Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1499

Lowell asked with a smile, "How old is Diana?" The doctor thought for a moment. "He should be twenty-two this year." "Oh, he's still young then. No rush," Lowell said. The doctor immediately shook her head. "Not young at all! Around here, boys his age are already fathers!" "...Well, then I guess it's just fate. By the way, that dirty guy up on the mountain, the one who attacks people on sight, is he the 'wild man' Diana looks after?" The doctor countered, "Does he listen to Diana?" "Yes." "Then that's him," the doctor said with certainty. "He's the only one like that around here. Don't mind how fierce and grubby he is now. He was a great person when he was young, and very handsome too." "Really? Do you have any photos of him from back then?" "I don't, but Diana's family does. His dad and the crazy guy grew up together, they have some old photos." Lowell nodded, smiling casually, and probed further. "...Did everyone from their generation leave the village to make a name for themselves?" "No, not many people left back then. In our whole village, the crazy guy was the only one who went out to see the world." Lowell fell silent. He was the only one who left. Logically, that meant it was very likely him. But... why did he look so different from the man in the photo? As they chatted, Diana returned with a young man to help. Lowell couldn't refuse Diana's gesture, so he went into the back room, lifted his shirt, and let the man clean the scrapes on his back. As he was leaving, the doctor advised, "Go rest at Diana's place for a bit before you head out. And remember to come back in a couple of days to get your dressing changed." "Okay, thank you, ma'am." After leaving the clinic, Diana felt he couldn't just kick Lowell out, so he led him back to his house to rest. On the way, Diana spoke up. "I apologize on Wyatt's behalf." He didn't think he was wrong for pushing Lowell off the horse—Lowell had been disrespectful first. But Wyatt pushing him down the hill was wrong. "Don't worry about it," Lowell said. "I heard from the doctor that he's... not all there." Diana nodded. "Everyone around here just calls him the crazy guy." Lowell took the opportunity to ask, "But I heard he was quite something when he was young. What happened to him?" Diana frowned slightly and gave a vague reply. "I don't really know." Lowell pressed on. "The doctor said he even went out to see the world when he was young. Did he ever travel abroad?" At this, Diana's frown deepened. He clearly disliked the topic, muttered that he didn't know, and fell silent. The driver was still waiting at the gate. When he saw Lowell was injured, he rushed over, full of concern. "Are you sure you don't need me to take you to the hospital in town?" Lowell smiled. "No need, the doctor looked at it. It's nothing serious. Sir, would you mind helping me bring my things in?" "Of course. You go on inside and rest. I'll bring the stuff in for you." "Thanks." Lowell followed Diana into the house. Diana's home wasn't large, but it was neat and tidy, clearly showing that he was a meticulous and clean person. "Have a seat. I'll go help you with your things." Diana, not realizing they were gifts, turned to go help bring them in. Lowell's eyes scanned the room and suddenly landed on an old photograph on the wall. His eyes shot wide open. "Diana!" Diana had just reached the door. "What's wrong?" Lowell pointed at a man in the photo. "Is he...?" Diana glanced at it. "My dad. He passed away many years ago." He said it calmly and turned to go outside. It took Lowell a few seconds to process what he'd heard. He whipped his head back toward the doorway. What did he just say?!