NoRegretsColeNC by Christina Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

see the good in others?” She drew back as if she’d
been physically struck. “I’m sorry, but I can’t agree. In fact, I wish more
people understood how important it is to see what’s good in this world.”
    Willie
watched her agitated movements with a growing amusement. Never before had
Hattie Mae raised her voice to him. Now, standing before him, she came alive.
Her eyes flashed, and a spot of color rose to her cheeks as she quickly
defended her beliefs. He folded his hands and tried to hold back a chuckle. It
slipped out.
    “Are
you making fun of me, Mr. Morse?” She leaned forward, hands fisted on her hips,
and whirled around. With her lips puckered and her neck craned out, Hattie
reminded him of a goose. A very angry goose.
    “No,
not at all. I’m just observing you.” Another laugh threatened, but he swallowed it back,
choking and coughing to keep his glee in check.
    At
once, Hattie flew across the room, poured water from the drinking pitcher, and
handed the glass to him.
    “Drink
this. Slowly, please.”
    He
shook his head. “I’m all right. But I seem to have upset you,” he said, looking
up at her. “Or, as some folks might say, I’ve ruffled your feathers.”
    Her
spine stiffened. Standing ram-rod straight, she stared at him. Although her
mouth dropped open, no words came out.
    “It’s
all right,” he assured her. “I’m glad you spoke your mind. I was beginning to
wonder if you had one.”
    Now,
her lovely eyes widened. “Yes, of course, I have a mind, Mr. Morse.”
    “It’s
good to see that you have opinions, too. Most of the time you seem to be
spouting off clever little bits of wisdom you’ve gleaned from other people.” He
flashed an indulgent smile. “Indeed, I’m pleased to know that you’ve got a
brain in that pretty little head of yours.”
    The
color in her cheeks deepened to bright scarlet.
    “Excuse
me, Mr. Morse, but I think I should go now.” She headed for the door.
    He
hadn’t meant to drive her away, but then, what in hell had he intended? That
mean streak took over again.
    “What
if there’s something I want?” he called after her. “Aren’t you supposed to tend
to my needs? Don’t you have to make sure I’m comfortable before you leave?”
    She
stopped. With one hand on the doorknob, she turned to glance over her shoulder.
“You’re right, Mr. Morse, of course.” Hattie’s shoulders rose and fell as she
took in several breaths. Finally she found her voice again. “Is there anything
more you require?”
    He
could have said so many things. Oh, but the words that might have come out of
his mouth! Somehow, the stricken look on her face managed to silence him.
Teasing and taunting her no longer seemed to be such sport.
    Willie
shook his head.
    “Fine. Good day, Mr. Morse. I’ll check
on you later.”
    She
closed the door, leaving behind only the faint lingering scent of lavender.
     
    * * *
*
     
    Hattie
went about her usual routines for the rest of the day, checking in on Willie
now and then, helping out with chores, and trying to forget the troubled
thoughts that wouldn’t go away.
    Shortly
before midnight, she made her last check on Willie and found him sleeping, but
fitfully. As she stood beside his bed, she wished she could do more to comfort
him. She’d tried, but her attempts to help had only created bigger problems.
    She stepped
from the room and closed the door behind her. Even as she moved quietly down
the dimly-lit hallway, her thoughts remained fixed on Willie.
    He
always seemed to leave her feeling confused and unsure of herself. Obviously,
he was not happy, yet he spoke about living life without regrets. Sometimes he
spoke sharply to her—probably to be expected from a man suffering physical
distress—yet other times he seemed glad to see her.
    And
what was it he’d told her earlier? He’d said he would miss her if she were gone.
    Hattie’s
breath caught. No one had ever said such a thing to her before. Mostly no one
ever even noticed