Undercover Groom by Lovelace Merline

Author:Lovelace, Merline
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Harlequin Treasury - Silhouette Desire '90s
Published: 2011-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

“No more, girl! No more of these dad-blamed facts and figures!”

With a grunt that tried to disguise her pain, the older woman shifted the cast encasing her leg from foot to mid-calf. Chagrined, Chloe closed the notebook she’d appropriated to tab and file her various reports.

“I’m sorry, Hannah. I didn’t mean to pester you when you’re hurting.”

“It’s the cold,” her employer grumbled, trying to get comfortable. “When the sun goes down, the damned pins in my ankle pick up the cold.”

“Why don’t I turn on the furnace?”

“I never fire it up until the fifteenth of October,” her employer snapped. “Besides, I’m waiting on my delivery of fuel oil.”

Which wouldn’t occur until she paid the bill Chloe had found stuffed in a drawer, along with the overdue notices from several of her suppliers. Making a mental note to take care of the fuel bill herself from the wages Hannah had paid her, Chloe rose.

“I’ll get you another blanket.”

“I don’t need another blanket. Stop fussing over me!”

The whiplike order stopped Chloe before she’d taken a single step. “I’m sorry.”

Hannah took in her stricken expression and heaved a long sigh. “No, girl, I’m the one who’s sorry. Truly. I guess I’m just feeling caged and takin’ it out on you.”

“You don’t have to apologize. I know how difficult it is to... to operate at less-than-maximum capacity.”

“Now that makes me feel even sorrier. You’re handling your affliction a damn sight better than I am, Chloe.”

“You’re in a lot of pain.”

“No, don’t try to peel off my rough bark. I’ve been acting meaner than a she-wolf separated from the pack, snappin’ your head off and grumblin’ about your reports when you’re just trying to help.”

Frowning, Hannah hitched up the blankets and tucked them under her armpits. “Here, give me that notebook. And you, you get yourself out for a while. Take a walk. Go on down to the café for a bowl of chili. Shoot some pool.” Her watery blue eyes grew sharper. “Maybe take a ride with that Chandler fellow. He’s been hanging around the store even more than Doc Johnson or that fool postman, Charlie Thomas, the past few days.”

“I know.”

“Chandler’s got more in mind than just helpin’ you count cans, girl.”

“I know.”

“Does that scare you?”

Chloe thought long and hard before answering. The thought of climbing into Mase’s mud-splashed Blazer for a ride in the moonlight caused a distinct flutter deep in her belly, but the sensation had nothing to do with fear.

“No, it doesn’t scare me.”

“Hmm.” Hannah settled back against the cushions. “Go on, get yourself out of here and let me try to make sense of all this gobbledygook. I’ve got the phone close to hand,” she added irritably when Chloe hesitated. “I’ll call down to the café if I need anything.”

“Shall I bring you back some dinner?”

“No, no! I’m feelin’ ornery, not hungry. You just scat.”

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