“That still doesn’t answer me.”
Jasper looked toward the window.
“I’ve watched Copper Falls lose three medical men in six years.”
Ellie waited.
“One drank himself useless.”
She knew.
“One left because mining paid better.”
She knew that too.
“The third comes when it’s convenient.”
Doctor Morrison.
Ellie crossed her arms.
Jasper continued.
“They had you.”
He looked at her.
“And they treated you like they were doing you a favor by allowing you to work.”
Ellie’s throat tightened.
Jasper pointed toward the deed.
“The lease is up next month.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re evicting them?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I transferred the property.”
“To me.”
“Yes.”
“Without asking.”
Jasper grimaced.
“Yes.”
Ellie stared.
He had been so careful about everything.
Touch.
Distance.
Choice.
And yet here was an enormous decision made for her.
Anger rose.
“You should have asked.”
“I know.”
“You don’t fix someone’s life behind her back.”
“I know.”
“You don’t decide what she needs because you think you know better.”
“I know.”
His agreement made her angrier.
“Stop saying you know!”
“All right.”
Ellie paced.
Jasper remained still.
Finally she turned.
“Why did you sign it before asking?”
His answer came quietly.
“Because I was afraid you’d think I was offering it to keep you here.”
She laughed once.
“And signing it secretly improves that?”
“No.”
He looked miserable.
“I realized that after.”
Ellie rubbed her forehead.
Jasper continued.
“The deed doesn’t require you to stay.”
She looked up.
“What?”
“You can sell it.”
“You expect me to sell the clinic?”
“You can lease it back.”
“Jasper.”
“You can tear it down.”
She stared.
“You can give it away.”
“Stop.”
He stopped.
Ellie looked at the transfer.
“Why me?”
His answer was immediate.
“Because it should belong to the person who earned the right to decide what happens inside it.”
Ellie’s anger weakened.
Only slightly.
Jasper continued.
“I heard what Mercer said about you long before Samuel came for help.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“How?”
“I was in town.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
“The day his son was hurt?”
“Yes.”
Ellie tried to remember.
So many people had crowded the boarding house.
“Did you see me?”
“Yes.”
“You never spoke.”
“You were busy.”
“What did you see?”
Jasper took a long breath.
“A woman kneeling in blood while ten men told her what she couldn’t do.”
Ellie became still.
“You didn’t look at any of them.”
He smiled faintly.
“You saved the boy.”
“That is my job.”
“Exactly.”
His eyes hardened.
“And they still spent the next three months arguing whether your body made you qualified.”
Ellie looked away.
Jasper’s voice softened.
“I had already decided not to renew their lease.”
She looked back.
“Before the bear?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“They planned to turn half the clinic into Mercer’s private office.”
Ellie stared.
“They what?”
Jasper nodded.
“Town council minutes.”
“They were cutting treatment space?”
“Yes.”
“In winter?”
“Yes.”
“For the sheriff?”
“Yes.”