Loving Bella Read Online Free PDF Page B

she took a sharp step back, and eyed him with a healthy dose of wariness. “I’ve been sewing my own costumes since I was twelve.”
    “Good. I’ll need you to stitch the wound for me.” He spoke over her shocked gasp. “You’ll make individual stitches, knotting and cutting them off one at a time before beginning the next.”
    She slid a quick glance at the angry wound. Shivered. “Can’t you do it?”
    If only he could. But he knew the procedure would be painful, painful enough that Ethan would need holding down. “I’ll have to…keep him still.”
    Her eyes widened in instant understanding. “Oh.”
    Shane closed his fingers over hers. The unexpected warmth that spread from her palm to his had him quickly releasing her. “I’ll talk you through it,” he promised.
    She nodded, flexed the hand he’d just held. Nodded again. “All right, then.”
    Ethan whimpered at her declaration. “Will it hurt, Miss Bella?”
    Sighing, she trailed the back of her fingertips down his cheek. “A little, but I’ll work as quickly as possible.”
    “Fine.” Ethan squeezed his eyes shut once again and took a deep, shaky breath. “Do what you must.” The adult words were completely at odds with the childish hiccupping that followed.
    Shane passed the needle and thread to Miss O’Toole. With slow, deliberate movements, he placed one hand on Ethan’s shoulder and the other on the thigh of the boy’s injured leg. For now, he kept his touch light, and would only increase the pressure when needed.
    After threading the needle, she leaned forward and placed a kiss on the boy’s head. The lingering scent of jasmine and sandalwood brought a vague memory dancing on the edges of Shane’s mind.
    He shut it down.
    Miss O’Toole met his gaze with honest trepidation in her eyes. No coyness. No pretend confidence.
    Shane gave her a heartening smile. “Let’s begin.”
     
    Bella’s hands might be shaking, her heart might be pounding faster than a series of half notes, but she was getting the job done as quickly as she could.
    “Only one more to go,” the doctor encouraged. “You’re doing fine.”
    She appreciated his support, more than he probably knew. This task went far beyond her capabilities. But prayer and this man’s precise instructions had gotten her through the worst.
    Gritting her teeth, she tied off the final knot. “There.” She released her breath and placed her hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “All done.”
    “That…” The little boy’s bottom lip quivered. “Wasn’t so bad.” The tear tracks down his face told a different story.
    The realization that she’d hurt a child, in spite of the necessity, weighed heavy in her throat, making her breath come in ragged pants.
    Seeking reinforcement, or at least a nod of approval, she glanced at the doctor. But he wasn’t paying attention to her. Head lowered, he blotted the remaining blood off Ethan’s skin and then wrapped a series of plasters and strips of linen over the wound. It wasn’t until he finished the task that he looked at her directly.
    She sucked in a quick breath of air. The eyes that stared back at her were a deep, troubled blue.
    What sort of inner strength did it take to administer necessary healing, even when it caused such pain? Certainly, it had to be a difficult life. Lonely, even. She felt a sudden urge to offer some show of compassion, give a kind word at least. But the doctor turned away and began cleaning up the mess they’d made.
    Needing to do something, anything but stare at the man’s rigid back, she whisked Ethan into her arms. Holding him tightly against her, she paced to the backcorner of the kitchen and began humming the aria from Tristan and Isolde.
    Ethan sniffled, then wiped his nose on her shoulder. “That really hurt, Miss Bella.”
    “I know, darling,” she said. “But you were very, very brave.”
    He clung harder to her neck. “I don’t ever want you to do that again.”
    A shudder ran through her and she