Page 37 of His Unforgettable Bride
“And I seem to do it endlessly these days.”
Did he need assistance due to his hurting leg? “May I assist you somehow, sir? Fetch a family member?”
“Kind of you to offer, but I’m alone now. Wife died two years ago, and then my brother and I built a cabin in the mountains, which we share. The name is Cy Kelly.” On closer examination, he was as thin as a scarecrow, his cheeks chapped from the wind, and his coat threadbare. “Came to see the doctor about my leg, but he’s out of town.”
“I see. I’m Juliet Dash, and sorry about your wife.” A light sprinkling of rain was beginning to fall.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Dash.”
“How long have you been in town?”
“Close to a week. With the weather changing up in the mountains, I’m told the passes have blown shut with snow, which means I’m probably stuck here until spring.”
She wiped the raindrops off her face with the end of her headscarf. Based on appearance, Mr. Kelly partially resembled her grandfather, particularly his straight nose, slight build, and midnight blue eyes. “Can you stay at a boarding house?”
“I have been, though it’s too expensive to continue. God will provide.”
“Once upon a time, I had nowhere to stay either. But I’m a servant at a fine house up the hill these days.”
Although she occasionally grumbled to herself about the strict and seemingly random lessons, she had few complaints. And then there was Gray, who’d compared her laugh to music. He was a little too interesting and more than a bit mysterious. It was hard to say what she liked more—his good looks or his charm. Undoubtedly, a toss-up.
Yet she had no designs on the man. For one, he was a gentleman and above her class. And two, if he was Alex Sherwood, he had a criminal past. Sure, people changed—and he seemed decent enough. But what if, after he recovered from amnesia, he decided to return to his crimes?
She’d had enough lawbreaking in her past and didn’t want it in her future.
“Ideally, I’d raise an umbrella to shelter us from this rain,” Cy said. “But I have nary a one. This confounded dampness troubles my gout, I’m afraid.”
“Sounds like you’re down on your luck.”
“’Tis true, but don’t fret over me. I’m what you call a survivor.”
Juliet’s stomach muscles tightened. “Me too.”
“Years back, I labored as an architect and builder. Then my Elizabeth got sick, and I had to care for her. At about the same time, I was swindled out of a large sum of money. Yet I always land on my feet.”
“My grandfather used to say the same thing until he fell off a roof.” She glanced at the nearby hitching post where three horses stood tethered. Did one belong to Mr. Kelly? Surely, it must. She doubted he could amble far in his condition.
“I’ve been asking around town about work. Even with my bad leg, I can still manage.”
An idea began to take shape. “So, you know something about building and carpentry?”
He laughed. “I don’t just know something. I know everything.”
“Then I might have a job for you.” In Gray’s weakened condition, he could use the help. Wouldn’t that be a blessing? And how could the sisters object to having Mr. Kelly assist, especially if they hoped to be ready for the open house on schedule?
The idea was growing by the second. What if Tabitha and Livy didn’t only hire Mr. Kelly to help with the tearoom but also allowed him to stay at their place for the winter months? After all, they had three empty bedrooms upstairs.
Juliet had no business meddling, but how could she ignore someone in need?
When she’d been homeless, how many times had she prayed for a helping hand? Did Mr. Kelly whisper the same prayer?
She tucked the sisters’ mail under her cloak to shield the bundle from the rain. “I’m not promising anything, but I might return for you.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’d be much obliged, and you know where to find me.”
“That I do.” Outside on the cold, lonely street. A place she knew all too well.
Juliet turned and trudged back up the hill, growing rain-soaked with every step and growing more convinced not to ignore Mr. Kelly’s need for help. At the very least, she’d ask the sisters if he could stay in their home until he found other accommodations. She was a great judge of character, had learned to be over the years, and something about the man told her that he was good and kind but just down on his luck.
