He gave her a sharp look as they stepped into the bakery. She ordered some of Mel’s favorite cupcakes to be delivered to the gym where Mel worked later.
“They deliver cupcakes?” he asked in surprise after she ordered.
“For locals they do,” she replied as she pulled out some cash from her wallet. The elderly lady ahead of her was fumbling with her debit card.
“Oh, darn,” she said, nearly in tears. “I had to change the number last week and now I’ve forgotten it.”
“Here, let me get it, Mrs. Rogers,” she said, reaching past her to hand over some cash.
“Oh, I can’t let you do that, Jenna dear.”
“Of course, you can. You go to the bank and figure out a new pin, though, okay?
“Yes. Yes, thank you, dear.” The older woman squeezed her arm with her hand. “Are you okay after yesterday’s scare?”
“I’m fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises, nothing serious.”
“Good. Good. Terrible business when you’re just walking down the streets and some thug attacks you. I hope the sheriff comes down hard on him. Too many things have been happening around here lately.”
“I’m fine. Really. And I’m sure the sheriff has things under control.”
“Thank you again, dear.” The elderly woman gave Curt a look, eyeing him thoroughly. “You look like a strapping young man. I hope you’re taking care of our Jenna.”
“I can take care of myself, Mrs. Roberts,” she said firmly.
Curt gave the woman a nod, and she nodded back.
Jenna gave him a look as they left.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She shook her head. They continued to the post office before they headed to the clinic. It was the same wherever she went. There were questions about how she was. Comments on how terrible yesterday’s incident must have been for her. But most of the attention was centered on Curt. She’d expected it, although she was kind of annoyed everyone seemed to assume he was taking care of her. She was also irritated by how many women looked him up and down or smiled at him. It made her want to do something crazy like get him a T-shirt that said, “back off, bitches, he’s mine.”
It was official. She was losing her mind.
***
By the end of the day she had a pounding headache. If one more person asked who her friend was, she was going to scream. All she just wanted to do was go home, crawl into bed, and sleep.
“Going home now, dear?” Doc Harper asked as he poked his head into her office after the last patient.
“Yep.” She stood and gathered her stuff.
“Good. I hope you didn’t work too hard after what happened yesterday.”
“Not you too, Doc. I’ve been fielding questions all day.”
He smiled. “And questions about the young man who’s been sitting in the waiting room, carefully studying everyone who went into your office, I suspect. I have no doubt that if one of your patients even looked at you wrong he would have pounced like a panther.”
“I think your imagination is going into overdrive,” she said dryly as she moved towards the door. “I’m sorry if he intimidated anyone or made them feel uncomfortable. I told him it wasn’t necessary for him to sit out there all day, but he insisted.”
Doc waved his hand. “No, no, not at all. No doubt he’s feeling rather protective after yesterday’s occurrence. I would feel the same if it were my Bessy.”
She nodded, feeling uncomfortable she hadn’t told him the full truth. She was glad she’d never told anyone who her father was.
“Now, I got in contact with a locum who’s on stand-by in case you need to go home suddenly. He should be able to stay all week if you need to remain in Dallas that long.”
“Thanks, Doc. I hate to do this to you on such short notice.” She’d told him this morning she might need to return home for a few days. She couldn’t hide in Haven forever.