Read Online Healing Gabriel by Elizabeth Kelly - Free Book Online Page B

difference.  He seems much happier.”
    “Does he?”  Morgan stared out the small window above the
sink that faced the back yard.  She searched for Gabe.  He was standing next to
the fence and Sally Winger, a small and incredibly busty blonde, was standing
next to him chatting happily at him.  Gabe said something and Sally gave an
exaggerated and breathy laugh, throwing her head back and her chest out as she
rested her hand on Gabe’s arm.
    He pulled his arm away and Morgan could feel a smug smile
starting on her lips.  He didn’t pull away when she touched him.
    Lacey peered out the window.  “Oh my God, Sally’s hitting on
Gabe.  Look at how uncomfortable he looks – poor guy.”
    She laughed as she rinsed the utensils and put them in the
dishwasher.  “Actually, I think it’s good for him.”
    Morgan didn’t reply.  Her stomach was twisting with what she
recognized reluctantly as jealousy.  It was ridiculous.  She and Gabe were
friends and she wanted the best for him.  If that was some stacked blonde with
the IQ of a gnat, then so be it.
    Unkind . 
    She decided that the thought probably was unkind but it
didn’t make it any less true.  She watched as Sally pressed her hand on to his
arm once more and felt a stronger, deeper surge of jealousy when this time,
Gabe didn’t pull away.
    “Morgan?”
    “Hmm?”
    Lacey touched her arm and she forced herself to look away
from Gabe and Sally.
    “I asked if you’re sure you don’t mind popping by the house
a couple of times to check the mail and water the plants while we’re gone.”
    “I don’t mind at all.  You’re leaving tomorrow?”
    “Yes.  We were going to leave on Monday but Peter thinks
we’ll miss the worst of the traffic if we leave tomorrow.”  She glanced around
her messy kitchen.  “Of course, he doesn’t need to clean the kitchen and do
laundry and pack for everyone.”
    Morgan laughed.  “How long are you gone for again?”
    “Just ten days.  It’ll be nice to get away though.  We
haven’t gone camping in forever and Natalia loves it.”
    Morgan’s gaze drifted to Gabe and Sally again.  Her hand was
still on his arm and although he wasn’t pulling free, he looked decidedly
uncomfortable and his normally tanned skin was still pale.  She made a sudden
decision.
    “Unless you need me to stay and help clean up, I think I’m
going to go rescue your brother from Sally and see if he’s ready to go home. 
I’m tired and have a bit of a headache.”  She fibbed.
    “I don’t need your help.  Peter will grumble but he’ll clean
up the kitchen while I’m packing.  Thank you again Morgan.  I really appreciate
everything you’ve done for Gabe.  Your friendship has really helped him to come
out of his shell.”  Lacey hugged her.
    “I’m glad.  Have a safe trip and we’ll talk to you when you
get back okay?”  Morgan returned her hug before heading outside.
    * * *
     
    Gabe, his hand pressing against the throbbing pain in his
side, closed the door of the sheep shed with a sigh.  It was Sunday afternoon
and he, with the help of Vincent and Delilah, had just herded the sheep into
their pens for the night.  It was early but his side was hurting with a fierce
kind of pain that radiated through his entire upper body.  He wanted to have a
hot shower and go to bed early.  He hadn’t been able to eat at all today; the
toast he had eaten this morning had come right back up.  He felt too warm and
he had a pounding headache. 
    Wincing a little, he started walking towards the house.  The
pain in his side increased to an almost intolerable level and he stopped,
bending over and breathing deeply.  A bout of nausea overcame him and he dry
heaved wretchedly.  His stomach was empty and nothing but a thin trickle of
bile came out.  He dry heaved again, his side burning and throbbing, and for
one bleak moment he thought he was going to pass out from the pain.
    Through the haze of pain, he felt the comforting touch