Why in the world was she stammering? She took a deep breath then offered a self-mocking smile. “The only thing smarting at the moment is my pride.”
He studied her a moment longer, then offered a hand. “In that case, here, let me help you up.”
She allowed him to take her elbow, liking the feel of his strong, protective grip. When he placed his other hand at her back to steady her, she decided, that yes, she liked this very much indeed.
“You’re bleeding!”
Penny, her complexion ashen, was pointing to Sadie’s hand.
Sadie stared at the thin ribbon of blood running from her palm as if it belonged to someone else. Then she turned back to Penny. “It’s all right, princess. I must have put my hand on a bit of crockery when I fell. But it doesn’t hurt. Truly.”
Mr. Reynolds intervened. “Just to be certain, let’s clean it up and have a look.”
“Oh, that’s not necess—”
He caught her gaze and tilted his head ever so slightly toward Penny. “I think everyone will feel better if I do.”
Penny nodded. “You don’t have to worry, Aunt Sadie. Eli’s real good at making boo-boos feel better.”
She saw his brow go up at Penny’s use of ‘Aunt Sadie’ but he let it pass without comment. Warmed by the thought that he took time to address his sister’s ‘boo-boos’, she allowed him to steer her towards the sink.
Even as she followed docilely along, though, Sadie again tried to make light of her injury. “Truly, it’s just a little cut.”
“Best to be safe.” He carefully extended her hand over the sink, filled a dipper with water, then looked up. “Ready?”
Seeing reassurance instead of disapproval in those cool gray eyes of his was a new experience for Sadie, one she found she rather enjoyed. Then she realized he was waiting for her response. “Ready,” she answered.
He gave her an approving smile, then slowly poured the water over the cut. It was strange to feel him holding her hand like this. His own hand was smoother than those of the ranch hands she was used to, but not soft in a namby-pamby way. She sensed strength there and an unexpected protectiveness.
“Looks like there’s a sliver embedded in your palm.” He glanced up and met her gaze again. “This might hurt a bit. I’ll make it quick.”
She nodded. Staring at his bent head, she noticed the way his hair tended to curl around his ear, how his brow wrinkled slightly when he was concentrating. His expression shifted and she saw the flicker of concern as he caught hold of the offending sliver, then the small spurt of triumph mixed with relief as he pulled it free.
“Sorry.”
She blinked and it took her moment to realize he was apologizing for any discomfort his actions had caused her. “I hardly felt a thing.” Which was the absolute truth as far as the cut was concerned.
Penny held out a bit of cloth. Sadie had been so riveted by Eli that she hadn’t noticed Penny had crossed the room. “You can use this for a bandage,” she said to her brother.
“Of course.” He took the cloth from her and again his touch was gentle and sure as he wrapped her palm in the makeshift bandage.
“Thank you.” Was that soft voice hers?
He cradled her hand a moment longer as his gaze caught on hers.
And held.
For several long, breath-stealing moments.
Chapter Three
“Wild wiggly worms, what happened in here?”
At the sound of Danny’s horrified question, Eli abruptly released Miss Lassiter’s hand and they both spun around.
He straightened his cuffs, trying to regain his composure. Surely Cora Beth’s brother didn’t think—
A heartbeat later he realized Danny was staring, not at the two of them, but at the mess on the floor.
“Just a little accident with the honey crock,” Miss Lassiter explained. “Nothing to get all excited about.”
“Who—”
“It doesn’t really matter who dropped it. What’s done is done.”
Eli raised a brow at her hasty interruption. Did she have trouble admitting when she’d made a mistake?
Danny didn’t seem inclined to let the matter drop. “But that was the last of Cora Beth’s fruitcake honey.”
Fruitcake honey? What was that?
Miss Lassiter, however, seemed to have no trouble understanding the significance. “I know, and that’s unfortunate. But don’t worry, I’ll make it up to her.”
Eli took himself in hand while Danny and Miss Lassiter babbled on about the honey. No doubt his uncomfortable, off balance feeling of a moment ago was caused by sympathy for Miss Lassiter’s injury, nothing more. After all, it was quite natural for a gentleman to feel some concern for a lady in distress. Especially a petite little thing like Miss Lassiter.
It was time he set his mind to more important matters. Like pressing his suit with Mrs. Collins. He’d set a few pieces in motion this evening and then lay his case before her tomorrow.
No doubt she would think his proposal sudden, but Mrs. Collins struck him as a sensible woman, one not given to fanciful notions. And since his offer of marriage would afford her an opportunity to finally shed the onerous workload she bore as proprietress of this boardinghouse, he was confident she would view his suit most favorably.
He spared a glance for Miss Lassiter. She’d moved back to the table with Penny and the two of them were stirring something in a large bowl. They looked so comfortable together, as if they were old friends. How did she manage to coax that sweet smile from his sister so often?
He shook his head to clear it from those stray thoughts. This waffling was unlike him—he preferred an orderly, calculated approach to decision making. Cora Beth Collins was the logical choice and she would make a wonderful mother figure for Penny.
And after tomorrow it would be settled.
The evening meal passed pleasantly enough. The food, while not up to Mrs. Collins’s standards, was passable. And Miss Lassiter made a point of giving credit to Penny for making the dessert sauce. While his sister reddened under the attention, she also seemed pleased by it, as well. He would have to remember to thank Miss Lassiter for her consideration.
He was also pleased with the progress he’d made with Mrs. Collins. Earlier he’d sought her out and asked for her help with the selection of a cook-housekeeper for his new home. He’d solicited her opinion on what qualities he should look for, then asked for suggestions on which local women might be suitable. He’d been impressed with her thought processes—another signal that he’d selected the right woman. In the end, he’d convinced her to allow each of the three women she’d recommended to take a day and cook the meals here at the boardinghouse so she could help him evaluate their performances.
He’d dropped a few hints about how dearly he valued her opinion and how he hoped to find a woman ‘just like her’ to preside in his home. He’d been subtle, as propriety dictated, but he was confident she would not be completely surprised when he proposed tomorrow.
Once the meal ended, Eli stood, ready to make his exit with the other boarders so the family would have the freedom to clear the dining room, but Mrs. Collins detained him with a comment. “I understand the work is almost complete on your new home,” she stated.
Eli nodded, taking it as a positive sign that she had singled him out. “Yes. Unfortunately that means we’ll soon have to say good-bye to the wonderful hospitality we’ve enjoyed