A Promise Of Home (A Lake Howling Novel Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the bed.
    “You're not going to give me trouble the entire time you're here, are you?”
    “Probably,” Branna sighed. Now that she wasn't being poked and prodded, she felt a bit more relaxed. Taking the pills Belle held out to her, she swallowed them down then took a mouthful of water. She was still scared, but she was also exhausted, and the latter was pulling her eyes shut.
    “Now, I’m going to be waking you through the night, Branna, so don’t slug me when I do.”
    She gave Belle a weary smile; the day was suddenly catching up with her. “I’ll try not to.”
    “How’s the worst patient to enter the hallowed halls of Yelp Medical Facility doing, Annabelle?”
    Branna was too tired to open her eyes as Jake arrived at her bedside.
    “How’s the pain, Rosebud?”
    “It’s okay, starting to ease.”
    “I need you to promise me not to make a run for it tonight.”
    She sighed and then opened her eyes, and there he was. Mr. Way too Hot, McBride. Hair tousled, shoulders broad, and a slightly lopsided smile that was making her insides feel strange, which Branna put down to the pills. He’d always had that effect on her, even in high school, when she’d pretty much hated everyone.
    “Go away and torture someone else, McBride.”
    “A simple thank you will do.”
    Perhaps it was the fear, or the pain, or the fact that finally, the realization that she had uprooted her life to come here was hitting her, but suddenly Branna felt the hot sting of tears behind her eyes. Closing them, she struggled to hold them back, but they slipped beneath her lashes and down her cheeks.
    “It’s all right, Rosebud.” He talked softly about concussion and delayed shock, then using a tissue, he mopped up the flood of humiliating tears until finally Branna ran out of them.
    “I- I’m actually a strong person,” she whispered.
    He was still standing above her and Branna felt that horrible tug of need she used to feel when she sat behind him in class. She hoped like hell it was just because she was having a bad day.
    “Thank you, Jake.”
    He smiled. “That’s it? Thank you, Jake? After the torment I’ve endured at your hands, I get a ‘thank you, Jake?’ You’ve wept on me, bled on me, abused me, and let us not forget that I’ve carried your considerable weight a considerable distance.”
    Branna heard Belle snort somewhere in the background.
    “I think the least I deserve is for you to sell me the Mustang.”
    Belle’s snort became a shout of laughter.
    “You want the Mustang?” Branna asked Jake.
    “I’ll give you a fair price.”
    Branna was lying down, which was a distinct disadvantage against this man; she needed to be upright so she could get a good glare going on.
    “You’re asking me now, when I have a concussion and can barely form a rational thought? That’s low, McBride.”
    His smile wasn’t as bright as it had once been; it was just a small tug of his lips now, and she wondered what changes had taken place in this man’s life since she’d been gone.
    “Rosebud, that old thing's just taking up room in your shed. Let me get it out of your way. I’d be doing you a favor.”
    “Geraldine is a 1966 Ford Mustang 4speed manual 289 V8, McBride, not an old thing, as you put it, and it’s mine,” Branna said, squinting up at him. His face didn’t register shock that she, a woman, knew things about a car; he just looked at her with those black eyes.
    “There was always something sneaky about you, even in school. I reckon it’s just had time to develop since you left Howling.”
    “I could always outsmart you, McBride; glad to see some things stay the same.” Closing her eyes as she ran out of energy, Branna managed a small smile. “But, I do thank you, Jake, for everything you did for me today, even though I may have been a bit difficult.”
    “A bit,” he snorted. “You owe me, Rosebud, and payment will be a drive in that car.”
    Branna was pretty sure her smile wouldn’t slip until she