Read Online Down the Hidden Path by Heather Burch - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Heather Burch
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rebuild an indoor pool. Of course, the lodge had taken a hefty chunk, and he’d done his homework on what therapy could cost.
“I really appreciate you coming, Gray. Jamille told me the going rate for an OT. I’m willing to pay that and more if that’s what it takes. I could use you full-time to start, then maybe after a few months, part-time. Can I count on you?” He just wanted to close the deal so they could move on to making a rehab plan for Caleb.
“I’d be happy to sign off on your paper, Miah. I already have, in fact. But I’m afraid you’ll have to find another therapist. I have to turn down the job. I’m really sorry.”
And she stood up and strode to the front door, leaving him with his mouth hanging open. The click of the latch snapped his attention. “Wait.”
She paused, standing in the doorway with the sun slipping in around her.
“Why?” His heart was sinking.
“I’m just not the person for the job. Run an ad in the Laver Community Hospital’s employee newsletter. I bet you’ll have five therapists fighting for the position.” She smiled. But it was that same detached grin she’d offered at the taco stand.
“I’d always thought you were really fond of Caleb.”
Her chin rose a degree and that’s when he saw the truth. There was a big part of her that wanted to take the job. It just wasn’t the part that was in control. “I always thought of him as the little brother I never had. Caleb was really special to me, Miah. More than I could ever say.”
“Just not now that he needs you.” He hadn’t meant to say that and he hadn’t meant for all the bitterness to accompany his words, but this didn’t make any sense. When she hadn’t known it was being offered by Miah, she’d mumbled the word miracle in reference to the job. She needed a job. He had a job perfect for her.
Gray swallowed and he watched as a carefully placed veil slipped over her features. “I’m sure it’s difficult to understand.”
His gaze narrowed on her. What was that? That cool, collected attitude? As if she’d spent the last several years covering her real feelings. Fear, quick and sharp, shot into his heart. “Gray? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
Her eyes fluttered. She tried to hide it. But he’d seen the crack in the marble shell. “No.” She smiled and it was almost convincing. It would be convincing to someone who didn’t know her so well. “Quite the opposite, Jeremiah. Thanks for thinking of me. Give Caleb my love.”
The door clicked closed behind her.
Gray scrutinized her reflection after changing her clothes yet again and traipsing to the living room, where the ancient full-length mirror clung to a wall by the front door. “Other than you, David, guys are a great big pain in the butt.”
He’d been reading a manga book, sitting cross-legged on the couch when she passed him. Nana’s house was warm with the fire blazing in the cute little square fireplace. Cozy. But inside, Gray was all ice chips and frozen organs. Winter had settled into River Rock with all its chilly glory and for the first time, her town felt cold outside and internally. It made no sense whatsoever, things were the same as they’d always been, but knowing more and more McKinleys were in town made the space feel small. And frigid.
David dropped the book on his lap and pivoted to watch her inspect the angles of her reflection.
“I hate this one,” she said.
“It’s a nice dress, Gray.”
She turned to face him, arms outstretched. “Even the bat wings part?”
He bit his cheeks when she fluttered her arms, causing the material to dance. He laughed. “Maybe not that part. Can you tuck them in somewhere?” His face scrunched.
“What was I thinking?”
David went back to his manga book. “It’s just a date, Gray. No big deal.”
Oh, it was a big deal. Too big. Which made it even worse. She was a thirty-one-year-old woman who typically didn’t date. “It’s been a while.”
“I know.
“I really appreciate you coming, Gray. Jamille told me the going rate for an OT. I’m willing to pay that and more if that’s what it takes. I could use you full-time to start, then maybe after a few months, part-time. Can I count on you?” He just wanted to close the deal so they could move on to making a rehab plan for Caleb.
“I’d be happy to sign off on your paper, Miah. I already have, in fact. But I’m afraid you’ll have to find another therapist. I have to turn down the job. I’m really sorry.”
And she stood up and strode to the front door, leaving him with his mouth hanging open. The click of the latch snapped his attention. “Wait.”
She paused, standing in the doorway with the sun slipping in around her.
“Why?” His heart was sinking.
“I’m just not the person for the job. Run an ad in the Laver Community Hospital’s employee newsletter. I bet you’ll have five therapists fighting for the position.” She smiled. But it was that same detached grin she’d offered at the taco stand.
“I’d always thought you were really fond of Caleb.”
Her chin rose a degree and that’s when he saw the truth. There was a big part of her that wanted to take the job. It just wasn’t the part that was in control. “I always thought of him as the little brother I never had. Caleb was really special to me, Miah. More than I could ever say.”
“Just not now that he needs you.” He hadn’t meant to say that and he hadn’t meant for all the bitterness to accompany his words, but this didn’t make any sense. When she hadn’t known it was being offered by Miah, she’d mumbled the word miracle in reference to the job. She needed a job. He had a job perfect for her.
Gray swallowed and he watched as a carefully placed veil slipped over her features. “I’m sure it’s difficult to understand.”
His gaze narrowed on her. What was that? That cool, collected attitude? As if she’d spent the last several years covering her real feelings. Fear, quick and sharp, shot into his heart. “Gray? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
Her eyes fluttered. She tried to hide it. But he’d seen the crack in the marble shell. “No.” She smiled and it was almost convincing. It would be convincing to someone who didn’t know her so well. “Quite the opposite, Jeremiah. Thanks for thinking of me. Give Caleb my love.”
The door clicked closed behind her.
Gray scrutinized her reflection after changing her clothes yet again and traipsing to the living room, where the ancient full-length mirror clung to a wall by the front door. “Other than you, David, guys are a great big pain in the butt.”
He’d been reading a manga book, sitting cross-legged on the couch when she passed him. Nana’s house was warm with the fire blazing in the cute little square fireplace. Cozy. But inside, Gray was all ice chips and frozen organs. Winter had settled into River Rock with all its chilly glory and for the first time, her town felt cold outside and internally. It made no sense whatsoever, things were the same as they’d always been, but knowing more and more McKinleys were in town made the space feel small. And frigid.
David dropped the book on his lap and pivoted to watch her inspect the angles of her reflection.
“I hate this one,” she said.
“It’s a nice dress, Gray.”
She turned to face him, arms outstretched. “Even the bat wings part?”
He bit his cheeks when she fluttered her arms, causing the material to dance. He laughed. “Maybe not that part. Can you tuck them in somewhere?” His face scrunched.
“What was I thinking?”
David went back to his manga book. “It’s just a date, Gray. No big deal.”
Oh, it was a big deal. Too big. Which made it even worse. She was a thirty-one-year-old woman who typically didn’t date. “It’s been a while.”
“I know.
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