by Jo Ann Brown
“You’ve got blood on your shirt,” she said.
He nodded, then glanced up and their eyes connected. “I’m sure I’ve got some chloride of lime stashed in my luggage. It won’t be the first time I’ve had to launder something like this....”
She was surprised that he would admit to doing something that could be construed as a woman’s task. When made into a solution with water, the chloride of lime would help bleach out the stain and could remove any infectious bacteria as needed. She had often laundered her soiled aprons, wanting to spare her mother’s sensibilities. But to hear this cowboy admit that he did the same changed how she thought about him—unlocked a tenuous connection between them.
She severed it by briskly opening the door for him, heart pounding.
“Thank you for...telling me the man made it,” he said.
He stuffed his hat on his head and rushed out the door. Hattie shoved it closed and leaned against it. She needed to get home but also needed a moment to compose herself.
Though the cowboy was awkward, part of him was endearing. He’d obviously cared enough to see if the injured man had survived the surgery. For a moment, and only a moment, she’d entertained the thought that he had stayed to impress her father. But his very manner struck the thought from her head. He was too sincere.
Yes, she could see him being a distraction. One she desperately didn’t need.
Copyright © 2013 by Lacy Williams
ISBN-13: 9781460323397
A HERO FOR CHRISTMAS
Copyright © 2013 by Jo Ann Ferguson
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