Coal Black Blues Read Online Free Page A

today?”
    As soon as she asked it, Caroline knew it was a pointless question. If he’d worked in the mines, he would be on shift now.
    Neil shook his head as he reached for another piece of chicken. “No, I had a doctor’s appointment at the VA Clinic.”
    A crunchy bite caught in her throat for a moment. He appeared to be fine, she thought, color good, eyes clear, and didn’t act ill. “What’s the matter? Don’t you feel well?”
    “I’m fine. It was a regular check-up, that’s all. It was time to evaluate some of the scar tissue and evaluate the inside scars, the ones that don’t show.”
    His level tone and calm expression hid turmoil within or she’d missed her guess. Only someone who knew him forever could tell, Caroline thought. Something’s bothering him about it, but I don’t know what. “Thanks for coming,” she told him. “It’s been a heck of a day so far and I needed both food and someone to care.”
    He shrugged. “You’re welcome. I’m here to help so tell me what you need done and I’ll do it.”
    “There’s still plenty of cleaning left,” she said, wiping her hand on a napkin. “And I need to call the fuel company to see if they’ll fill the tanks. I don’t even know if there’s any gas in them or not. And I probably should call pest control. There was a nest of spiders in the back room and I saw a snake, but he escaped. Then I need to get deliveries started back, bread, milk, pop, and all that.”
    “If the phone’s still hooked up, I’ll take care of the fuel and delivery people,” Neil said. “Then I’ll see what I can do about your bugs. I’m no professional bug man, but I think I can solve the problems. Since the store’s not been closed all that long, It shouldn’t be too bad.”
    “What about the snake?”
    “I doubt there’s any more but I’ll look around to be sure. Can you pay when the deliveries start arriving?”
    Her cheeks flamed with heat she knew must show. “I’ve got a little money in the bank, but why?”
    “You’re new. They’ll want to get paid. After a while, they might carry the bills and let you pay every month. That’s how Jim had it worked out, but you’re not him so they may want their money upfront. If you can’t afford it…”
    Afraid he would suggest she close down the store and go back to the city, Caroline said, “I think I can, for now.”
    His blue eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her face. “Girl, don’t get your drawers in a knot. I’m not picking at you or complaining about you having some money. I’m offering to help pay for now if you can’t.”
    A rush of emotion swamped her. Gratitude, an odd sense of shame, and an overwhelming love combined into a floodtide. “I can’t take your money, Neil.”
    “It’s there if you need it.”
    “You work hard for it,” she protested. “Coal mining’s rough.”
    He nodded. “I ain’t denying that, but the Army handed me a fair piece of change with my discharge to make up for my injuries. I’m saving it for the future, living on what I make in the mines. Besides, if I didn’t work a job of some kind, I wouldn’t feel like a man. I don’t need the money right now so I’d rather share it with you, if I shared it with anyone. I’m trying to do a good thing, Carrie.”
    Humbled, she swallowed hard. “Then I’ll take it with thanks, Neil. I have a bit of savings, but since there were no children, I don’t get any money from Dylan and didn’t want any. I asked for only what I brought to the marriage in the divorce settlement, nothing more. But I promise, I’ll pay you back when I can.”
    Neil finished his chicken and put the bones in the stack with the others. “Don’t worry about that. If the time comes I need it, I’ll ask.”
    “All right,” Caroline said although she vowed silently she’d paid him back as soon as possible. “Neil?”
    “What?”
    So many words crowded into her mouth, but she failed to string them into sentences. Her emotions were a