Free His Forever Valentine by Kit Morgan Page A

“That’s Miss Smith to you, young man.  And thank you.”
    “You’re welcome ma’am.” He gave his attention back to Rose. “It’s okay, I used to be afraid of heights too, until I fell out of the hayloft that is. Then for some reason, I wasn’t afraid anymore.”
    “You weren’t?  I fell out of tree once and ever since then, I’ve been afraid of high places.”
      “Maybe falling out of the hayloft is what used to scare me, and after I’d done it, I didn’t have to be afraid anymore.” He shrugged. “That’s what they call, a theory. ”
    Rose smiled. He made her feel better already.  Others always made fun of her fears, but not this man. She looked to the boxes on the counter. “I guess you’ll want to try these on?”
    His eyes never left her face as he leaned over the counter. “Yes, ma’am.”
    She could feel the warm brush of his breath as he talked and shivered with a delicious chill. For the first time she noticed his scent … it was so … manly .
    “Ahem …”
    Both turned to Mrs. Quinn, who stood looking down her nose at them. “Rose, why don’t you go to the back, and put a kettle on the stove. I’m sure you and Matthew will be ready for tea soon.”
    Rose nodded, took one last look at Tom, and forced herself to leave.  Oh good grief!  What was she doing? Lord help me! I shouldn’t be feeling so … so … giddy!
    As soon as she was gone, Mrs. Quinn stabbed Tom with a look of disapproval. “Deputy Turner, might I remind you that it is my son who will be marrying that girl. Remember your place.”
    He stared at her. “I met no disrespect ma’am.”
    “You should’ve let her get down on her own.”
    “But ma’am, anyone could see how frightened she was, and I thought …”
    “I don’t care what you thought, you remember your place.  Maybe we ought to order you your own bride.”
    “I was just trying to help, that’s all.”
    “Maybe so, but what if Matthew saw you with your hands on her like that?”
    “It won’t happen again, ma’am.”
    “That’s better. Now, which pair of these do you want?”
    He watched her open the boxes, and pull out the boots. He grabbed a pair, lifted a foot and held the bottom of the boot flush against his own. “This’ll do.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “As sure as I know that little gal would have fallen.”
    Mrs. Quinn’s head shot up at the remark. “Tom Turner, mind your own business.”
    He dug into his pocket, pulled out some money, and placed it on the counter. “Don’t worry, ma’am, next time I’ll let her fall.” He took the boots, and turned to leave.
    Mrs. Quinn stood, her mouth open at the remark, and then looked to the money on the counter. “Don’t you want your change?”
    “No ma’am,” he said over his shoulder as he left the mercantile. He went out the door and into the street, turned, and headed for the Sheriff’s office.  What was wrong with him? He ought to go have Sheriff Riley horsewhip him for his behavior, but he couldn’t help himself!  The thought of Rose getting hurt galled him, and he had to help!  He recognized the signs of fear, could see the stiffness in her back, the way she hesitated before climbing the ladder, the shortness of breath, the shaking. Had he been any different when he was terrified of heights? Any height?  She’d only been five feet off the floor, but it was enough to set her panic into motion.  She would have hung on to the ladder until forced down, and a lot more would have been hurt than had she fallen on her tender rump. He remembered what it was like to be teased and made fun of.  It wasn’t until later that he over came his fear, thanks to Colin Cooke, a cattle rancher from Clear Creek. He’d fallen out of a hayloft too, (albeit with a little help from his brothers) and landed on a pitchfork no less! He hadn’t been fond of heights either, but got over it real quick when he met his wife, Belle. After all, if he hadn’t fallen out of the hayloft, he never