Unexpected Inheritance

10

Miranda stayed gone for a month.

Everyone in town knew what had happened at the general store, and no one questioned her absence.

Even once the men were caught and were sentenced. No one heard from Miranda.

Her patients understood. The town understood.

But Ben didn't.

He hated it.

The first week, he was restless. Kept busy around the store, around the house, in the woods. Anything to keep his mind off the fact that she was gone. That she had left without a word.

The second week, he was angry. At the robbers, at himself for not being there, at the whole damn world. He nearly put his fist through a wall after hearing some idiot at the bar say he understood why Miranda left.

By the third week, he was just...tired.

Meanwhile, Miranda was back in Baltimore with her father and Tuck.

Her father hadn't pried too much, but he didn't have to. He saw the tension in her shoulders, the way she hovered over Tuck like she was waiting for something else to go wrong.

"Maybe you should talk to someone," he suggested one evening over dinner.

"I'm fine," she said, cutting into her food with precision.

Her father set his fork down. "Mandy."

She sighed. "I just needed some time, okay? To breathe."

"You can breathe and talk to someone,"

"Perhaps you're right,"

"I love you and I would keep you here forever just so I could know you're safe but your place is there. In that town. Now you may be terrified to return but you belong there baby girl."

"Okay dad" She nodded " I get it"

"I love you Mandy"

"I love you too Dad"

Miranda finally returned to town.

Her return was quiet at first. No big announcements, no word spread through the usual town gossip. She just... reappeared. She was seen walking down the streets with a determined yet guarded expression. She even returned to the general store a few times, where she would chat briefly with Rosalind or other locals, but always kept her distance from the crowds. Slowly, word began to spread that the town doctor was back.

Ben noticed, of course.

He was at the cabin, working on some project when he saw her walking up the driveway one morning. He paused, watching her, wondering if she'd notice him if he came closer, but she didn't. He stood still, heart heavy, knowing she needed space.

He even knew she'd started having a therapist come to the house. Saw the woman with his own eyes a few times.

The first time he saw Miranda up close was by accident. He had gone into town to grab some supplies. As he was returning there she was, coming out of the house behind her therapist.

She spotted him, too. Their eyes met for a second.

Ben hesitated. He wanted to go up to her, ask her how she was, if she was sleeping okay, if she was planning on staying this time.

But she didn't make a move toward him.

So, he kept his distance.

One afternoon, as Ben was out on his porch, Tuck showed up at the cabin.

Ben looked up from where he was sharpening a knife, surprised to see him. He set the knife down and leaned forward on his knees. "Didn't expect to see you here" he said.