Read Online Twice Blessed by Jo Ann Ferguson - Free Book Online Page B

first,” she said, meeting his gaze evenly, “is that a farmer has a right to do whatever he must to protect his livestock from marauders.”
    â€œMarauders?” His brows rose, but no mirth eased his rigid lips. “Fuzzball is just a rambunctious pup. He wouldn’t have caused any damage.”
    â€œYou can’t know that. Neither could Mr. Murray, because other dogs have chased his sheep, leaving him with miscarrying ewes and dead lambs. He saw your dog in his field and assumed the worst.” She curved her fingers around her cup as she met his gaze evenly. “Next time he’ll shoot to kill.”
    â€œHow do you know he wasn’t trying to kill the pup this time and missed?”
    â€œMr. Murray is a crack shot. He has to be, or else he might hit one of his herd. You may not believe it, but he did you and Belinda a favor tonight. He’s given you fair warning, and now it’s up to you to keep Fuzzball away from his sheep. Next time, he won’t be so generous.”
    Noah frowned and sighed. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. He was generous to me, like you convinced me to be generous to the O’Dell kid?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œAnd like you’re now being generous again to the boy. How did you get him dumped on you?”
    â€œI didn’t get him dumped on me. I agreed to take him because the representatives from the Children’s Aid Society believed he’d be happier in town than out on a farm. He has been very helpful around the store.”
    â€œSo you haven’t had any problems with him?”
    She shrugged, hoping he did not take note of how stiff her shoulders were. The small issue of Sean stealing candy was nothing she needed to share with anyone. “Nothing but for Sean and me to get accustomed to each other. He’s going to start school on Monday, and that will help him learn more about the rest of the children here in town. They’ll help him become even more comfortable here.”
    â€œAnother way neighbors help each other around here?”
    â€œYes.”
    Pushing himself away from the sink, he said, “I guess I’ve got a lot to learn.”
    â€œI guess you do.”
    â€œAnd you’ve been too generous to me, too, Emma. I wish I could repay you for—”
    â€œThat isn’t necessary,” she replied as her mind taunted her with ways she would like him to express his thanks. Those strong hands had been so gentle when they had been around her waist. Although she had told him to recall himself on the street, that did not mean she had not been delighted in his touch then … and would be now.
    â€œI could fix your chair,” Noah replied.
    Smiling, she said, “If you want to fix something, please fix the coffin Mrs. Lambert ordered for her husband. The top was scratched when Sean jumped out of it in the storage room. I don’t want to deliver it to her like that.”
    â€œThe coffin is still in your back room? After a week? When’s the funeral?”
    â€œMr. Lambert isn’t dead.” She laughed. “He isn’t even sick.”
    â€œSo why did his wife buy him a coffin?”
    â€œWho knows? I sell folks what they want. I learned long ago not to ask why. I might get answers that start to make sense.”
    He chuckled. “What would make sense right now is to say thank you again and be on our way.”
    â€œKeep an eye on Fuzzball’s leg for a couple of days.” She started to stand, then gasped as pain seared her left foot.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    She drew back the coverlet, which had seared liquid fire across her instep when she moved it. Four red welts were outlined in blood.
    â€œYou’re hurt!” he gasped. “Why didn’t you say something before this?”
    He knelt and cupped her bare foot in his broad hand. She watched as he tilted her foot so he could see the trails of blood. Against her skin, his fingers