Heaven's Kiss. Lois Richer

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ her and waited.

      “Well, you see, to seat that many people is a strain on our church fellowship hall. Getting waiters to and from the tables will be almost impossible in the short time between acts, and the limited space only makes it worse.” She sniffed pathetically.

      “So we’ll find a new hall,” Dani said. “No big deal.”

      “But the seniors’ hall won’t be ready in time. That fire was bad.”

      “Miss Win, you’ve been worrying about this too much. Doc and I will check into things, see if we can come up with an alternative. But you are not to worry about it.”

      Luc sat up straight. How had he gotten roped into this?

      Dani wrapped an arm around the slumped shoulders and hugged. He couldn’t help noticing how frayed her cuff was, or that she’d been less than successful at repairing a tear on the arm.

      “Promise me there will be no more of this, Miss Win. You tell me what you need and I’ll see to it. I don’t want you taking on the cares and woes of that project. You do enough.”

      “Well, thank you, dear. That’s very kind of you to say.” Winifred stood, removed her spotted white apron and patted her hair. “Now I must go see Furly. I’m ashamed of myself.” She bustled out the door without a backward look, her steps firm and determined.

      “Looks like it’s just you and me, Doc.” Dani grinned. “Ever worked in a bakery before?”

      “No. And I can’t now. I’ve got to visit a patient.”

      “Really? Who is it?” She blinked at his frown, her clear skin glowing with some inner translucence. “Maybe I can help.”

      “It would be wrong for me to reveal a professional confidence,” he muttered, wishing he’d stayed in his office instead of racing over to get Miss Blessing’s help. If everyone in town did that, it was no wonder she was frazzled.

      “So don’t reveal any confidences, Doc. Just tell me what you need.” She walked over to a coffeepot sitting in the corner, poured two cups and carried them back to the table. “Go ahead.”

      “There’s a man,” he began, trying to remember not to give too many details. “He’s elderly and he lives alone. I’m concerned that he isn’t eating properly and I was going to ask Miss Blessing to help me find a way to get him a healthy meal—at least once a day.”

      “I see.” She chewed her bottom lip, eyes thoughtful as she swung one slim leg back and forth.

      Luc forced his attention back to the subject at hand. Dani DeWitt distracted him too easily.

      “He’s proud, you see. It would hurt him to think I’d gone behind his back to ask for help.”

      “I get your drift, Doc.” She grinned at him. “Obviously today is not a good day to ask Miss Winifred to work on this. She’s a little stirred up, and in my opinion she needs a break from thinking about meals.”

      “What do you suggest?” He waited, knowing she’d come up with something. That was one thing he was learning about Dani—she always had an idea.

      “I have a hunch we’re talking about old Mr. Potter, aren’t we.”

      “I never—”

      “No, you didn’t. And that’s to your credit. But I’ve lived around here almost all my life, Doc. Nothing stays a secret in Blessing. Let me think for a minute.”

      She tapped one blunt fingernail against the table, obviously tossing around the possibilities. Her worn leather boots tap-danced their own rhythm against the ceramic tiles.

      He frowned. This was taking way too long. He’d been so careful. Wouldn’t the gossips just love seeing the two of them huddled together at Blessing Bakery?

      “I’ve got to get out there. I promised to drop off his medication before lunch.”

      “Hang on a sec, Doc. I’m thinking as fast as I can.”

      Luc watched her glance around the bakery, saw the way her eyes lit when they rested on the individual meat pies chilling in the cooler.

      “You’ve thought of something. What is it?”

      “I don’t have a long-term solution, yet. But for today, why not take him a couple of those potpies and one of those little salads from the grocery? You could pick up an apple or something for dessert, and maybe a quart of milk.”

      “I guess.” It wasn’t exactly the solution he’d hoped for.

      “If you took three, you could eat lunch with him.” She studied his face. “What’s wrong with that?”

      Luc tried to hide his reaction. “I—uh, that is, I don’t know that I’ll have time to wait while they heat up. I’ve got a clinic this afternoon.”

      Dani glanced at the clock.

      “Miss Winifred’s oven is empty by now. Let’s pop three of them in and let them heat while we wait for her. Then there won’t be any delay.” She snatched three of the pies off the shelf and scurried into the back, returning with empty hands a few moments later. “Won’t take long in that monster.”

      “I can’t wait here, Dani. I’ve got work to do.” Which wasn’t exactly true. His last two patients had canceled this morning, which was why he’d agreed to take Mr. Potter’s tablets out to him.

      “Is there something you don’t like about Blessing, Doc?”

      Luc’s head jerked back as he stared at her, only now realizing how tiny she was. Somehow Dani seemed like one of those people who were larger than life. She inspired thoughts of grandeur. Which was about as fanciful as a guy could get.

      “Why would you say that?” he demanded. “I certainly never gave—”

      “No, no.” Dani brushed away his objections. “You never said a word. It’s more the way you act. Take the church groups, for instance. I heard that you don’t join in, haven’t signed up to be on any committees, except for the dinner theater. Why, you even missed the pie social last week, and nobody in their right mind misses that!”

      “I didn’t realize it was imperative I be there. I’ll be sure to attend the next one.” He couldn’t disguise his sour tone.

      “Keep that attitude and no one will give you even a sliver.” She frowned and cupped her palm around her chin, elbow perched on the table. “What’s with you, Doc? Why are you so afraid to get involved with us?”

      “I’m not afraid. Not at all.” Luc searched desperately for another subject, but nothing came to mind.

      “Sure you are. In the social department, you act like a big chicken. Why is that? Have you got some secret you don’t want us to know about?”

      She was like a dog with a bone, relentless.

      “I don’t have any secrets,” he insisted, wishing he’d never walked through the bakery door. “I just enjoy my privacy.”

СКАЧАТЬ