Out of the Shadows by Loree Lough Read Free Book Online

known seem scared of kitchens.”
    She wondered what it was about him that brought out this outrageously flirtatious side of her. Grinning, she said, “There’s not a gadget in this room that scares me, mister.”
    Suddenly, the friendly light in his eyes dimmed. “Yeah. You’re all kinds of brave, aren’t you.”
    Patrice had no idea what he was talking about, and said so.
    He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Far be it for me to tell you how to run your life. Seems to me,though, you’d live a lot longer if you’d stop blaming yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.”
    She could see by the caring expression on his face that he meant well, could hear the concern in his voice, too. Still, the advice irked her. “I’ve been on my own for a long time, Wade. I can take care of myself.”
    He took another bite of the cookie. “Well, you won’t starve to death, that’s for sure.”
    At least the mischievous grin was back. Patrice hadn’t realized how much she enjoyed looking at it until it disappeared. Finally, the pot hissed, signaling that the coffee was ready. “You take yours black, right?”
    He turned a kitchen chair around, straddled it and rested his forearms on its back. “Brave as a lion, memory like an elephant. Maybe you should’ve been a veterinarian.”
    She chose to ignore the remark, pouring milk into the creamer, instead. Wade took his time drinking the first cup of coffee, then helped himself to a second. For the next twenty minutes, he talked nonstop about guilt and blame and personal responsibility. Finally, lectured out, he stood and put his mug into the sink. “Promise me you’ll at least think about what I’ve said.”
    She did her best not to reply in a bored monotone. “I’ll pray on it.”
    His eyebrows rose high on his forehead. “Pray on it? What good do you think that’ll do? Religion, prayer, guilt—tools used by organized religion to make us feel beholden.”
    She’d pray, all right, but not about whose fault the accident was. She’d ask God to give her the strength, the wisdom, the words that would turn Wade’s heart toward Christ.
    He placed both hands on her shoulders. “I’m serious,Patrice. You’re a terrific woman. You should be living a full, happy life. How are you gonna do that if you’re emotionally exhausted from lugging around guilt that isn’t yours?”
    Narrowing her eyes, she regarded him with sudden suspicion. I’ll live a full, happy life—as long as I keep a safe distance from romance! she thought. If only she could back up the tape, erase this whole episode.
    With no warning, he gathered her to him in a warm, protective embrace. Automatically, her arms went around him.
    “What am I gonna do with you?” he sighed into her hair. “You’re as bighearted and pigheaded as they come,” he added, kissing the top of her head, “and while that’s a tempting combination, I have a practice to run. I can’t be—”
    She broke free of his hold and stood, hands forming fists at her sides. “So who asked you to be my protector? I told you, I can take—”
    “—care of yourself,” he finished for her. “I know, I know.” He opened the door, then clicked it shut again. “I never meant to insult you. I hope you know that. It’s just that, for some reason, you worry me.”
    Patrice couldn’t help admitting that she was touched by his concern. “There’s no need for that. I’m fine.”
    Wade grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him, his lips a fraction of an inch from hers. In the dim light of the foyer lamp, his eyes glittered like amber as his gaze flicked from her mouth to her throat to her eyes. She wondered what that thick, dark hair would feel like beneath her fingertips, and held her breath as she waited for his kiss.
    He inhaled sharply and stepped back. “Take care of yourself, you hear? Because…”
    Because what? she wondered. What did he care if her guilt was deserved or not? During the pause, Patrice thought maybe