Snowbound with Mr. Right

by Judy Christenberry

  “Come on, Sally, I lost maybe a thimbleful of blood. I don’t need to lie down.”

  “I think the doctor said for you to rest.”

  “Then I should go to my room at the bed-and-breakfast.”

  “No, you’ll need to have your bandage changed and you can’t do that yourself, someone would have to do it for you. That will be my job. But first, I’m going to put you in bed and let you take a nap.”

  “Sally, I’m not a baby.”

  “I know, Hunter. Come on. We’re almost there.”

  When they reached her house, she unlocked the front door and took him up the stairs to the bedrooms, leading him into the first room. Sally quickly turned down the bedding and Hunter had to silently admit the bed looked very comfortable and he was suddenly feeling a little weary.

  “Strip down and get under the covers. I’m going to fix you something to drink and maybe a few cookies to eat. You need something to get your blood sugar back up to normal,” Sally said, turning toward Hunter.

  “Cookies sound good,” Hunter muttered before he did as Sally asked.

  When she returned a few minutes later, she propped him up and sat beside him as he sipped a cup of coffee and ate some cookies. Then he took the pain pill and the antibiotic the doctor had given him.

  “This tastes good, Sally,” Hunter said.

  “I’m glad. I’ll be back to check on you later.” Then, much to Hunter’s surprise, she bent and kissed him on his forehead. “Now, get some sleep.”

  She took the cup and saucer and went downstairs after pulling the door behind her.

  Hunter lay there, feeling a little drowsy in spite of his protests. His wound hadn’t seemed that big a deal when he’d felt the bullet sear his skin, but now it ached. He let his eyelids drift down and that was all he remembered.

  Fortunately the store wasn’t too busy that afternoon, though it was a little heavier than Sally had expected because everyone wanted to hear about the attempted bank robbery. They all asked about Hunter and Sally patiently told them all it wasn’t serious, but she’d taken him into her house until he recovered, explaining that he would need to have his bandage changed.

  “Sally, I know you have good intentions, but you be careful having a man in your house. People might talk, you know,” one lady said, looking at Sally seriously.

  “You know, Edith, I’m going to take care of Hunter because I owe him. If people want to gossip about that, then let them,” Sally said, suddenly not caring about what people might think.

  “Well, for that matter, we all owe Hunter. I mean, the insurance would’ve covered any funds lost, but it would take a few days, especially with Christmas coming. We’ve been through that before.”

  “I know. He should’ve remained still and let the man steal the money, but that’s not Hunter. So I’m taking care of him.”

  The old lady smiled and nodded at Sally, as if she sensed there was something more going on here than just looking after a local hero. That evening when they closed the store at seven, Sally didn’t linger. She hurried home to check on Hunter and to cook a good dinner for him. Hoping he’d feel like eating, she took two steaks and put them on to grill before she went up the stairs to check on him.

  When she opened the door, he was sound asleep. She checked to be sure he wasn’t running a fever, but he seemed to be all right. Gently shaking him, she called his name. Hunter slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. “Hey, Sally. What happened? Where am I?”

  “You were wounded in the robbery attempt and the doctor said you should rest. I gave you the pills he gave me and you’ve been sleeping all afternoon. Are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah, I guess so. Where are my pants?”

  “Over here. I’ve started dinner and you need to eat something to keep your strength up. Why don’t you get dressed and come down as soon as you feel like it. You’re due another pain pill. I’ll give it to you when you get downstairs.”

  “Okay.”

  Sally left him and went down the stairs to finish making dinner. She’d just reached the kitchen when there was a knock on her door. Turning back, she opened the door to discover the mayor of Bailey standing there.

  “Hi, Sally. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I understand Hunter is staying here with you?”

  “Yes, I moved him in this afternoon so I can keep an eye on him until he’s well enough to go back to Denver.”

  “That’s good and very generous of you. May I speak to him, please?”

  “Just a minute and I’ll go get him. Won’t you come in?”

  “Yes, thank you, Sally.”

