Back to the 70s Ditching the Doctor for Him

Logan halted, his eyes finding Mary first. “Mary, what’s happening?”

Mary clutched his arm, her voice honeyed and thin. “Cousin, I stepped outside and saw this person lurking by the door, acting all suspicious.”

“When I asked if she was here to steal our medicine again, she glared at me—so fiercely. Then Heihei just lunged and bit her. I couldn’t even call him off.”

Logan’s expression frosted over, his tone flat. “Then don’t bother calling him off.”

No sooner had he spoken than the black dog sank its teeth into Reese’s calf.

A sharp cry tore from her throat.

White-hot pain shot through her, electric and searing. Her vision swam, darkness crowding the edges.

The dog held on, shaking its head, trying to rip flesh from bone.

Gritting her teeth, Reese groped the ground until her fingers closed around a jagged stone. With every ounce of strength, she drove it into the dog’s eye.

A wet, sickening sound—blood sprayed.

The dog released its grip with a yelp.

“Heihei!” Mary shrieked, rushing forward, arms outstretched to gather her pet.

But the wounded animal, now enraged, whirled and lunged at her, clamping down on her forearm.

A scream ripped from Mary’s throat, nearly drowned out by Logan’s sharp cry of alarm.

All his earlier indifference vanished. He lunged forward, kicking the dog again and again.

Yet the beast only grew more frenzied, attacking both of them with renewed fury.

Just as Reese had done, Logan snatched up a rock and began smashing it down on the dog’s head.

Once, twice… He didn’t stop until the animal lay motionless in the dirt. Panting heavily, he finally dropped the stone.

Mary clutched her bleeding arm, sobbing. “Cousin, it hurts so much.”

Logan snapped back to himself, hastily scooping her up. “Don’t be scared. I’ll treat your wound first.”

Then he threw a vicious glare over his shoulder at Reese. “You just wait!”

Leaning heavily on her injured leg, Reese straightened, her eyes fixed on Logan. “You were the ones who let your dog attack me first. I only fought back to protect myself. Mary chose to run over and get bitten—how is that my fault?”

“Logan, what have I ever done to you? Why do you insist on humiliating me like this?”

Logan’s back stiffened for a split second, his steps faltering.

“You’re the one who keeps showing up around us. What else could you be after but trouble?”

“If you know what’s good for you, stay away!”

With that, he hurried inside and slammed the door.

Reese felt like she’d just heard the world’s worst joke.

But as the bitter laugh died in her throat, a familiar ache settled in her chest.

In this life, Logan wanted nothing to do with her.

And she wanted nothing to do with him, either.

She had already steeled her heart. No more expectations. No more waiting.

One last glance at the tightly shut door, and the final trace of emotion faded from her face, leaving it cool and detached.

She hired a farm truck to take her to the county clinic for the rabies vaccine.

Since it was growing late, she spent the night at a local guesthouse and didn’t return to town until the next morning.

The moment she stepped off the truck, town officials surrounded her.

“Reese, someone has reported you for killing their dog. Come with us to the Town Hall to give a statement.”

Hearing this, Reese knew immediately who had filed the complaint.

For a moment, she was speechless.

She never would have imagined that Logan, always so rational and composed, would indulge Mary’s madness to this extent.

**Town Hall.**

Mary was nestled against Logan’s chest, half her face buried in his shirt.

Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

The moment Reese walked in, Mary lifted her tear-streaked face and pointed a trembling finger. “It’s her! She killed my Heihei!”

Reese’s gaze went straight to Logan.

He merely glanced up briefly before looking away, refusing to meet her eyes.

His hand moved in slow, steady circles on the back of Mary’s head—a silent, comforting gesture.

The sight brought back a memory, sharp and unwelcome: another time, long ago, when mischievous children had thrown stones and split her forehead open. She had run to him then, burying her face in his chest, seeking comfort.

He had gently but firmly pushed her away. “I’ll go find some medicine for you.”

She had felt the sting of rejection then, but she’d eventually talked herself out of it, made excuses for him.

But seeing Logan now, seeing how he comforted Mary, Reese finally understood.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to soothe someone.

He just hadn’t wanted to soothe *her*.

The official presiding over the hearing rapped his knuckles on the desk. “Miss Reese, what do you have to say about this?”