Vacation Therapy by Lance Zarimba Read Free Book Online Page A

black Speedo. He glared at me, daring me to say something. He knew I had heard his comment.
    I reached over, picked up two apples and two extra oranges. “One's for Tom.” I waved them in his face, and raced out of the dining room for my life.
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Chapter 10—Meeting the Author
    As I headed back to my room, my mind was spinning. This couldn't be happening to me. A date with a gay porn star? I had to get out of there. I was in way over my head, out of my league. Who was I trying to kid? I wasn't going to make it another...
    Bang. I slammed into a guest. Head on. We both stumbled backward, trying to regain our balance. The apples and oranges I carried dropped out of my hands and rolled down the hallway. “Excuse me.” I began rubbing my forehead and looked up. This time it was my mouth that fell open, and my eyes that bulged out of their sockets. I recognized this guy. “Aren't you...?"
    "Shhh,” he looked around the hallway. Not seeing anyone within earshot, he continued. “Yeah, I'm Logan Zachary, in the flesh."
    Logan's picture had graced the back covers of all his books. His full black beard was peppered with gray. His five foot eight stature surprised me. He looked a lot taller in print than he did in person. “I know, sorry I ran into you. Literally,” I smiled at my bad joke. I bent down and retrieved my fallen fruit.
    Logan picked up the apple at his feet and handed it to me.
    I stepped forward and accepted it. “I love your books. I've read them all, but I think Knowing Me, Killing You is your best. Not to say that the award-winning Wring Wring wasn't bordering on genius.” I stopped gushing. “What are you doing here?” I paused. “Oh, I'm sorry. You must be on vacation, too."
    "Shh, well, yes and no. I've always wanted to go to Mexico, but I've never had the chance. Well, here's my chance.” Logan smiled.
    My eyebrows shot up.
    "Oh, I'm not gay, if that's what you're thinking.” His gaze darted around looking to see who could hear us. “Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that I... I mean my... my agent wanted me to set my next mystery at a gay resort, so here I am. Researching."
    I nodded, but wasn't able to figure out how his characters Axel Bolton and Bruce Abel would fit into a gay resort.
    "What do you do for a living...?” Logan asked, quickly before I could ask him anything else.
    "Oh, sorry, I'm Taylor,” I said, extending my hand. “I'm an occupational therapist."
    "Like physical therapy?” Logan asked.
    "In a way. PT's work on the legs and mobility, while OT's work on self care and hand function. We teach everything from dressing to bathing, from brushing your teeth to combing your hair. We assess arm strength, coordination, vision, memory, and problem solving, and we make sure the patients are safe in the kitchen and the bathroom.” What the heck was I babbling about? I sounded like a college catalogue.
    "It must be an interesting job. Working with people, making life and death decisions every day.” He paused, pondering something for a moment. He lowered his voice. “Have you come across any dead people?"
    Shock must have registered on my face.
    He quickly continued. “I mean in the hospital? You know, one that passed away mysteriously or had been murdered?"
    I swallowed hard. How was I going to explain that one? I had a few stories to tell, but I didn't want to bring up those memories right now, at least not after last night. Then I thought, maybe, it would take my mind off everything that had happened so far.
    My mother's voice came to mind. She always said it was easier to tell the truth than to lie. That way you didn't have to remember all the lies you had told. So I answered him, truthfully. “No."
    "Too bad,” he scratched his head. “Maybe we could talk later on. I have a few medical questions that you might be able to help me with. I have an idea for another book..."
    "Sure, that would be great. Just let me know what works for