Texas Proud and Circle of Gold (Long, Tall Texans #52) - Diana Palmer Page 0,37
recognize them. He couldn’t drink red wine or eat any dark fruit or cheese. And he loved cheese.”
“How about chocolate?”
She laughed. “He never liked sweets, so it wasn’t a problem.”
“Do you get headaches?”
She shook her head. “I had one bad one when I was about thirteen. Never since.”
“Lucky you,” he told her.
“I guess so.”
“Paulie says I can bring you over to the house to visit on Saturday, if you want.”
Her heart skipped and ran away. “He did? Really?”
“So did Sari. There are kittens in the barn and horses to pet. I think there’s a dog somewhere, too.”
“Ooh, temptation,” she cooed, and grinned at him.
He laughed. “I thought the kittens might do it.”
She cocked her head and her eyes adored him. “The kittens would be a bonus. Spending time with you is the real draw.”
He caught his breath. Amazing, the effect she had on him. He felt as if he could walk on air.
“It’s like that with me, too, kid,” he said softly. “I like being with you.”
She felt exhilaration flow through her. “The cane doesn’t put you off?”
He shrugged. “I’ll get one, too. We’ll look like a matched set.”
Tears stung her eyes. She’d never dreamed that a man, especially a gorgeous, worldly man like this, would ever find her attractive and not be put off by her condition.
“Aw, now, don’t do that,” he said softly. He got up, lifted her into his arms and sat back down with her across his lap. “Don’t cry. Everything’s going to be all right. Honest.”
She put her arms around his neck and snuggled close. “You think so?” she asked tearfully.
“Yes, I do.” He rubbed her back, feeling protective.
The sound of a door opening broke the spell. But he wouldn’t let Bernie up even when Mrs. Brown came into the kitchen.
“Oh, dear,” she said, taking in Bernie’s tears and Mikey comforting her. “Pain got you up, didn’t it?”
“Yes. I came to get a bottle of water so I could take one of those horrible pills, but I have to eat something first. I hope you don’t mind...”
“Bosh,” Mrs. Brown said. “That’s why I keep snacky foods and soft drinks in the fridge.”
“The cheese is really good,” Mikey said.
“It’s hoop cheese,” Mrs. Brown told him with a grin. “I get them to order me a wheel of it at the grocery store and I slice it and bag it up. I like it, too. I got peckish so I thought I’d get myself a snack. Is it bad, Bernie?” she added.
Bernie nodded. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“I don’t sleep much,” Mrs. Brown said quietly. “You didn’t bother me at all.”
Bernie got off Mikey’s lap reluctantly. “Thanks for the comfort,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I don’t feel sorry for myself, but the pain is pretty bad.”
“Go to bed, honey. Don’t forget your water,” he told her. “Saturday, if you’re better, we’ll go see the kittens in Paulie’s barn. Okay?”
Bernie’s eyes lit up. “Okay.”
“Want me to carry you down the hall?” he offered.
“Thanks,” she said, a little self-conscious at Mrs. Brown’s amused expression. “But I’m good. I hold on to the wall when I get wobbly. Good night,” she added to both of them.
“Try to sleep, sweetheart,” Mrs. Brown said. “If you need me, you call, okay?”
“I will. Thanks.” She glanced at Mikey, flushed, smiled and went out the door.
* * *
“She’s got grit,” Mikey told the landlady.
“Yes, she really has,” Mrs. Brown replied. “We all try to look out for her, as much as she’ll let us. She’s very independent.”
“I noticed,” he chuckled.
“You’re eating cheese,” she said worriedly. “Didn’t you tell us that you got migraine headaches?”
“Well, yes...”
“Cheese is a trigger,” she said. “Like red wine and chocolate.”
He made a face. “I can’t eat chocolate at all, but I never thought of cheese bringing on a headache.” He laughed. “You know, I used to get headaches all the time and never knew why. It was always after I’d been out with a colleague of mine. He loved cheese, so he always had a platter of it with his dinner, wherever we ate. I nibbled on it and then almost died in the night when the pain came.”
“Do you get the aura?” Mrs. Brown asked.
He grimaced. “Yeah. Flashy lights or blind in one eye until the pain hits.”
“Do you have something to take for it?” she persisted.
“Just over-the-counter stuff.”
“You should see a doctor and get something stronger,” she told him. “They even have a drug that can prevent them, if you don’t have drug allergies.”