Read Online No Pit So Deep: The Cody Musket Story by James Nathaniel Miller II - Free Book Online Page B

searched for the needle, thread and other items she would need. It wouldn’t do for him to think she was squeamish.
    She returned and sat beside him. "I have this spray the EMS crew gave me for the pain, but I don't think it's gonna help much. Oh God, please don’t let him see my hand shaking.
    “You want me to thread the needle for you?” He held out his palm. Her face was flushed as her cold fingers handed him the needle and spool of thread.
    “My father is a retired Marine,” she said as she pierced his arm for the first stitch. “He was awarded a Purple Heart during Desert Storm and retired four years ago with the rank of captain.” Her mouth was dry and fatigue was sneaking up on her.
    “Sounds like a guy I need to meet.”
    She winced. “He and my mother will be here later. They live in Altoona. I told them what happened.” If she could keep talking, maybe it wouldn’t seem so awkward sewing up a man’s arm.
    When she had finished, she needed to walk for a minute to settle her nerves. She shuffled around the end of the bar to her stereo receiver, tuned it to K-LOVE Radio, positioned the volume control to low, and then softened the lights in the room.
    She ambled over to a window, parted the blinds, and glanced down at the street below. Something caught her attention.
    “Come take a look,” she said nervously. "What do you make of those four guys down there?” She stepped aside and held the blinds open for him. He walked over and looked through the opening.
    “Those guys dressed in black? Standing under that streetlight? Looks like they’re breaking up their powwow and moving away.”
    She took another look. “Sorry, Cody. I’m paranoid, but they looked suspicious to me. I think you're right about this place."
    “Who could blame you?” he asked rhetorically. “I doubt they would put together another hit team tonight. Those things take planning, but you're not safe here. Maybe you should come to the hotel tonight. Our team security is tight there. Next week, you can find a safer place to live."
    She crossed her arms. "The hotel? With you?"
    “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I could get a room for you and your parents near where our ball club is staying."
    “We just met, and you’re inviting me to the hotel? Didn’t you just say they wouldn’t put together another hit team tonight?”
    He went back to the sofa and sat down. “You can’t be too safe,” he said. “You just never know.” He subconsciously scratched his foot again.
    “I don’t mean to pry, but you seem to be uncomfortable. Are you injured in some other way? I mean, you’re scratching pretty hard.” She walked to the kitchen and retrieved two bottles of cool water from the fridge.
    "I had a mishap in Afghanistan. It itches during the summer months, 'specially when I encounter stress.”
    “So why don’t you wear flip-flops and shorts in the heat when you aren’t playing baseball? If you don’t mind my asking.”
    “Hmmm. If my feet were as beautiful as yours, I would.”
    She grinned. “Well, see there? You can compliment someone when you want to. Uh, what’s wrong with your feet?” She covered her mouth. “Whoops. I’m sorry, it’s none of my —”
    "Bad scars from the knees down on both legs. My teammates are used to it, but I don’t like to go public with it, especially around strangers.”
    “Both legs?” She smiled softly. “Well, it couldn’t be that bad. I have something that might stop the itching.”
    Brandi displayed a small jar with a nifty blue label. “It’s called Blue Tech Dermis. I know a surgeon who's using it to heal scars after plastic surgery. I used it after my shower, and the carpet burns feel a million times better.”
    “Yeah? I’d give 'bout anything to lose the misery.”
    Just then she noticed his right sock had blood on the sides. Her curiosity compelled a desire to reach down and yank it off his foot, but she fought the urge. What manner of four-year-old scars could