A Convenient Wife. Carolyn Davidson

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СКАЧАТЬ of her approval. “You don’t have to say nice things about me, Dr. Gray. I’ll just be grateful for a chance to rest in one place until I know what I’m going to do.”

      “You’re welcome to do that here, Ellie. And while we’re alone, I’d like you to call me Win, or Winston, if you’d rather.”

      She’d begun to look more hopeful and he flashed her a smile. “I think we’re going to be good friends, Ellie. If you don’t mind, we can begin by shaking hands and striking a bargain.”

      Ellie offered her slender hand in his direction, and Win took hold of it, cradling it in his palm as if it were a wounded bird and he must treat it with care. “What’s our bargain?” she asked, color rising on her cheeks.

      “We’ll share this house, and you’ll do what’s necessary to make my life more comfortable. In return I’ll pay you a good wage and tend to your bruises.”

      She tugged her hand from his. “My bruises are fine, all but a couple on my leg. If you’ve got some carbolic salve I’ll dab some on. They’re looking a little angry around the edges.”

      He stood and rounded the table. “Let me look,” he said firmly, squatting before her. His hands were warm, and strong, and when he lifted the hem of her dress to expose her ankles and calves, she allowed it. Above the tops of her shoes, several scabbed-over areas took his attention, and he stifled the urge to curse aloud.

      “Let me get my bag, Ellie. You sit right here and wait for me.”

      Chapter Three

      “That should help these spots heal faster,” Win said, eyeing the areas he’d cleansed and anointed with salve. “We’ll just put on a bandage for tonight. By morning you can leave them open to the air.” Each scabbed and scuffed area was covered with soft fabric, and held in place by a strip of cloth circling her leg.

      He’s a doctor. The words whirled in her head, rebuking her as she felt distinct pleasure in the touch of warm hands against her skin. His head bent over his work and she was afforded a bird’s-eye view of his dark, crisp waves. Stunned by the sudden urge to place her fingers there, to know for herself the texture of those masculine curls, she clenched her hands into fists and buried them in the fabric of her skirt.

      “There, that should do it,” he said, easing her skirt down to cover her legs almost to her ankles. “Now, where else are you bruised?” he asked, standing erect to replace the roll of bandage in his bag. At her silence, he sighed. “I only want to help, Ellie.”

      Untangling her fingers, she unbuttoned her cuffs, rolling up the long sleeves she’d been careful to use as coverings for her arms. No matter how warm it became, she’d determined to hide the evidence she wore there from shoulder to wrist. Now, it didn’t seem nearly so important that she admit defeat at her father’s hands.

      Win was silent as she revealed the purpling bruises, but his hands were tender as he bathed them with wool batting, dousing them well with witch hazel. “It’s an old remedy,” he said as he opened the bottle, “but it seems to work well. Mostly, the blood will have to dissolve back into your system. I fear there’s no rapid recovery from bruising.”

      Ellie nodded agreeably. “I’ll just keep them covered for a while.”

      Win cleared his throat. “Is there anything else I need to tend to? Your father didn’t hurt your stomach in any way?”

      She shook her head and grimaced. “No, that’s why my arms got all banged up. I had them wrapped over my belly and when he was hitting on me, they took the brunt of it. My hip is sore where he kicked me, but there’s nothing broken. I’ll get over it.”

      He pressed the bottle of witch hazel into her palm. “Here, I’ve got lots more where this came from. Promise me you’ll use it tonight. And, Ellie…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “If you should have any pain or bleeding, let me know right away. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

      Ellie looked up. “I reckon I’ve about got over the whole mess already.” There was enough pain and some to spare, but she suspected it wasn’t the sort of thing he was hinting at. “I expect I’ll be fine. You don’t need to be fussing over me, Dr. Gray. I’m the one that’s supposed to be looking after you.”

      “Starting tomorrow,” he told her. “Now, let’s walk you back to Tess and John’s place and get your belongings.”

      “You want me to stay here tonight?” The thought was daunting, that she should be given a room on the second floor of this big house, all for her own, with nothing more to do than keep the place clean and cook three meals a day for her keep.

      “I don’t see any reason why not,” he said. “I’ll want to explain things to the Dillards though, so folks will understand the arrangement.”

      Gathering her scant supply of clothing from June-bug’s bedroom took little more than a moment, and Ellie walked back into the kitchen in time to see Winston Gray shaking John Dillard’s hand. Win looked up as Ellie stood just inside the doorway, a question in his eyes.

      “Yes, I’m ready,” she said. Her valise packed full with all but her mother’s shawl, she approached Tess. “Thank you for…” She looked around the kitchen, then back at the woman who’d come to her aid. “For everything,” she finished lamely. “I appreciate your kindness, Mrs. Dillard.”

      “I think you might call me Tess.” Her fingers touched Ellie’s cheek and warmth flooded the area, as though affection gave healing to the skin she stroked. “I’ll be over to look in on you tomorrow. Doc says you need foodstuffs, so just make a list and I’ll carry it to you.”

      The immensity of her situation seemed staggering as Ellie considered the offer. “I don’t even know what he likes to eat,” she murmured.

      “Most anything you cook will be better than what he’s been puttin’ in his stomach lately. I’ll get some staples together for you tomorrow,” Tess told her, turning her toward the back door. “You run along now. Things will work out.”

      Things will work out. The words resounded in her head as Ellie prepared for bed. Clean sheets and a worn quilt covered the feather tick, and its comfort tempted her as she blew out the lamp and glanced from the bedroom window. A light blazed from the house next door, and she caught a glimpse of a woman’s form, silhouetted and unmoving. And then the shadow turned and the unmistakable burden of pregnancy altered the vision she watched.

      A man entered the room and Ellie watched, unable to turn away, breathless as the tall, dark-haired figure approached. Bending to look into her face, he took the woman’s hands in his and then drew her against his body. The image of tenderness she beheld brought tears to Ellie’s eyes, and she turned away, feeling she had somehow violated a private moment.

      Stunning in its simple beauty, the image beckoned, and she looked back. Only darkness met her gaze. The light was extinguished, the second floor room darkened.

      She sank into the bed behind her. The feather tick welcomed her aching body, and she curled on her side, one hand pressing against the firm swelling of her belly. A movement deep inside caught her attention, and a gentle nudging pushed against her hand. She held her breath, and again the skin beneath her fingertips was rippled by the tiny presence within. With a sigh of delight, Ellie closed her eyes.

      If there was truly a God watching over her, as СКАЧАТЬ