Susanna's Dream: The Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley, Book Two by Marta Perry Read Free Book Online

afternoon was to promise he’d go himself to assure Susanna that she was all right. So, having seen Mamm tucked up in her chair at home with the newspaper and her mending basket, Nate set off to pay yet another visit to Plain Gifts.
    Not that he felt it was necessary, but doing as Mamm said gave him the opportunity to point out to Susanna that he’d been right all along. It was past time for Mamm to come to her senses, give up the shop, and let him take care of her.
    He’d make it clear to Susanna that changes were coming, and she’d best accept that fact. He’d been taken off guard by Susanna’s resistance when he’d first brought up the subject. Not this time.
    But all thoughts of his mission flew out of his mind when he stepped inside the shop. Susanna stood on a step stool, apparently trying to reach the baskets hung above the display shelves. She turned at the sound of the bell, teetering awkwardly as she grabbed a shelf for balance.
    Nate rushed over, reaching out automatically, and was rather surprised to find his hands encircling her slim waist. “You shouldn’t be climbing up there.” He reverted to scolding to hide the awkwardness of the moment as he lifted her down. “It’s dangerous.”
    “Only if I’m surprised.” Her creamy skin flushed with embarrassment.
    At his touching her? Or because she’d displayed her disability in front of him?
    Nate took a step back, brushing against a stack of quilted pot holders and knocking some of them over. As usual, he felt like a bull in a china shop when he was here.
    “I’m sorry I startled you,” he said, mindful that he wanted to explain matters to Susanna, not wrangle with her.
    “No, it’s my fault.” She glanced down, brushing off her spotless apron—so she wouldn’t have to look at him, most likely.
    The action didn’t keep him from looking at her, though. Her flawless skin was still flushed a delicate pink. She had a heart-shaped face and a little dimple in her cheek. Funny that he’d never looked at her so closely before, maybe because she made such a habit of effacing herself.
    Except when challenged, he reminded himself, thinking of her reaction to his plans for his mother. Still, after what had happened today, Susanna would have to agree that he knew best.
    “How is your mother?” she asked before he could speak. “She didn’t have to go to the hospital, did she?”
    Her obvious concern made him want to reassure her. “No, nothing was said about the hospital. The doctor ran a couple of tests, but he seems sure she’ll be fine. She’s just supposed to take it a little slow until she’s adjusted to the new medicine.”
    Relief filled Susanna’s deep blue eyes. “I’m so glad. It was wonderful kind of you to stop by and tell me.”
    Nate found himself smiling. “It was the only way I could keep my mother from coming herself, as you might have guessed.”
    Susanna’s answering smile displayed the dimple even more. “Dora has a will of her own, that’s certain-sure.”
    Now was the moment to say what he’d come to say. But before he could, she’d gone on. “Give her my love, and tell her not to worry about the shop. I’ll handle everything until she comes back.”
    If she came back, he thought. Susanna, seeming to assume he was leaving, turned to straighten the stool, as if preparing to climb it.
    “You’re not going up there again.” He grasped the stool and pulled it out of reach. “That’s too dangerous for you.”
    “My limp doesn’t make me helpless.” The glint in her eyes said this was another topic on which she had a strong opinion. Why had he never seen this side of Susanna before?
    “The stool is too rickety for anyone to be standing on.” He took refuge in a half truth. “I’ll bring over a good step stool from the store. Meantime, tell me what you want, and I’ll get it for you.”
    Susanna pressed her lips together for a second, and then she nodded. “Denke, Nate. The baskets, if you would, please. I