Reunion by Sharon Sala Read Free Book Online Page A

could see beneath her blazer would have made him laugh. Emblazoned directly across her very ample breasts was the phrase I know what you’re thinking.
    Her hair was short and tousled, and there were freckles on her nose. Somehow, freckles and fakes didn’t go together, and until he’d seen her, he’d been convinced that was what she was—a fake. But that was before he’d looked long and hard into her big blue eyes. He hadn’t experienced any revelation. All he’d seen was his own reflection and an unassuming expression.
    Laura purposefully fell a couple of steps behind as the two men led the way. It was obvious that they were more than friends. Concern for Gabriel was etched deeply into Travers’ face, and, in return, Gabriel’s head was tilted slightly to one side as they walked so as not to miss what the older man was saying. Family. That was what they were. At least, all that was left of what had once been a family.
    She frowned as they entered a large, book-filled room. There was more than sadness in this house. She felt a spirit that did not belong.
    Gabriel turned in time to catch the frown on her face and, somehow, knew he was the cause. If it wasn’t for his uncle Mike’s insistence, he would send her packing right now. This was going to be a monumental waste of time.
    Careful…be careful.
    Gabriel jerked. The intrusion of the voice was unexpected. Startled, he clenched his fists and took a slow, deep breath.
    Laura felt as if she’d been kicked. “My God.”
    He looked up. Laura was staring at him in open-mouthed wonder.
    “I heard your thought,” she whispered. “I heard you say ‘Be careful.’ That’s never happened to me before.”
    Okay, so she’s not a fake, he thought. Then he shook his head in quick denial.
    “On the contrary, Miss Dane, that thought wasn’t mine, and that wasn’t my voice. But that’s the same damned voice I’ve been hearing ever since the wreck. So what’s wrong with me? Am I really tuning in to some other world…or am I going insane?”
     
    It was after midnight. Earlier, Laura had bade the elderly doctor a reluctant goodbye and then watched as the housekeeper, a woman Gabriel called Matty, took her leave, as well. After that, their conversation had been stilted.
    “Mr. Connor, I think it would be easier for the both of us if—”
    “Call me Gabriel.”
    She nodded. “As I was going to say…I want you to be yourself while I’m here. Go about your normal routine. And if you begin to experience anything unusual, I will know.”
    “And that’s supposed to make this easier?”
    “I don’t understand,” Laura said.
    “What’s not to understand?” Gabriel muttered. “I’m already having a hell of a time trying to cope with what’s happening to me, and now you tune in to my thoughts as easy as changing channels on a television. Hell, lady, I feel naked in your presence.”
    Laura froze. He didn’t understand.
    “I do not eavesdrop on people’s lives,” she said shortly.
    “Then how do you explain hearing the same voice I hear?”
    “Since that has never happened to me before, I’m afraid I can’t.”
    A bitter grin broke the seriousness of his expression. “Well, that’s just great. Seems to me you aren’t any better off than I am.”
    “Don’t count me out yet. I promised Dr. Travers I would help, and I will. I just can’t promise that you’ll like the outcome.”
    This time there was no mistaking the bitterness of Gabriel’s mood.
    “Well now, that’s what I call hedging your bets. If you aren’t able to produce the proverbial rabbits out of the hat, then all you have to do is claim there were never any rabbits to begin with.”
    But Laura stood her ground. “All you have to do is keep an open mind and give me—and yourself—a chance.”
    He was impressed with her in spite of himself. He kept looking for flaws, and all that came out was an unswerving honesty. He sighed.
    “Fine. You want a chance. You’ve got it. Uncle Mike