Twice Blessed Read Free Page A

but this commotion had gone on long enough. “May I speak with you a moment, Mr. Sawyer?”
    â€œSure.” He spit out the word as if it were strained by clenched teeth.
    She glanced around at the crowd. “Privately?”
    â€œI haven’t got anything to say that I’m ashamed to have everyone hear.”
    Fire coursed across her cheeks, and she knew she was blushing. His answer suggested she had a reason to guard her words. Another shudder ached in her stiff shoulders as she hoped no one guessed how right he was. This was going all wrong.
    With what dignity she still had, she said quietly, “Mr. Sawyer, he’s just a boy.”
    â€œA boy who is old enough to know better than to try to help himself to tools that don’t belong to him.”
    She took his sleeve and drew him to the edge of the road. Paying no attention to the shocked expressions around them, she found it more difficult to ignore Noah Sawyer’s frown. His gaze led hers down his arm to her fingers. Abruptly, she was aware of the firm muscles beneath that cotton sleeve. When his hand covered hers, she could not silence her gasp. Something twinkled in his eyes, but vanished as he lifted her fingers away.
    â€œMiss Delancy, isn’t it?” he asked coolly.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œMiss Delancy, I trust you’ll resist using your feminine wiles to persuade me to change my mind. I assure you you’ll be wasting your time and mine.”
    â€œMr. Sawyer,” she said as she clasped her hands tightly and hoped that the fire again burning her cheeks was not coloring them bright red, “I’m asking you to reconsider. Every child makes mistakes now and then.”
    â€œHe made a mistake now . Some of those tools could be very dangerous for a young boy who doesn’t know how to use them properly. That he ran carrying that bag of nails and a hammer warned me he didn’t have respect for the tools. If he’d fallen, he could have injured himself horribly.”
    She faltered on the retort she had been about to snarl back at him. Because he had spoken only of his determination to see the boy punished for daring to steal his tools, she had not guessed he was worried young Sean would get hurt. Maybe Noah Sawyer was not the icy-hearted beast she had labeled him.
    â€œYou should have told me before that you were concerned about the child’s safety,” she said.
    â€œI didn’t think explaining myself to you was as crucial as stopping the boy before he was hurt, Miss Delancy.” He paused and glanced at the storefront across the street. “Delancy? Like the name on the store?”
    She nodded. “Yes, I own the store.”
    Surprise flashed through his mercurial eyes, and she could not keep from raising her chin. During the past seven years, folks in Haven had gotten accustomed to having a woman running the village’s store. Mr. Sawyer would just have to get used to it, too.
    â€œThen,” he said calmly, “you must be well aware it’s vitally important that a young thief learns his lesson so he won’t repeat it.”
    â€œI think the boy has learned his lesson. Heavens above, Mr. Sawyer, he’s a stranger here and just a boy. He was curious, that is all.”
    He opened his mouth to reply, but she did not give him the chance.
    â€œMr. Sawyer, you must be new in Haven, too.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    She laughed, then wished she had not when his scowl drew his lips tighter. “If you’re planning to stay around here, you need to learn the folks in Haven trust each other.” She motioned toward the store’s front door. “I haven’t locked up since the first week I came here.”
    â€œYou could be robbed blind.”
    â€œI could, but I haven’t. The Andersons live right across the road, and they would be certain to send for me if they heard anything amiss.”
    His brown eyes narrowed as he combed his fingers