Code 3: Finding Safety Read Online Free Page A

to jar her head as she’s lying against the window.  He reaches his hand in and cradles her head before reaching in and unbuckling her seat belt.  Wrapping her in his strong arms, he hoists her up and carries her to the front door. 
    Patches, excited to see him, jumps and barks and whimpers when the front door swings open.  He jumps up on James trying to get a whiff of the new person entering his personal space.  “Down, Patches,” James commands just moments before Leanna begins to stir, her eyes fluttering open.
    Oh, her beautiful eyes.  They are as green as emeralds.  He could get lost in her gorgeous eyes all day long but the look she’s giving him now breaks his heart.  Fear fills those gorgeous eyes.  Fear that he can’t take away from her. 
    “It’s okay,” he whispers.  “We’re home, er, uh, here and you were sleeping and I didn’t want to wake you.”  His face turns red as a smile forms.  “I guess I didn’t quite succeed in that.”
    A small chuckle escapes her throat.  “Yeah, I suppose you failed at that.”
    “God, I love your laugh,” the words leave his mouth before he can stop himself.  Leanna’s face turns a deep crimson.  “I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have said that,” he places her feet upon the ground and runs his hands through his hair.
    Leanna diverts her eyes to the hardwood floor.  “It’s alright.  I’m just not used to compliments.  I’m sorry,” she twists the tip of her tattered tennis shoes against the floor in a nervous behavior.
    James makes a mental note to buy her a new pair of shoes tomorrow.  He can’t let her walk around in shoes that shouldn’t be on a homeless person’s feet, let alone a gorgeous woman’s feet.  “You don’t need to apologize.”  James hates that she’s always apologizing for things she shouldn’t be sorry for.
    “I’m sorry…er, um, okay,” she tries to correct herself.
    James chuckles at her statement.  It’s not really a laughing matter but she’s just so damn cute that he can’t help but laugh.  “Okay, would you like something to eat before I show you your room?”
    “Um, no, I’m fine.  I’m just really tired and would like to turn in for the night.”
    “Okay, let me go grab your suit case and then I’ll show you to your room.”
    He walks out the screen door to his truck.  What am I doing?  She’s a broken soul.  I shouldn’t be growing so close to her yet but I can’t seem to help it.  Her face is so innocent and her voice…it’s like a voice from heaven.  I could never grow tired of hearing her sweet voice.
    He quickly returns back to the house as soon as he has her suit case.  As soon as he steps on the porch he hears her soft giggles and sweet voice talking.  He quietly approaches the screen door and peaks in.  Patches has his paws up on her lap, giving her wet doggy kisses along her face.  “You’re such a sweet puppy,” she says between laughter. 
    Watching Leanna and Patches warms his heart.  Rebecca hated dogs.  Patches couldn’t stand her.  “It looks like he likes you,” James chuckles as he crosses the threshold.
    “Well I’m quite fond of him, too.  I grew up with dogs but I haven’t had one since before my parents passed away,” she stutters at the last three words. 
    James knows the loss of parents, however not as soon as Leanna.  He was an adult and already married when his parents passed away.  He’s curious as to what happened to Leanna’s parents but he refuses to push her tonight.  He doesn’t think his heart could handle hearing more negative today.  He’s seen and heard too much already.  “How about I show you to your room so you can get some rest?”

Nine
    Mark is fuming.  Everything about Leanna is pissing him the fuck off.  The way she left him, the money she took, the fact that she was only thinking of herself.
    Mark skids to a stop in front of the bus depot.  The dust hadn’t even settled before he jumps out of his car,