The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1) by D.M. Chisolm Read Free Book Online

up the boxes and walked to the kitchen which was behind me and to the left. His home was a mirror image of mine but flipped around. His kitchen, dining room, and large living room are one open area on the left of the foyer and his hall, bedrooms, and bathrooms are to the right. His colors are darker than mine. His floor that covers the dining and living room is a deep cherry wood with a large area rug with muted reds and golds in geometric shapes in the living room. The oval dining room table is walnut with six burgundy leather high-back chairs. There are a few dark wood end tables with pewter lamps with cream colored shades and a Victorian style buffet on the wall behind the table. His kitchen is modern with black granite counters and a high bar with four tall wooden stools under it on the opposite side of the copper sink. Dark walnut cabinets climb to the kitchen ceiling and frame the back wall of the kitchen. His black oven and cook top are sandwiched between two tall cabinets that appear to be pantries. A gorgeous cooper vent hood rises above it. The black refrigerator ends the countertop closest to the dining room. A large chopping block island sits in the middle of the space and at the moment it is covered with what appears to be bills and important looking papers. 
                  As Ozias opens the refrigerator to put away the left overs, I notice that it’s mostly empty with only a half carton of milk and a few condiments. Typical bachelor refrigerator. The walls of the whole area are a deep nutmeg with white trim. He has the same wall of windows that my co-op has that lead out to a large balcony that overlooking the river. It was homey and beautiful all at time same time. I snuggled into the blanket feeling my eyelids grow heavy but I felt I needed to say something before I drifted to sleep.
                  Ozias was walking back towards me holding a bottle of ibuprofen in his hands. He opened the top and handed me four round reddish colored tablets. “Here, take these now that you have eaten. That way they won’t upset your stomach. I brought you the bottle so you could see that they are indeed ibuprofen. I know you’re nervous about not knowing me.” Again, such a thoughtful gesture. I took the pills and swallowed them with the rest of my water.
                  “Thank you. You’re so sweet.” He grinned embarrassed by the compliment. “Ozias, don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s surprising to me that my Aunt Claire bought you gifts when I had hardly seen her in the last six years. She did come to my college graduation and only stayed two days then left. I’m not complaining, but it does make me a little sad. When I hear you talk about her I feel like I never really knew her at all.”
                  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about how it might make you feel when I talked about her. It’s so surreal to me, because Claire was like family and I miss her. We had great conversations. I could talk to her about things my mom and dad just didn’t understand. She was a great person, even if she was a little strange. I guess I thought the blanket might be comforting to you because it was from her and you’ve had such a bad day. I keep trying to make it better but I keep messing up.” His frown and look of disappointment in his actions broke my heart.
                  “It is comforting! I didn’t mean to make you think otherwise. Thank you for telling me about it. I would like to hear more stories about Aunt Claire, but not today. I’m exhausted. You have made my night so much better than my day. I feel very comfortable here with you, and I do trust you.”
                  His eyes warmed at those words and my heart did a flip in my chest. Is it possible to have a connection like this with a man you just met? I feel like we’re two old souls just finding each other again after centuries apart.