Read Online Dead Spots by Rhiannon Frater - Free Book Online Page B

liquid.
    â€œWhoa.” Mackenzie was impressed and slightly repulsed. It was very much something Tanner would do. He was a caffeine addict.
    â€œIt’s been a long time since I had a diet soda,” Grant confessed.
    Lifting her hands, Mackenzie ran them over her skull. “Maybe I’m unconscious. Maybe I hit my head. Would I feel an injury in my dreams?”
    Unrolling his silverware, Grant laid out the utensils and spread the napkin over his lap. “Mackenzie, even if you don’t believe me, humor me. Which means put aside all your theories and concentrate on the here and now. Okay?”
    Mackenzie considered his words as she regarded her surroundings. Maybe he had a point. She apparently was stuck for the moment in whatever was happening to her. Reaching into her purse, she withdrew Joshua’s blanket and set it on the table so she could search through the rest of the contents.
    â€œThat’s beautiful,” Grant said with admiration, lightly touching the embroidered flowers.
    â€œI made it for my son,” Mackenzie answered, continuing to shift the rest of the contents around in her purse.
    â€œYou’re a mother,” Grant said thoughtfully.
    â€œSomething like that.” Mackenzie found her journal and set it on the table while she rolled the blanket up into a tight spool. Once the blanket was tucked out of sight, she flipped her journal open to a fresh page.
    With the attached pen, she wrote: “Stay calm.”
    The simple act focused her mind.
    Grant chuckled when he obviously read what she wrote.
    â€œI like lists,” she said defensively.
    â€œIt’s a good start to a list,” he said with a grin.
    Plates full of delicious food were set down on the table before them with a slight clatter.
    Candy smiled at them. “Enjoy!”
    When Mackenzie stashed away the journal, she noted that it barely shook in her hand. Acceptance of her present circumstances made it a little easier to cope. Certainly she would awaken at some point, but until then she would eat her fried chicken.
    Cutting a bite-sized portion with her knife, she savored the smell wafting up from the white meat covered in a crunchy crust. The white gravy clung to the bit of food as she raised it to her mouth. She hesitated. Across from her Grant was hungrily devouring his food, cutting huge chunks out of his serving of chicken and shoving them into his mouth. Bravely, she pushed the food past her lips. The chicken was perfect: juicy, tender, and flavorful. The gravy was just a little spicy. Even if she was just imagining the food, it tasted amazing.
    â€œHere are some fresh rolls,” Candy’s voice said.
    â€œI love bread!” Grant grabbed one of the hot, flaky rolls, buttered it, and shoved it in his mouth. Chewing, he smiled, his cheeks bulging. He motioned for her to eat.
    Mackenzie really didn’t need any urging. Tucking into her meal, she savored each bite.
    In the corner, the blonde was devouring a huge burger and fries with great relish. Ketchup dripped onto her pink sweater, but she didn’t seem to notice.
    Grant leaned forward, snagged Mackenzie’s chin with his fingers to bring her gaze back to him. “Just eat.”
    â€œHey!” Jerking her head away, she frowned.
    With a wince, Grant gave her an apologetic look. “I shouldn’t have done that. Sorry. I’m just worried.”
    â€œBecause we’re in a dead spot?”
    â€œYes.” Grant gave Candy a wary look as the waitress strolled past. “Exactly.”
    Mackenzie’s eyes strayed toward the corner table again. The blonde’s hair was now mussed from her shoving her greasy hands through it to get it out of her face as she crammed half a hot dog into her mouth.
    â€œWhat the hell…?”
    â€œStop looking,” Grant growled. He was eating as fast as he could. He smashed the last of his chicken and potatoes between two rolls and bit into the makeshift