Read Online Here With Me by Megan Nugen Isbell - Free Book Online

anything that can be done?” he asked.
    “No.  Just manage the pain and hope for good days, which seem to be fewer and fewer lately.  I don’t think she’ll be able to work at the diner much longer, but don’t tell her that.  She refuses to believe she has limits, but as you can see, she does and being on her feet eight hours a day doesn’t help.”
    “It’s what she knows, Mal.  I’m sure it makes her feel normal.”
    “I get that, but it’s not realistic.  I just wish she’d start accepting that she can’t do everything she wants to anymore and I really wish she’d start letting me help her willingly.  I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I hate when she snaps at me when I try and help her.”
    “She was fine when we helped.”
    “Yeah, because you were here.  She’d never snap at you.  She adores you, but with me, she resists help all the time and it pisses me off because I just want to help her.  She doesn’t know what I’ve given up for her,” Mallory began to ramble as the resentment began to spew from her mouth.
    “She might not show it, but she appreciates everything you do for her and I admire you for taking care of her.  She’s lucky to have you because your deadbeat sister sure doesn’t help.”
    Mallory smiled appreciatively at Cole.  He always knew how to make her feel better and he was as unimpressed with Paige as she was. 
    “I know she appreciates it even if she doesn’t say it, but still, it’s frustrating because…oh, never mind,” she said, stopping herself from going into a rant of complaints. 
    “You don’t need to stop talking on my account.”
    “I don’t need to go on about what could’ve been.”
    “Does this have to do with that Doctors Without Borders thing again or working in some inner city hospital?” Cole’s tone was uncertain.  He’d never come right out and said it, but she knew he thought she was crazy.
    “You don’t get it, Cole.  You’ve been able to do whatever you want your whole life.  Nothing’s ever held you back and while you might not understand, it’s my dream.  I never imagined I’d still be in Kennebunkport without having ever done anything besides go to college.”
    “Don’t say that.  Think of all the good you do every day with your work.”
    “I love my work, but it’s all I have.  You’ve done so much.  You’ve been everywhere and I’ve never been further west than Pennsylvania.  You could never get it.” She stared over at him and she knew he couldn’t say anything because it was true. “Your life is just too different.”
    “I know,” was all he said and then leaned back on the couch, surprising her by not defending his privileged upbringing.  Instead, he reached down and picked up the remote control.  He turned the TV back on and started watching the post-game show while she leaned back beside him.
    “That’s for dragging me out tonight,” she said a few minutes later. 
    “No problem.  We should do it more often.”
    “Definitely,” she agreed.
     

Chapter Eight
    “Mallory, a gunshot wound’s coming in!”
    Life had been rather boring since Ryan dumped her, so when she heard her co-worker, Savannah’s words, her head jerked up in disbelief.  Mallory set the patient charts she’d been reviewing on the counter and stood up.  The ER in Kennebunkport was usually quiet and she couldn’t recall the last time a gunshot victim had been admitted. 
    “Gunshot?” she asked as her heart began to pound from the adrenaline. 
    “Yes.  Dr. Shaver said to meet him outside.”
    Mallory followed Savannah to the entrance of the emergency room where Dr. Shaver was waiting. 
    “What do we know about this?” Mallory asked as they waited.
    “Not much.  The ambulance said there was an incident on the Bush estate,” Savannah began.
    “The Bushes?  It’s not one of them, is it?” she gasped.
    “No,” Savannah answered quickly as the sound of sirens drowned her out.   It pulled in and