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Uncle Grover nodded absently. “Thank you, my dear.”
With a breezy smile for the still-glaring Mr. Cooper, she sailed out the door and closed it behind her.
She had to admit, she was pleased by the idea that Mr. Cooper would be under their roof a bit longer. It would give her an opportunity to get to know him better. Because she felt that the two of them were linked now in some intangible but very real way.
Partly because he’d saved her daughter’s life.
And partly because she felt that little tug of attraction whenever she was around him.
* * *
Nate swallowed down the unpleasant-tasting draught Dr. Pratt handed him without a word, but refused the man’s offer to help him change clothes. After the doctor made his exit, Nate frowned at the oversize nightshirt. This day had certainly taken an unexpected turn. It wasn’t a very auspicious milestone on the road to his fresh start.
Then again, it hadn’t been all bad. Getting to know Mrs. Leggett better certainly hadn’t been an unpleasant experience. Of course, she seemed to think of him as either a patient or hero, neither of which sat well with him.
Best not to think on how he wanted her to think of him, though. With a huff of frustration, he snatched up the nightshirt.
Nate had barely finished changing when he heard a light tap on the door. Had the doctor forgotten something? But when he bade the person enter, it turned out to be Dr. Pratt’s niece, rather than the doctor himself.
Verity entered the room and gave him an approving smile. Then she moved purposefully across the room. “Now let me get you settled into the clinic’s guest room.”
“Guest room, is it? I feel as if I was coerced rather than invited to stay there.” He watched her, admiring her efficient movements.
“Oh, come now, it’s not such a hardship to stay with us here, is it?”
How did he answer that? “I know you’re doing what you think best.” He offered her a half grin. “And guest room does sound friendlier than infirmary.”
His answer seemed to satisfy her, but she dropped the subject. Instead she waved a hand toward a door across from the one through which she’d entered. “Our clinic guest room has comfortable beds for long-term patients. Fortunately, it’s not in use right now so you’ll have it all to yourself.” She pulled a wheeled chair out from a corner of the room and pushed it over to him.
Ah, well, he supposed a conveyance that allowed him to sit up was preferable to that stretcher again.
She stood beside the examination table, obviously prepared to assist him.
“Where’s your uncle?”
“He was called out to tend to another patient. Don’t worry, I can get you situated.” She moved closer to the examination table. “Just place a hand on my shoulder for support.”
He didn’t much relish the idea of treating her like a support post, but it didn’t look as if he had much choice. “Thank you.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, finding it both firm and soft at the same time. And then he caught the faint scent of honeysuckle again—it was all he could do not to inhale deeply.
Perhaps accepting her help wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
He carefully slipped from the table, using her shoulder for balance more than support, then slid into the chair.
As soon as she saw that he was settled in, she moved behind the chair and set it in motion. “Don’t worry, we’ll see that you’re made as comfortable as possible.”
“I don’t doubt that, but my shop—”
“Taken care of. I already asked Sheriff Gleason to have someone keep an eye on it so no one will be bothering it. If you’ll let me know where you keep your key, I can go by a little later and lock it up for you.”
The woman was nothing if not efficient. “But that doesn’t take care of my dog.”
“Oh, my.” He heard the dismay in her voice. “I hadn’t thought of that.” Then, as they crossed into the other room, “Of course we must see to your dog.” There was a short pause where he could almost feel the wheels turning in her mind. “I suppose I’ll just have to bring him here until you’re well enough to go home.”
From the way she said that, he could tell she wasn’t particularly happy about it. Did she blame Beans for the accident? “Perhaps I should just go home after all.”
“Nonsense. Joy has been after me for ages to get her a pet. You wouldn’t want to deny her this taste of what it would be like, would you?”
Before he could respond, she moved on. “I don’t imagine you could do much work for the next day or two, anyway. And for that I’m truly sorry. It’s a poor reward for your valiant rescue.”
He wished she’d quit bringing up terms like rescue and hero. She was right about his condition, though. He certainly didn’t want to put out shoddy work by doing things one-handed. Nevertheless, it was frustrating to have to shut down his shop right now.
But he was suddenly feeling lethargic. Was it a delayed effect of his injuries? “Perhaps, just for today then. As to your question about the key, I keep it next to the till during the day.”
Mrs. Leggett parked the chair next to one of two comfortable-looking beds. She turned down the coverlet, then straightened and faced him again. “Now let me help you into bed.”
He nodded. While he was certain he could accomplish the task on his own, he found himself not quite so reluctant to accept her help this time.
