Forever in My Heart by Jo Goodman Read Free Book Online Page B

and nodded. His hand brushed her cheek and she knew he must be getting a sense of her temperature. He did not miss the bruises on her neck either. He touched one of them lightly and said, "You've been treated roughly this evening."
     
She nodded, wondering how much Mrs. Hall had been able to tell him.
     
"Good thing I'm here then. We'll see what we can do about that.
     
You're warm. Out of the bath now."
     
She was happy to see that he stood and turned away. She got out of the tub quickly, dried off and put on the nightshift. When she came around the screen she noted he had removed his vest and tossed it next to his evening jacket. He was looking at her bare feet.
     
"You'd better get back in bed. Even on the rug, the floor's cold.
     
Do you want me to light a fire?"
     
She did, but she didn't want to put him to the trouble. He seemed to sense that because he laughed softly as she crawled back into bed and pulled the comforter around her shoulders.
     
"Just the same," he said. "I think I'll do it."
     
She watched him work silently and efficiently. When he was done his hands were gray with ash. He went to the porcelain basin and washed them.
     
"It wouldn't do to leave fingerprints, would it?"
     
Her smile was tentative. She appreciated his small attempt at humor to set her at ease.
     
"I think you could use a drink."
     
She felt her smile fading, her lips parting in surprise.
     
"Medicinal purposes only."
     
She relaxed. She knew a number of physicians who swore by the efficacy of warm whiskey and lemon for a sore throat, though it was not something she had ever tried. She saw him look around, then shrug.
     
"Good thing I've come prepared." He crossed the room to where he had placed his black bag and retrieved a quarter-full bottle of Scotch. He turned, showing her the bottle. "Glasses?"
     
She had no idea where they might be. She shook her head.
     
"Then you'll have to tipple it right out of the bottle." He brought the bottle to the bed, sat down on the edge, and handed it to her.
     
"It will make you feel better, I promise."
     
It wasn't warm, it didn't have lemon in it, but she trusted him nonetheless. She uncapped the bottle and raised it slowly to her lips.
     
He gave it a nudge and she took a large swallow. He urged her again, this time challenging her with an amused look.
     
"That's better," he said, grinning when she made a face.
     
"Obviously you have no appreciation for good Scotch."
     
The liquor eased the tightness in her throat. "I don't drink much."
     
That was very close to the truth. A glass of sherry made her woozy.
     
Two glasses and she could barely recall drinking the first. Since she prided herself on having control she had never tested what damage could be done at three glasses.
     
"I don't either much."
     
Without much prompting, she took another swallow. Perhaps Scotch had a different effect than sherry. At least it didn't taste nearly so bad this time.
     
"It seems to agree with you rather quickly," he said, taking the bottle from her. He touched her cheek again with the back of his fingers.
     
"But then that's what it's supposed to do. You're not so flushed."
     
His hand slipped over her face. His knuckle touched her lips. "Show me your tongue."
     
She opened her mouth wide and stuck out her tongue.
     
"Aaaaahhh." She was surprised when he laughed.
     
"That wasn't quite what I had in mind but it's a very pretty tongue.
     
Very pink. Nice teeth, too. And you've kept your tonsils." He nudged her jaw. "You can close now. I've seen quite enough.
     
Another drink is definitely in order."
     
Expecting him to pass her the bottle, she gave a little start when he took a long pull on it himself.
     
He handed it to her and let her finish. "For someone who doesn't drink much, you've developed quite a taste for it."
     
She offered him a crooked, somewhat sleepy smile. "I think I like good Scotch," she said. She certainly would never scoff at its value for easing a sore