Read Online The Search by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online Page B

been.
    She was sharing a smile with Luke when the curtains parted.
    Seeing him in his usual blue shirt, black pants, and wary expression made her smile broaden. “Daed, it is so good to see you.”
    â€œI wish I could say it was gut to see you, but it ain’t. You look terrible.”
    â€œDanke.”
    He paused, then smiled. “Sorry, but it’s true, you know.” He was walking with a limp, as was his way, since he’d gotten on the wrong end of a cow decades ago and was too stubborn to get his injury checked out.
    â€œYou didn’t have to come to the hospital,” she said.
    â€œWhy would you think I wouldn’t want to be here? You’re my daughter. My only one here in town. Why wouldn’t I want to see how you are faring?”
    Now she was embarrassed. “No reason.” She’d gotten so used to not asking for much from him, she supposed she had forgotten that he still loved her. Even if he had no desire to help out at her inn.
    As she watched him silently, Luke stood up. “Here you go, sir. Take my chair.”
    Her father took it with a grateful sigh. “ Danke. This leg of mine don’t seem to want to give me a moment’s peace.”
    Luke patted his brace with a smile. “I know the feeling.”
    Her daed looked at Luke with a bit more interest, now that they had something in common. “Now, who might you be?”
    â€œLuke Reynolds, sir.”
    â€œYou are English?”
    â€œYes.”
    When it was becoming obvious that her father was trying to piece together the information, Frannie hastened to explain. “He’s a detective from Cincinnati, Daed.”
    Her father frowned. “Why are you here?”
    â€œWe met because of Perry.”
    He shook his head. “No, I’m not wondering about why you are here in Crittenden County. I’m curious as to why you are here in my daughter’s hospital room?”
    â€œI didn’t want Frannie to be alone.”
    â€œAnd you think she wants your company?” Her father’s voice was full of indignation and concern. “I would think even the best of detectives would understand that she is in no condition to be questioned.”
    â€œHe’s not questioning me, Daed.”
    â€œThen?”
    Luke supplied that answer. “We’re friends. When I heard she had been injured, I was worried about her.”
    But that explanation only seemed to confuse her father more. And made Frannie realize that she’d made a mistake when she’d decided to keep most of the investigation out of her father’s hearing.
    â€œI thought she might need someone.” When her father’s gaze sharpened, Luke continued back-pedaling. “I mean . . . the surgeries and doctors can be tough to handle by yourself. Especially if you’re not used to hospitals and everything.”
    â€œAnd you are used to them?”
    â€œI’ve had my share of days in one.” He touched his leg. “I’ve been recovering from a gunshot wound.”
    Frannie coughed loudly, letting Luke know that he had just made a fatal error in the “trust me, I’m basically harmless” department.
    â€œIs she in trouble?” her father asked. “Is that why you’re sticking to her like glue?”
    â€œTrouble? Oh no. I just thought . . . well . . . it’s not like I have a lot of other commitments right now. I simply thought I’d stay here a while. You know, so Frannie wouldn’t be alone.”
    â€œIs that what you want, Frannie?”
    As she pondered his question, she looked at Luke. He seemed like someone she could count on. Their friendship was based on the short time he’d spent at her inn, and the questioning he did relating to Perry’s death. Though she knew deep down that she felt the beginnings of a real attraction for him, she was enough of a realist to know that they had no future.
    But instead of that