Hold On (Delos Series Book 5) by Lindsay McKenna Read Free Book Online Page B

his bearded chin toward the front door. It was time for another stroll around the grounds of the orphanage.
    *
    Callie groaned, sitting down in Maggie’s empty office and pushing off one of her shoes. It was three p.m., and all the children were down for their naps. Her feet were aching, and she longed to sit down and rub some of the soreness out of them.
    “Here,” Beau said, placing his M4 aside and sitting down on the stool in front of her chair. “Let me do that for you.”
    Callie hadn’t even heard him enter the office. “Don’t tell me you give foot rubs, too!” she said incredulously. Grinning gratefully, she set her shoe aside.
    “Yes, ma’am, I do. My ma has weak feet. I think they call it ‘fallen arches.’ I used to watch my pa take each foot separately and gently massage them. She got so relaxed that sometimes she’d fall asleep on the couch while he massaged away. She always felt better after he worked on them.” Beau held up his long, spare hands. “I got lucky, Callie. I got his hands.” He reached for her right foot.
    “I would love a massage,” Callie sighed. “I need shoes with better arch support, that’s for sure.” She leaned back, and the moment Beau’s hands enclosed her foot, she felt the magic his mother must have felt when Beau’s father began working on her feet. His hands felt wonderful!
    “You know, you work too hard around here, Callie,” he drawled. “Now, just close your eyes and go far away in your mind. I’ll take care of these poor, sufferin’ feet of yours.” And he did, running his hand up and down her arch, her skin warm and velvety beneath his seeking fingers as he pushed and cajoled those tight muscles to loosen them up.
    “Ohh . . . ,” she whispered. “That feels so good, Beau . . . thank you . . .”
    His mouth curved faintly as he began to knead her flesh, taking each toe, gently moving it, getting it to relax. The soft sounds emanating from Callie’s throat pleased him.
    He wanted to do something for her. God knew, she flew around this place, helping the four widows and then assisting Maggie with tons of paperwork in her office. Callie was constantly on her feet, and he’d never seen her take a break.
    “Must be that belly dancing, ’cause your ankles and calves are truly fine,” he murmured, sliding his fingers from below her knee downward.
    Callie sighed, utterly relaxed. “Everyone works hard around here. And hey, you can do this any time you want.” Barely opening her eyes, she studied his bent head as he focused solely on her leg, ankle, and foot.
    “Well, you and I are going to be in this neck of the woods until next March, so let me know when you need another boost.” As a matter of fact, Beau was making some long-range plans for them both.
    He would, of course, have to go on missions with his team, but they’d also get a few days’ rest at Bagram. Then he could call her up and ask her out, or do something special to gain more of her trust. He’d been looking for an opportunity to talk to her today, and by sheer luck, he’d found her here.
    “Mmm, you’ve got a deal,” Callie murmured. His hands were strong but gentle. He truly does have magic hands , she thought as her cranky feet began to glow with improved circulation. When he was done with one foot, he leaned down, retrieved her shoe, and eased it back on, placing it beside him on the wide stool.
    “Are we ready for the other foot?” he teased, already picking it up and coaxing the shoe off her foot.
    “Ohh, for sure . . . thank you . . .” Callie felt absolutely adored. Worshipped, as a matter of fact. Her mind rejected that image, but she couldn’t help but feel spoiled rotten by Beau Gardner. His hands soothed her sore feet, and as he kneaded her ankle and then her calf, she could do nothing but sigh with pleasure.
    The way he monitored his strength against her flesh told her he’d be a sensitive lover. Clearly, he wasn’t the kind of guy to show