After The Fire (One Pass Away Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

come soon enough.
     
    “WASN’T HE NICE?” Violet could still feel Gaige’s hand holding
    hers. It was so large. Callused. Not soft like the boys she knew. A man’s hand.
    “Who is he, Violet?”
    “Just someone who saw a girl in need and saved her from a
    tumble off the bed.”
    “Then stuck around.”
    “Because I asked him to. What’s wrong with that?”
    “He’s…”
    “What?” Violet wished she could see her mother’s face. It
    was so frustrating not to be able to read expressions.
    “Too good looking.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “What is a man who looks like he stepped off the cover of a
    magazine doing hanging around a hospital?”
    “He’s probably visiting someone. If it makes you feel
    better, I’ll ask him tomorrow.”
    “It would make me feel better.”
    “Now that we’ve settled that, tell me what Gaige looks like.”
    “His looks are irrelevant, Violet Marie.”
    “That good, huh?”
    “Not the point.”
    “True. I can’t see him.” There was a pause. When Violet
    spoke, there was a different tone. Sad. “Maybe I never will.”
    “Don’t think that way. The doctors are hopeful you’ll regain
    your sight.”
    “Hopeful.” Violet sighed. “That isn’t terribly scientific.”
    “Well, wrap your logical mind around a little faith.
    Sometimes trusting in God isn’t a bad thing.”
    “What if your God doesn’t want me to be a doctor?”
    “ My God?”
    “You know I have questions, Mom. Doubts. This accident hasn’t
    helped.”
    “I see it differently. God was watching out for you. You’re
    here. Alive. When those casts come off, you’ll be as good as new.”
    “Except for my eyes.”
    “Baby.” Violet felt the mattress shift just before her
    mother pulled her close. “When the doctor examines you on Friday, we’ll know
    more. If you can’t put your faith in God, put it in science.”
    “You’re okay with that?” Close to tears, Violet held them
    back by teasing her mother.
    “Of course. Who do you think made scientists?”
    “God?”
    Her mother’s arms tightened. “Exactly.”
    “Okay. I’ll keep an open mind.”
    “That’s all I ask.”
    “Good.” Violet waited while her mother fluffed her pillows. “So
    tell me? What does Gaige look like?”
     
    THE NEXT MORNING, Gaige arrived at the hospital with a new
    attitude. There was no sense of dread as he walked through the doors. He sent a
    smile toward the nurse at the reception desk, causing the overworked woman to
    sigh. He entered the elevator, with a dozen pink roses, whistling a random
    tune.
    Calvin Iannetta, an orderly Gaige had become friendly with,
    wheeled in a cart filled with mostly empty trays and the remains of that
    morning’s breakfast.
    “You’re in a good mood.”
    “Why not? Did you see that sky? Nothing but blue.”
    “Who are the flowers for? I’m guessing pink isn’t your
    father’s color.”
    Calvin knew Gaige’s situation. Or at least, the basic
    details.
    “I brought them for a friend.”
    “Good on you, son.”
    Calvin wheeled the cart out on the next floor, leaving Gaige
    alone in the elevator. Good on, him? That sounded right. He couldn’t remember
    the last time his mind had been filled with something other than his family or
    football. But last night, he hadn’t hit the bar, needing a whiskey neat to help
    loosen the tension in his shoulders. He went to his room. Watched a little SportsCenter .
    Then studied some tape from Seattle’s last season. And as he drifted off to
    sleep, he thought about Violet.
    Gaige had questions. What had happened to her? How long
    would she be in the hospital? But if he asked, so would she. He didn’t want to
    lie to Violet. However, there was no way in hell he would tell her about his
    father. He was ashamed to admit that he was Don Benson’s son. Violet didn’t
    need to know. Why burden her with something so dark and ugly?
    As it had been yesterday, her door was open. Gaige paused
    just inside the room, looking at the