Second Chance Hero by Winnie Griggs Read Free Book Online Page A

nightshirt.
    Nate had barely finished changing when he heard a light tap on the door. Had the doctor forgotten something? But when he bade the person enter, it turned out to be Dr. Pratt’s niece, rather than the doctor himself.
    Verity entered the room and gave him an approving smile. Then she moved purposefully across the room. “Now let me get you settled into the clinic’s guest room.”
    â€œGuest room, is it? I feel as if I was coerced rather than invited to stay there.” He watched her, admiring her efficient movements.
    â€œOh, come now, it’s not such a hardship to stay with us here, is it?”
    How did he answer that? “I know you’re doing what you think best.” He offered her a half grin. “And
guest room
does sound friendlier than
infirmary
.”
    His answer seemed to satisfy her, but she dropped the subject. Instead she waved a hand toward a door across from the one through which she’d entered. “Our clinic
guest
room has comfortable beds for long-term patients. Fortunately, it’s not in use right now so you’ll have it all to yourself.” She pulled a wheeled chair out from a corner of the room and pushed it over to him.
    Ah, well, he supposed a conveyance that allowed him to sit up was preferable to that stretcher again.
    She stood beside the examination table, obviously prepared to assist him.
    â€œWhere’s your uncle?”
    â€œHe was called out to tend to another patient. Don’t worry, I can get you situated.” She moved closer to the examination table. “Just place a hand on my shoulder for support.”
    He didn’t much relish the idea of treating her like a support post, but it didn’t look as if he had much choice. “Thank you.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, finding it both firm and soft at the same time. And then he caught the faint scent of honeysuckle again—it was all he could do not to inhale deeply.
    Perhaps accepting her help wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
    He carefully slipped from the table, using her shoulder for balance more than support, then slid into the chair.
    As soon as she saw that he was settled in, she moved behind the chair and set it in motion. “Don’t worry, we’ll see that you’re made as comfortable as possible.”
    â€œI don’t doubt that, but my shop—”
    â€œTaken care of. I already asked Sheriff Gleason to have someone keep an eye on it so no one will be bothering it. If you’ll let me know where you keep your key, I can go by a little later and lock it up for you.”
    The woman was nothing if not efficient. “But that doesn’t take care of my dog.”
    â€œOh, my.” He heard the dismay in her voice. “I hadn’t thought of that.” Then, as they crossed into the other room, “Of course we must see to your dog.” There was a short pause where he could almost feel the wheels turning in her mind. “I suppose I’ll just have to bring him here until you’re well enough to go home.”
    From the way she said that, he could tell she wasn’t particularly happy about it. Did she blame Beans for the accident? “Perhaps I should just go home after all.”
    â€œNonsense. Joy has been after me for ages to get her a pet. You wouldn’t want to deny her this taste of what it would be like, would you?”
    Before he could respond, she moved on. “I don’t imagine you could do much work for the next day or two, anyway. And for that I’m truly sorry. It’s a poor reward for your valiant rescue.”
    He wished she’d quit bringing up terms like
rescue
and
hero
. She was right about his condition, though. He certainly didn’t want to put out shoddy work by doing things one-handed. Nevertheless, it was frustrating to have to shut down his shop right now.
    But he was suddenly feeling lethargic. Was it a delayed effect of his injuries?