Ginny Aiken Read Online Free

in kind. Chickens, vegetables, eggs, milk.”
    “Since I’m not fond of hunger, I’ll welcome my patients’ generosity.”
    “Not that you’ll need much,” he countered, humor in his voice. “You’re a tiny thing. Barely more than a girl.”
    Letty sobered. “Not at all. I’m a doctor and have seen more suffering than anyone should.”
    A measuring look came her way. “It looks as if Hartville’s fortunes have improved,” he finally said. “Welcome to town.”
    “Thank you . . . I think.”
    “It was a compliment.”
    “Then thank you again.” Just as she was about to inquire after Mrs. Wagner, her mind went blank when a child darted in front of the carriage.
    “Stop!” she cried, reaching for the reins. The memory of another child, in another town, catapulted to life. Not again. Heavenly Father, help!
    Mr. Wagner fought to stop his horses, crying out in German. Somehow, he missed trampling the boy, who stood frozen to the spot.
    Letty rushed from the carriage. “Are you hurt?” she asked, probing a reed-thin body through layers of too-large clothes. “Why did you run into the street? It’s very, very dangerous.”
    The boy wiped his nose with a drooping coat sleeve. He cocked his battered bowler, revealing bright blue eyes. Those eyes sized her up in no time.
    “ ’M all right,” he answered, dusting himself off. “Didn’t mean no harm, ma’am. ’M sorry.”
    “Why, I never thought you did, dear, but something made you run out in the street. What was it? Were you frightened?”
    The scamp played with his frayed tie, then tucked the slice of silk inside his waistband. He wiped the toe of first one and then the other old but clean black boot on his trouser legs.
    Crooking a finger under his sharp chin, Letty tilted his face toward hers. “What’s your name?”
    He scuffed his toes in the street dirt but didn’t speak.
    Mr. Wagner’s roar startled Letty and the boy. “Steven Patterson, what were you thinking? You ran out in front of my horses. Mighty foolish thing to do, young man.”
    Letty cringed at the booming voice. She also noticed the furtive look Steven cast over his shoulder. When she matched it, she saw nothing out of the ordinary.
    Then the boy sighed. And grinned. Fisting the lapels of his chopped-down-to-size tweed coat, Steven rocked back on his heels, much like a boastful businessman or a pompous politician. Lifting his chin, he shot a cocky grin at Mr. Wagner, but the effect was ruined when his bowler, worn to a shabby shine, tipped down over his eyes.
    With a thumb poking out from a trimmed-down leather glove, Steven shoved the hat out of his way. “Sorry, Mr. Wagner. Won’t hap’n agin, sir. Gotta git goin’ now.” Two fingers tapped the hat brim. “G’bye!”
    “Wait!” Letty cried.
    Steven darted up the street.
    Turning to the man at her side, she asked, “Who is that child? Why is he running in the streets? Where are his folks?”
    Mr. Wagner cupped Letty’s elbow, and the warmth of his fingers winnowed up her arm. Startled, she glanced at him. The surprise on his attractive face unsettled her even more. He turned and tugged her toward the carriage.
    Letty allowed Mr. Wagner to lead her, but she pondered the change she’d seen come over her companion. Had he felt that same strange sensation, too? Oh, dear. And he a married man . . . The boy, Letty, the boy .
    “You haven’t answered, Mr. Wagner. Who is responsible for that defenseless mite?”
    To her amazement, he laughed. “My dear Dr. Morgan, Steven is as defenseless as a rattler, and he’s older than he looks. True, he needs taking in hand, discipline is lacking, and an education would work wonders, but he’s a Patterson, and there’s nothing we can do.”
    “What does his name have to do with anything? Does Hartville hold his family against him? I hope I haven’t moved to asanctimonious town.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Letty glared at her companion. “Tell me more about