A Place to Call Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

stronger.
     
    “Dr. Sherborne’s office. I think we’ll just about catch him before he closes for the day. Have him check you out. It’ll save you a trip to the Emergency Room if he can check you out.”
     
    “No, that’s not necessary.”
     
    He leaned in and lifted her and her purse, leaving no room for her to argue. “It’s necessary.”
     
    Smiling, he carried a cursing Hannah into the office. The cool air humming from the air conditioner in the window of the small waiting room kept the humidity outside. No other patients sat on the metal chairs lined up along the walls, which meant Mac had just made it in time to catch the doctor before he left for the day. Pictures of flowers, cartoons, and Civil War soldiers adorned the soothing blue color of the walls. As always, the office smelled of bleach from sterile cleaning and berries from an air freshener puffing a fragrant cloud every five minutes from an automatic dispenser on the wall. At least Hannah would be safe now.
     
    Immediately, Mrs. Sherborne, the doctor’s nurse and wife, stepped from behind her reception desk and showed them into an exam room. Then she shooed Mac out to the waiting area where he paced for twenty minutes like a caged animal.
     
    When Hannah walked out with Dr. Sherborne by her side, she looked a hundred times better.
     
    “Mac. Good to see you,” Dr. Sherborne said and offered his wrinkled hand for a shake.
     
    “Doc, how is she?” Mac spoke to the man but watched Hannah.
     
    “Little bump on the head is all. She shouldn’t be alone tonight. Needs plenty of water.”
     
    Mac glared at Hannah. He should’ve known she wouldn’t admit to hitting her head the stubborn little witch. “She won’t be alone. The boys and I will take care of her.”
     
    § § § §
     
    “Thank you, Doctor Sherborne,” Hannah said before allowing Mac to take her arm and walk outside.
     
    Evening had settled around Charleston. The sultry air slightly cooler than the day’s heat, the fragrant scent of Yellow Jessamine filtered through the soft breeze that had developed. Keeping his hand on Hannah’s elbow, Mac guided her to his truck and opening her door. Still unsteady on her feet, she appreciated the assistance and the fact that he had remained with her since he obviously had family waiting for him.
     
    “Thank you for your help, Mac. If you wouldn’t mind driving me home, I’d really appreciate it. I know you have to get home.”
     
    “My boys have eaten dinner already. And I’m not driving you to your house. You’re coming home with me. You shouldn’t stay alone tonight. Doctor’s orders.”
     
    “That’s completely unnecessary. I won’t intrude.” How could she ask him to help her any more than he already had today? However, the idea of having him take care of her appealed immensely to her exhausted body. But what would his family think of him bringing her home like a stray puppy?
     
    “I’m sure your wife won’t be pleased with you bringing home a strange woman.”
     
    He glanced at her then back to the road. “Good thing I don’t have a wife, then.”
     
    “Oh.” She fidgeted, not quite sure how to respond.
     
    “I’m a single dad. Three boys you’ll meet in a few minutes. Aidan is sixteen, Ryan fourteen, and Luke nine. And Porkchop.”
     
    “Porkchop?” Just the name piqued her curiosity.
     
    “My big but harmless dog,” he said, a chuckle escaping his lips. “I promise you’ll be completely safe at my house. Doc knows you’ll be staying at my house tonight.”
     
    “I didn’t say I wouldn’t be safe. It’s just that, well…”
     
    “Spit it out. It’s just what?”
     
    “Why are you being so nice to me?”
     
    He laughed. “You really don’t trust people much, do you?”
     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    Hannah sat pissed at herself while Mac drove through Charleston, leaving the center of town behind them. How could she have passed out? It’s not like she didn’t know how to handle