Read Online SEALed at Midnight by Cat Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

you need something?” she asked.
    “Just going to put more wood on the fire.”
    “Let me get that.” Ginny hopped up and ran to grab the last pieces of wood she’d left by the doorway. She brought them back to the hearth. “I should get more inside so it will dry.”
    “Let me.” He moved to get up.
    “No. Stay. You’re hurt.”
    He let out a snort. “I’ve had worse.”
    She paused at that comment. “Do you remember something?”
    He laughed. “Not really. It’s just a feeling I have.”
    “Oh. Okay.”
    That was too bad. It was Christmas. Someone must be very worried about this man being missing. She knew she would be if he were hers to worry about.
    “Thank you.” His comment drew her out of her thoughts.
    She glanced at him. “For what?”
    “Everything.” The firelight danced over his high cheekbones and strong jaw that showed just a shadow of stubble.
      “It wasn’t as if I had anything else to do so . . .” Ginny shrugged.
    “Still, it’s nice of you.”
    “Eh, consider it my Christmas good deed.”
    His eyes widened. “It’s Christmas?”
    She cringed. “Yeah. Sorry to dump that bit of info on you like that. I guess that makes tonight extra shitty for you.”
      “I feel like something important is right there, hovering on the edge of my memory. So close but I can’t grab it.” He shook his head.
    “Maybe if we talk it might jog your memory.”
    “Maybe. I’m not sure how much I can contribute to the conversation.”
    “Let me start. Out in the barn, you were talking about missions and insurgents and targets and the base. Were you in the military?”
    After a beat, he nodded. “Yes.”
    “You know that?” Now it was her eyes that flew wide.
    “I do.”
    “What do you remember?”
    This could be a huge breakthrough. Didn’t all soldiers know their name, rank and serial number so well they could spout it out even in the midst of the worst torture? Or was that just in the movies?
    He shook his head. “Nothing specific. Just . . .”
    “A feeling you have?”
    “Yeah.” He ran a hand over his head, as if it hurt. She was probably giving the poor man a bigger headache than he already had by grilling him like this.
    “Maybe if I talk first it’ll make things come easier for you.”
    “Okay.”
    She put herself into first date mode and began. “So, my name’s Virginia, but as I said, everyone calls me Ginny . . . except for my mother who insists on still calling me Virginia.”
    It lifted her hopes and spirits when he smiled at that.
    “Um, I work from home doing freelance editing but what I really want to do is be a writer.”
    “It’s a nice house to work in.”
    “Oh, this isn’t my house. I’m house sitting for the people who own it. That’s why there’s no tree or decorations up. It’s not my place.”
    “How long you here for?”
    “A few months.”
    “You should have a tree.”
    Ginny shrugged. “I guess. It’s just no fun putting it up all alone.”
    He frowned. “Why are you alone?”
    Her mouth dropped open but she wasn’t sure what to say.
    “Sorry. Too personal.” He shook his head.
    “No, it’s fine. Um, I’m kind of taking a break from dating for a little while.”
    He nodded, as if he understood. “Bad breakup?”
    She hadn’t even gotten as far as having a boyfriend to break up with. “Actually more a string of bad first dates turned me off dating in general.”
    “Hmm.” His noncommittal sound had her frowning.
    “You don’t agree?”
    He let out a short breath and touched his fingers to his head. “I don’t know much right now.”
    “You really should lie down.” Because he looked ready to fall over at any moment right where he sat.
    “I’m okay.” He dismissed her concern.
    “You really are stubborn.”
    “Mmm, hmm.” He swayed where he sat.
    “Oh my God.” Ginny reached out and braced him so he didn’t fall. “Please lie down.”
    “I’m fine.” His protest was slurred and she decided she’d had