Read Online Paradise Falls by Ruth Ryan Langan - Free Book Online Page A

them to his lips. “I know this. She can’t hold a candle to you, Ma.”
    “Oh, you.” Laughing, she nodded toward the last of the torte cooling on the windowsill. “You may as well have another piece. It’ll be stale by morning.”
    “If you insist.” He waited until his mother crossed the room before getting up from the table to see for himself. From the doorway of the kitchen he could make out his brother standing on a stool, threading a rope from one side of the room to the other, while Fiona stood watching.
    Flem quickly dismissed the little twinge of annoyance. It would have been a fine thing to impress the teacher. Still, if he were the one doing that chore, he’d have found a way to use it to his advantage. A peek at her underwear in that pile of clothing, for instance. Or some naughty joke that would bring another flush to her cheeks. But poor, dumb Gray would no doubt just string the rope and run away like a scared rabbit.
    “Here you are.”
    When Rose set down the slice of torte, Flem tore himself from the doorway and settled down at the table.
    In her bedroom, Fiona watched as Gray easily pounded in the nails, then secured the rope until it was taut enough to hold her clothes without sagging in the middle.
    “Would you like me to help you hang those?” He pointed to the pile of clothing that littered her bed.
    “That isn’t necessary, Gray. You’ve already put in a long day.”
    “So have you.”
    “I don’t mind.” As he started away she touched a hand lightly to his arm. “Thank you.”
    “You’re...” He stared down at her hand, then caught it in his and turned it over, palm up. “What’s this?”
    “Nothing. Really.” Embarrassed, she tried to snatch her hand away, but he held it fast and lifted the other, as well, studying the raw, red blisters that covered both palms.
    “You did too much today. Your hands weren’t made for such work.”
    “My hands are too soft.” She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. That knowledge only made it worse. Now her face was flaming. “It’s time they toughened up.”
    “I’ve something that will help.” He stalked away.
    The moment he was gone, Fiona forced herself to breathe. What was it about this silent, solemn man? When he’d taken hold of her hands, she’d been so startled, she’d forgotten how to take air into her lungs.
    Within minutes Gray returned with a jar of salve.
    “This will sting for a little while.” He began to smooth thick, yellow ointment over her skin, taking care to rub it into the open blisters.
    Fiona’s skin felt as if she’d held it to the fire.
    Hearing her little hiss of pain, Gray looked up to see her blink back tears. His tone softened to a whisper. “Only for a minute more, I promise. Then it will start to feel better.”
    For the space of several minutes he continued holding her hand.
    Fiona didn’t know what was worse, the burning ointment, or the rush of heat from his touch. Her throat felt so tight, she feared she might never swallow again.
    When at last he heard her sigh, he asked, “Feeling better?”
    Unable to find her voice, she merely nodded.
    “Good.” The smile came slowly to his eyes, then to his lips. “I’ll leave this salve with you. Use it if the pain wakes you during the night. By morning those blisters should feel some better, and in a few days your hands will be good as new.”
    “Thank you, Gray. For the clothesline, for the ointment. And for all the help with the school house.”
    He eyed the pile of clothing littering her bed. “Are you sure you can manage all this?”
    “I’m sure.”
    “All right, then.” He turned away. As he started out of her room he paused in the doorway. “If you’d like to sleep late, you could always have Flem take you over to the school tomorrow.”
    She was quick to refuse. “I’ll be ready when you are.” He ducked his head and walked away.
    Minutes later Fiona heard the door slam. Then the voices and laughter began once more in