A Hero's Reward by Amy Morrel Read Free Book Online

I would worry about you because I'd feel it was my fault if you
ended up in a bad way when it could've been prevented by you using
one of the rooms in my house that I don't even use.”
    Margaret blushed and looked down so as
not to meet Greg's gaze.
    “Thank you. I'll tell you what
though. I'll take you up on the offer of a spare bedroom on one
condition. I can see that it's hurting you to move around. Let me
take care of you, at least some. I can cook, I can clean, I can fetch
stuff from upstairs if you're down here or downstairs if you're up
there. Is it a deal?”
    She looked back up to see if he agreed.
Greg was surprised to find himself eager to have the opportunity to
spend time in her company. He quickly answered:
    “Okay, but if you're going to put
conditions on it, so will I. You have to let me help you start
getting things back together. Things like the DMV trip, and we can
use my internet connection to get contact information for your credit
cards, bank, and things like that once you have your ID again. We've
got a week and a half before I need to be back at work, we can take
care of a lot in that time. Plus I'm supposed to be on very limited
activity and those are all things I can do to feel useful while I'm
supposed to be resting. Do we still have a deal?”
    “If you insist, I still don't
know why you want to help me out though.”
    “Maybe I just want to see what
you look like with a smile instead of a frown or no expression at
all? I'll have lots of opportunities to get you to smile if you're
staying here.”
    Margaret blushed and looked down once
more.
----

Chapter
6 – Recovery Plus Interest
    The power came back on early in the
afternoon. By then both Greg and Margaret were bundled up in sweaters
and coats even while in the house. The icy coating on the ground had
begun to thaw around ten AM. The streets and sidewalks were mostly
clear by noon but there were still patches of ice in areas that the
sun didn't get to.
    They had mostly kept busy by making a
list of what they would need to take care of for Margaret. The very
first thing was to replace her ID, then they needed to contact the
bank and get her a new debit card, call her credit card companies and
get those replaced, get her a new phone and replacement SIM card from
her provider, the list went on and on. Greg made a mental note to
take her to a department store and buy her some replacement clothes
as well. She was sure to protest but he could be stubborn as well,
his ex-wife had honed his abilities with being stubborn beyond all
belief.
    They had a light lunch, sandwiches and
chips with water to drink. When the power finally came back on Greg
immediately got up.
    “I'm tired of the instant coffee
we've been having, let me treat you to some good stuff. One of my few
luxuries I allow myself is some high quality coffee, and my coffee
maker even grinds the beans fresh.”
    “Greg, please, you don't have to
treat me to anything. You're already doing more for me than I'm
comfortable with.”
    “Well, first off I'd make the
coffee for just myself, if I have someone to share it with then
that's all the better. Second off, why are you uncomfortable with me
helping you out?”
    “I don't know you well Greg, I'm
afraid of how you might ask to be repaid. I'm sorry to admit that but
I believe in being honest with people.”
    “I won't ask for any repayment, I
promise. I believe in honesty being the best policy also. What
exactly are you afraid of me asking for?”
    Margaret blushed a very, very deep red.
    “I noticed that when I woke up
you appeared more than platonically interested in me. I'm sorry, I
never know what to say when trying to talk about such things.”
    “Oh that. I apologize. I was
trying to check your core body temperature and had my hand on your
stomach. I was drawing it back after I found that you had warmed up
when you moved. You curled up into a ball and the movement drew your
breasts across my arm and hand. I reacted to that.
    I