Against Me (Cedar Tree Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

meantime, you need me for anything, you call me. You hear me now?"
    I heard. I’m still not quite sure I'm computing, but I nod.
    "Good."
    After he lifts me back into my chair, he gives me a peck on the cheek and ensures me he'll be in touch. Caleb is out the door, leaving me to check out his fine physique as he walks away, which is nearly as fine as it is coming. Holy shit.

    The rest of the afternoon, I spend scanning archives and back issues of the Montrose Daily Press and the Boulder Daily Camera to look for any reference to Cora Acker, without much success. That, and replaying Caleb's slightly cryptic words over and over again in my head. For the past six months, he’s gone from a good friend at the periphery of my life, to someone who seems to be in the thick of things. Every time I open my eyes, and as with everything else, I have successfully avoided looking too closely. I've never been comfortable being anyone's focus. It makes me very uneasy. The more their attention is on you, the more you feel the loss when they tire of you. No, I've been quite happy keeping everyone outside a certain perimeter, and making sure I stay there as well.
    Somehow though, Caleb snuck in closer than anyone has before, and I honestly don't know how to feel about that. Part of me wants that safe space back, but shit. There’s a huge part that really, really likes this― This closeness, or whatever it is. I just know that it feels nice, yet scary, too. Damn. These feelings I get, they're not 'friendly' feelings, not at all. Especially not when he calls me 'little one.' I want to purr and rub up against him. Gah!
    ––––––––
    M y eyes are gritty from rubbing and staring at the screen for hours, when there’s a knock at my door.
    "Yup, door's open." I call out, expecting one of the nursing staff.  What I didn't expect was Juan pushing the door open gingerly, a tentative smile on his face.
    "Afternoon Juan. Are you alright?"
    I wheel myself over to him when he doesn't come into the room any further and lingers in the doorway. Close up, I can see his eyes are red-rimmed and watery.
    "You want to come in and sit down?"
    Concerned with his continued silence, I gently grab his hand and encourage him to come inside, considering whether I should ring the bell for nursing staff or not. The poor man looks desolate as he makes his way over to the lone chair and sits down, his eyes down on his hands he holds, folded in his lap.
    "Juan, you’re worrying me. What’s wrong?" I try again, and this time when his eyes scan up to meet mine, a lone tear trickles down his cheek and a shuddering breath leaves him.
    "I... I received some bad news." With that, his head drops down again.
    Rolling as close as I can get, I lean forward and put my hands over his.
    "Do you want to tell me about it?" I ask him, but he immediately starts shaking his head.
    "Can't... They won't like that. I'm not supposed to talk, it makes them angry." Juan pulls his hands out from under mine and pushes himself up from the chair.
    I'm at a loss. Angry? Who would get mad at a harmless old man?
    Who gets angry, Juan?"
    But he’s already moving toward the door, mumbling to himself in Spanish before he opens the door, almost falling through when it’s pulled open from the outside.
    " Qué estás haciendo aquí , viejo ?"
    The bitten-off Spanish words don't match the sharply dressed, handsome man standing in the hallway. Neither does the furious look he throws poor Juan who seems to shrink even further under his glare.
    "Excuse me," I offer, trying to get some control of a situation that feels out of control. "Are you looking for someone?"
    The man's eyes whip to me and his face does an instant transformation.
    "Ah, discúlpeme . I'm sorry for the disturbance. My uncle... he is confused. I hope he didn't bother you?"
    The toothy smile he throws me is blinding, or at least it would be if I were looking directly at him, which I'm not. I'm keeping an eye on Juan who’s