Shades of Gray by Carol A. Spradling Read Free Book Online

When he does show up, he will make certain there is no
proof of abuse.”
    “And when she
is well?  What happens then?” Laura asked.  This was not the first time Grayson
had fought this demon.  It had cost them both dearly, leaving them with only
bits and pieces of their former lives.  She glanced at the sealed pot in her
hand.  There was no amount of salve that could restore her son to the man he
had been.  “Knowing Reece the way you do,” she said, “will you be able to send
his fiancée back to him when she has recovered?”
    “As you have
said, I will have no choice.  If it is her desire to return to him, I will
stand aside.”
    She narrowed
her eyes and shook her head.  He spoke with the same conviction he had used
five years ago when he tried to convince her that he would not seek revenge. 
He was no more convincing now than he had been then.
    He pulled her
in his arms and spoke over the top of her head.  “If it will ease your mind,
when the girl awakes, I will ask her if she has family nearby who could take
her in and care for her.  Would that erase the worry from your brow?”
    Laura nodded. 
She pushed back in his arms and looked up at him.  “If she is to stay with us,
she’ll need attention.  We can plan her security later.  First, let’s see that
she lives long enough to need it.  Bring in a pail of water, and I’ll tend to
her wounds.  Once her bandages are changed and she has eaten, we can move her
to another bedroom.”
    “She stays
where she lies,” Grayson stated matter-of-factly. 
    This tone
wasn’t new.  It usually meant his decision was made and he would entertain no
arguments on the issue.  She backed away from him and folded a few towels to
bring upstairs.  Apparently, he didn’t know where he had acquired that
obstinate trait.
    “There are
eight bedrooms in this house,’ she said.  “Why must she stay in your room?”
    “She has been
through enough.  I don’t want her disturbed any more than necessary.  Besides,
I want to be close by if Reece tries something.  I’ll sleep in the adjoining
room.” 
    Laura widened
her eyes, certain she had misheard him.  “You plan to sleep in the nur. . . You
haven’t gone in there since. . . ”
    He lifted the
water bucket off of the hook.  “It will serve my purpose.”
    She held the
back door open and called after him.  “If you plan to leave her in your room,
it will need a thorough cleaning.”  At least something good would come of this
day.

 
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Katherine lay
on the flat of her back, her legs and arms tangled among the sheets, securing
her in place.  She worked her hands, grasping for anything to free herself. 
Breathing heavily, she opened her eyes and tried to blink away the darkness. 
Indistinguishable shapes and shadows surrounded her.  Although nothing seemed
familiar, she relaxed her struggle.  Instead of scrambling for the door, she
inhaled and filled her lungs with a stale muskiness, finding comfort from an
unknown source.  This smell had been the last thing she remembered from the
previous night.  That and strong arms lifting her from the ground. 
    Someone had
stepped between her and Reece.  In that moment, she had relaxed and put her
trust in a stranger to protect her.  He had spoken only three words, but that
had been enough.  The soothing sound of his voice made her believe him, and for
the first time since she had come ashore, she felt safe.     
    Garbled voices
sounded in the distance, and she strained to recognize at least one of the people
talking.  Her heart pounded, and she hoped it was not Reece’s voice she heard. 
While unable to distinguish what was said, at least nothing resembled her
fiancé’s tones.  Katherine listened closer.  A steady thumping punctuated the
voices, and drew nearer.  She jerked to free herself from the bedding.  Pain
shot across her shoulders and down her arms.  A tingling sensation burst into
her fingertips like a