When the Heart Heals Read Online Free PDF Page A

woman?”
    â€œIt’s a long story, and I didn’t come in to jaw. Need you to look at the back of my neck. Got a real tender spot.”
    Once Sheriff Cooper sat on the examination table and removed his shirt, Elijah probed an angry boil below his hairline. “This’ll have to be lanced to get the poison out. Might hurt a bit.”
    â€œHurts now. Get on with it.”
    â€œStretch out on your stomach. This’ll take a few minutes.” He draped a sheet over the sheriff’s shoulders, then opened a drawer in a side table containing surgical instruments and removed a scalpel. A pitcher and basin sat near jars of remedies and clean bandages.
    The sheriff sucked in a breath when the scalpel penetrated the angry flesh.
    An ooze of blood and pus welled from the incision. “Once this is cleaned out, I’ll apply a bandage. You’ll want to change the dressing every day. There’s a better chance of healing if you keep this clean.” He poured water into the basin and swabbed the cavity with a piece of cotton toweling.
    â€œHow much longer are you gonna take?” Sheriff Cooper gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white.
    â€œNot long.” He dropped the soiled rag into a pail for Miss Saxon to wash. After bandaging the wound, he removed the sheet. “You can get up now. We’re finished.”
    â€œThanks, Doc.” The sheriff buttoned his shirt and then flexed his shoulders. “Feels better already.” He shoved histhumbs in his front pockets. “You usually go home for supper? Got a wife waiting?”
    â€œNo, and no. I’ve been eating at that restaurant attached to the grocery store—West & Riley’s. They serve a fair meal.”
    â€œWant company? I got no wife waiting either. Not yet, anyway.”
    When the two men reached the corner of King’s Highway, they nearly collided with Miss Saxon. Elijah whipped off his hat. “I didn’t expect to see you out at this hour. It’s growing dark. May I escort you home?”
    She pointed to the picket fence in the middle of the block. “Thank you. I’m only two doors away.” She gave him one of her rare smiles, then her gaze slid to the sheriff, and her smile disappeared. “I won’t keep you gentlemen. I’m sure you have important things to do.” Swinging her carryall, she strode down the board sidewalk.
    Sheriff Cooper turned to cross the street, but Elijah lifted a hand, signaling him to wait. He watched until Miss Saxon entered her house. “She lives by herself,” he said. “Just making sure she got inside safely.”
    â€œI wouldn’t worry overmuch about that one. Her and that sister-in-law of hers could move a mountain if they put their minds to it.”
    Elijah smiled to himself, recalling her determination to move the heavy sofa in his office. “Could be. But my mother taught me to look after womenfolk—even headstrong ones.”

    Bodie frisked around Rosemary’s feet as she walked through the house. “Do you smell what I brought you?” She plunked her bag on the kitchen tabletop and rubbed his ears. “First you need to go outside, then supper.” After unlocking the back door, she shooed him off the porch.
    While he sniffed around the makeshift greenhouse Curt had built for her, Rosemary reentered the kitchen, leaving the door open a crack so the dog could come back inside. She stored her purchases in the pantry, then unwrapped the bone. Tears blurred her vision when she saw the generous amount of meat clinging to the shank. Enough for a hearty soup.
    Judging from their heft, Mr. West had given her more than two pounds each of cornmeal and peas as well. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment in spite of her gratitude for his kindness. There was no denying he’d seen through her excuses for not making larger purchases.
    She added wood to the coals in the firebox and scooped a dollop of lard