Speechless Read Online Free Page A

glinted with it, glowing rosy and gold as it
reflected the sunrise. How long had he been out here? How long had he left Eva
alone? He turned on his heel and started back at a quick walk, then an easy
jog, alternating the whole trip between cursing himself for leaving her so long
and reassuring himself that nothing had happened to her or he would have felt
it. Panicky. For the first time in his life he actually felt panicky.
    He slowed to a walk as he neared the cabin, pausing long
enough to catch his breath before stepping inside. No need to let her know he’d
rushed back to check on her. One quick look at her fast asleep in bed told him
his fears had been for nothing. He felt like punching himself for letting her
get to him. Instead, he ran a hand over his face and sighed in relief.
    He fired up the propane stove for breakfast and coffee, but
even without watching her, he knew the moment Eva woke. He turned and regarded
her—her eyes were still closed and he waited for them to open before speaking.
    “Coffee?”
    She nodded and reached for her tablet. He crossed to her so
he could read it.
    “Bathroom.”
    “Outhouse. I’ll help you.” He reached for the stick he’d
found the day before when he went looking for something to use as a crutch. It
was strong and straight with a cross piece trimmed to fit under her arm. He
helped her stand, gave her the crutch and supported her other side.
    They made their slow, painful way out to the privy and back.
Stone tamped down his reaction to being so near her, his satisfaction with
having her arm across his shoulders and his around her back. He kept his mind
on making a second crutch so he wouldn’t have to help her move around, on what
to fix for breakfast, on whether the food Carter had brought up three days
ago—two-weeks’ worth for one person—would be sufficient for the two of them.
But Eva’s body was warm next to his and he couldn’t ignore it completely,
couldn’t control his own body’s instinctive reaction. He cursed inwardly and
bit back his impatience so he wouldn’t inadvertently hurt her. It was none too
soon when he settled her back on the bed, her bare legs covered again by the
blanket and he could retreat as far as the small cabin would let him.
    * * * * *
    Eva was certain Stone realized that when he kept himself on
the opposite side of the room, she could not talk to him. She drummed her
fingers on the blanket in frustration. She wanted to apologize for her
early-morning madness, but couldn’t until he was close enough to read her typed
words on the tablet screen. Instead, she could only watch from where she sat
leaning against the wall, her leg straight out on the bed. She was sore this
morning, but most of it was the stiffness brought by the fall and she knew the
more she moved, the less it would trouble her.
    Stone busied himself at the sink and propane stove and Eva
relaxed a bit as she watched him, appreciating his fine physique, the easy way
he moved, his long reach and quiet confidence.
    Do you have any idea how appealing you are? Eva
thought.
    “You’re one to…” Stone turned to face her, his voice full of
confusion and wonder, “talk.”

Chapter Three
     
    Dead silence for a moment. They stared at each other, Eva
stunned at his direct response, Stone clearly suspicious.
    “What just happened?” he asked. “You didn’t speak.”
    No. Sometimes certain people can hear my thoughts. “ But
never this fast,” Eva didn’t add, “and never men.” Not even her father or
brother, a source of endless frustration for her father especially, since they
were so close. How would he react when he discovered that it had taken less
than a day for this stranger to begin hearing her?
    “Not possible.” He braced himself against the edge of the
sink, his certainty of impossibility clear on his face.
    It just happened. How do you explain it? How did she
explain it? She couldn’t.
    “I’ve been able to read you from the beginning. You have