Catching Kent by Ruth Ann Nordin Read Free Book Online Page A

the
dime novel. “You have a wonderful sense of humor, Kent. I just know
we’re going to have a lot of fun together.”
    Lowering his hand, he glared at her.
“We aren’t going to have fun together because there is no
‘together’ like you’re saying. As soon as I’m well enough, I’m
getting on the first train out of here.”
    “ Then you’ll take me with
you?”
    “ No!”
    “ But you have to if you
marry me.”
    “ I’m not going to—” He
winced and pressed his hand against his ribs. “Never mind. I’m not
up for the fight.”
    “ Is there anything I can do
to help you feel better?” she asked, reaching out to touch his
arm.
    He shook her off of him and yelled
out, “Someone! Anyone! I need help!”
    Surprised, she stared at him. Why
didn’t he accept her offer of help?
    Footsteps hurrying up the stairs
alerted her that someone decided to answer him. Disappointed, she
rose to her feet and reached the door just in time for her mother
to arrive. Her mother glanced from her to Kent and sighed. “Rose,”
she began in a low voice, “I told you to leave him alone. He needs
time to heal.”
    “ I gave him some medicine.
He was in pain, Ma,” she replied. “I couldn’t let him sit there
clutching his sides like that, could I?” she gestured to Kent who
was taking deep breaths and holding his ribs.
    “ Clean up the
downstairs.”
    “ I did.”
    “ Then go help your pa clean
out the stalls.”
    She frowned. “But I’ll smell like the
barn.”
    “ That never bothered you
before,” her mother replied.
    “ Well, I know but…” She
glanced at Kent then returned her gaze to her mother. She couldn’t
get out of doing some kind of chore, and she might as well be with
the horses. It was better than being stuck in the kitchen.
“Alright. Mind if I slip into my pants first?”
    “ Of course not.”
    Resigned to leaving Kent for the
moment, she went to her bedroom to change clothes.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    A week later, Adam placed a crutch
against the bedroom wall and turned to Kent who managed to dress
himself, though it took longer than he preferred. Kent had to keep
reminding himself to be patient. He couldn’t expect to be like his
old self in such a short time.
    “ You sure you feel up to
going outside?” Adam asked.
    “ I have to,” Kent replied
as he finished buttoning the plaid red and white shirt. “Thanks for
letting me wear your clothes.”
    “ We’re lucky you fit
them.”
    He’d never worn denims or a plaid
shirt before but figured there was a first time for everything. He
slowly rose to his feet, holding the edge of the bed to maintain
his balance. Adam handed him the crutch, and he placed it under his
arm, mindful to take his weight off the injured leg. Joel said it
was healing nicely, and the last thing he wanted to do was delay
any progress. As long as he took things slow, he should be fine. He
looked at the open window and saw it was a nice, sunny day. How he
missed going outside!
    “ Do you need help?” Adam
asked as Kent took a step forward.
    He hesitated and tried another step.
“I think I can do it.”
    The sooner he could do these things
himself, the better off he’d be. Though the Larsons were a generous
family, he didn’t like relying on anyone for assistance. He would
pay them back for their hospitality as soon as he could get his
funds transferred to the bank in town. In the meantime, he would
bide his time and wait until he was well enough to
leave.
    Adam pushed the door further open,
allowing Kent sufficient room to enter the hallway. When Kent saw
the stairs, he paused. They were steeper than what he was used
to.
    “ I’ll hold the crutch,”
Adam said.
    Seeing no other recourse, he gave it
to him and put his arm around Adam’s shoulders so he could help him
down the stairs. Once they reached the bottom, Adam handed him the
crutch. Kent placed his hand on the rail, out of breath from the
simple trip. He didn’t know whether to be disappointed