“Sorry, I didn’t think about your hand getting wet,” Matthew apologized.
“There’s some gauze in the first-aid kit in the storage building,” Silas said, closing the gate to look at their soaked clothes. “I’m going to head out while I’m still the only one dry.”
Seeing the mischievous glint in Matthew’s eyes at Silas’ bragging, Alanna blocked Matthew from showering Silas. “Don’t you dare.”
“You’re no fun. It wouldn’t hurt him to get a little wet.”
“I don’t think there was anything little about what you were planning.”
“Come on; let’s get that wet bandage off.” Taking her by the wrist, he went to turn the water off before heading to the storage building. He released her wrist and turned on the light. It took the two of them searching to find the first-aid kit shoved on a top shelf.
“Just how many first-aid kits does your family have?” Alanna asked, taking a seat on a stool that Matthew showed her.
“A bunch. With all our homes spread out, Silas likes to be prepared in case of emergency.” Matthew opened the first-aid box before unwinding the soaked gauze covering her hand. They both stared down at her hand. There wasn’t a burn mark. Her skin was unblemished.
“Wow, you healed fast.” Closing the box, he wadded up the gauze and threw it into the trash can by the freezer.
Alanna twirled her fingers, not even seeing the thin skin peeling where the blisters had popped.
Frowning down at her hand, she couldn’t understand how it had healed so fast when it had been infected yesterday. Maybe the cream in the first-aid box was stronger than the cream she had been using.
“I bet I know how my hand healed so fast.” Alanna looked up from her hand, catching Matthew’s worried expression.
“How?”
“Greer must have used some of that oil they can get from pot.” She nodded knowledgeably.
Matthew frowned. “What kind?”
“You know, that hemp oil.”
His eyes started twinkling with laughter. “I think you mean CBD oil?”
“Whatever.” She waved her hand, showing it didn’t matter. “I wish he hadn’t. What if the sheriff wants a drug test?”
“Why would the sheriff want a drug test?”
“I don’t know. Don’t they drug test all felons?”
“I guess, when they’ve been arrested on drug charges. You were arrested for kidnapping.”
“Oh …” She stood, considering what he had said, then came to a conclusion. “You might be right, but if I do get a surprise drug test, Greer is going down with me.”
“You’re on a first name basis with him?”
When had she stopped thinking of him as Deputy Porter? The simple thought shook her enough that she had to sit back down as Matthew shrugged out of his wet shirt to sling it down on the freezer. Bending down, he lifted a bushel of potatoes and placed it in a dark corner.
“Can I ask you something?” she asked as he bent down to pick up another bushel of potatoes.
“Shoot.”
“Are you flirting with me because you know I will be leaving town when my court case is over?”
Matthew set the bushel back down with an angry frown. “What made you ask that?”
Alanna ran a hand through her damp hair, not meeting his eyes. “Silas said you get most of your orders from customers away from here.”
“So?”