Free The Trouble with Patience by Maggie Brendan Page A

beautiful day. I wanted to thank you for coming to my aid yesterday.” She gave him a little smile. “Forgive me if I don’t stand. My head still feels somewhat strange at times.”
    Her usual rosy cheeks were pale, and her eyes seemed dull as she gazed at him. A dark blue bruise swelled the side of her face.
    â€œI’m sorry it happened, but glad you’re up and feeling better.” He placed one foot on the top step, removed his hat, and leaned an arm across his knee.
    A light pink now bathed her face. “Thank you. Emily said you sent for the doctor and—and carried me inside.” She nervously fingered the fringe on the shawl draped across her shoulders. “I hope it wasn’t too much of a bother.”
    Cowboy cleared his throat and turned to them from the top of the ladder. “ I was the one who went after the doctor for you, Patience.”
    â€œSure ’nuff, you did. Because I asked you to, cowboy,” Jedediah drawled.
    â€œ Cody . My name is Cody.” He flashed an annoyed look at Jedediah.
    â€œGot it. Cody.” Jedediah winked at him, then handed Patience an envelope. “This is payment for the lunches you made. Everyone said to tell you they were delicious,” he said, fully aware that Cody had one ear cocked to their conversation. Wasn’t he way too young for Patience?
    She nodded, glancing inside the envelope. “I’m glad you all enjoyed the lunches. Just let me know when you think you’ll need them again.”
    â€œI’ll do that. You take it slow for a few days.” Jedediah could have sworn her eyes softened when she looked into his. He smiled at her, watching her full lips lift at the corners with a sweet smile.
    â€œOh, don’t worry. Emily’s making sure of that,” she said. “I’m not cooking for the boarders for the next day or two.”
    â€œDo you need for me to get you over to Longhorn’s for supper then?” Now where did that come from? he berated himself. But it was asked, and now he couldn’t back out without looking ridiculous.
    â€œNo need—I’m taking her myself,” Cody called down from his perch.
    â€œDid I ask you?” Jedediah straightened, irritated, and stared upward. “The lady can speak for herself.”
    â€œI don’t require anyone to take me to supper,” Patience announced archly. “But Cody was nice enough to ask meearlier. Maybe you’d care to join us?” Her smile was sweet and, Jedediah thought, genuine.
    â€œI’ll pass,” he told her. “I’ve got to get back to work. Riffraff passing through Nevada City are always keeping me on my guard, you know,” he said with a quick glance at Cody. He put his hat on and noticed Cody eyeing his badge, the muscles in his jaw flinching hard. Maybe he hadn’t seen it yesterday. Good! At least he knows who I am now.
    Patience stood and reached over, almost touching his arm, but drew her hand back. “Perhaps another night . . .”
    â€œWe’ll see.” What the devil was wrong with him? Eating alone was becoming tedious and lonely. However, Cody had his eye on her, and who was he to get in the way of that?
    Patience chuckled, though it sounded forced. “I wouldn’t want to twist your arm.”
    â€œYou’re not. It’s just that I’ve got a lot of things to do . . . and it looks like you won’t be needing my help with painting now.”
    Patience was looking down at her shoe tops. “I see. Well, in that case, thank you again for your help. Cody was free for now and wanted something to do and offered to do some painting for me. I’m on my way inside to rest now.” She slipped through the doorway and disappeared, leaving him to wonder.
    Was it something he’d said? He never could understand the workings of a woman’s mind. Who could?
    Cody lifted the brush from the pail with a distinct