A Woman To Blame Read Online Free PDF

how important good ambulance service can be, because—"
    "Liza," he said, cutting her off, "what did you have to tell me?" He meant for his hard stare to be a warning to the older woman. He knew his attempt to silence her on that personal and painful subject had worked when her lips formed an even line and her gaze dropped to the floor again. That's all he needed, bringing Angie into it. Both he and Liza turned their embarrassed faces toward Bryn.
    By the horrified look in her eyes, he knew Bryn was still picturing her grandfather in the back of the truck. Rick recognized the prolonged reaction and, without stopping to think of the repercussions, reached out to give her a reassuring touch. His thumb grazed her skin, and before he thought it through, he was giving her shoulder a comforting rub.
    "Hey, everything's okay now," he said softly. "You told me the doctor said he's going to be fine."
    "I know," she said, staring out at the palm fronds brushing against the rail, "but it hurts to picture him like that. Waiting for help, then bouncing around in the back of a truck. No trained medical people to help him."
    For one earth-stopping moment, Rick was jolted back to an afternoon five years ago. The sequence of events flashed through his mind, leaving him with the raw taste of his remembered fear. He squeezed his eyes shut in a private moment of hell. Dammit, how many times would he have to relive that afternoon? Forcing himself to focus on Bryn, he began squeezing her shoulder. "People do the best they can."
    "That's right, Captain Parrish," Liza said. "And that's what I have a mind to do."
    Brought back to his senses by Liza's no-nonsense tone, Rick lifted his fingers from Bryn's shoulder. As casually as he could, he stepped back and slid both his hands into his pockets. Everyone experienced tragedy, but that didn't call for a group hug. What was he thinking of, touching her like that? He'd survived the last five years without succumbing to smarmy displays of emotion. "Let's hear it, Liza," he said brusquely.
    "I want to have a community fund-raiser to buy a new ambulance for Malabar Key."
    "Oh. Why not just put it to a referendum? Next county election is—"
    "Too long to wait," said Liza, interrupting with a waving index finger. "I need you to advertise it at your marina. And I'll need Bryn's help too."
    "You want me?" Bryn's head came up, her eyes meeting first with Liza's and then with Rick's. Pressing both hands to her midriff, she asked, "But what could I do?"
    "That's what everyone says," Liza said, dipping her chin to look over her glasses and smile. "You're a breath of fresh air, and that's enough to start with. But more importantly, you're motivated to help because of what's happened to Pappy." She patted Rick's arm. "How about a little encouragement, Captain?"
    "How long are you planning to stay?" he asked. No matter what message his body was sending him, he was not interested in the way she was touching herself. There was simply nothing else to look at.
    "I'm not certain." Bryn looked around the room. "It depends on a lot of things."
    Keeping his gaze on Bryn, he said, "Well, Liza, she tells me she cares about Malabar Key, but if she's not going to be around long enough to—"
    "I'll be around," she said, swiveling her head in his direction.
    "Really?" he asked, shifting his weight as he gave her his cockiest smile.
    "Really."
    Studying her for the first signs of fidgeting, he finally turned his attention to Liza and shrugged. "Then sure, I'll give her my vote."
    "I'll be glad to sell tickets and even advertise once the restaurant is opened, but I don't have any experience with planning a fund-raiser. As you both can see, I'm putting together this restaurant and looking after my grandfather's affairs. Then there's my own business I'm keeping tabs on. I don't think I'll have the time for much else."
    Liza laughed a self-satisfied laugh. "Everyone is so reluctant to get involved, but once you're working on the