The Magnificent Rogue (48 page)

“And it had taken you eighteen months to get that far.”

“I couldn’t believe it. Or maybe I couldn’t accept it. It was too ugly.”

“Life can be ugly. People can be ugly.”

But Jock wasn’t ugly, she thought as she gazed at him. He was perhaps the most beautiful human being she had ever seen. He was slender, in his early twenties with fair hair and features that were completely remarkable. There was nothing effeminate about him, he was totally masculine and yet that face was … beautiful. There was no other way to describe it.

“Why are you looking at me?” Jock asked.

“You wouldn’t want to know. It would offend that manly Scottish pride of yours.” She poured herself a cup of coffee. “I had a patient last night whose name was Elspeth. That’s Scottish too, isn’t it?”

He nodded. “And did she do well?”

“I think so. I hope so. She’s a sweet little girl.”

“And you’re a good woman.” He paused. “Who’s trying to avoid an argument by changing the subject.”

“I’m not arguing. This is my battle. I pulled you into it to help me, but I’m not going to let you run any risk or accept any guilt.”

“Guilt? Lord, if you’d thought it through, you’d
realize how silly that is. My soul must be as black as hell’s own cauldron by now.”

She shook her head. “No, Jock.” She bit her lower lip. Lord, she didn’t want to say this. “I appreciate all you’ve done but maybe it’s time you left me.”

“That’s not going to happen. We’ll talk later. Good day, Sophie.” Jock was heading for the door. “I promised to pick up Michael from his soccer game this afternoon, so you don’t have to bother if you’re tied up. Get to bed and try to sleep. You told me you had a one o’clock appointment.”

“Jock.”

He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “It’s too late to try to rid yourself of me. I can’t have you killed. I’m being entirely selfish. I have too few friends in this world. I seem to have lost the knack. It would hurt me to lose you.”

The door slammed behind him.

Dammit, she didn’t need this reaction from Jock. She should have kept her mouth shut about being seen. She knew how protective he could be. And she should have sent him away after he’d taught her what she needed to know. He’d said he was being selfish, but she was the one who’d been selfish. Having him here to keep an eye on Michael when she had to work late had been a blessing in itself. She’d felt terribly alone and Jock had been a comfort. But she had to force him to go now.

She’d find a way to protect Michael. Go to bed. Go to sleep. Then go back to the hospital, where she could keep herself busy doing what she’d been trained to do.

Help people, instead of planning to kill them.