  Sally walked to the bottom of the stairs. “Hunter? The mayor is here to see you. Are you coming down?”

  “Yes, I’m coming,” she heard him say faintly.

  When he finally appeared, Hunter had donned his slacks and dress shirt.

  “Hunter, I’m Richard Grant, the mayor of Bailey. I just wanted to thank you for risking your life to stop the robbery. We appreciate your courage.”

  “He was kind of little, Mr Grant. I didn’t risk that much.”

  “Well, I’m not sure other people would have been as quick to jump in so on behalf of the town, I just wanted to express our appreciation.”

  “Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

  The two men shook hands and then Richard said goodbye to Sally and left.

  Sally went to the kitchen without saying anything. Hunter followed.

  “What was that all about?” Hunter asked.

  “What do you mean?’

  “The mayor coming here. Why did he do that?”

  “I thought he told you he wanted to express appreciation for your courage.” She was washing some broccoli before putting it on to steam.

  “Yeah, but—it wasn’t that big a deal.”

  Sally smiled without turning around. “Whatever you say, Hunter. I’ve got your pain pills over here. Are you ready for one?”

  “Maybe I’d better save it until I get ready for bed. I might need it more then.”

  Sally put the broccoli in the steamer and added water. Hunter sat down at the kitchen table and poured himself a glass of water. “It was nice of you to bring me here today, Sally. But you should have sent me to the bed-and-breakfast. I would’ve managed.”

  “You’re not going back to the bed-and-breakfast. I packed your bags and loaded your car and drove it over here. You’ll stay here until you go home to Denver.”

  He stared at her, stunned by her announcement.

  She looked at him. “What?”

  “What are you doing, Sally? Aren’t you worried that everyone will say we’re—you know, sleeping together.”

  “But they’d be wrong, wouldn’t they, Hunter? It’s all right. I know you don’t have any serious interest in me.”

  “Oh? How do you know?” Hunter said, suddenly looking at Sally closely.

  “Come on, Hunter. You’re big city and I’m small town. We come form different worlds. You have to leave for Denver in a few days whether you really want to or not—you’ll have to go back. It’s your home. But, while you’re here I’ll take care of you to repay you for all the work you’ve done for me. It’s only fair,” Sally said, smiling at Hunter.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  SALLY was up at her normal time the next day, but she didn’t expect Hunter to be up as early. She had given him his pills before he had gone to bed last night and she suspected he would sleep until she awakened him.

  Sally made a lunch for Hunter and covered it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator. Then she fixed a tray for Hunter’s breakfast.

  Sally ate her own breakfast and then she readied a fresh bandage and Hunter’s two pills that he needed to take this morning. Sally carried it up the stairs and knocked on his door before she opened it and went in.

  “Hunter? Are you awake?”

  She knew he wasn’t, but he quickly stirred and sat up in bed, looking around. Sally set the tray down on the desk and picked u
p the bandage, the hydrogen peroxide for cleaning the wound and the pills, along with the glass of juice.

  “What time is it?” he asked groggily.

  “It’s almost nine o’clock. If you can sit up a little, I’ll clean your wound and redo the bandage,” she said, handing him the glass of juice.

  “But I need to get dressed. The store opens in a few minutes.”

  “You’re not going to work today, Hunter. Your arm needs to heal and that won’t happen if you’re up moving around.”

  “It’s not that bad a wound, Sally. I can work—”

  “No, you can’t.” She propped several pillows behind him and unwrapped the bandage on his arm. Then she put some hydrogen peroxide on some cotton and cleaned the wound. After that, she wrapped the wound in a clean bandage.

  “Now, you need to take these two pills.”

  “I don’t need the pain pill, Sally. It makes me groggy!”

  “But you’re not getting out of bed today anyway, so it will be all right if it makes you sleepy.”

  “I have to go to the bathroom,” Hunter then said, stubbornly.

  “Okay. I’ll go down and get the mystery book you were reading while you go to the bathroom. Then I’ll come back and give you your pills and your breakfast.”

  “Sally, you don’t need to wait on me. I can manage.”

