I know what happened. I’m not willing to let you make a stupid mistake because you’ve had a few drinks. I suggest you go back inside.” He nodded toward the bar.
    “He’s right, Doris, come on.” Daniel laid his hand on her arm.
    “Doris, I met your brother a few times when I was in town, he was a good man,” Ella said. “I’m very sorry for your loss. It’s a tragedy what happened that night, one I’ll never forget.” She didn’t say what she was thinking, that it was a tragedy she’d finally come to realize wasn’t her fault. She couldn’t have controlled Josh’s actions any more than she could control the weather.
    She might never be able to forget what happened, but she’d begun to put it behind her. It was time to move on with her life, and maybe love again. James had shown her there was so much she was missing. For her and her daughter’s sakes, she was reclaiming her life with both hands—and this time, she wouldn’t back down.

Chapter Eight
     
    James wasn’t sure when he had made the decision, but somehow after dropping off Gioven’s truck at Winterbloom, he’d decided to swing past his house before going back to Ella’s cabin. They needed to give Abbi dinner so she could have her pill, and he didn’t want their time together to end. While Abbi dozed on his sofa, he had Ella to himself.
    He came up behind her as she stood by the window and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m proud of how you handled things with Gioven and then Doris.”
    “She lost her brother because of a decision I made.”
    “No.” He kept his arm around her but turned her slightly so she was in front of him. “Her brother is dead because of a decision he and Josh made. They chose to take the fight outside and then Josh, not you, chose to commit murder instead of stepping away from the fight when it was clear he had won. None of that is your fault.”
    “Somewhere in my thoughts I know you’re right, but there’s that nagging guilt reminding me I brought him to Clearwater.