Chapter 14 The Matchmaking Medic
Jasper White slapped his thigh, finally realizing the mess he'd kicked up.
"Old Chase, you've got to bail me out!" Jasper White groaned, half-laughing, half-wincing. "I'd never dream of stealing a woman from Third Brother! Besides, Clara Bennett's like a scrawny little sprout—not my type at all! What's gotten into him, falling for someone like that..."
Chase Ye sipped his tea, a sly smile curling his lips.
Yeah, he'd never pictured the cold, ruthless third son of the Harrington family—usually immune to women—turning into Mason Reed here and getting so tangled up with a girl like Clara Bennett.
"Third Brother said he doesn't care about this marriage—just using it as a shell to hide in..." Jasper White muttered.
"You buy that?" Chase Ye shot him a glance. "Wait and see. I've got a feeling Clara Bennett's more than she seems. Hah—Third Brother might not even want to head back to Central City when this is done!"
After lunch, Mason Reed gave Clara Bennett a quick heads-up and stepped out.
Willow Creek was small. Before Clara came along, he'd often hike up the village's winding paths to the hills. It was quiet there, the air crisp—perfect for clearing his head.
Mason Reed needed those still moments to plot his next moves.
But today, peace wouldn't settle. Evelyn Bennett's venomous words from that phone call kept ringing in his ears.
He took a deep breath, aiming for the hilltop, when a voice shouted behind him. "Hey, Mason Reed!"
A young man waved, jogging up the trail from below.
Mason Reed paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
"I thought it was you down there! Man, you're fast—I had to hustle to catch up!"
"Oh, and your injuries—they're healed, right? Need me to grab you more meds?"
Mason Reed nodded, his tone flat. "Thanks. I'm good now. You really helped me out back then."
"We're brothers—no need for thanks!"
The man clapped Mason Reed on the shoulder, and they climbed toward the top together.
Truth was, Mason Reed owed him. His name was Shane Carter, a guy with some family clout—one of the few in Willow Creek who lived well.
Shane Carter was also the village's only college grad, straight out of med school.
The year he returned, he'd found Mason Reed holed up, nursing wounds. Shane was a warm soul—while the village pegged Mason as a gruff loner, Shane checked on him regularly, even bringing special salves.
That bond, forged in tough times, warmed Mason Reed's guarded heart.
But it later turned into a hassle.
Somehow, Shane Carter had dug up the old ties between the Reeds and the Bennetts, spreading word of their engagement far and wide.
Soon, all of Harrington was watching the Bennetts squirm.
If they ditched the deal over the Reeds' downfall, it'd be gossip fodder—proof they couldn't be trusted in business.
Stuck, the Bennetts had sent Clara Bennett to marry in Evelyn's place.
"Hey, I haven't asked—how's married life?" Shane Carter grinned, sizing him up. "You're looking good, man—getting along with the new wife, huh?"
"I mean, I'm the one who set you two up. When are you bringing her out for a hangout?"
Mason Reed's face darkened, his lips twisting into a stiff, awkward smile.
When he'd first come to this village to recover, he'd learned the real Mason Reed was gone and, by chance, looked close enough to pass for him. He'd taken the identity to lie low and regroup—a move tied to his roots as the third son of the Harrington family.
Marriage hadn't been part of the plan!
Shane Carter's enthusiasm could be a lot to handle...
"Oh, and I hear the Bennett heiress has a temper?" Shane Carter gave him a concerned look. "She's been spoiled rotten, so she's bound to have some princess vibes. Just let it slide, man—don't get into it with a woman!"
"Yeah, I know," Mason Reed said coolly.
This marriage might've thrown him off, but at least it wasn't the real Bennett heiress he'd ended up with.
If it'd been Evelyn Bennett, he might've throttled Shane Carter by now.
They hadn't seen each other in a while, and Shane Carter invited him over for drinks. Mason Reed was fishing for an excuse when a group of village grannies came rushing up the path.
"Hey, Mason Reed, there you are! Get home fast!"
"You'd better hurry, or your little wife's in deep!"
The older women of Willow Creek lived for gossip. "Hah, blame that gorgeous wife of yours—men take one look and lose their minds! And you're up here dawdling? Trouble's brewing if you don't get back soon!"
Mason Reed's expression shifted, and he raced down the trail toward home.