  “Go,” she ordered and got up and left the room.

  Hunter didn’t wait. He didn’t want to get caught in his underwear. He wanted to take a shower, but he wasn’t sure what to do about his wound.

  When he heard Sally’s steps on the stairs, he rushed back to his bed and slid into place under the cover as she came into the room.

  “Here’s the mystery when you wake up and want to have something to do. Now, take the pills.”

  He did as she ordered, sipping the orange juice she offered from the breakfast tray. Then he ate his scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. There was also a cup of coffee. He eagerly reached for it and discovered it was decaf. “I don’t get real coffee?”

  “I want you to sleep, not stay awake.”

  He put the coffee cup back on the tray.

  “All right. When you wake up for lunch, you’ll find it wrapped up in the fridge if I haven’t made it back yet.”

  “Okay.”

  She leaned over and kissed his forehead again. It seemed to be a habit now. Hunter was tempted to catch her shoulders and bring her mouth to his, but he didn’t think that would be a such a good idea, especially as he was in bed.

  “I’ll come check on you around noon.”

  “Okay,” he said, picking up the mystery novel.

  After she left the house, Hunter put the book down. It was too hard to hold it up to read. Besides, he was a little sleepy.

  Sally was a little late opening the store, but except for Billy waiting on her, there wasn’t anyone else wanting to come in. She tidied the store, missing Hunter’s cheerful presence and help. With a sigh, she reminded herself that she should get used to being alone again.

  When the bell over the door rang, she looked up to see a customer come in. “Let me know if I can help you,” she called, smiling.

  She didn’t recognize the man, but occasionally they had strangers wander in. He was looking over the entire store. It reminded Sally of Hunter’s arrival, when he had wanted to talk to her about the agreement his grandfather and her father had had. She thought back to that first meeting and how much had happened in that short time.

  The man came closer. “Are you Sally Rogers?”

  “Yes, I am. How can I help you?”

  “What have you done to my grandson?”

  Sally went completely still. Then she looked at the man. “Your grandson is in bed at the moment in my house, Mr Hunt. Would you like to see him?”

  “Of course I would! I called the bed-and-breakfast at seven this morning and was told he’d moved out—into your house!”

  “That’s right, and did they tell you why?”

  “No! And I didn’t ask! I’m not an idiot, Miss Rogers, I know why a man moves into a young woman’s house!”

  In spite of his anger, Sally calmly said, “I moved him to my house so I could change his bandage and keep his wound clean.”

  “What wound?” The old man actually looked frightened then.

  “Hunter tried to stop a bank robbery yesterday, Mr Hunt, and was wounded. It’s not serious as long as the wound is kept clean and he doesn’t get an infection. Right now, he’s taking pain pills, which keep him sleeping. If you can wait twenty minutes, someone will be here to relieve me and I can take you over to see him.”

  “Fine! I’ll wait, but I don’t like it!”

  “I perfectly understand,” Sally said and returned to folding the jeans, watching Mr Hunt out of the corner of her eye. He wandered the store, picking up objects and studying them, then replacing them on the shelf.

  “Do you sell many of these?” he asked, holding up some books she’d ordered just before the Christmas rush. There were only two on the shelf.

  “Yes, I ordered fifteen before Christmas. That’s all that’s left.”

  “Hmm,” was all the old man said before he continued his perusal of the store.

  A few minutes later, the bell on the front door rang and Ethel, Mary and Susie all came in.

  Sally went to meet them and explained what she was going to do. Then she turned to Wilbur Hunt. “Mr Hunt, if you’ll come with me, I’ll take you to see Hunter.”

  The man turned to follow Sally, never saying anything and she led him across the street to her home and unlocked the door. Then she went up the stairs, calling as she did so, “Hunter? Are you awake?”

  When she reached the bedroom, she realized Hunter was soundly asleep.

  Sally stepped aside and allowed his grandfather to see his grandson.

  “Hunter? Wake up, boy!”

  Sally watched as Hunter frowned, but he didn’t open his eyes.