She placed a hand around his waist as he stood, then helped him ease over to the bed. Once he’d swung his legs into the bed, she fussily arranged the light coverlet over him.
“There now.” She stepped back. “That draught Uncle Grover gave you should help ease your pain and also help you to sleep, which is the best thing for you right now. We’ll talk again when you wake up.”
A sleeping draught? No wonder his lids were feeling heavy.
She pointed to a cord that hung in easy reach of the bed. “If you need anything, pull that cord. It’ll ring a bell in the house and one of us will be right in to see what you need.”
He tried to watch as she bustled about the room, but his eyelids were getting heavier. She pulled the curtains closed, cocooning the room in shadow. He lost sight of her for a moment, then suddenly she was there bending over him. “One last question. I’m afraid your trousers and shirt are in a sorry state. Would you like me to get you a fresh change of clothes when I fetch your dog?”
Were they really talking about his clothing now? “I suppose. They’re in the wardrobe in my bedchamber.”
She smoothed the covers over his chest one more time, and the gesture brought him back to a time when his family had been intact and his world had been pleasant and uncomplicated.
“Sleep now,” she said softly. “We’ll talk again when you wake up.”
So he did.
* * *
Verity softly closed the door behind her. Mr. Cooper was a true hero in her book—literally a godsend to her and Joy. She was only sorry he’d paid such a steep price for his quick action and bravery. If only there was something she could do to make certain his business didn’t suffer for his absence.
She headed for the kitchen, where she found Joy and Aunt Betty preparing lunch. Verity still felt the need to reassure herself that her baby was okay.
Aunt Betty looked up. “How’s our patient doing?”
“He’s settled in the infirmary.” Verity moved to stand behind Joy’s chair and placed a hand lightly on the girl’s shoulder. “Hopefully he’ll sleep for a few hours.”
Her aunt nodded. “Poor man. Sleep’s the best thing for him.”
“Before he fell asleep, he reminded me that he has a dog.” Joy’s head went up at the mention of the animal. “I assured him I’d see to it while he’s laid up.” She gave her aunt a diffident look. “I can check on it several times during the day, of course. But I was wondering what you would think about my bringing the animal here instead. I know Uncle Grover doesn’t like house pets, but it’s a small dog, so it shouldn’t be much trouble.”
Her aunt hesitated for just a moment, then spoke. “Of course you should bring it here. I’m sure your uncle will agree, it’s the least we can do for the man who saved our little Joy.”
“Thank you.” Relieved, Verity rushed to reassure her aunt. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure the animal doesn’t get in your or Uncle Grover’s way.”
Aunt Betty gave her a gently chiding look. “Verity dear, this is your and Joy’s home now, too. You must learn to treat it as such.”
Only it wasn’t, not really. Verity felt that longing again to have a house of her very own. If only she could open a millinery shop with some assurance it wouldn’t fail.
Joy, who was practically squirming in her seat, looked up. “Are you really going to get Beans?”
Verity smiled at the hopeful expression on her daughter’s face. “I am. Would you like to come with me?”
Joy immediately slid from her chair. “Yes, ma’am.”
As she and Joy headed out a few minutes later, Verity found herself moving with a bounce in her step. She tried to tell herself that it was just an eagerness to get this errand taken care of, but she knew better. Was it wrong of her to be so intrigued by the idea of getting a peek at Mr. Cooper’s lodgings?
Then she pulled her shoulders back. Of course not. It was nothing more than a natural urge to learn more about the man who’d saved her daughter’s life.
Or at least that’s what she told herself.
Chapter Five (#ulink_ed41383f-04d9-5c05-a742-7cf7de93477d)
Obviously excited by the idea of seeing Beans again, Joy chattered all the way to Mr. Cooper’s place. Fortunately, most of her comments were directed to her doll, Lulu, and didn’t require a response from Verity. She kept firm hold of her daughter’s hand the whole time, but her mind kept drifting to thoughts of what Mr. Cooper’s place might look like and if it would provide new insights into the man himself.
When they arrived, Verity spotted Calvin Hendricks seated on the bench that sat between the apothecary and the saddle shop. Calvin was a local youth who was fast approaching adulthood. Apparently he’d been the one tapped by Sheriff Gleason to keep an eye on Mr. Cooper’s shop.
“Hi there, Miz Leggett.” Calvin stood, then turned to her daughter. “And hello, Joy. I sure am glad to see you walking around and looking good as new.”
“Mr. Cooper saved me,” Joy said, as if it was momentous news. Which, as far as Verity was concerned, it was.
