Read Online TheHealers by Lynsie Buchanan - Free Book Online Page A

followed me to the couch and then he decided to sit down with me. The tears just started to spill out of my eyes. There was a name for this kind of reaction, wasn’t there? Post traumatic stress disorder? His arms folded around me and his voice reassured me.
    “Everything will be fine. You can’t stay here with your window like that. Why don’t we pack up some stuff, and you can stay at my house.” The warmth and comfort in his eyes and arms was nice, but it wasn’t enough. I couldn’t placate myself back into that former personality mold at the moment. Maybe, not ever. Nothing would feel the same after Alexander.
    Worry crossed his face. He spoke, “You’ll have my house to yourself. I have to get back out to the spill.”
    Excited to think about something else for a moment, I began to question him. “What’s happening? Is the spill worse? Did someone get hurt?”
    “Something’s not right and I need more time to figure it out. I’m just back for the day to see you, but then I’ve got to go.” Worry lines creased his face, but then his ocean eyes looked up again with a strong will in them, almost as though he realized that whatever it was would have to be done. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
    I felt like I might just die right there. This nice man had wanted to take care of me and I had slapped him in the face with another man. What could I say?
    I started at the beginning and filled him in on the events of the night. I gave him almost all the details. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell him everything. I didn’t know what it all meant, and I felt like I needed some time to think about it.
    Leo convinced me that I needed to stay with him for awhile. He wasn’t even going to be there. I actually agreed because of that. I don’t know if I could have done it if we were going to stay together. Guilt suffocated me at that moment.
    I went into my room to pack some things while Leo was on the phone dealing with work. I was preoccupied in my closet but every so often I could have sworn I heard foul language coming out of his mouth. Looking through my closet, I found it difficult to find even one thing I liked. An outfit slowly started to assemble in my mind. I went to grab the black pant suit when I realized tomorrow was Saturday. I opted for a velour jumpsuit instead. It was a dark shade of teal and it was one of my most favorite mopey outfits. I started to move to my bathroom to gather all my toiletries when Leo came to check on me.
    “I wish I could stay with you.” His arms snuggled around me.
    “Me, too.” I worked to put a hopeful sound in my voice instead of all the turmoil that twisted through my head.
    I continued to gather my things from the bathroom when I remembered I should be at work today. There was no way that would happen so I needed to call Peter. A quick check of the time on my cell phone let me know that it was still early enough to start to cancel. My fingers touched over the contacts page until I found him then hit the dial button.
    “Hello,” a slightly groggy voice answered.
    “Hi, Peter, its Layna.”
    “I know. I have caller id.” I laughed at his sarcasm.
    “I don’t have time to be cute, just to let you know I need my appointments canceled for today.” I started to wonder why I couldn’t go to work. Maybe I should just go. It would probably keep my mind off of everything else. Then I remembered I would have to get the window fixed and have the mess cleaned up. Yeah, it would be better to stay home and get that done today.
    “Is everything alright? Are you sick?” The worry in his voice was sweet. It was nice to know he was concerned.
    “No, I’m not sick and no, everything is not alright. My house got broken into last night and I have a mess to deal with today.” The annoyance seemed to help cover up the fear.
    “I’ll take care of it right now. What about… oh never mind. You have the convention next week so you don’t have any appointments.” I