Seeing Forever by Vanessa Devereaux Read Free Book Online

built between Katey and her step-mother. Sadly, it never seemed to work.
    “I think working with service dogs is a wonderful
idea, and if you want to make a career out of it, then you have our support.”
He put his hand on Katey’s arm while looking at Ruth.
She hoped his wife noted the emphasis he’d placed on the word our .
    “And before I forget, I’ll be staying over at Luc’s
tomorrow night. He’s got his sister with him now but I think he’s nervous about
letting the dog out during the night.”
    “That’s understandable,” said her dad. “Is he good-looking,
by any chance?”
    “Dad,” said Katey ,
slapping his arm.
    “About time you found yourself a nice young man….not
that I’m trying to get rid of you,” said her dad.
    “I know.”
    “At least you wouldn’t have to worry about your
weight,” said Ruth. “I mean he wouldn’t know you were gaining a pound now and
then.”
    Both Katey and her dad
looked at Ruth at the same time.
    “ Katey’s big-boned like
me,” he said.
    She patted her father’s arm again. That was a sweet
thing to say and to hear him come to her rescue like that was priceless. How
he’d ever gotten together with Ruth was beyond her. Yes, she did, he’d been
lonely after her mother died and Ruth had circled him like a vulture. A bird of prey, with a sharp tongue and beak.
    She almost laughed watching Ruth tuck into her
chicken and thinking of her as a scavenger bird. Katey took an extra scoop of mashed potato and placed it on her plate, hoping it was
sending Ruth the message that she didn’t care about fitting into size five
clothing because she was happy as she was. And at least tomorrow, she could eat
in peace at Luc’s house without any snide remarks about her plus-size figure.

****
    Luc’s list of things he regretted not being able to
do anymore, had grown by one today.
    He could no longer look out of the window to watch
for someone’s arrival.   Not just anyone’s,
but Katey’s . He felt the edge of the talking clock
that Josie had brought him yesterday, and pressed the button.   The mechanical voice told him that it was
almost eleven. She’d be here any time now.
    He’d tried to be casual and not give too much away
when he’d gotten up that morning. Since the accident he hadn’t really given a
shit about much, not least his appearance, but this morning, he’d had his
sister check his hair, making sure every strand was in place. She’d checked his
teeth, ensuring that nothing was wedged between them, and that both his jeans
and t-shirt were stain-free.
    “I’m so happy for you, little brother, welcome back to the world. And like I said, don’t be a
monk.”
    Those had been Josie’s parting words when she’d left
an hour ago.
    He’d given himself away, and now like a child
waiting for Christmas to roll around so he could open gifts, he sat and
anticipated Katey’s arrival.
    Luc sensed that Willow was on full alert too, and
then he heard a car pulling into the driveway. Luc stood and felt for the dog’s
harness as the doorbell rang.
    “Willow, lead,” he said. He hoped that Willow
already knew where to go when the bell sounded. They made their way out of the
room. Luc was amazed at the skill the dog had to guide him around any obstacle
as he led him forward.
    The dog stopped and Luc reached out and felt around
for the door handle.
    “Good boy,” said Luc as he made contact with it. He
pulled it open, hoping he was right, and it was in fact, Katey .
    “Hi, Luc, and good morning, Willow.”
    Four simple words and she’d made his heartbeat edge
up to a dangerous level. “Hi, Katey .” He reached out hoping she’d take his
hand. Please take it. Make my day. She
did and now he could hear his heartbeat in his ears too. A warm feeling rushed
over him, almost sending him into a panic.
    He pulled her inside and the temptation to kiss her
was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. But what if he missed her mouth
completely and looked like