A Match of Sorts by Lucette Nell

Author:Lucette Nell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2017-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

7

“I think you need to rest that arm of yours.” Caleb pushed to his feet and muffled a grunt. Gray morning light flowed through the lone cracked window and dust motes floated in the air. They’d worked on the storeroom since dawn, scrubbing and sweeping the floor and walls and tiny window. A vigorous application of elbow grease, soap and water, left the room and meager contents gleaming. And habitable. Aside from a narrow brass bedstead, there was a battered trunk and the two rickety chairs. Several crates containing various unwanted items the parishioners gave for donation now stood against the far side of the room in a neat row.

“I know when to stop.” Grace lifted the broom and attacked cobwebs hanging in the corner of the narrow room. Poor spiders. The woman was fearless and tireless. If her injury pained her, she kept it hidden.

“I don’t want this to prolong your recovery.”

“A little honest, hard work never killed anyone.” She lowered the broom, her assault on the cobwebs victorious, and wiped her forehead.

“You do know that you have to take it easy if you want to heal properly?”

“I know. But that doesn’t mean I need to be coddled.”

Caleb turned and yelped at the tiny brownish creature that skittered against the length of the far wall. Chilled to the bone with his heart threatening to burst, he took a step back and bumped into one of the chairs.

Grace snorted. “It’s a mouse.”

Of course she’d noticed. He chuckled, his cheeks and ears burning. “I’m not particularly fond of the little critters.”

“It’s still practically a baby.” She cornered the furry creature, caught it, cradled it like a puppy, and started to the door. “Don’t worry; no one will hurt you.”

“What are you doing with it?”

“I’m putting it outside.”

“It’ll come back.” And torment him in the dark. Caleb rubbed his arms. Tiny paws tickling up his leg as it scurried all over him at night wasn’t something he wanted.

“I’ll tell it not to.” The stairs creaked and complained as she hurried down to set the critter free.

He caught the chair and moved it against the wall. The room appeared void of other furry residents. One loner was acceptable—unwelcomed—but he couldn’t stomach an infestation of the varmints. Little paws scratching against the floor boards. Beady eyes watching him in the blackness as he slept in oblivion. A shiver stole down his spine.

“Maybe I should be the one moving here.” Brushing her palms together at the doorway, Grace smiled. Her scarf was knotted over her hair, but strands escaped and framed her face.

“It’s hardly accommodation suitable for a lady.”

“I’m not a lady.”

“You’re a lady even if you trot in breeches and wield a gun.”

“What if the mouse returns, with its friends?” She retrieved the broom and rested her chin on the rough tip. There was nothing left to sweep. Unless she experienced the same awkwardness that he did and needed some form of distraction.

“I guess you’ll have to come and rescue me then.” He liked her smile a little too much.

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