Second Chance Hero Read Online Free Page B

Hazel while I check on Mr. Cooper.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    Hazel took Joy’s hand and gave Verity a nod.
    Inhaling a fortifying breath, Verity turned to check on the condition of the man to whom she owed so much.
    * * *
    Nate Cooper watched the woman’s sudden transformation with fascination. A moment ago she’d been understandably shaky, emotional, on the verge of hysteria even, over what had nearly happened to her daughter.
    He would have thought that the sight of his sorry state would have pushed her even further toward hysteria. Instead, she seemed composed and even decisive. Which was something of a relief. He’d rather deal with an oncoming wagon all over again than with an overly emotional woman.
    But what had she meant by
have a look at you
? Did she fancy herself a doctor? He’d seen the kiss-it-and-make-it-better approach she’d used with her daughter and the doll—not exactly by-the-book medicine. Though, come to think on it, he wouldn’t be particularly averse if she wanted to try that method with him...
    He quickly pushed that entirely inappropriate thought aside as the woman in question knelt down beside him.
    â€œBefore I do anything else,” she said softly, “I want to tell you how unbelievably brave what you just did was, and to let you know I’m so much more than grateful. You not only saved my daughter just now, but me, as well.”
    The woman’s moss-green eyes glowed with a gratitude that verged on hero worship. That shook him much more than the accident with the wagon had. He hadn’t been on the receiving end of such a look since he’d lost his sister nearly a decade ago, and he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. But hero worship was something he didn’t want.
    Or deserve.
    He’d just been at the right place at the right time—nothing more. He’d seen Beans bark at the cat and send it running across the road. He’d then seen the child follow the feline. It had been pure instinct to go after her—nothing heroic about it.
    â€œI’ll be okay,” he said brusquely, waving the woman away with his right hand. “You should see to your daughter.”
    The woman ignored his suggestion and began rolling up her sleeves. “Joy is fine, thanks to you. And that gash on your arm definitely needs some attention.”
    Without waiting for a response from him, she glanced up at the crowd milling around them. “Someone get me a pail of water to clean this up. And I’ll need some clean rags, as well.”
    To his surprise, several individuals from the crowd nodded and rushed off to do her bidding. Then she turned to Sheriff Gleason. “Do you have a pocketknife I can borrow?”
    The lawman never hesitated. He pulled out his knife, opened it for her and handed it over.
    Nate raised a hand. “Now, hold on.” These folks might trust the woman, but he wasn’t ready to let her cut on him. “What do you intend to do with that thing?”
    Her brow went up and there was an amused twist to her lips. “Don’t worry, I’m not planning to operate on you. Yet.” He was only partly reassured by her dry tone.
    She took the knife and, with a quick movement, sliced his already ripped shirt all the way to the cuff.
    He tried one more time to wrest control from the stubborn woman. “See, it’s just a cut. I’ll be okay. If it makes you feel better I’ll go see the doctor.” He tried to push himself up, but a sharp pain shot through his left ankle and he winced involuntarily.
    â€œYou are
not
okay.” She put a firm hand on his right shoulder. “Don’t move until I have a look at you.” Her expression softened slightly. “Don’t worry, I do have some medical training.”
    That would explain her air of authority. But was she serious? “You’re a doctor?”
    â€œNot exactly. But the town’s doctor is my uncle and