Heinrich went to the bank. She pulled a tin of peaches off of a high shelf behind the counter and dangled it for her customer to reach. Concern creased Oliver Rengler’s brow.“You shoulda let me do the climbing, ma’am.” He set the tin on the counter and steadied the ladder.Her knuckles white, Caroline planted her booted feet on one wrung, and then another. She didn’t wish to lose her footing. Nor did she fancy tangling the heels of her boots in her skirt with two men nearby.She’d counted two more steps when Oliver held his hand out to her. She gladly accepted his assistance onto the solid floor.“Thank you.”He nodded, but didn’t let go. Caroline glanced at her hand in his, which looked like a teacup inside a serving bowl.His face tinted red and he jerked his hand to his side.Caroline smoothed her work apron and returned to the ledger. A lot of folks were using store credit to gather provisions for their trip west, planning to pay off their debt after they’d sold their property and belongings.
