An unwelcome chill snaked up her spine. “If you’ll wait right there, Mr. West, I’ll get Doc so he can find out what’s ailing you.”
“No need to do that. I already know what’s ailing me.” He pushed off the doorjamb and stalked toward her.
Dinah retreated, putting the exam table between them. “I’m not actually comfortable with you—”
He slammed his hands on the table, cutting off her response and causing her to jump. “You know what I’m not comfortable with? Know what’s ailing me and makin’ me sick? The rumor I heard that you’re lettin’ that weaselly bastard Silas McKay court you.”
She didn’t respond.
“Tell me it ain’t true,” he demanded.
She swallowed hard and said, “It is true.”
“Goddammit!” he roared and swept the pan of instruments off the table, sending them flying across the room.
Please, Doc, please have heard that noise and come out here to check on things.
“I asked you last fall if I could come callin’ and you said you were still settlin’ in. I visited before Christmas and you—”
“Said no. Just like I said no the last time you asked me. In fact, every time you’ve asked me, Mr. West, I’ve been clear that I am not interested in you.” Her voice shook, but at least she’d said her piece.
“You say no to me when I make ten times more money than that shit-kicker McKay? When I can provide you with the best of everything Sundance has to offer as I court you?”
“It’s not about money. It’s never been about money, which for some reason you cannot comprehend.” Now she was getting mad. How dare he come in here and demand explanations from her that she’d already given him? “So let me repeat what I’ve said the three other times you’ve come sniffing around. I want nothing to do with railroad men. Ever. I will never change my mind on that stance, so you are wasting your time.”
Those mean eyes of his darkened further and he bared his teeth. “McKay oughta be out of the runnin’ too, because he used to work for the railroad.”
She didn’t let on that Silas hadn’t shared that tidbit with her. “But he doesn’t work for the railroad now, does he?”
“Because he got fired.”
“For what?”
“Fightin’. And he hasn’t learned his lesson because he still—”
“You jumped him last Friday night! Deputy McKay brought him here afterward, so I saw the damage you’d inflicted before you were forcibly stopped from inflicting more. That wasn’t the first time I’ve seen Silas injured by your hands. The only lesson here is that you’ve built a grudge against him and I’d be a fool to let you—a man with such violent tendencies—court me.”
Zeke emitted a laugh that sent the hairs on the back of her neck standing straight up. “That’s all it would’ve taken? If I’da let McKay pound the snot outta me and then stumbled in here bloody and pathetic, you would have been sweet on me instead?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. “You’d still be a railroad man and I still wouldn’t be interested.”
“What is it about him that gets you so fired up?” He leaned across the table as if settling in to hear her confession. “Because he’s a known liar and a cheat. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to hear he had a couple of women on a string—the man did like his whores when the railroad crew stayed overnight in Gillette. How is it you believe him when he’s actin’ the part of a gentleman cowboy, sweet-talkin’ you for the sole reason to get you to spread your legs for him?”
Do not give him the satisfaction of a response.
“It’s pathetic he’s so proud of that piece of dirt he owns. Bet he’s never even taken you there since it’s damn humble and he knows no woman worth her salt would ever live there.”
She raised her chin. “I’ve been there. Beings that Silas and I are betrothed.”
His body went deadly still. Zeke’s gaze zeroed in on her left hand. “If he’s so proud about makin’ you his wife, then why ain’t you wearin’ his ring?”
“Because—”
“He’s too broke to buy you one.”
His snicker cut at her since Silas had gotten defensive over her questioning whether it’d been too much for him to buy her a pie plate, to say nothing of a ring.
“Or maybe he’s convinced that buyin’ another piece of dirt for himself and your ‘future’ together is worth more than you wearin’ sparkling stone.” He snickered again. “Can’t run cattle on a diamond.”