A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free Page A
Author: Nikki Lynn Barrett
were full of love, but she detected a hint of hurt in his tone. Hunter was the kind of man who wanted to fix everything for everyone. She'd known it forever, but had really seen the affects of him taking it all on. It had taken it's toll the past few weeks, ever since he re-entered her life. It physically and mentally tore him up when he couldn't do anything to help someone he loved.
This time, that person was her.
They watched each other fall apart while trying to be brave for the other.
"I'm ready to go in," she insisted, wishing her nerves were calm as she tried to ignore her sweaty palms, fast beating heart, and the lump that formed in her throat. She could do this. She would do this. That woman wasn't going to waltz in there and do anything. Becca was safe.
Just not safe from herself.
Hunter climbed out of the car and met her on the other side with his hand held out. Becca closed her fingers over his, her skin tingling at his touch. She still needed and loved him even if she kept pushing him away. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and they walked hand in hand up to the door. So far, so good. Becca's stomach clenched a few times, but she remained calm. A good sign. If she could keep this up, maybe she wouldn't isolate herself so bad any more. Just take it a day at a time.
This was the first time since coming to stay in Virginia that she and Hunter actually went out to eat at a sit down diner. They really hadn't had 'normal' since arriving. Would they ever?
Hunter squeezed her hand as they seated themselves. Menus were already on the table. The atmosphere was nice. The color on the inside was much different than than the building color. Peach colored walls with awards and paintings. Dim lights, soft music, the clinking of silverware against plates filled the room. People were talking and laughing. Becca bet they all felt normal.
She was about to ask him how often he came here, but Hunter's face was hidden behind the menu. Ugh! If only she could talk. She could reach out and tap his hand to get his attention, but it frustrated her. There was another reason she didn't enjoy going out. Her lack of a voice. When would she be herself again? Everyone looked at her strangely when they asked her a question and she answered the only way she could. She was tired of it.
"Can I get you folks started with something to drink?" An elderly woman with silver curly hair and warm eyes stood before them, her lips turned up in a gentle smile.
Hunter peered over the top of the menu. "Coke for me please."
The waitress turned to Becca. "And you, ma'am?"
Becca froze. With shaky fingers, she did the only thing she knew. She signed, asking for a lemonade. The woman's eyes widened and then came the look Becca dreaded. Pity. Sadness. As if there was something wrong with her because she couldn't talk.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize she's deaf." The woman frowned, diverting her gaze to Hunter. "I don't..."
Hunter dropped the menu on the table. "Lemonade." His voice had an edge to it.
"Oh, of course. Right away." Cheeks reddening, the woman turned away and went to grab the drinks.
"Another reason you've been avoiding going out, right?" Hunter asked softly, reaching across the table to cover her hands with his own.
Fighting back tears of frustration, Becca nodded. Everyone assumed she was deaf, which in itself wasn't horrible. The looks she got afterwards though, as if there was something wrong with her because of it, that's what drove her nuts. She'd been through this so many times. Memories of childhood years came flooding back. The teasing. The misunderstanding. The looks. The pity. The things she'd overcome, but were back because her stupid voice wouldn't work!
He swore. "I'm sorry."
She didn't need his pity, either. Becca broke the physical contact, busying herself with the menu once again. If she picked something now, she could just point it out to Hunter so he could order it for her. She debated on ducking out to go to the
This time, that person was her.
They watched each other fall apart while trying to be brave for the other.
"I'm ready to go in," she insisted, wishing her nerves were calm as she tried to ignore her sweaty palms, fast beating heart, and the lump that formed in her throat. She could do this. She would do this. That woman wasn't going to waltz in there and do anything. Becca was safe.
Just not safe from herself.
Hunter climbed out of the car and met her on the other side with his hand held out. Becca closed her fingers over his, her skin tingling at his touch. She still needed and loved him even if she kept pushing him away. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and they walked hand in hand up to the door. So far, so good. Becca's stomach clenched a few times, but she remained calm. A good sign. If she could keep this up, maybe she wouldn't isolate herself so bad any more. Just take it a day at a time.
This was the first time since coming to stay in Virginia that she and Hunter actually went out to eat at a sit down diner. They really hadn't had 'normal' since arriving. Would they ever?
Hunter squeezed her hand as they seated themselves. Menus were already on the table. The atmosphere was nice. The color on the inside was much different than than the building color. Peach colored walls with awards and paintings. Dim lights, soft music, the clinking of silverware against plates filled the room. People were talking and laughing. Becca bet they all felt normal.
She was about to ask him how often he came here, but Hunter's face was hidden behind the menu. Ugh! If only she could talk. She could reach out and tap his hand to get his attention, but it frustrated her. There was another reason she didn't enjoy going out. Her lack of a voice. When would she be herself again? Everyone looked at her strangely when they asked her a question and she answered the only way she could. She was tired of it.
"Can I get you folks started with something to drink?" An elderly woman with silver curly hair and warm eyes stood before them, her lips turned up in a gentle smile.
Hunter peered over the top of the menu. "Coke for me please."
The waitress turned to Becca. "And you, ma'am?"
Becca froze. With shaky fingers, she did the only thing she knew. She signed, asking for a lemonade. The woman's eyes widened and then came the look Becca dreaded. Pity. Sadness. As if there was something wrong with her because she couldn't talk.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize she's deaf." The woman frowned, diverting her gaze to Hunter. "I don't..."
Hunter dropped the menu on the table. "Lemonade." His voice had an edge to it.
"Oh, of course. Right away." Cheeks reddening, the woman turned away and went to grab the drinks.
"Another reason you've been avoiding going out, right?" Hunter asked softly, reaching across the table to cover her hands with his own.
Fighting back tears of frustration, Becca nodded. Everyone assumed she was deaf, which in itself wasn't horrible. The looks she got afterwards though, as if there was something wrong with her because of it, that's what drove her nuts. She'd been through this so many times. Memories of childhood years came flooding back. The teasing. The misunderstanding. The looks. The pity. The things she'd overcome, but were back because her stupid voice wouldn't work!
He swore. "I'm sorry."
She didn't need his pity, either. Becca broke the physical contact, busying herself with the menu once again. If she picked something now, she could just point it out to Hunter so he could order it for her. She debated on ducking out to go to the
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