Hostage Midwife by Cassie Miles Read Free Book Online Page A

“Julia’s house was designed for a living woman who appreciates the serenity of orderly surroundings. There’s something mysterious about the place. Uncle Samuel used to say that no matter how much time he spent with Julia, he’d never completely understand her.”
    When he was a teenager, Nick had helped his uncle build Julia’s house, and his opinion of the propertywas colored by that experience. During that summer, he’d learned a lot about architecture. The mathematics and calculations of creating blueprints were only part of design. Samuel taught him about heart, about making a house into a home.
    At a road leading into a mountain canyon, he took a right turn. Earlier today when he was at the Spencer Building, he’d noticed that Julia’s office, whichwas right next door to his uncle’s, was empty. Nobody expected her to come to work. Samuel’s death had to be harder on her than anyone else.
    He looked over at Kelly. “You’re quiet.”
    “I was trying to imagine what it would be like to have someone love you so much that they built you a house.” She gave him a wistful smile. “It’s epic.”
    He wanted to tell her that every woman deserveda castle and a man who loved her so deeply that he would shape his life around her wants and needs, but he wasn’t that much of a romantic. Real life was seldom that pretty. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Julia and Samuel weren’t a lovey-dovey couple. He was a dreamer, and she was pragmatic. They argued all the time.”
    “And he never married her.” Her eyebrows pulled down into a frown. “I guessno relationship is perfect.”
    Perfection was too much to hope for. He’d gladly settle for what Samuel had with Julia.

Chapter Six
    Monday, 2:25 p.m.
    After Nick’s description, Kelly expected a gigantic mansion or, at least, a couple of turrets. Instead, she saw a home built of dark wood and lots of windows, many of which were stained glass that sparkled like exotic jewels in the forested surroundings. Rather than reaching for the sky, Julia’s house was primarily horizontal, gradually risingto three stories. If they hadn’t taken a turn at the driveway, she might have driven right by the place.
    “It’s kind of secretive,” she said.
    “So is Julia.”
    The afternoon sunlight shone brightly on the large wooden deck nearest the driveway. Under the eaves, Kelly noticed the figure of a tall, thin woman who stood in the shadows with her arms folded across her middle. She didn’tlook welcoming. “Maybe we should have called before dropping by.”
    “Julia is practically my aunt,” he said. “Besides, she might have told me not to come, and I need to find out about Samuel’s latest project.”
    He parked in front of a three-car garage, and they climbed a winding path that led to the front entryway. As they approached, the details of the house became clear. Surrounding thepath and all along the side of the house, Samuel had used xeriscaping techniques that wouldn’t require watering, which was always a problem in the arid Colorado climate. The placement of rocks and plants reminded her of a Japanese garden, and she heard the gentle echo of a wind chime. There didn’t seem to be a right angle anywhere. Some of the wood beams featured delicate carvings or calligraphy.The most interesting feature was the play of light through blue, purple, red and green stained-glass pieces that created an ever-changing mosaic of color.
    If this house truly represented the woman who lived here, Kelly expected to find someone of hidden depth and passion.
    When Julia answered the bell, Kelly was a little disappointed. The tall, thin woman was dressed in a shapeless brownskirt and a top in a similar dull color. Her faded gray hair was cut short to frame her angular face. She didn’t seem remarkable at all.
    Nick introduced her, and Kelly shook Julia’s cold hand. “I’m sorry for you loss,” she said.
    “You’re the nurse who was with Samuel when he died.”
    “Before he