Blindsided Read Online Free PDF Page A

frightening thought. She said quickly, “Let’s not forget we both have a low, almost fatalistic opinion of the accuracy of weather forecasters.”
    His back against the opposite counter, McCutcheon swirled the liquid in his glass very slowly. “That makes two things. A good start.
    What else might there be? Do you like opera?”
    Kerin shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
    “Three.” He grinned and took a sip of his wine. “Sports?”

    Blindsided 27
    “Well, I do follow the Colts during football season.”
    “Ah, so I take it you’re from Indiana. What do you do back in Indiana, Ms. Smith?”
    “Kerin,” she said automatically, thinking fast. She’d already lied about her last name, and she hardly wanted to give him personal information. Unfortunately, fabrications had never been her strong suit.
    He said pleasantly, “All right. What do you do for living, Kerin?”
    Her gaze dropped uncomfortably. The shirt that had replaced his wet one was flannel also, this one a dark red. It was unbuttoned enough that she could see a V of tanned chest, undoubtedly nicely muscled if the width of his shoulders was any indication. She jerked her gaze back up to his face. “I work in a doctor’s office.”
    “I see.” His brows went up a fraction. “That explains a few things.
    What kind of medicine do you practice?”
    Her fingers tightened involuntarily on the delicate stem of her glass. “I never said I was a physician.”
    His dark eyes were steady on hers. Intelligent, insightful, and questioning. He said mildly, “No, you didn’t. Quite the opposite. But your car is kind of a giveaway. In my experience the only person who works in a doctor’s office and drives a Mercedes is the doctor.
    Besides, despite the fact this situation makes you pretty nervous, you still carry yourself like someone who is used to being an authority figure.”
    Okay. Add smart to the list now . Kerin admitted haltingly, “I’m an internist who works with a group of doctors.” That was vague enough.
    “And that’s a secret?”
    Now he was crossing from uncomfortable to downright
    inquisitive. “I don’t know you.” The words came out more forcefully than she intended.
    He seemed to pause, the glass of wine halfway to his mouth. After a second, he took a little sip. “Please remember, I don’t know you either.”

    28
    Kate Watterson
    The worst thing was he was achingly, agonizingly correct. He didn’t know her. Yet he’d stopped and picked her up, welcoming her into his home. Instantly ashamed of herself, Kerin said, “I know you don’t. I’m sorry.”
    “Apology accepted, Doctor.” He set aside his glass and moved down the length of the kitchen. He disappeared into the hallway where they’d come in and she heard the closet door open. When he came out, he was wearing a thick dark coat and pulling on a pair of gloves. “You might want to listen for the weather report on the radio.
    If they predict anything but gloom and doom, let me know.”
    “You’re going out there?” Kerin couldn’t conceal her disbelief.
    Perched on her stool, she stared at him. “Why?”
    “Just for wood. I want to build a fire. I’m a little uneasy about how long the power might be out and how much fuel I have for the generator. I’d say once we go to bed, we should probably turn it off at least for a few hours.”
    Once we go to bed...
    He seemed to realize just how the casually spoken phrase sounded because for the first time the tables were turned and he didn’t look quite so confident and self-possessed. Instead he said abruptly, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Help yourself to more wine.”
    She could hear for a brief moment the roar of the storm and feel an eddy of icy cold rush into the room before the door closed behind him.

    * * * *

    The big dead hemlock he’d planned on taking down in the spring had fallen across the path to the woodshed. It had not gone down gracefully, and the huge trunk had shattered and bits lay