Feel the Heat Read Online Free Page A

warmth.
    “Faith and Mark filled me in a little bit on what’s happening,” he began, “but I’d really like to get the details from you.”
    Lauren took a sip of coffee, set her mug down in front of her.
    “How much do you know about psychic healing?” she asked.
    “More than you probably think. I’ve met a couple of healers and talked to them, although not as much as I would have liked. But I was interested enough to do some research on it.” He took a swallow of the hot brew in his mug. “I know there’s more than one kind. Mark said you’re a touch healer.”
    She nodded. “I’ve had what people call ‘the gift’ since I was a teenager. My mother is part Cherokee and she also is a healer, as were her mother and her grandmother. In our family, the healing arts came down on the matriarchal side.”
    “Tell me about the little boy you just treated,” he encouraged.
    Because he was obviously interested and not looking to sensationalize her, Lauren explained all about Rory Flanagan, his condition and the process by which she had healed him.
    “The only request I made was no publicity at all.” She shook her head. “I realize it was an accident. Rory’s aunt was so excited about it she couldn’t help telling the guy she’s dating. My bad luck that he’s a television news reporter.”
    “Is it always this wild when word gets out?”
    She nodded. “It’s like vultures descending on roadkill. They camp out in front of my house, bang on my door, disturb my neighbors. I’ve become close friends with the sergeant at the local precinct who luckily has sympathy for me and doesn’t think I’m a nut. He always sends patrol cars to clear the area and then schedules regular drive-bys. At least for a day or so.”
    “But then what?” Troy wanted to know.
    Lauren frowned. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
    “The cops aren’t going to drive past your house forever. What’s to stop people from harassing you then? Do you have an unlisted number? A good security system for the house?”
    Although his voice was calm and soothing, the things Troy brought up disturbed her. The notoriety that exploded every time the news media discovered she’d healed someone else had become an unpleasant part of her life, but she had schooled herself not to panic and to deal with it. At first it had been frightening, but with each succeeding incident, she’d learned to handle it a little better. Even her family had stopped trying to insist she come and stay with one of them until the furor died down. So far it had been mostly noise, ringing her doorbell and the constant phone calls. She’d changed her phone number to an unlisted one, but it hadn’t helped. Someone always seemed to find it, so she just stopped using the house phone during these episodes and stuck to her cell.
    No one had ever actually tried to forcibly enter her house or attack her, except verbally. Even when her stalker popped up, she never considered him as anything other than someone who liked the sound of his own voice. She tried to explain all of that to Troy.
    “I have three deadbolts on all the exterior doors and safety locks on the windows,” she said slowly. “Last year, I had a security system installed, but maybe it needs to be upgraded. And I do have an unlisted number, although people seem to have a way of finding it, no matter how often I change it.” She shrugged. “After a few days the newshounds go away though. The curiosity seekers stop driving by. Even my phone calls eventually stop.”
    “He’s never come to the house? Never tried to push his way in?”
    She shook her head. “He used to send me letters too, but he’s stopped that. Now it’s only the calls with a bunch of threats and nasty language.”
    “That doesn’t mean things can’t escalate. And from what I saw on the news this morning and outside just now, you need to be prepared in case they do.”
    She tucked her hair behind her ears. “This is really the worst