The Physician’s Barbarian (Not-So-Savage Barbarians #5)

Chapter 1

One

AMbrOSE

“ E levate and rest. You should be fine within a week.”

That was a lie. Frank would be back by the end of the week because he refused to take enough time off to truly rest and get well.

Any time he was injured, it took twice as long to heal because he wouldn’t stay off the injury.

Sometimes it felt like I was just talking to the wall when I gave my recommendations.

It made me wonder why anyone bothered to come see me if they were just going to ignore me.

The bell over the door of my clinic rang, alerting me that someone new had arrived.

I helped Frank to his feet, handing him his cane.

A necessity after he ignored my orders during his last injury.

I wasn’t holding my breath that he’d learned his lesson.

I led the way out of the back room, holding the door open for him on his way out.

He didn’t thank me or say goodbye. The most I got was a grumble when I reminded him to rest. I’d long since accepted being under appreciated in this town.

I’d leave if I didn’t have family obligations keeping me here.

Speaking of which, I turned to face my sister as she bustled around the reception area.

The clinic was small, just the receiving area and the two treatment rooms in the back.

Evelyn stopped by at least twice a week to help me keep up with the chores because my sister was the one person I could count on.

I smiled softly at her, stopping her long enough to plant a kiss on the top of her head.

“Thank you.”

“As always, you’re welcome,” she replied cheekily. “How’d it go with Frank? Do you think he’ll listen to you this time?”

I gave her a flat look. “What do you think?”

Snickering, she shook her head. “That man will never learn.”

Grunting in acknowledgment, I headed for the back. I would likely need more salve when Frank eventually came back. It was better to get ahead of it in case I got busy.

“Ambrose…”

Something in Evelyn’s voice made me stop in my tracks. Glancing over my shoulder, I frowned at her.

“What is it?”

She twisted her fingers, chewing on her bottom lip. It was strange behavior for her. My sister had never been shy or soft-spoken. Especially with me. If she was that anxious, something had to be wrong.

Turning to give her my full attention, I prompted her again. “Evelyn?”

Sucking in a breath, she locked eyes with me. “I’ve met someone.”

My brows snapped together. She’d never mentioned a man before now. Granted, I could be a tad overprotective, but still.

“And who, pray tell, did you meet?”

I was suspicious. Father had made mentions of men he wanted to offer my sister to in the past. I’d held him off for the time being, but I didn’t live at home anymore.

He could’ve been campaigning behind my back.

I wasn’t going to let him sucker my twenty year old little sister into a marriage with a craggy old man just because our father wanted to keep his standing in the community a little while longer. Evelyn deserved better.

“Do you know Beau? The baker’s boy?”

Relief flooded me. Beau Fletcher was a soft-hearted man. He’d treat Evelyn like a queen if they got together. It explained why she was so nervous, though.

“You mean the man who I play cards with once a week? We were in school together? That Beau?” I teased.

The man was a friend of mine. A little older than Evelyn, but not by as much as the men our father had been mentioning.

I saw him as a brother and would in no way complain if he joined our family.

I couldn’t help letting her squirm a little, though.

Usually I was the one getting teased. I didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to get back at her.

Her cheeks turned bright pink in embarrassment, and she dropped her gaze again, rubbing one arm awkwardly. “Yes, well… I’ve been doing the shopping since Mother got sick, and we got to talking… He’s a really nice man. But he said he wouldn’t think of courting unless he talked to you first.”

My respect for the man grew. Few would go to such lengths to maintain a friendship. Not when love was involved.

“I was hoping if I talked to you first, I could convince you to go easy on him? I like him a lot, Ambrose. And I know if we married, it wouldn’t be a cushy life, but?—”

I cut off her rambling by putting my hand on her shoulder, waiting for her to look up at me. “Hey… You know I don’t care about stuff like that.”

It didn’t matter to me who Evelyn chose as long as she was happy. If she ever needed help with money, she only had to ask. Her happiness was more important.

“So… you’ll accept his request to court me?” she asked, her eyes searching mine with barely banked hope. I hesitated for a moment, dragging it out, but eventually, I smiled and nodded.

“Of course I will. Beau is a good man, and if he comes to me himself and professes his intentions, I’ll be happy to listen.”

