Local Hero by Nora Roberts

have my purse, either.”
    â€œOr a black eye. For God’s sake, Hester, you could have been seriously hurt, and I doubt there’s anything in your purse that would warrant it. Credit cards can be canceled, a compact or a lipstick replaced.”
    â€œI suppose if someone had tried to lift your wallet you’d have given him your blessing.”
    â€œThat’s different.”
    â€œThe hell it is.”
    He stopped pacing long enough to give her a long study. Her chin was thrust out, in the same way he’d seen Radley’s go a few times. He’d expected the stubbornness, but he had to admit he hadn’t expected the ready temper, or his admiration for it. But that was beside the point, he reminded himself as his gaze swept over her bruised cheekbone again.
    â€œLet’s just back up a minute. In the first place, you’ve got no business taking the subway alone.”
    She let out what might have been a laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    The funny thing was, he couldn’t remember ever having said anything quite that stupid. It brought his own temper bubbling over. “Take a cab, damn it.”
    â€œI have no intention of taking a cab.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIn the first place it would be stupid, and in the second I can’t afford it.”
    Mitch dragged the check out of his pocket and pushed it into her hand. “Now you can afford it, along with a reasonable tip.”
    â€œI have no intention of taking this.” She shoved the crumpled check back at him. “Or of taking a taxi when the subway is both inexpensive and convenient. And I have less intention of allowing you to take a small incident and blow it into a major calamity. I don’t want Radley upset.”
    â€œFine, then take a cab. For the kid’s sake, if not your own. Think how it would have been for him if you’d really been hurt.”
    The bruise stood out darkly as her cheeks paled. “I don’t need you or anyone to lecture me on the welfare of my son.”
    â€œNo, you do just fine by him. It’s when it comes to Hester that you’ve got a few loose screws.” He jammed his hands into his pockets. “Okay, you won’t take a cab. At least promise you won’t play Sally Courageous the next time some lowlife decides he likes the color of your purse.”
    Hester brushed at the sleeve of her jacket. “Is that the name of one of your characters?”
    â€œIt might be.” He told himself to calm down. He didn’t have much of a temper as a rule, but when it started to perk, it could come to a boil in seconds. “Look, Hester, did you have your life savings in your bag?”
    â€œOf course not.”
    â€œFamily heirlooms?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAny microchips vital to national security?”
    She let out an exasperated sigh and dropped onto the arm of a chair. “I left them at the office.” She pouted as she looked up at him. “Don’t give me that disgusting smile now.”
    â€œSorry.” He changed it to a grin.
    â€œI just had such a rotten day.” Without realizing it, she slipped off her shoe and began to massage her instep. “The first thing this morning Mr. Rosen went on an efficiency campaign. Then there was the staff meeting, then the idiot settlement clerk who made a pass at me.”
    â€œWhat idiot settlement clerk?”
    â€œNever mind.” Tired, she rubbed her temple. “Just take it that things went from bad to worse until I was ready to bite someone’s head off. Then that jerk grabbed my purse, and I just exploded. At least I have the satisfaction of knowing he’ll be walking with a limp for a few days.”
    â€œGot in a few licks, did you?”
    Hester continued to pout as she gingerly touched her eye with her fingertips. “Yeah.”
    Mitch walked over, then bent down to her level. With a look more of curiosity than sympathy, he examined