Hide My Memories: A Romantic Suspense Thriller Series (Hide Me Series Book 1) by Lisa Ladew Read Free Book Online Page B

West a deep discount on the meals West picked up for the homeless. West had tried to talk him out of it, but Juan insisted. He wanted to contribute too.
    West introduced Katerina again and then Juan loaded them up with sealed bags of take-out meals. They stacked them in the front of the ambulance, between the two seats, then drove away, heading for the makeshift homeless encampment.
    "Those meals smell heavenly," Katerina said.
    West looked at her questioningly, wondering why she hadn't gotten herself some food. She looked hungry, the way she was sniffing the air.
    "How often do you do this?" Katerina asked.
    West shrugged. "A few times a week."
    "But thirty meals? That must've cost you almost $300."
    West shook his head. "Not that much. Just under $200. The owner gives me a great deal."
    Katerina's eyebrows furrowed. "You spend $600 a week on meals for the homeless?" She asked, her voice incredulous.
    West shrugged again. It was probably twice that. Honestly, he bought them dinner five or six times a week.
    "How can you afford that? I know you don't make enough money to do that as a paramedic."
    West pressed his lips together. He hated talking about money. "Inheritance," he mumbled.
    He felt Katerina's stare upon him and was glad when they pulled up into the homeless encampment. It was under the overpass, set back in a corner next to an abandoned lot. There were a few tents, and a few cardboard boxes, and several shopping carts. But mostly it was low-profile. As long as nobody complained, the police did not come down here and make them move. When they did have to clean up and move somewhere else, they normally ended up right back here within a week or two. It was a good spot, with access to panhandling areas close by, and shelter from the rain and the sun.
    He stopped the ambulance quickly and jumped out, hoping to avoid any more questions. People streamed towards him, smiles on all their faces, everyone willing to help.
     
    ***
     
    Katerina watched West distribute food containers and then carry the last few into the camp. People swarmed around him. They hugged him and shook his hand and everyone seemed to want a word with him. She watched him with slight disbelief, wondering why he was working as a paramedic if he had an inheritance. But then the answer hit her upside the head. He enjoyed it. She watched him offer a food container to an elderly man in a wheelchair and shook her head. He kept surprising her. She thought briefly that she was glad to be working with him. But in the next thought she wished she wasn’t. Because if she wasn’t, maybe they could have explored what they had started back in the bar. But she was. And besides, he hadn’t wanted to go any farther. She pushed the desire out of her mind and watched him walk back to the ambulance.
    He climbed into the driver seat and retrieved the last bag from between the seats.  He lifted it and looked at her. "There are a couple meals left. Would you like one?"
    Katerina's mouth watered. Well, if it was an extra… She didn't want it to go to waste. "Yes, that'd be great."
    He broke the seal on the bag and handed her a to-go container. She placed it on her lap and opened it up. Teriyaki chicken, rice, vegetables and a small bowl of what looked like custard greeted her. Unconsciously, she licked her lips and started eating.
    She noticed West watching her and tried to slow down. She didn't want him to think she was a charity case. When he dug out his own meal and started eating she breathed a sigh of relief.
    West's phone rang. "This is West." He listened for a moment. "That's great news. Thanks so much for letting me know. Okay that sounds good, we’ll do that. Call me next week."
    He turned to Katerina. "That was my friend Lulu from the hospital."
    Katerina felt a burst of emotion flare in her chest. She stuffed it down, not wanting to think about what emotion it was.
    "Remember our heart attack from this morning? He's awake and talking. The doctors say he's