“That he did. And it was right heroic of him, too.” Calvin turned back to Verity. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s got some painful bruises, a gash on his arm and a sprained ankle, but thankfully nothing that won’t heal. Uncle Grover stitched him up and he’s resting at the clinic.” She waved toward the saddle shop. “I’m here to fetch his dog and a change of clothes, and to get his key so we can lock the place up.”
Calvin nodded. “Anything I can help with?”
“Thank you, but no. It shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be right out here.” And the youth sat back down on the bench, as if to demonstrate he wasn’t going anywhere.
Verity opened the shop door and stepped inside. She and Joy were immediately greeted by a yipping ball of excited dog. Joy stooped down to greet the animal and quickly had her face washed in doggie kisses.
Verity carefully closed the door behind them, unwilling to risk Beans running out and Joy following him in a repeat of the earlier mishap.
Deciding to tackle the matter of clothing first, she headed toward the stairs at the back of the shop. She slowly crossed the room, studying her surroundings with keen interest. The place had a definite masculine feel—all leather and wood and metal.
Harnesses and leather straps of various lengths and widths hung from pegs on the wall to her right. There was a worktable to her left. A selection of tools, most of which she didn’t recognize, were displayed there. They were neatly arranged and organized, though his system wasn’t immediately obvious. She imagined him working here, wearing the heavy canvas apron that hung on a peg behind the table, his head bent over his work, his strong, callused hands wielding those strange tools, his arresting blue eyes focused on his work.
The smell of leather hung heavy in the room, so strong she could almost taste it. Under that scent, she could also detect the aroma of oil and just a faint tang of metal.
Only when she reached the bottom of the stairs did Verity realize her daughter hadn’t followed her. Appalled by her lack of attention so soon after Joy’s accident, she spun around. “Come along,” she said, holding out her hand. “We need to fetch something from Mr. Cooper’s room upstairs.”
Joy’s lower lip pushed out in something suspiciously like a pout. “But I want to stay down here and play with Beans.”
“Beans can come with us.”
Her daughter’s expression cleared. “Okay.” She stood and waved to the dog. “Come on, Beans.”
The dog obediently trotted at her heels, then bounded up the stairs with her.
The staircase led up to a landing that had an open sitting room straight ahead and a kitchen to the right. The rooms were stark, with only a bare minimum of furniture. Perhaps Mr. Cooper just hadn’t had the time, or the funds, to do much more. But surely he would have brought some personal possessions with him, from his former home.
There was a door off to her left that she assumed led to his bedchamber. “Joy, you and Beans can play right over there. I won’t be but a minute.”
She marched to the door, then hesitated before opening it. It suddenly seemed invasive to enter his private space, even if she did have his permission. Which was silly. She was only going to fetch him a change of clothing and then leave. And she did have his permission to be here, after all.
Verity opened the door and stepped inside. A quick glance around showed a neatly made bed, a wooden chair and a small bedside table. On the opposite wall was a trunk and the wardrobe. Everything looked as if it had seen better days.
She noticed a picture on the bedside table, and her curiosity got the best of her. She went closer and discovered it was the image of a young woman. She was quite lovely, in a delicate, fragile sort of way. Her clothes were fine quality, her heart-shaped face very sweet and delicate. She had an ethereal quality to her and seemed to be everything Verity was not. Was this the kind of woman Mr. Cooper admired?
Who was she? She was obviously someone who meant a great deal to him as it was the only picture, the only personal item really, in the room. A family member? A sweetheart? And where was she now?
Verity straightened abruptly and turned away. What was she doing? She had no right to snoop into Mr. Cooper’s personal life. He’d given her permission to take care of some necessities for him, not snoop into things that were none of her business. She marched to the wardrobe, grabbed a clean shirt and pair of trousers, then headed back out.
“Come along, Joy, time to go.”
As she descended the stairs she thought how different his clothing smelled from what Arthur’s had. Where her husband’s had smelled of antiseptic, soap and cigars, Mr. Cooper’s smelled of leather, of course, but also soap and something faintly woodsy.
She decided that she liked it.
* * *
Nate woke from his nap to see flowers floating in front of his eyes. What in the world—
Was he still dreaming?
“Do you like them?”
The flowers, which he now saw were in a glass jar, floated to the side and the little girl holding them finally came into view.
“Well, hello there, Joy. Does your mother know you’re in here?”
“I just wanted to give you these,” she said, not answering his question. She held the flowers out toward him a little more. “Do you like them?” she asked again.
“They’re lovely.”
Apparently this was the correct response, because her face split with a grin. “They’re for you. From me and Lulu.” She proudly held them out to him.
“Why, thank you. But who’s Lulu?”
