Read Online The Apple Of My Eye by Christine McGreggor - Free Book Online Page A

cold pack out. She wrapped it in a clean kitchen towel and headed back towards the study.
                  Hayes frowned angrily. “I’m sorry that had to start tonight. No one should ever have to experience something like that. He’s gone for now, but would you like me to stay for a few hours? I will help you get her things brought in.”
                  Michelle smiled, relieved. “I’d appreciate it, thanks.” She paused on her way back to the study. “Hayes, where did you learn to do that… move? That was amazing.”
                  “My dad teaches Karate and used to be a Military Policeman in the army during Vietnam. He taught me a few things about ending a situation non-violently.”
                  “Well, that would explain things I guess. Kara will be so disappointed, she thinks you’re Batman.”
                  “I won’t tell her if you don’t.” Hayes gave her a wink and grabbed a box from the stack of empty cardboard in the hall. “I’m going to start bringing in her things. Meet you out there.”
                  Michelle knocked on the study door and waited until Kara told her it was okay to come in. Her friend was sitting on Gran’s old couch, one of the few pieces of furniture that had stayed with the house when Michelle moved in. The officer sat across from her, on an old leather chair that had been stashed in the library. “Here you go, Kara.” She handed the ice pack to her friend, who promptly put it against her injured eye. “Can I get either of you anything?”
                  “A lawyer and a dog,” her friend said bitterly. “Preferably the kind that scares off violent ex-boyfriends.”
                  “Do you mean the lawyer, or the dog?” Michelle asked.
                  “Both.” Kara answered, and then turned back to the officer. “Will you need to take Michelle’s statement too?”
                  “Yes, it shouldn’t take very long.  We will be wrapped up here soon.” The officer turned to Michelle. “If you could just answer a few questions when I’m done speaking with Miss Steward?”
                  Michelle nodded her acquiescence. “Hayes and I are going to start bringing in your belongings, Kara. Just come get me when you need me.” Michelle left the room, closing the door behind her. She grabbed a moving box and headed outside to join Hayes. When she stepped outside, she found him diligently loading Kara’s strewn possessions into a large box on the ground.
                  Michelle looked around and spotted an open suitcase which had held most of Kara’s lingerie. Despite her friend’s bravado, she knew Kara would prefer if a strange man wasn’t handling her underwear. She walked over to the suitcase and began loading clothes back into suitcase. After a few minutes working in silence, Michelle turned to the handsome arborist.
                  “Thank you for everything tonight, Hayes. Not just your help with this mess.” She gestured to encompass the lawn. “I had an amazing time at the restaurant and after…” Despite everything which had happened since they arrived back at her house, Michelle felt a fresh surge of longing. “You’ve been incredible.”
                  Hayes looked up from his work. “Thank you, you were pretty incredible yourself.” He placed a book in the moving box and stood up. “I hope you didn’t mind me taking liberties in there.” He gestured back inside the house. “If that piece of filth is under the impression that I live with you, he’s much less likely to come back here looking for trouble.”
                  “Oh, mind?” Disappointment seeped into her voice. “No I didn’t mind.” Michelle gently placed a piece of Kara’s clothing back in the suitcase. When she had heard Hayes tell Jeff that he was her man, her heart had