I'm Watching You by Mary Burton Read Free Book Online Page A

grist for the rumor mill."
    He didn't look worried. "Since when do you care what people
think?"
    She glanced at the nurses. Their eyes gleamed with laughter.
"Let's just say I've been gossiped about enough in my life. I
don't like it."
    "It's harmless." He pushed her toward the exam room
and nodded toward the table. "Sit."
    She stood stock straight. "I just need to talk to that woman and
get back to the office. I've got cops crawling all over the
shelter."
    "For a moment, take the advice you give your yoga students and the
women you counsel. Sit. Take a deep breath."
    He was right. She'd been running on adrenaline since she'd
been startled awake. She climbed up on the table as he closed the curtains
behind them.
    He moved behind her and began to massage the muscles around her neck.
"My God, you're tense. It's a wonder you haven't
collapsed yet. Your schedule is more insane than an intern's."
    "I'm fine." His gentle touch soothed but didn't
excite, like Zack's, which was a good thing. Excitement was overrated.
    "So you're the doctor now?"
    "I know my own body." She took several deep breaths.
    His fingers worked up the back of her neck. God, it felt good. She
closed her eyes. She could let her defenses down, if only for just a moment.
"I'm so tired of holding it together all the time."
    "You want to talk about it?" He leaned a little closer. His
breath felt warm on her cheek. "I've been told I'm easy to
talk to."
    "Maybe another time."
    Sam's fingers stilled and she feared this would turn into a
tug-of-war. When she'd first met Zack, he hadn't been content until
he'd known everything about her present and past. To her surprise, Sam
leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the side of her neck. "Have
dinner with me tonight."
    Awkwardness replaced worry. Nearly thirty and she still turned
knock-kneed when a man got romantic. "Uh, Sam, we've been through
this. I'll be working late tonight."
    "So we'll have breakfast at the diner. We'll grab
coffee." When she hesitated, he added, "It wouldn't kill you
to live a little."
    Something she'd done very little of since she and Zack had
separated. "I suppose not."
    "That's a yes?"
    She nodded. "Yes to dinner tomorrow night."
    "What time?"
    "Six."
    "Done. I'll pick you up at the shelter."
    "Better make that my town house. The cops sealed the area
off."
    "Will do."
    Sam's cell phone vibrated on his hip. Groaning, he yanked it off
and flipped it open. "Dr. Begley."
    Immediately, his light expression darkened. He glanced at Lindsay and
cupped his hand over the phone. "I've got to take this, Lindsay.
See you tomorrow night?"
    "Right." Lindsay slid off the table,
thankful for the interruption.
    He managed a strained smile.
    "Where is that woman you told me about?" she whispered.
    "Number six." Already he was turning from her.
    "Thanks." She scooted around the curtain.
    "Yes, damn it, I'm still here." Sam's angry
whisper caught her attention and made her stop.
    In the few months she'd known Sam, he'd never uttered a
harsh word. He seemed to be the nicest guy on the planet.
    "I told you I'd do it and I will," Sam said.
"I've got to go."
    Lindsay hurried down the hallway toward room six, surprised that there
was something more to Dr. Sam Begley than just his quick smile and great
bedside manner.

Chapter
Six
    Monday, July 7, 11:45 A.M .
    Lindsay checked the name on the chart. She
scanned Sam's notes. Cracked ribs. Contusions on the arms. A sprained right
wrist. The injuries were classic. Her stomach knotted. She closed the
chart and shoved aside the curtain to cubical six.
    She found a petite woman sitting on the exam table wearing neatly
pressed jeans, tennis shoes with double-knotted laces, and a white long-sleeved
shirt. Small manicured fingers were clenched into tight fists.
    Over the years, Lindsay had seen hundreds of battered women like this,
but the sight always enraged her. Careful to keep her face neutral, she managed
a smile. "Gail Saunders?"
    The woman's tired gaze held a hint of anger.