Love's Sweet Beginning by Ann Shorey

Author:Ann Shorey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042040, FIC042030, FIC027050, Nurses—Fiction, United States—History—1865–1898—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441203830
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2014-01-02T16:00:00+00:00

After Cassie left, Jacob unscrewed the posts that held his ledger together. He lifted the front cover and removed the page where he’d listed names. After folding the sheet into a rectangle, he tucked it into his pocket and then replaced the cover.

Cassie’s caring attitude tempted him to tell her the whole story behind his miles-long walk back to Noble Springs. He’d come close, but lost his courage at the last moment. The risk was too great. If she’d known him during his early days in Boston, she’d have crossed the street when she saw him coming. In fact, she wouldn’t have walked on the same streets he frequented.

Ruggero’s taunt was as much a setback as the pain in his leg. He doubted that sending Byrne a larger share of West & Riley’s profits would protect him from eventual exposure.

When he heard footsteps, he turned his head toward the entrance.

“Wash?”

“Right here. You ready to leave?” He’d filled out in the weeks since he’d been hired. Now his bulk complemented his height of over six feet.

Jacob nodded. “Please help me to the buggy.” Gritting his teeth, he tried to suppress a groan when Wash hoisted him from the chair.

“Did you tell her how bad you’re hurtin’?”

“I said I was staying home to rest my leg.”

“She cares about you. Maybe she’ll bake you another pie.” Wash chuckled as he handed him the crutches. “I brought the buggy around front so’s you don’t have far to walk.”

“Thank you.” With the other man’s help, he crossed to the boardwalk and stopped at the passenger side of the buggy. Wash held him steady while he negotiated the step.

Jacob fell back against the seat. “Again, thank you.”

“That was a sorry trick those two pulled. If I hadn’t been late leaving last night, I’d never have seen you.”

He managed a mirthless laugh. “You’d have seen me sooner or later. I’d have slept on the floor of the grocery rather than walk another step. The bottoms of my feet are bruised from the rocks, not to mention the pounding my leg suffered.”

Wash untied the reins, then guided the buggy west on High Street. Noontime sun glared down on their heads. After a moment or two of silence he said, “You’re not goin’ to let this go, are you?”

“No, I’m not.” He turned his head away, staring at the roadway as the buggy rolled out of town. His mind buzzed with the implications of Lenny Ruggero calling him by his former name. He and Byrne had not merely disrupted his time with Cassie, they threatened him with exposure.

The day would come—soon—when he’d have to take action.

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