Beyond the Past by Carly Fall Read Free Book Online Page B

handed him the plate of steaks. He stabbed another one and dug in. “I’d like to know where that will be before I even think about accepting the offer.”
    “And I’d like to know that I’m dealing with a man who wants to work for me, one who is strong both mentally and physically.”
    Lucas sat back in his chair. Right now, his mental state lay just a few steps shy of a dropped box of puzzle pieces, and physically, he felt like Garrett could snap his limbs with a flick of the wrist. “I get it. I understand.”
    “Good. If you decide to accept my proposal, you will have to prove yourself to me, Mr. Tate.”
    Lucas studied the man, his sharp features gleaming with intelligence. Joe’s words translated into “you better quit drinking and get in shape.”
    Part of him remained intrigued at Joe’s proposal and the idea of actually doing something again, to be in action. The other part of him wanted to disappear back into the underbelly of humanity and wallow in his own drunken self-pity. “I figured as much,” he mumbled.
    “Good.” Joe backed up from the table. “Thomas and I will take our leave now, and return tomorrow at four p.m. Garrett, you’re in charge. I suggest the first thing you both do is cut some firewood. It’s supposed to be in the teens tonight, and I’d hate to see both of you freeze to death.”
    Lucas and Garrett stood, following Joe and Thomas to the front door where Lucas slipped on a pair of boots. Joe rolled out the screen door to the edge of the deck where the stairs led to ground, and Thomas opened the door of the van, pulling out the ramp. Joe wheeled himself into the vehicle, set the brakes on the chair, and gave them a small wave. “Goodnight, gentlemen,” he said, then slammed the door.
    A moment later, the van made its way through the snow on the other side of the pond and disappeared down the hill.
    “Well, you heard the man,” Garrett said. “You better get chopping. The axe is around back.”
    “What about you?”
    “I don’t need to chop wood.” Garrett turned toward the door. “I didn’t let myself turn into a scarecrow. While you work some of the little muscle you have left, I’m going to read a book.”
    The door slammed, Lucas left alone on the porch.
    “After that, get in here and do these dishes!” Garrett called from inside.
    Lucas walked around the back of the house, the snow knee-deep. It felt as if he were back in boot camp with the grunts being told what to do and when to do it. As he raised the axe and impaled the first log, he thought of Gabby. What would she think if she saw him in his current state? Would she think him weak, or, if he could explain his thought process and his ability to her, would she understand?
    Honestly, it didn’t matter. She’d be safe as long as she didn’t know where he was, and his focus needed to be on splitting enough wood so that Garrett and he didn’t freeze. The second log cracked, and his muscles groaned after not being used in such a long period of time.
    The dishes would wait until morning. 

Chapter 10
    “Hi, Gabby. It’s Jerrod.”
    Gabby smiled, his smooth voice sending a shiver through her as she curled up on the sofa in her flannel pajamas. She hadn’t realized how much she looked forward to the call. “Hi, Jerrod.”
    “I assume you got home safe and sound?”
    “Yes, we did.”
    “It was really nice to meet you tonight, Gabby.”
    “It was nice to meet you, as well.” A blush crawled up her neck as she glanced around her apartment.
    “Are you ready to talk about that house?”
    “Sure.” She picked up her pen and paper. “Do you have a specific part of town you’re looking at?”
    “I’m interested in the west side,” Jerrod answered.
    “Are you set on it, or if I find something that meets your criteria in another part of town, do you want to see it?”
    “I’m kind of set on the west side, but sure, we can take a look.”
    She jotted notes for the three-bedroom, two-bath house with a