Second Chance Hero by Winnie Griggs Page A

hadn’t followed her. Appalled by her lack of attention so soon after Joy’s accident, she spun around. “Come along,” she said, holding out her hand. “We need to fetch something from Mr. Cooper’s room upstairs.”
    Joy’s lower lip pushed out in something suspiciously like a pout. “But I want to stay down here and play with Beans.”
    â€œBeans can come with us.”
    Her daughter’s expression cleared. “Okay.” She stood and waved to the dog. “Come on, Beans.”
    The dog obediently trotted at her heels, then bounded up the stairs with her.
    The staircase led up to a landing that had an open sitting room straight ahead and a kitchen to the right. The rooms were stark, with only a bare minimum of furniture. Perhaps Mr. Cooper just hadn’t had the time, or the funds, to do much more. But surely he would have brought some personal possessions with him, from his former home.
    There was a door off to her left that she assumed led to his bedchamber. “Joy, you and Beans can play right over there. I won’t be but a minute.”
    She marched to the door, then hesitated before opening it. It suddenly seemed invasive to enter his private space, even if she did have his permission. Which was silly. She was only going to fetch him a change of clothing and then leave. And she did have his permission to be here, after all.
    Verity opened the door and stepped inside. A quick glance around showed a neatly made bed, a wooden chair and a small bedside table. On the opposite wall was a trunk and the wardrobe. Everything looked as if it had seen better days.
    She noticed a picture on the bedside table, and her curiosity got the best of her. She went closer and discovered it was the image of a young woman. She was quite lovely, in a delicate, fragile sort of way. Her clothes were fine quality, her heart-shaped face very sweet and delicate. She had an ethereal quality to her and seemed to be everything Verity was not. Was this the kind of woman Mr. Cooper admired?
    Who was she? She was obviously someone who meant a great deal to him as it was the only picture, the only personal item really, in the room. A family member? A sweetheart? And where was she now?
    Verity straightened abruptly and turned away. What was she doing? She had no right to snoop into Mr. Cooper’s personal life. He’d given her permission to take care of some necessities for him, not snoop into things that were none of her business. She marched to the wardrobe, grabbed a clean shirt and pair of trousers, then headed back out.
    â€œCome along, Joy, time to go.”
    As she descended the stairs she thought how different his clothing smelled from what Arthur’s had. Where her husband’s had smelled of antiseptic, soap and cigars, Mr. Cooper’s smelled of leather, of course, but also soap and something faintly woodsy.
    She decided that she liked it.
    * * *
    Nate woke from his nap to see flowers floating in front of his eyes. What in the world—
    Was he still dreaming?
    â€œDo you like them?”
    The flowers, which he now saw were in a glass jar, floated to the side and the little girl holding them finally came into view.
    â€œWell, hello there, Joy. Does your mother know you’re in here?”
    â€œI just wanted to give you these,” she said, not answering his question. She held the flowers out toward him a little more. “Do you like them?” she asked again.
    â€œThey’re lovely.”
    Apparently this was the correct response, because her face split with a grin. “They’re for you. From me and Lulu.” She proudly held them out to him.
    â€œWhy, thank you. But who’s Lulu?”
    The child held out her doll. “My dolly.”
    He looked the doll in the “eyes.” “Very nice to meet you, Lulu.” Then he turned back to Joy. “The flowers are nice, but may I ask why you are giving me such a nice