Read Online The Touch (Healer Series) by Allison Rios - Free Book Online

began his search for a new home: to
settle down a bit, stay low key and perhaps become a part of something bigger.
He worked at convincing himself that with Addie interested in guys like Joseph,
she needed a really good friend in her life.
       He threw some clothes in a bag, got dressed
in his typical tank and shorts, and headed down for breakfast before heading
out to work.
       He had done pretty well at avoiding being
touched because he had grown used to skirting away from others’ hands. Helen
had a knack for putting her hand on his back or shoulder like he was her own
child. Hers was the only touch he didn’t seem to mind – as long as he didn’t
have to return the gesture with a touch of his own.
       Breakfast was the usual ten course meal, and
he laughed as Matthew told him how much. The sweet old couple liked having him
around, mostly because it meant bigger meals. AJ enjoyed their hospitality more
than anything. It was comforting to feel part of a family again, even if only
temporarily.
       They had been so kind to him, trusting him
without proof he could be trusted. As he watched them across the table, he
couldn’t help but envy the way they smiled and spoke to each other, as if they
were the only people in existence. They still held hands like teenagers as they
walked their property at night. AJ noticed he hadn’t seen any photographs of
family or children and knew better than to ask. He figured perhaps the lack of
family might have lent itself to their openness of a young stranger.
       After helping Helen with the dishes he walked
out to his car and tossed his bag in the trunk. As he situated his meager
belongings, he heard footsteps approaching. Addie thought to herself how much
it would anger Joseph, until she remembered he wasn’t around anymore. She had
been using the drunk as her excuse to converse with AJ and she found herself
searching for a new one.
       “You leaving?” she asked, hands on her hips
and what he almost thought could be a look of disappointment on her face. “You
just got a job, I thought.”
       “Going to work actually,” he replied,
shutting the trunk. “Then off to see an old friend. Just for the night though.
I’ll be back first thing tomorrow. You’re not gonna go calling Joseph back now to keep you warm, are you?”
       And old AJ is back, he thought to himself
with a cringe.
       “Didn’t mean to sound harsh, Addie. Sorry,”
he continued. “We seem to have a way with words around each other, don’t we?”
       “Two sarcastic sons a’ bitches,” she said.
She didn’t seem too offended by his tone. “So you’re coming back tomorrow?”
       “I am. I promise I’ll get your truck
completely fixed before I skip town.”
       He said it sarcastically, but it was true.
Whether or not he decided to stay, he wouldn’t back out of his promise to her.
       “Who’s this friend? Is she of the female
variety? Or one of your old buddies who you wrestle with?” she said with a
laugh, punching him in his bicep.
       He didn’t even flinch, even with the strength
she harbored. AJ sensed she was fishing for more details and he reminded
himself again that keeping things friendly was the way he needed to go. It
seemed he was reminding himself of that more often than not lately.
       “Just an old friend.” He turned his back to get into the car and looked back before he did. Pointing
towards Rose, he continued in his steady tone. “I’ll see you guys later. Come
by with your truck to the shop tomorrow and I’ll take a look. I’ll fix it up for
you at a much better price than you’ve ever seen.”
       “Deal,” she said, stepping back. He seemed
more withdrawn than he had before. Maybe, she thought, she had really turned
him off. Not that she had wanted to turn him on. Or had she?
       She watched as his car sped off into the
southern morning, the trees swaying in the breeze he left behind. The willows
made a beautiful sight when the