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

tried to slip out into the hallway, but his nephew seems to have quite a firm grasp on his arm. Something feels off, so I tread carefully.
    "No bother at all. Your uncle came to check on me. I haven't been feeling well and he’s always kind enough to look in on me.”
    Fuck. I can't lie for shit, and it is abundantly clear when I see the slight narrowing of the man's eyes―he’s not buying it for one second. The brilliant white smile has all but disappeared and all that's left on his dark face is the slight sneer of his lips.
    "Wonderful! I see you found your uncle," Sue, who is apparently on shift again, walks right up behind him and breaks a rather awkward stare down between us.
    With a terse nod in my direction, he turns and walks out, taking his uncle with him. Just before the door to Juan's room closes behind them, shutting off all sound, I hear the old man's voice say, " Por favor, mi hijo, "
    "That guy gives me the creeps," Sue whispers to me. "This is the second time I've seen him and it’s not getting better." With a grimace and a faux shiver, she pulls the door shut and leaves me alone with my thoughts. 
    Mi hijo?
    I remember enough high school Spanish to know that means, my son .

CHAPTER FOUR
    M y phone rings shortly after I cross state lines into New Mexico.
    "Whereabouts are you?" Gus wants to know.
    "Just coming up to Aztec, New Mexico. The drive through the mountains was pretty bad. I should've come the other way and cut through Utah, but since the weather forecast was clear, I thought I'd be ok. Didn't expect parts of the 550 would be closed off because of mudslides."
    "Where was this?"
    "Just north of Durango, but there were slides as far back as Ouray, they just weren't blocking the road all the way, but it made driving treacherous even so."
    "Must be the early spring runoff we're having. I know they've had some flooding in the lower lying areas here. Mancos has had a few issues. So what are your plans? It's almost eight o'clock now."
    "I'll stop in Farmington, grab a bite and check into the Travelodge. Too late to do anything useful tonight, so I might as well set up camp there. No half-decent motels any closer to Shiprock anyway, and I don't mind a little bit of distance for when I need it."
    "Sounds good. Check in tomorrow night when you've had a chance to look around."
    Gus seems ready to hang up, but before he does, I decide to address the unsettled feeling that’s been with me ever since I left Katie about six hours ago.
    "Will do, but can you do me a favor and keep tabs on Katie? Saw her this afternoon and she knows I'm on a job, but I don't feel settled."
    "Did she say anything? Something come up?" he wants to know.
    "No. Just don't feel good about being half a day away from her."
    I hear a low chuckle over the line and curse under my breath.
    "You are so fucked," Gus feels the need to point out.
    "Pointing out the obvious, my friend. Quit yanking my chain."
    "No worries. I'll keep tabs. I’ll give Neil a call in a bit. He's almost around the corner from Larchwood Inns, that close enough for you?"
    "That's about as effective as buying her a watch-bunny. Jesus, Gus..." I run my hand through my hair, not feeling any better at all when Gus starts laughing.
    "One of these days, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret about our quiet Neil. His waters run deeper than even you have obviously detected, and I can't tell you how much that tickles me. Trust me when I say Katie will be well taken care of. You have my word."
    Not left with much choice, I reluctantly agree and sign off, ready for something hot in my stomach and a place to bed down.

    A decent meal and a good night's sleep have done me good, and I find I'm not dreading the upcoming reunion with my family and childhood home as much as I thought I might. The drive into Shiprock is pretty uneventful, and it isn't long before I find myself turning onto the dirt road that leads to my parents' place.
    The old house is surrounded by farm