Butterfly Cove Read Online Free PDF

that—really you?”
    Rafe felt something tighten in his throat at her question. The sound of her voice still had the power to hit him in the chest like a hot fist. “It’s me. How do you feel?”
    “Sleepy. Strange. Drugged, I guess. You were there in the mudslide? That was you in the car I hit, wasn’t it? And then my shoulder—” She closed her eyes, cutting off a sound of pain.
    “Take it easy, Livie. You’re doing great. There won’t be any more pain like that.”
    “You fixed my shoulder. I remember that.” Olivia’s hand slid out to grip his. “I thought it was a dream when you walked out of the rain. I’m not dreaming, am I?”
    Her eyes were unfocused and Rafe figured she was still half-asleep. She probably didn’t have a clue what she was saying. “It’s no dream. I’m right here, Livie. Now get some rest.”
    She smiled sadly. “I missed how you say my name. Say it again?”
    “Livie.”
    “That’s nice. I’m glad you’re here. Don’t go away, Rafe. Not until I wake up. It...might be a while.”
    Rafe looked down at their fingers linked on the white hospital bed. He felt a weight at his chest. “I’ll be right here.”
    They were going to have to face their past sometime, he thought. They might as well get it over with as soon as possible.
    * * *
    R AFE WALKED DOWN for a quick cup of coffee and a sandwich from a vending machine. Then he checked in with Tom Wilkinson to be sure things were under control at the station.
    Since he was off duty, he figured he would stay with Olivia until one of her friends showed up. Hell, he had nothing better to do.
    When he got back to her door, he was surprised to hear the sound of voices from inside the room. Looking in, he saw that she was awake, propped against a pillow, offering knitting tips to three nurses who were admiring a featherlight shawl on her bed.
    So she was still a knitter, Rafe thought. Even as a teenager she had been crazy for yarn and fiber. Rafe remembered that she had knit him a hat one year, and it had won a prize at the county fair. He frowned as the rest of the details came back to him. Her father had been angry that she entered the fair without his permission. He had been incendiary when he learned that the hat was a gift for Rafe. But Olivia had refused to relent, determined to give the complex piece of knitting to Rafe. Her father had retaliated by cutting off her allowance and grounding her for a month.
    Never one to back down, Jilly had sneaked over at night, climbing up the big oak tree outside Olivia’s bedroom, furious at Olivia’s punishment.
    In a rush, Rafe remembered every sharp detail and regretted that he had made trouble for Olivia with her father. It seemed he had a rare ability to screw up her life.
    Just then Olivia looked up and her face filled with color. Rafe could see nothing else but her soft mouth and the way her eyes sparkled.
    “Feeling better, I see. But I think you should be resting. Sorry to interrupt, ladies.”
    The nurses glanced at Rafe curiously, and Olivia introduced him.
    The new deputy sheriff.
    It still sounded strange to Rafe.
    After quick assurances that they would drop by the new yarn shop for lessons with Olivia, the nurses left. Rafe sat down next to the bed and began piling snacks on her tray.
    “What’s all this?”
    “Lemon snack cake. Chocolate cupcakes. Corn chips. Coke. I figured I’d cover all the bases.”
    Olivia laughed and the sound broke over Rafe like a cool rain after a parched summer. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed that laugh.
    “You expect me to eat all that?”
    “Not immediately. But given the reputation of hospital food, I thought you should stock up.”
    Olivia reached for the cupcakes, then stopped with a frown. They had fitted her with a temporary brace, which made using her hand very difficult. “I hate being helpless,” she muttered.
    Rafe opened the pastry and set it on the plate in front of her. “It’s only temporary. Have at