Local Hero by Nora Roberts Page A

the damage. “You’re going to have a hell of a shiner.”
    â€œReally?” Hester touched the bruise again. “I was hoping this was as bad as it would get.”
    â€œNot a chance. It’s going to be a beaut.”
    She thought of the stares and the explanations that would be necessary the following week. “Terrific.”
    â€œHurt?”
    â€œYes.”
    Mitch touched his lips to the bruise before she could evade him. “Try some ice.”
    â€œI’ve already thought of that.”
    â€œI put my things away.” Radley stood in the hallway looking down at his shoes. “I had homework, but I already did it.”
    â€œThat’s good. Come here.” Radley continued to look at his shoes as he walked to her. Hester put her arms around his neck and squeezed. “Sorry.”
    â€œâ€™S okay. I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
    â€œYou didn’t make me mad. Mr. Rosen made me mad. That man who wanted my purse made me mad, but not you, baby.”
    â€œI could get you a wet cloth the way you do when my head hurts.”
    â€œThanks, but I think I need a hot bath and an ice pack.” She gave him another squeeze, then remembered. “Oh, we had a date didn’t we? Cheeseburgers and a movie.”
    â€œWe can watch TV instead.”
    â€œWell, why don’t we see how I feel in a little while?”
    â€œI got an A
on my spelling test.”
    â€œMy hero,” Hester said, laughing.
    â€œYou know, that hot bath’s a good idea. Ice, too.” Mitch was already making plans. “Why don’t you get started on that while I borrow Rad for a little while.”
    â€œBut he just got home.”
    â€œIt’ll only take a little while.” Mitch took her arm and started to lead her toward the hall. “Put some bubbles in the tub. They’re great for the morale. We’ll be back in half an hour.”
    â€œBut where are you going?”
    â€œJust an errand I need to run. Rad can keep me company, can’t you, Rad?”
    â€œSure.”
    The idea of a thirty-minute soak was too tempting. “No candy, it’s too close to dinner.”
    â€œOkay, I won’t eat any,” Mitch promised, and scooted her into the bath. Putting a hand on Radley’s shoulder, he marched back into the living room. “Ready to go out on a mission, Corporal?”
    Radley’s eyes twinkled as he saluted. “Ready and willing, sir.”
    ***
    The combination of ice pack, hot bath and aspirin proved successful. By the time the water had cooled in the tub, Hester’s headache was down to dull and manageable. She supposed she owed Mitch for giving her a few minutes to herself, Hester admitted as she pulled on jeans. Along with most of the pain, the shakiness had drained away in the hot water. In fact, when she took the time to examine her bruised eye, she felt downright proud of herself. Mitch had been right; bubbles had been good for the morale.
    She pulled a brush through her hair and wondered how disappointed Radley would be if they postponed their trip to the movies. Hot bath or no, the last thing she felt like doing at the moment was braving the cold to sit in a crowded theater. She thought a matinee the next day might satisfy him. It would mean adjusting her schedule a bit, but the idea of a quiet evening at home after the week she’d put in made doing the laundry after dinner a lot more acceptable.
    And what a week, Hester thought as she pulled on slippers. Rosen was a tyrant, and the settlement clerk was a pest. She’d spent almost as much time during the last five days placating one and discouraging the other as she had processing loans. She wasn’t afraid of work, but she did resent having to account for every minute of her time. It was nothing personal; Hester had discovered that within the first eight-hour stretch. Rosen was equally overbearing and fussy with everyone on his staff.
    And that