Matt glanced at Georgia from the corner of his eye. He knew what she was doing, but that didn’t mean it was any less effective. He was suddenly even more ashamed he’d dismissed their work as just helping little old ladies.

“I won’t ask how you know that we argued, but I am sorry. I was an idiot.”

Georgia whirled around, her eyes furious. “Damn straight you were. She could have been at home relaxing today, but she rearranged her schedule to accommodate you.”

“I want to apologize, but I’m sure she doesn’t want to see me.”

Georgia didn’t look entirely mollified, but at least she didn’t look like she was going to hit him anymore.

“Look, if you really want to apologize then come back tomorrow or Friday. I can’t rearrange the schedule for you again,” she said and cut him an evil look, “but you can slip in between appointments. Maybe if you beg, Penny will still help you. Can you come back tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s better if I just don’t come back. I’ve caused enough grief as it is.”

“Okay, I can’t force you into anything. I just hope you take some time and really think before you give up. Penny is your best shot at getting better.”

As she walked away, Matt started to follow. What she’d shown him just now was exactly what he needed. A chance at redemption. Hell, it was the reason he’d traveled this far.

But it would take more than a pretty apology to make up for his behavior. He winced. He’d been arrogant, condescending, and worst of all, dismissive of her profession. If he went back in there now, he’d probably just make things worse. Plus, he needed to be sure he was ready for such a drastic lifestyle change. If he convinced Penny to help him and then bailed later, she’d really hate him. Matt stopped and then turned the other way.

He’d screwed up enough for one day.

*   *   *   *   *

AFTER A FEW wrong turns, Matt pulled up in front of the small bungalow Elliott owned in the city of Springfield. It was small but well kept with bright blue shutters. The postage-stamp-sized lawn was perfectly manicured.

He parked the truck in the driveway and cut the engine. The street was quiet. Elliott had said it was a working-class neighborhood, so most people were gone during the day.

He reached across the seat and grabbed his duffel bag. As soon as he opened the door, icy wind brushed his cheeks. Elliott had disabled his security alarm remotely so Matt wouldn’t have to worry about disarming it. He shuffled the keys on his chain until he found the slightly square one Nick had given him the prior day. It slid into the lock easily, but when he tried to turn it, it wouldn’t move.

“Of course. Because I need something else to go wrong today.” He dropped his duffel bag and used both hands to apply pressure. It didn’t move. He took a deep breath and pulled out his cell phone. He dialed Eli’s number. He answered on the first ring, his deep baritone rumbling over the line.

“Hey, Eli. I’m sorry to bother you, but I just got to your house and the key isn’t working.”

“You have to pull the door tight against the frame and then jiggle the key a little. Nick must have forgotten to mention that part.”

“Yeah, he did. It’s no problem.”

Matt pulled the door toward him and then twisted the key. The lock turned easily. “That did it.”

He entered the house and set his duffel bag on the floor next to the door. The entryway was narrow and a little dark. He could see the kitchen straight ahead and a small living room to his right. There was a round table next to the door with a stack of mail sitting on it.

“Since my brother obviously wasn’t listening, I’ll tell you again to make yourself at home. I’m rarely there anymore, so you aren’t inconveniencing me at all by being there. My neighbor usually brings the mail in, but I’ll tell her not to bother while you’re there. I also have a cleaning service that comes every other week to keep it organized, so the sheets and towels should be clean. Feel free to use the master bedroom if you want. If it makes you uncomfortable, there are two guest bedrooms you can use.”

Why would it make him uncomfortable to use the master bedroom? Matt supposed some people might feel weird about sleeping in someone else’s bed but he was used to Army barracks. Anywhere with a mattress was bliss compared to some of the places he’d slept.

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” They hung up with him promising to bring Eli’s mail with him when he drove back the next day.

It wasn’t even four o’clock and he was contemplating going to bed. His shoulder was aching slightly and he was definitely stressed out after the day he’d had. Maybe he could order a pizza and watch some TV.

Briefly, he wondered what Penny was doing. She’d been completely different from what he’d expected. When he was a kid, she’d been a sweet, slightly overweight, quiet girl who’d spent most of her time with her nose in a book. He’d assumed she’d be easy to deal with.

You thought she’d be a total pushover.

He could admit it now that he was alone. He’d been expecting a kitten and he’d gotten a tigress. He grinned to himself, remembering the fire in her eyes as she’d faced him down. Not many people could have done that, but she’d held her own. He had a feeling if she ever took him on as a patient she wouldn’t give him the gentle but dispassionate encouragement he’d gotten at the hospital. No, she’d kick his ass into shape.