Among the Tulips Read Online Free Page B

injured.”
    â€œI am so sorry,” Annie said, horrified. “You’ve been so nice. I’ve relied on you and now—”
    â€œNow I’m inviting you to my house,” he said, interrupting her. “Since it was my fault, not yours, there’s no reason to keep apologizing and every reason for me to make it up to you by giving you a place to stay while you’re here recovering.”
    He reached out and took her hand, lifting it and wrapping both of his hands around it again. Then he allowed his eyes to drift upward, over the planes of her face until they finally locked with her own brown eyes, and he said simply, “You’ll need someone who can interpret for you over the next few days while we get all of this sorted out.”
    Annie nodded. “But I don’t know you.”
    He shook his head slightly, started to say something and then let it go.
    â€œThe doctor does. Everyone in this small town does,” he said. “If you need references, ask the doctor if I’m safe.”
    At that moment an older man came walking up with a chart in his hands.
    Victor dropped Annie’s hand and turned towardthe doctor. They proceeded to have a rapid-fire conversation in Dutch.
    â€œLike the doctor would understand me if I asked him,” Annie muttered.
    Evidently she’d muttered it too loudly because both men turned toward her. “Ask me what?” the older man said in heavily accented English.
    â€œYou speak—”
    â€œâ€”English? Yes. There are few of us in town who do.” He smiled. “I’m Dr. Gaulkner.”
    â€œShe wants to know if it’s safe to stay with me until she recovers,” Victor interjected into the conversation before Annie could say anything.
    The doctor lifted his eyebrows and turned toward Victor. He laughed outright. “Safe? Now what a question. Many people, they would appreciate to answer that.”
    Turning back to Annie he said, “He is more safe than staying in an hotel alone. And if that no reassures you, I’ll give you mine home phone number where that you can contact me. You should be grateful that Victor, he is taking such time out of his schedule to tend for you.”
    He smiled at Victor. “If you have the questions about mine instructions I’ve given you for her, you ring me.” He scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Annie.
    It was a set of numbers.
    â€œMine number. Ring me up.”
    He turned and walked away.
    â€œWait. How much do I owe? Where do I pay? Do you take travelers’ checks?” She gasped, her hand going to her mouth. “Oh, no, they’re in the car!” Panic built again.
    â€œIt’s already taken care of,” Victor said. Catching her hand, he pulled her attention back to him. “I had my driver, who wasn’t driving me at the time, by the way, go by and collect your things. Leaving them in an unattended vehicle wouldn’t be wise.”
    He continued to hold her hand, stroking it gently.
    She noticed that.
    And he had a way of using his eyes that captured and held her attention.
    He was a very physical person.
    Nervously, she licked her lips.
    He smiled slightly, noticing the gesture.
    â€œI’m indebted to you,” she said simply.
    â€œConsider it payback for the wreck I caused,” he corrected with an odd look on his face.
    Finally, she nodded.
    â€œYou know, you’re not what I expected,” he murmured softly.
    â€œOh?” she asked.
    He glanced down at her neck.
    She fingered the small cross, not understanding.
    He obviously wasn’t going to explain. He changed the subject. “Can you stand and move into the wheelchair?”
    â€œWhere are my clothes?” she asked, a bit of a blush working its way to her cheeks at having to ask a stranger such a question.
    He pointed and she nearly groaned when she realized they were next to her on the end of the bed.
    â€œLet me