  Mr Hunt grabbed Hunter’s arm. Unfortunately it was his injured arm. Sally stepped forward urgently to stop him and pulled the man’s hand back quickly. “Not that arm, sir! It’s his injured one.”

  “What? Oh, sorry, but I need the boy to wake up.”

  Hunter answered him. “I’m awake, Granddad, but what are you doing here?”

  “Trying to keep you from making a big mistake!”

  “What are you talking about?” Hunter demanded.

  “I need you to get up and get dressed. I’m taking you home this very instant.”

  “Mr Hunt, that’s not necessary!” Sally protested.

  “She’s right. It isn’t necessary.” Hunter gave his grandfather a level look. “I’m fine here. Sally is taking care of me, and I’ll be back on my feet by tomorrow.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m not letting you throw your life away on a store like hers. Or on a woman like her. You need to come home, now!”

  Hunter looked at Sally. “Sally, honey, would you mind if I talked to my grandfather alone for a minute?”

  “No, I don’t mind. I’ll go down to the kitchen.”

  Once Sally went downstairs, Hunter pushed another pillow behind him and sat up enough to face his grandfather. “Granddad, I’m not coming home with you. I’ve found where I want to be and it’s here, in Sally’s store. I can do all the things I like, and less of what I don’t like. And I’ve fallen in love with Sally.”

  “This is nonsense! She’s just after your money! Why else would a small-town girl bring a man into her house?”

  “I didn’t say she’s in love with me. I hope she is, but I don’t really know. But she’s not after my money. She’s doing pretty well on her own here, actually. Her store is very productive.”

  “Productive? It’s half empty!”

  “Yeah, the rush is over now. She did a great job of ordering to meet the needs of her shoppers in plenty of time. She had to reorder last week. I’d say that’s good planning wouldn’t you?”

  Hunter’s grandfather turned to look ou
t of the window that overlooked Sally’s store. “I still say you’re crazy.”

  “Granddad, I love you, but I’m not the corporate guy you want. I’d be miserable working in the offices and either go crazy within five years, or I’d walk out. Here, I’m happy. I’ve never been so happy,” Hunter said softly.

  Mr Hunt turned to face his grandson. “Okay, if that’s how you feel, come home and clear your head first. Think about this before you do anything rash. Anyway, you are hurt, you can’t help her in this state. Why don’t you come home to recover? No use burdening the girl like you are now.”

  “No. My head is clear and I know Sally doesn’t feel burdened. I’ll come home for Christmas dinner and I’ll bring Sally with me, if that’s okay. I’ll even come back to town for board meetings once a month. But that’s enough. I’m going to be a resident of Bailey from now on.”

  “We’ll see!” Mr Hunt spun around and went down the stairs. At the bottom, he called out, “Miss Rogers?”

  Sally came out of the kitchen. “Yes, Mr Hunt?’

  “Mind if I have a cup of coffee?”

  “Of course not. Come into the kitchen.”

  Sally held open the door for him and then moved into the kitchen to pour him a cup of coffee. She added some cookies on a saucer for him.

  “Miss Rogers, I need to take the boy home. I’ll make sure he gets good care, but—well, to be honest, he tends to think he’s fallen in love with any woman who cooks for him. Sorry about that, but that’s the way he is,” Mr Hunt said, staring into his coffee cup.

  “I see,” Sally answered.

  “So I need to get him home and take care of him.”

  “I’m perfectly willing to take care of him here, Mr Hunt. He should be up and around by tomorrow. I owe him at least that much care. Besides, he’s a hero to the townspeople.”

  “I’m taking him home!” the old man growled, staring at Sally.

  “Okay, then I’ll be glad to help you get him to the car…if that’s what Hunter wants,” Sally said, meeting the old man’s angry gaze proudly. “I’ll just run upstairs and talk to Hunter.”

  Sally didn’t wait for the old man to answer. She was desperately hoping Hunter didn’t want to go, but she couldn’t think of any reason he wouldn’t. When she got to his room, he was leaning against a pillow, his eyes closed.