Her whole body slumped in relief, and she sank into my arms, hugging me tightly. I hugged her back just as fiercely, kissing the top of her head again. It wasn’t always easy for me to see my little sister growing up, but I was glad she’d be well taken care of.

Giving me another squeeze, she pulled away with a bright smile. “Wait here.”

She darted out the door without a backward glance, leaving me standing there with my arms still raised for a hug.

A few seconds later, she came back, dragging Beau along with her.

He had to have been waiting outside to get here so fast. I fought off a grin, crossing my arms over my chest. It was easy to see who would be in charge in their relationship.

The bell tinkled as they came in, and Evelyn gave Beau a little push, whispering harshly under her breath to get him moving.

He looked a little anxious, almost dragging his feet.

I wasn’t helping any with my narrow-eyed look, but it was his turn to squirm.

He should’ve known I’d react this way if he let my sister approach me first. Chicken.

“Beau,” I grunted, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Hey, Ambrose,” he replied, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. “How’s business?”

I bit back the urge to laugh. He was stalling. “Booming,” I replied dryly. “Evelyn said you had something to talk to me about?”

He cleared his throat a few times, his eyes casting about a bit wildly. It wasn’t until Evelyn took his arm that he summoned the courage to say what he’d come here to say.

“I want to court your sister with the intention of marriage,” he said, glancing down at Evelyn with a look so full of love I’d be a fool to ignore it. He was smitten already, even before formally courting. The thought made me pause, and I studied them a little closer.

“You haven’t been seeing each other without a chaperone, have you?”

His eyes widened in surprise, and he whipped his head to face me so fast I worried he’d strain something. “No! We’ve only ever spoken at the bakery, and only with my parents present. I swear.”

That was a relief. I didn’t want to be the person to humiliate my sister by forcing her to have a fast wedding to maintain her honor.

And I would’ve had to duel Beau or something to that effect for besmirching her.

It probably wouldn’t have ended well for either of us.

While I’d been taught to hold a sword, I wouldn’t say I was good at it.

I didn’t like violence on principle. I was the one who had to fix the idiots who started poking holes in each other.

“Then I see nothing wrong with your request.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and he brightened considerably. “Really?”

Chuckling, I clapped his shoulder. “Honestly, I was dreading the day Evelyn started courting. If I had to pick anyone to care for my sister, it would be you. I look forward to your wedding day.”

His face turned bright red, but the joy and relief were clear, and he grabbed me in a tight hug when I offered to shake his hand.

I chuckled, patting his back. Evelyn looked close to tears with her excitement, and both looked ready to run to the courthouse that instant.

I doubted it would take long for them to make things official.

There was just one obstacle in their way.

“Have you spoken to Father yet?”

Evelyn sobered, her expression tremulous. “No… I wanted you on my side first. I don’t think it will go well…”

Neither did I. But as Father’s only heir, I had a chance at getting him to listen. Hopefully, I could get through to him. He’d gotten everything he wanted from me with a good match and a son to carry on our name. Surely he’d be more lenient with Evelyn.

The conversation with Father went about as poorly as we’d all expected.

He lost his ever-loving mind and threw Beau out of his house before they could even have a full conversation.

Evelyn had to be taken away by one of the house staff because she was inconsolable, leaving only me and my father in the parlor.

“A baker,” he scoffed, glaring into the hearth as he tipped back a glass of scotch.

“Beau is a good man, Father. He would treat her well,” I argued.

He shot me a dirty look. “It isn’t an advantageous match, Ambrose. She can do better. And she will. I’ve spoken with several suitors in the past few weeks. She has much better options than the baker’s boy.”

I scowled. I knew exactly what suitors he was talking about. No way was I going to allow that. All his ‘matches’ were old men with titles but nothing else to offer my sister. She deserved to be happy.

“Father, if you’d just?—”

“No. I will hear no more of it,” he cut me off. “Starting tomorrow, we will have suitors coming to the house. Do me a favor and keep an eye on your sister. I don’t want her embarrassing our family blubbering the whole time. A baker,” he scoffed again.

I glared at his back as he stomped away. I’d keep an eye on my sister alright. And I’d do everything in my power to make sure she ended up happy. Even if I had to pick up a sword to do it.