Rocky Mountain Redemption by Pamela Nissen Read Free Book Online Page A

rendered.”
    â€œConsider it a benefit that comes with the job.”
    â€œAbsolutely not. I told you before that I wouldn’t take charity. And I mean it.”
    â€œHmm…I don’t remember saying anything about charity. I need a cook and a housekeeper, if you haven’t already noticed.” He swiped his index finger over the glass window panes, leaving a telltale mark. “Maybe even help with some medical calls. So, when you’re well, I’ll be expecting you to work for me. That is, if you think you can handle that kind of labor.” He pivoted to face her, his challenging yet enticing gaze advancing on her.
    She tried not to fidget at the sight of him, but it was nearly impossible. The honest expression he wore and the hopefulness in his gaze seeped into the very pores of her skin.
    She fingered the edge of the quilt. “I— Of course I can handle this. It should pose no problem at all.”
    â€œYou can cook, can’t you?” He arched one dark eyebrow.
    Callie stuck him with a prickly look.
    â€œApparently so.” His mouth tipped in a distinctly male, self-satisfied grin. “Then it’s settled. For now, I just want you to relax and take it easy. As badly as I need help, I can’t have you sick, can I?”
    She shook her head in outward agreement. But inside, doubt filled her mind. Why was he being so kind? So unlike Max’s description? It just didn’t make sense.
    Callie’s heart twisted with bitter irony, remembering the last words that had passed through Max’s lips before he died.
    Find my brothers. Find Ben. He’ll see to your needs.
    Max had died then, leaving Callie confused, angry and laden with sorrow.
    Certain that his words must’ve been delirium-driven, she’d ignored his dying sentiment. She’d grieved for her husband, for the life he could’ve had and for the unfulfilled dreams she’d never know with him. She’d grieved his untimely death.
    And that of their newborn baby girl he’d buried almost nine months to the day they’d married.
    But instead of wallowing in the insurmountable grief that permeated every thought and every breath, she’d had to begin working immediately, to make right on his debt.
    She wouldn’t be here now, except that she’d had nowhere else to turn. At the moment she felt too weak to even drag herself out of bed. And she was in debt to a man Max had said was controlling, a cheat and a liar.
    Just as soon as she could, she was going to make right on what she owed Ben by cooking mouthwatering meals and cleaning till his office and house gleamed. Once she’d paid back Whiteside, she’d leave, thereby ridding herself of the confusion of it all.
    â€œI’ll bring over something for you to eat while we wait for Katie to arrive.”
    At the mere thought of food, Callie’s mouth began watering like a leaky pail. “Who’s Katie?”
    â€œShe’s my brother’s wife. I thought maybe I’d have her help you with a bath. As long as you don’t spike a fever before then, you can soak in hot, soapy water to your heart’s content.”
    She gave a contented sigh. “It’s been so long—” She cut her words off. Ben certainly wasn’t interested in the details of her bleak, almost nonexistent, bathing schedule.
    â€œIt’ll probably go a long way to making you feel better,” he added with a brisk nod.
    She barely hid her profound delight, finding it impossible to recall the last time she’d taken a full-fledged bath with hot water. Most of the time she’d made do with the invigorating yet harsh cold of a mountain stream or sponging herself from a pail of used dishwater. Twice, at the saloon, she’d managed an early morning soak after the customers had all gone home to their poor, unsuspecting wives and children. Even though she’d hated utilizing Lyle Whiteside’s girls’