Free Second Chance Hero by Winnie Griggs Page A

altogether off-limits—Mrs. Leggett was going to be very sorely tested.
    * * *
    As Verity closed the infirmary door, her smile faded. What was going on with Mr. Cooper? Why had he been so insistent that he needed to go home? It had almost seemed like he was fleeing from something.
    Did he truly prefer to be alone? That was such a heartbreaking thought.
    Well, someone needed to show him the joy that could come with being an active part of a welcoming community. This town had certainly welcomed her back with open arms when Arthur had been killed. No, more than welcomed her, they had shown her love and compassion, praying for her and with her, letting her know she was not alone in her grief.
    Of course she’d spent most of her growing-up years here in Uncle Grover’s home, had been one of them, so to speak. But she had seen these folks offer that same warm welcome to strangers who needed a place to start afresh. Like Mr. Tucker and those ten orphan children who’d arrived here last year. He’d actually ended up married to the local widow Eileen Pierce and together they’d adopted all ten children.
    Yes, sir, this town was a good place to make a new life for oneself, if one really wanted it.
    Then again, perhaps that was the problem. Did he prefer to be left alone?
    She shook her head. That was a foolish thought. Some people were forced by circumstances to cut themselves off from the world, but no one
preferred
to be alone. Even if a person thought that was what he wanted, he just needed to be shown the joys of having friends and neighbors who cared.
    Well, if that’s what Mr. Cooper needed, it was the least she could do for the man who had saved her daughter’s life.
    She smiled, her mind spinning with ideas of how she might accomplish that.
    * * *
    Sometime later that afternoon, Nate was roused from a light doze by a soft knock on the door. Sitting up straighter in the chair and hoping there were no traces of sleep remaining on his face, he bade the visitor enter.
    It was Mrs. Leggett again. “How are you doing?” she asked. “Tired of sitting up yet?” No doubt it was part of her job here to check in on the patients occasionally.
    He grimaced. “Actually, I’m much more tired of this forced inactivity. The book is good, but I’d prefer to be up and about.”
    â€œWe can’t have that, but would a change of scene help? While Uncle Grover doesn’t want you to put any weight on that foot just yet, I could wheel you into the parlor or out on the porch if you’d like.” A saucy note of challenge lit her eyes. “I could even sit down to a game of chess with you, if you play. But I have to warn you, I often beat Uncle Grover when we play.”
    Despite his intention to remain aloof, Nate found himself responding to this teasing side of her. “I haven’t played chess in quite a while, but I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.”
    Within a few minutes she had wheeled him into the parlor and up to a small table. Then she pulled the game board out from a cupboard and took a seat across from him.
    Mrs. Leggett proved to be a thoughtful, strategic player. But she also liked to chat as she contemplated her moves. “Joy is enjoying having Beans here.”
    â€œI’m glad.”
    She moved one of her pawns, then leaned back to wait on his countermove. “If you don’t mind my saying so, he seems like a rather odd choice of pet for a man such as yourself.”
    He shrugged. “Actually, Beans chose me.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    He made his move, then sat back. “I spent a few days in Kansas City on my way here. One day this ridiculously small mutt showed up outside the hotel where I was staying. It was obvious the animal had had a hard time of it.” It had been raining and the dog was wet, dirty, scratched up and obviously starving.
    â€œI stumbled on him at a weak moment and made the