Outlaws - An American Youth - [Charles Smith x OC]

Chapter 49 - The new doctor

The days passed, punctuated by my daily visits to the ranch. Sadie's health was as strong as her character. She healed quickly and without any complications. I never stayed there more than I needed to. I cleaned the wound, changed the bandage, and gave Abigail a few instructions before leaving. I would always leave the place without a word or a glance for Charles. He wasn't talking to me either. Sometimes he came to me and waited for me to speak, to shout, to react to his presence. But I did no such things.

Once, he said my name. I stopped, looking at him intently, jaw clenched, waiting to see what he was about to say. He held my gaze but remained silent. He expected me to speak, so he could respond to my grudges. But that wouldn't work this time. It was up to him to tell me what was on his mind. I sighed at his silence and left.

----

One morning, as I opened my office, the mayor entered, looking jovial.

"I have good news Doctor Grey!

- Did you find me a secretary?

- Even better, a colleague!

- Another doctor? I didn't know you were looking for one.

- It was he who applied, so I jumped at the chance. He says he knows you, he's there, on the doorstep. Come in doctor!"

I turned to see the newcomer.

"Marc?!

- I wanted to surprise you!"

He hugged me, granting himself a physical closeness we had never experienced in Chicago. I was stunned at this contact. Why was he here? I realized then that I hadn't thought of him for a second since that famous night in Charles's arms.

"I left the cabinet in Flora's hands before I jumped on the first train. See, I'm listening to you, I went out of my comfort zone to go on an adventure. For now, I must say I'm delighted."

It was true that I had advised him to leave the city that served as his cocoon since birth. If there was something I liked about him, it was his ability to listen to me and take my advice into account. Quite the opposite of Charles, in short.

I was angry with Flora for not telling me. She surely hoped that this surprise would make me happy, and that I would return with Marc to Chicago, a ring on my finger. How to blame her. After all, I hadn't written to her in weeks. Perhaps it was my silence that had prompted him to cross the United States to meet me.

The mayor took him on a tour of the city. During this time, I tried in vain to come to my senses. Finding myself alone in the study, I felt panic rise in me. This is something I hadn't expected. How was I going to fit him into my life in Blackwater? He didn't know anything about John and Abigail's existence. Or Charles'.

My breathing became more and more choppy, I walked to my cupboard filled with remedies to find something to calm my nerves. I didn't have time to swallow the tranquilizer that someone entered.

"Anna"

The voice made me shiver. Of course, that was the moment Charles had chosen to come talk to me, after the last days' silence.

"Can we talk?

- I... I'm sorry... This is really not a good time.

- I know you're angry but /

- Anna, the mayor is inviting us to dinner tonight, isn't that lovely? Oh, sorry, I'm interrupting you. I'm Dr Marc Lewis, are you here for a consultation, mister?

- Smith. Charles.

- Charles Smith? What a coincidence, wasn't that the name of your mentor you wrote to every week? The doctor?