Second Chance Hero by Winnie Griggs

squirming in her seat, looked up. “Are you really going to get Beans?”
    Verity smiled at the hopeful expression on her daughter’s face. “I am. Would you like to come with me?”
    Joy immediately slid from her chair. “Yes, ma’am.”
    As she and Joy headed out a few minutes later, Verity found herself moving with a bounce in her step. She tried to tell herself that it was just an eagerness to get this errand taken care of, but she knew better. Was it wrong of her to be so intrigued by the idea of getting a peek at Mr. Cooper’s lodgings?
    Then she pulled her shoulders back. Of course not. It was nothing more than a natural urge to learn more about the man who’d saved her daughter’s life.
    Or at least that’s what she told herself.

Chapter Five
    O bviously excited by the idea of seeing Beans again, Joy chattered all the way to Mr. Cooper’s place. Fortunately, most of her comments were directed to her doll, Lulu, and didn’t require a response from Verity. She kept firm hold of her daughter’s hand the whole time, but her mind kept drifting to thoughts of what Mr. Cooper’s place might look like and if it would provide new insights into the man himself.
    When they arrived, Verity spotted Calvin Hendricks seated on the bench that sat between the apothecary and the saddle shop. Calvin was a local youth who was fast approaching adulthood. Apparently he’d been the one tapped by Sheriff Gleason to keep an eye on Mr. Cooper’s shop.
    â€œHi there, Miz Leggett.” Calvin stood, then turned to her daughter. “And hello, Joy. I sure am glad to see you walking around and looking good as new.”
    â€œMr. Cooper saved me,” Joy said, as if it was momentous news. Which, as far as Verity was concerned, it was.
    â€œThat he did. And it was right heroic of him, too.” Calvin turned back to Verity. “How’s he doing?”
    â€œHe’s got some painful bruises, a gash on his arm and a sprained ankle, but thankfully nothing that won’t heal. Uncle Grover stitched him up and he’s resting at the clinic.” She waved toward the saddle shop. “I’m here to fetch his dog and a change of clothes, and to get his key so we can lock the place up.”
    Calvin nodded. “Anything I can help with?”
    â€œThank you, but no. It shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes.”
    â€œWell, if you change your mind, I’ll be right out here.” And the youth sat back down on the bench, as if to demonstrate he wasn’t going anywhere.
    Verity opened the shop door and stepped inside. She and Joy were immediately greeted by a yipping ball of excited dog. Joy stooped down to greet the animal and quickly had her face washed in doggie kisses.
    Verity carefully closed the door behind them, unwilling to risk Beans running out and Joy following him in a repeat of the earlier mishap.
    Deciding to tackle the matter of clothing first, she headed toward the stairs at the back of the shop. She slowly crossed the room, studying her surroundings with keen interest. The place had a definite masculine feel—all leather and wood and metal.
    Harnesses and leather straps of various lengths and widths hung from pegs on the wall to her right. There was a worktable to her left. A selection of tools, most of which she didn’t recognize, were displayed there. They were neatly arranged and organized, though his system wasn’t immediately obvious. She imagined him working here, wearing the heavy canvas apron that hung on a peg behind the table, his head bent over his work, his strong, callused hands wielding those strange tools, his arresting blue eyes focused on his work.
    The smell of leather hung heavy in the room, so strong she could almost taste it. Under that scent, she could also detect the aroma of oil and just a faint tang of metal.
    Only when she reached the bottom of the stairs did Verity realize her daughter